"Johanna" live at the "Bayou"

It was Friday night June 27. My friend “Melissa” and I head out to the “Bayou” in “Mount Vernon” to go watch a show. Were going to go watch “Johanna” and her band perform there. I had told her prior that she was in for a treat. However, boy was I wrong; we were both in for a treat.

This young lady hit the stage with a vengeance. She rocks! Her voice is beautiful. She is extremely personable, has an amazing stage presence, and her band does not hit a bad note. This was by far one of the best live acts I have seen in a long time.

From the first to the last song, you are glued to your seat. You just want her to keep on singing. For the moments that she is performing, everything in your life fades away. Not many artist performance can keep you enthralled for their whole set, but she can.

She even did an “Alicia Keys” cover of her song “No one”. In addition, I must tell you, her version sounds as if it is her own song. She sang the hell out of that song. This lady sang the hell out of every song. In addition, her band, oh my, they are incredible musicians, and this is coming from a musician, so I know when a band misses a note or messes up. These guys simply rocked.

I had to buy her album at the end of her second set. Yes, folks I sat there for two sets. My date was so impressed with them that all we spoke about the rest of the night was “Johanna”. Guys, word of advice, a “Johanna” show, is the perfect place for a date.

I will be putting out a review on her album shortly, but in the mean time, just peep out her page and sample some songs. You can even go to www. iTunes. com and do a search under her name or search for the album titled” Why would I sing”. And if you hate itunes like I do, you can get it at http://cdbaby. com/cd/johannamusic . You will not be disappointed. Trust me, have I ever lead you wrong?

Right now, all I can say is that she encapsulates love beautifully. Her CD has not left my player since Friday night. Moreover, it will not leave for another month or so.

Till next time….

What will be will be

What will be will be

It is no good to think long and hard about what might happen in life.
Just get on with it
That is what they say.
And I do
Day by day
I do my best and see what comes.
I suppose that is sensible.
It could always be worse, that is what I tell myself.
Sometimes I lie to myself just to get through the day.
Does that make me a liar?
Everybody lies.
Sometimes it is a nice lie.
Everybody lies.
Doesn’t make them bad
And it doesn’t make them sad
The truth shall set you free
That is how it goes right?
However, the truth don’t come so easily
But at times
What will be, will be.
Till next time...








Copyright © 2008. James Velez

Not Happening

“The Happening” did not happen at all. This was a horrible, I mean horrible movie. This movie tells you the ending in the first ten minutes. This movie was so hyped, that I knew it would either be really good, or just plain awful. And I was correct, it was just plain awful.

This movie makes me wonder if anybody reads scripts anymore. This movie had a good cast, which leaves me to believe that they did not read the script. Because had they read the script before agreeing to do it, I bet, they would not have acted in this crap.

M. Knight Shyamalan has lost me as a fan. I have tried to give this man a chance, but with this movie, he has lost me. I will never pay for any of his movies again. This man has not made a decent movie since “The Sixth Sense”. However, Hollywood refusing to infuse new blood keeps giving this man money to make garbage films. Films with so much potential as seen in the trailers but is nothing more then a waste of time

“Mark Wahlberg” whom I consider to be a decent actor, really flopped on this one. He played such a horrible leading man. From the get go I wanted to walk out, after hearing his little whishy washy voice. It was as if his character was written to annoy the audience. And boy, did it annoy me.

“Zooey Deschanel” played her usual spaced out self, nothing to brag about or to put on her resume. This movie had nothing, and I mean nothing special. It was just a total let down from beginning to end. And Hollywood wonders why “Bootleg Movies” sell. It is simple. Make a movie worth paying $12.00 for, and watch people shell out money for it.

On a scale of 1-10, I give this movie a two. People save your money and do not waste your time, remember, you wont get your two hours of lost life back, so do not waste it on this movie.

Till next time.

My Freind Jim Was Crazy

Hello all, I have been working on a book that is about me, but written from a friend's point of view and has his opinions about me. Well here is the opening to it I hope you all enjoy it and I would like to know what you all think about it.

Thanx.

Till next time....

(Excerpt from "My Friend Jim Was Crazy)

Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would become "Jaded"? Jaded towards society. Moreover, lo and behold, my friend "Jim" got me there. I knew this man since childhood. In addition, even back then he did not fit in anywhere. Therefore, it was understandable that this person was "Jaded".

My friend Jim is crazy.

Not crazy in the Looney sense, hmmmmmmm, well maybe at times, but most of the time he was a pure genius. Some of the things that would come out of his mouth would astound others and me. He had this knack for saying what was on people's mind, and for being brave enough to say it.

I have never met anyone in my life, so secure in his manhood that he would grab a man's ass, simply as a joke, to get a reaction out of them, without thinking anything of it. Most people thought he was gay, or that he was hiding in the closet or something, but the fact that he could do those types of things and not get bothered showed, just how secure he was in his manhood. However, if you touched him in the ways that he would touch any of his friends he would flip out. Odd huh?

I have never run into anyone as "Crazy" as Jim was. Actually, I am going to stop calling him "Crazy", Jim prefers the term "Free Spirited". I like that one also; it seems to fit his personality more. Jim does come across as a free spirited individual. His points of view are so out there, I mean he sees things without blinders so to speak.

One example come to mind was how he described women to me many years ago, he said, "All women are whore and they can't be trusted, right down to grandma. She did her thing back in her day"

That sent me into a straight up, "What?"

Then he continued, but we will get to that part later on. My main reason for writing about him is some of the stuff that comes out of his mouth just baffles the mind. This person is no idiot this man reads a lot. Not textbooks or stuff pertinent to his life, like self-help books, or books on any job he is involved in, but books on life, and religion. This person is a professor of philosophy and does not see it. He is so open to other points of views, and sees both sides to every coin so to speak.

love scene

All righty, here we go once more with insane but meaningful questions from “James”.

Let us say you are an actor. Your next movie is gonna be big, your getting paid well, around 2 million I would say. Now your sibling, (a.k.a. brother or sister, depending on what you have) is also on the same movie. Now that is awesome, both of you making millions and about to be on the big screen.

Now here is the decisive factor. You have to be in a love scene with your sibling. It is not a porn scene; it is a love scene, similar to the one in “Monsters Ball”.

Pretty much, what I am asking is, can you do a love scene with your brother or sister?

Family and movies

All righty, here we go once more with insane but meaningful questions from “James”.

Let us say you are an actor. Your next movie is gonna be big, your getting paid well, around 2 million I would say. Now your sibling, (a.k.a. brother or sister, depending on what you have) is also on the same movie. Now that is awesome, both of you making millions and about to be on the big screen.

Now here is the decisive factor. You have to be in a love scene with your sibling. It is not a porn scene; it is a love scene, similar to the one in “Monsters Ball”.

Pretty much, what I am asking is, can you do a love scene with your sibling?

Deficate for cash?

Ok here we go again. I asked Dave if I give him $200 bucks a week, could I watch him shit once a day, all in the name of science.

Ok, after you stop laughing, here is his reply

"Hell no, I'll send you a video feed of me shitting for $100"

A video feed I said. "Come on, that's lame, the experiment consist of me sitting in the room and watching you, taking down notes that explain what your doing and what I am seeing." He once again gladly sent me to hell. His thought is that I am some freak, I told him "Dave it's all in the name of science, this is a way to help people get over stage fright, and to find out the differences between men and women in the toilet doing the same thing.

His reply was "James that sounds more like a scientific experiment on seeing how crazy "James" is and also its an invasion of privacy, fuck science." He continued, "You really are a sick fuck. You need help James. To watch someone shit. Why?

After I stopped laughing, I asked him,

"Dave you really wouldn't let me watch you shit for $200 a week? Seriously, no video, so there is not any danger of it appearing on "youtube" or anything like that, just me taking down some notes. Medical notes at that."

"James no is my answer"

At that moment, my roommate happened to walk in and ask, "What the fuck are you guys talking about in here?"

I explain to him what we were discussing, he starts to laugh, and as he is laughing I ask him the same question.

"Jay, would you let me watch you shit once a day for $200 a week?"

He replied nonchalantly,

"Sure why not? That's a sweet deal"

Now that is my boy.

Now comes all the questions, and comments from them.

1)How many shits do you get to watch? My reply was "just one shit a day for seven days, basically a week's work. Seven shits I would say."

2)Can I choose which one to allow you to watch? "Sure we would set it up in advance of course"

3)The morning shits are long, you had better pack a lunch for the morning ones, and mine are long. "Ok, lunch for a morning crap? You're in there that long?"

Therefore, I ask you now, my readers, would you let me watch you shit once a day for a whole week for 200 big ones? Once you stop laughing let me know what your answer is. Thanx
Till next time….

T-Mobile equals bad business.

T-Mobile is not Kool. Not Kool at all. I have been a loyal customer since 2001. I make every payment, some late, but I do not miss any. Now this month I paid them. I paid them on the eighth. Now I went over last month on my minutes so my bill was a bit outrageous. So I pay my monthly bill and say to myself, “Self, you’ll pay the whole thing off on either the next bill, or the week before its due. According to them, my bill is not due until June 6.

Well, lo and behold, they start texting, a week after I made my monthly payment, telling me that I need to pay immediately. So I thinking to myself, “Self, these guys are nuts”. I go to the website to check when my next payment is due, and bam there it is, June 6.

So I go and pay my “Con Ed” and my “Verizon” bill thinking that life will be good. I go on a few job interviews, put gas in my car, you know, do my thing. I stay on the grind, getting a new job is my main priority. So my mind had been preoccupied with tons of things running through it I sign in to my unemployment lat on Sunday, around 10ish.

I am thinking that my money will come in on time, because I signed in on Sunday and all will be well. But no! Not in “James” world. Things gotta go wrong.

My unemployment check is supposed to be in my account on Wednesday morning, but being that I signed in late it gets pushed back a day. No worries I say, I got some cash on me, everything is paid off and I should be good. I go to make a phone call and bam! There is this unfamiliar sound.

“Do dee Do, your call cannot be completed at this time because your service has been temporarily disconnected, and you will be transferred to our automated system to make a payment”

Huh? Is all I can say. They cut me! Those bastards cut my phone service. I check when my next payment was due and it reads once again, June 6. What the hell are these guys doing? I made a payment this month, I am not running anywhere, nor am I hiding. They cut me before my next payment was due. I tried calling them, but my phone wont make any outgoing calls. Even the 611 feature does not work. They really cut me. These bastards, that overcharges at every given chance, give me shitty reception, with shitty service, and I still pay, cut me. I am appalled.

Wait until I get them on the line. I will rip into them, and force them to severe my contract. This is not the way to treat your loyal customers. At least wait until I pay or don’t pay my upcoming bill.
Damn you T-Mobile!

Till next time.

Grilled Chicken Wrap.

“Wendy’s Grilled Chicken Wrap”

Today I will talk about this, now the reason I am even discussing it is that it let me down. Here I am at home watching TV on my couch, and every other commercial is a “Wendy’s” commercial, showing off their new “Chicken wraps”. Now I am hungry and it is looking good. Time goes by and my hunger subsides.

Bam! The damn commercial is back on.

“Ok, this wrap looks kinda big in that ladies hand. Hmmmmmmm, I think I am feeling hungry again.”

Well I sit there for a minute or two thinking it over. Should I go to “Wendy’s” is all that is running through my head. Nah, I don’t feel like wasting the money nor the gas, but damn, I am hungry and would you look at the TV, there is the answer, get a new “Grilled Chicken Wrap to go”.

There it is, my decision is made, that wrap looks like it’s a nice good size, I get me some fries, or nuggets with it and I’m good.

Off to “Wendy’s” I go.

I tell you, I get to the place and the “wraps” look good on the signs. I place my order, get my food and I run to my car. Man, I am hungry, cant wait to get home and chow down, I stick my hand in the bag to get me some fries and I pull out the wrap. Would you believe that this has to be one of the smallest “wraps” I have ever had. I nearly stopped in my tracks when I got a look at this. Oh man, I am fuming now, this commercial mislead me, big time. This lil ass snack is not going to do anything for me. Damn! I knew I should have checked the bag before I left.

Well to end this rant, or sort of rant, I will tell you all, do not! I repeat, Do not, get your self a “Wendy’s Grilled Chicken Wrap” if you are hungry. The “Wrap” is strictly a snack.

Are people of color safe in N.Y.?

Friday, after nearly two months of one of the most controversial trials of police accused of murder in New York City's history, Judge Arthur Cooperman announced that he found the NYPD police officers who killed Sean Bell and seriously wounded his friends Trent Benefield and Joseph Guzman not guilty on all charges.

"This scandalous verdict is another reminder that the courts will fail the people of New York City over and over again when it comes to trying police violence," said PJ member Latanya White. "While people of color, immigrants, and queer people are brutalized by the police and left with physical and emotional scars, the police continue to get off easy. It's outrageous.

"Peoples' Justice is appalled by the Queens District Attorney's lackluster prosecution of the officers, which many observers and attorneys believe contributed to the acquittals, and demands that this case be re-tried by federal prosecutors based on civil rights violations. Furthermore, Peoples' Justice calls for an independent prosecutor in all past and present cases of police misconduct and violence."We're reminded of Amadou Diallo all over again. We're reminded of Abner Louima, Anthony Baez, Eleanor Bumpers, and all others who have died at the hands of the NYPD's killer cops," said PJ member Joo-Hyun Kang of CAAAV: Organizing Asian Communities. "The DA's failure to prosecute the police is further evidence that all cases involving police brutality must be handled by an independent prosecutor.

The acquittal of NYPD Detectives Michael Oliver, Marc Cooper, and Gescard Isnora continues the mockery of justice and fairness that began even before the start of their trial. The defense attorneys originally requested a change of venue for the trial. When this request was denied, they were granted a request for a bench trial, thus denying Queens’s residents the chance to hold the officers accountable for the killing. During the trial, the defense attempted to malign Sean Bell's character and morals – implying that his killing was somehow justified due to his character – as well as those of his friends. The defense attorney representing one of the police officers, for example, repeatedly called Benefield, a “thug”."Clearly, the defense's attempts at character assassination worked," said PJ member Glo Ross of FIERCE. "Once again, the court system has failed New Yorkers, and the NYPD and its killer cops got away. We need to remember that the NYPD took someone's life that night and seriously wounded two others. The fact that the police officers responsible for this crime are being let off without so much as an insignificant punishment only sends them a message that they can get away with murder again. Now, it is up to New Yorkers to keep the NYPD in check.

Just wrong, more proof that people of color are not safe in a country that we helped built. We live in a sad sad world. Let me know what you all think of this.
Till next time….

Is that semen on you?

Question? Yeah I know what you all are thinking.

“Oh lord, another one of “James” crazy questions.”

Well yes, it is, but you must admit, my questions are fun. Don’t deny it. Well here is the “question” at hand.

You’re at a public setting, as in the bus, train, in line at the bank, anywhere, use your imagination. I personally like the bus or subway, but use anywhere you like. Ok while your standing there an individual behind you taps you on the shoulder and ask,
“Excuse me, but is that semen on you?”

What do you say to them? I wanna hear “reactions” to this.
Till next time….

Define me

I once read
The guilty hang themselves.
Sacrificial victims slash their throats.
The discarded throw themselves off buildings, or bridges.
Tormented minds blow their brains out.
Which one am I?
I have stolen,
I have lied.
I have deceived
Drugs, yeah I have tried.
At times,
It should have been me
That had died.

I once read,
The guilty hang themselves.
Sacrificial victims slash their throats.
The discarded throw themselves off buildings, or bridges.
Tormented minds blow their brains out.
Which one am I?
I think this for the best.
I know there is good somewhere,
I am saving you all from the despair.
This anger inside me
Blinding me to the realities of this so-called life
Leaving me filled with nothing but strife.

I once read,
The guilty hang themselves.
Sacrificial victims slash their throats.
The discarded throw themselves off buildings, or bridges.
Tormented minds blow their brains out.
Which one am I?
Go on paying no mind to me
I’ll be out of your way soon enough,
You’ll see.
Being ignored and forgotten,
Has this internal feeling
That can only be described,
As rotten
Forget me you will
Ending my life will be my final thrill.

I once read,
The guilty hang themselves.
Sacrificial victims slash their throats.
The discarded throw themselves off buildings, or bridges.
Tormented minds blow their brains out.
Which one am I?
Attempting to live this way
While constantly
Thinking against the grain
Leaves me
Constantly in pain
The only remedy seems to be

A bullet, in my brain

Copyright © 2007. James Velez

My Big Jump

It was an amazing experience.

Our First Kiss

I am working on a lil book that portrays my life a bit and I wanted to know what you guys thought about this part. Any form of criticism accepted, and there is also a link to a poem I wrote back in the day. Thanx for reading.
Till next time.

"First kiss"

As she sat on the hood of the car, I leaned forward and listened to what she said,
"Is there anything you got to say or want to do?"
"Ha! I got some things to say, but what I really want to do is kiss you right now"
And with a twinkle in her eye, she looked right at me and said,
"So do it. Go for yours"

I looked at her and just went in for the kiss. I have been waiting for this moment, and I tell you, it was well worth it. This was by far the best kiss I ever had. There was so much passion in it. Our lips locked as if meant to be together.
Her soft lips against mine, our tongues rolling around each other, taking in all there was. In addition, from that moment on, every kiss was the same, pure passion and love.

Here is a poem on this person click link to read it

One Question?

Just one question?



How can I let you go?
That is the question, I suppose?
Excuse me
Will anyone in this room please let me know?
Years have passed since we first met.
I must ask.
Did we have fun?
Yeah, I bet.
You showed me how to dream, how to believe.
Those were the lessons I learned and now I preach.
Rather then dwell on the past,
I’m learning to look to the future.
That’s a fact.
But still, I can’t help but think of what could have been?
That is why I look up at the world with a sad grin.
Just one of the many difficulties to get over
Every now and then, I find myself looking over my shoulder
Wishing you was still in my corner.
Your support will be missed,
Especially how passionate we used to kiss!
Missing your hands on my back
Then realizing, the love that we had,
Slipped right through the crack!
Come to think of it,
Ending it might have been for the best.
While writing this for me
Is a way to heal, that I much I will confess.
But when writing won’t even help this tortured soul,
I’ll just turn my back on the world,
Excuse me while I pack another bowl.
Even in a cloudy haze
Memories of you seem to peek through.
Just wish that I could easily
Get over you.
So, now back to my question,
How do you let someone go?
Will someone in this room…………
Please…….let me know.

Copyright © 2007. James Velez

The witch of Portobello

“The witch of Portobello”
Where to begin.
This book was amazing, beautifully written, and a pleasure to read.
“Paulo Coelho” wrote one hell of a book. This book a is necessary read for anyone looking for beauty in words. This author brought us “The Alchemist” another great book. I literally fell in love with the main character in this book, and so will you.
This book inspired me to write more, to love more, to live more. Yes, it is a fictional book, but the story in it, we can all relate to it. I recommend to each and every one of you to go out and purchase this book. You will not regret it.
Moreover, if you are not in the mood to purchase it, or just want a little sample of it, copy and past this link into your web browser.
http://browseinside.harpercollins.com/index.aspx?isbn13=9780061338809&HCHP=WitchPortbello_Sidebar1_FullAccess_021108
You can read the book in it entirety from the site. Now I hate to read from computer screens, but this book wrapped me up. I read the whole book from my desk at home and at work, and now I am going out to purchase it, not only for myself but also for a friend.

It was that good.

Till next time....

Live, Love, Learn, and Share

I am a lost and confused soul in this world. But aren’t we all?
I want to cry
I want to laugh
I want to dance
I want to feel all that there is to feel
Experience all that there is to experience
I want to learn
I want to teach
I really want to share.
I am reading a few books at the moment, one is fiction and one is a not. Nevertheless, what they both have in common is that they're showing me I want to live. I want to share my world with everyone that I come in contact with. I am not afraid to share who I am and I am not as selfish as some think.
Live, love, learn and share.
Thank you.
Till next time….

Review of "After Dachau" by "Daniel Quinn"

Daniel Quinn let me down. Well not totally let me down, but I am a bit disappointed. I just finished reading “After Dachau”. A book that I was so excited to read, I could hardly contain myself.

This book started a little weak but then in a matter of two to three pages it just blew my mind. As to how great of a writer he is, where he can sum things up so well, and give you a full look into things with just a few words. This book became good very quick, only to disappoint me in the end.

I am literally left with my mouth open wondering, “Was all this built up for that?” I still have to go over it with my pal “Melissa” just to get another point of view on it and hopefully see it a bit differently. She is an “English major” so maybe I will think differently after I go over it with her, but until then I will remain disappointed.

Now I do not want to discourage you people from going out and buying this book. Remember we all have our own opinions, but I will recommend that you pick up his other books before reading this one. This man is one of my favorite authors and everything that I have read so far from him I love and recommend to you all.
All but this one.

Till next time….

Knight Rider

N.B.C. got it all wrong.

Let me tell you what they got wrong. On Sunday, they broadcasted “Knight Rider” as a movie. And let me tell you, it was horrible. Any movie where the best actor is “David Hasslehoff” you know its bad.
In addition, on top of all this, they showed a commercial every six minutes. No lie, every six minutes. This was bad.
They ended it o.k. It has hopes of being a show, but I do not think it will be a good show, and these networks are known for putting crap on TV anyway, see caveman for more proof on this.
All in all, this was a horrible attempt at bringing back a decent show, not great but decent. Therefore, my advice to you is if you missed it your lucky, if you watched it, I know your pain.
Till next time…

Is love an emotional trend?

To actually be in love?

Can anyone define this? I dare you to. Give me a direct definition for love. In addition, I bet the person next to you will not agree with your answer.
It confuses me how someone can claim love then "poof" exhibit not one trace of it. Where does all that love go, is it a form energy that can be measured? We all know energy cannot be destroyed it just changes form. So does that love become hatred? On the other hand, even resentment. Or are they both the same emotion just looked at from a different point of view?
Why does it turn into the opposite? Why if it is changing, it doesn’t just slightly change? It turns into the total opposite.

Why?

I know the difference between being in love and loving someone. Nevertheless, something causes the love to cease. What drives a person to pretend as if you do not exist?
We all know the usual things that make a person stop loving. You can lie, cheat, and steal. Abuse someone’s trust. Something. However, what if there aren’t any of the usual signs?

Nothing!

Now you are just left to ponder, "what went wrong?” A constant reminder that you are not perfect, and that nothing last forever. Leaving you lost, confused and unfocused. Which leaves you all messed up now. Nevertheless, even emotions tend to fade away.

“Time heals all wounds”. For this delicate subject (which I do not claim to be an expert at) many books, song and movies have been written on it. Mainly by people who have failed at it. (Hence me writing about it). Yet we still pursue it. Knowing how difficult it is to keep the fire burning. Each one of us just hoping to find “The answer”. The answer that will keep love in our lives. Moreover, by saying love I do not mean the love with a friend or pet, or family member at that. I am talking bout love. The one that had you writing letters with those check the box if you like me in them, and tagging up her/his name in your notebook. Similar to that little kiddies love.

Love.

Even as we grow older, love in every aspect does not change. Yes, you approach it differently, but the feeling is still the same. Your heart flutters a bit; you lose your breath at her/his site. You want to be around them at all times. Talk, share ideas, bump into them, something. As children, we do not know what to do, which is why we hit each other. Not in a violent way, but a playful manner, and as adults, yeah we still play. Therefore, things do not change all that much. Instead of hitting your love interest to get there attention, we do other things. I will not get into that being that I cannot get the attention of anything, let alone anyone, but this whole blog is not just me rambling about love.
It is a question. Not one that I seek an answer for, but I ask my readers to seek out the answers for themselves and get back to me with the answer to that question.

What is love?

In addition, what makes a person throw all that away with out any remorse? I see that the last question is a loaded one. The first one is also, but it makes for a great debate if anything. If something meant so much to you yesterday, why isn’t it worth a thing today?
In addition, I am not talking about some trendy item. I am talking emotions here, but is love an emotional trend?
Hmmmmm…
Till next time….