Archive for the Not random, but random Category

UNDER CONSTRUCTION!!!

WE the BKBOYEEZ sincerely apologize for our absents from the public. We have received all the emails and phone calls; the love is felt. The BKBOYEEZ are definitely conjuring up a worth your wait release with all new sections, new look , and maybe even some new personalities. ‘Til then we will be bringing back some of our archives( oldies but goodies).

keep riding( even if we’re parked)

BKBOYEEZ

Random Thought: Recession Protection!

In this day in age we can’t take enough precaution in protecting ourselves and our assets (no matter how much you have). Here’s an e-mail I received (thanks Mom!) called “Free Advice” informing the general population on keeping what’s yours:

  1. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put ‘PHOTO ID REQUIRED.’ 
  2. When you are writing checks to pay your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the ‘For’ line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the numbers, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won’t have access to it.
  3. Put your work phone number on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a P.O. Box, use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a P.O. Box, use your work address.
  4. Run the contents of your wallet thru a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel in the event it gets lost or stolen. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. I also carry a photocopy of my passport when I travel either here or abroad. We’ve all heard horror stories about fraud that’s committed on us- whether it’s stealing a name, address, social security number, credit cards, etc.
  5. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately, but the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them.
  6. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one). But here’s what’s perhaps most important of all (I never even thought to do this):
  7. Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and also call the Social Security fraud line number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had already been done. There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves’ purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away this weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them dead in their tracks. Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, if it has been stolen:
  • Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 
  • Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
  • Trans Union : 1-800-680 7289
  • Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

 Be blessed…KuTs

Things that make you go hmmm…

“PRIORITIES - is what creates reaction.”
-KuTs

Room Rescue

I made the transition from Mom’s house to Independence 9 months ago, and I’ve been living as though I just moved in the whole time! For almost 2 months I’ve been trying to organize and give my room some swagger, but honestly- it hasn’t been going too well. My room has swine flu! Clothes, sneakers, shoes, and hats are everywhere. I have the blueprint of what my room will look like when everything is done, but my mind is being cluttered by my space clutter- which is producing an unsuccessful plan toward getting the blueprint from idea to reality. Now, I have an approximate 3 week deadline to have my room at least half way to the design of the blueprint. I’m going to document my progress for you guys for motivation and of course WHATEVER tips you might have. Will I be telling tales of victory or hanging my head low in defeat? Keep BKBOYEEZ.COM bookmarked to find out.

Be blessed…KuTs

The Streets Of NYC Love MJ (…literally!)

Look what I came across one night as my sister and I walked around the Upper West Side- just weeks after the passing of the King of Pop! I wish we saw it in the daytime (it would be A LOT brighter), but isn’t this DOPE? … and it looks just like him! This is the Michael I remember wanting to be just like! Can’t say this enough… R.I.P. Michael. …Oh, and special shout out to the artist- Hani Shihada- who’s known for drawing some of the most breathtaking works of art directly on the sidewalks of NYC!

MJ literally takes over the streets of NYC!
Artist: Hani Shihada

DRE.B.EZ

Random Thought: Brooklyn, the Beautiful.

I was  walking to the train yesterday down Ocean Aveune right beside Prospect Park when I looked to my left and realized what a great day Brooklyn was having at 11am. I walk down this route to the train almost everyday but I’ve been seriously taking it for granted. Brooklyn isn’t know for its glitz, so take a deep breath in and enjoy the view.

Be blessed…KuTs

Keyshia Cole & Lyfe Jennings Brought Out The Hood in BK!

Monday night popped off the Summer Concert Series at Brooklyn’s own- Wingate Park. First on the roster was Keyshia Cole and Lyfe Jennings- both dope artists, so you know the BKBOYEEZ had to be up in there.  Unfortunately, so was all of Brooklyn and there was no getting in. When I tell you people were lining up at 4:30pm- I’m serious! The cops had the streets blocked off all the way from New York & Winthrop to at least 5-6 blocks north and had the same treatment on Albany & Winthrop doing the same. That’s crazy! So Dre and I decided to dip out after making our rounds through the crowd. Left with nothing to do, we decided to have cocktails downtown while we figured out the gameplan for the rest of our evening. It just so happens that I have a friend that works at Scopello’s in Ft. Greene.  Although I heard Keyshia was “good with her three costume changes and all”, my girl Catherine (who happens to be slightly heavy-handed behind the bar) definitely showed us that we made the better choice. I love a bartender who can relate to her clientele all while whipping up great Mojitos & Caipirinas “with love”! Scopello’s is actually one of Brooklyn’s small gems. It has a intimate, yet social atmosphere and the Happy Hour specials there is off the hook! We ended the night at Rockwells “I Hate Mondays” party, which turned out to be a dope finish to an impromptu evening. Yo! I was twisted off the mojitos and worn out from the spade games. I believe I have found my new Monday night hangouts, so definitely swing thru and catch me at the bar.

They Love the BKBOYEEZ!
The BKBOYEEZ go to Scopellos for the friendly bartenders! Love you, Catherine.

Stay up and catch my swag.
FaBid

Random Thought: Just On The Train…

Have you ever been on the train with no iPod, magazine, book or one of your Boyeez for mindless travel conversation. I know, I been there. I always find myself looking around aimlessly trying to find something to occupy me for my 30 minute ride into the city. Ten of those minutes are usually dedicated to getting into how crazy everyone looks on the train. Nothing like a rush hour train ride to show you just how many Brooklynites still haven’t gotten on the fashion bandwagon. The next 15 minutes I’m usually b!*chin’ about how slow the train is going- making me much later than I already am (…’cuz I’m never on time). The last 5 mins I’m usually trying to prep myself for the mad dash I’m gonna have to make as soon as the doors opens.

Train Going By...

Today something caught my eye that totally sidetracked me from my regular travel routine. Now I’m sure there’s a title for these things and with a little more research I probably could have gotten the name of it, but whatever! You know that part at the top of the train where they have the advertisements for everything from GED programs to cosmetic surgery? Well, they also have that series of poems and quotes. Although they often provide a reversion to my boring train ride (they mainly confuse me- I just don’t get them sometimes), but today’s quote had my full 30 minute attention. This quote occupied my mind all day. Here’s the quote… tell me what you think.

“To doubt everything or to believe everything are two equally convenient solutions; both dispense with the need for thought.” -Henri Poincaré.

Random Thought: Fraud!

Say NO to FRAUD!

I know we are in “hard times,” but stealing from the poor is never the answer! I recently found out that the T-Mobile store I bought my BlackBerry from accessed my account without my notification, taking my Social, changing my billing address and ordered themselves not only 1- but 2 newly released PDA’s. I was shocked and pissed off to say the least, but that just goes to show your personal information is not safe anywhere these days. Make sure you do whatever you can to protect yourself from fraudulence!

Happy Independence Day, America!

In between the BBQs this weekend, I found time to make my way into the city and ended up watching the fireworks on the rooftop of my boy’s friend’s crib. Thanks to the chick (who’s name I don’t quite remember or anything else that night for that matter…), but she was lovely! As most people find joy in fireworks, I was over it in a matter of 5 minutes but thought I’d share. What did YOU do this weekend?

Random Thought: Still Speechless about MJ…

I’m still speechless about the passing of MJ. His death has been the one recurring thought in my mind over the past few days. His music was timeless, his talent was immeasurable, he was an inspiration to us all  and his legacy will certainly live on forever. I always thought what would happen if MJ died? Would the World be ready for it? Would we  mourn his death or celebrate his life? Just as I thought I’d never be around to witness the first Black American president become elected, who would have known that the King of Pop would pass away in my lifetime too? It’s been MJ mayhem throughout the media, on the airwaves, in the clubs, and on the streets of New York. It’s scary to even fathom the extent of his reach, as he effected so many people in a myriad of ways. He was a global icon! He was the BEST performer to EVER LIVE. He was often imitated, but never duplicated. A musical genius, a great  humanitarian and he’ll be greatly missed. I love you MJ!

This Life: Blame It On The…

In this life you’re responsible for your own actions; you can’t blame it on anyone or anything- despite what Jaime Foxx says. For instance, I recently experienced a situation where someone who I considered “a friend” overstepped their boundary in our friendship, and I couldn’t find peace within myself until I confronted them about it. Imagine already feeling despondent about a particular situation in life, only to have “a friend” make you feel a lot worse about it. That’s not cool and unlike the popular Dionne Warwick song, “that’s NOT what friends are for!” To make matters worse I learned the following day that even after the well-deserved tongue lashing I couldn’t hold back- come to find out “my friend” was “drunk and didn’t recall the situation”. WTF??? Now that totally pissed me off because you know the truth comes out when you’re drunk, so he obviously meant what he said and everything that I said clearly went thru one ear and out the other! Whether under the influence or not, that’s no excuse to get too familiar- especially when the friendship is still new. My advice is: It’s never too early or too late to CHECK your friends when they get too comfortable. If they’re a true friend, they’ll know it’s not coming from a bad place and your feelings should never come second to their Aah-aah-aah-aah-aah-ALCOHOL!

DRE.B.EZ

Happy Father’s Day!

Happy Father's Day!

Q&A with DRE.B.EZ: Dad…?

This question couldn’t come at a better time with Father’s Day coming up this Sunday and all, but it’s definitely a question that I have to choose my words well with nevertheless. Hmm, Dad? …I definitely had one (as we ALL do), but he passed away when I was 12. There was another “father figure” in my life who came along afterward, but I won’t even mention him as it’ll open up a whole new can of worms I’m just not trying to revisit right now. I guess I’m what you’d call- a product of the dreaded Urban statistic. You know what I’m talking about? Recording artist, Teairra Mari, said in well in one of her hit songs chanting, “I ain’t had no Daddy around when I was growin’ up…” I have very few and faded memories of my father because he wasn’t always there, but I don’t hate him for it. At the time, I guess it was the thing to do- have kids then abandon them and the woman who gave birth to the offspring too. You can’t really miss something or someone (in this case) you can’t really remember. But I thank and respect my mother for being both Mom & Dad- especially raising me (a male, at that!) in an Urban community filled with temptation. As I grow older, I can honestly say that I thank my father for not being there as he has actually taught me something in his absence: When the time comes for me to have my own kids, I will do EVERYTHING in my power to be the BEST FATHER mine just wasn’t. …And who says good doesn’t come out of a bad situation? Don’t believe the hype!

Random Thought: I Can’t Sleep!!!

I never thought I lived in the hood, but I’m starting to have second thoughts and here’s how. My bedroom window in my Brooklyn apartment is across the street from what becomes an over 30 “after hours playground” for the dudes who “run the block” and their acquaintances to be as obnoxious as they possibly can (until 5-0 comes). Typical, huh? Unlike most playgrounds that are in full swing during the daytime hours, this narrow cement romping ground doesn’t climax until around midnight. Night after night, I’m disturbed by loud quarreling, drunken escapades, arguments with clients (i.e. crackheads), and your occassional gunshots. Don’t be alarmed- I’m immune to ‘em. I live amongst young boys turned grown men programmed to chase that easy money, but why at my expense? When did working AND playing on the block boost your street cred? Now I’m no pharmacist, but that’s totally not okay when you’re running an illegal operation. I’m not tryna knock anybody’s hustle because (…eh hem, “It’s Hard Out Here For a Pimp!”), all I’m sayin’ is why tonight? Damn!

I Can't Sleep!!!

Pop!

Black Eye Peas: The E.N.D. in stores now.

Love Pop?
…Well Black Eye Peas is back with their fifth studio album, The E.N.D. (”The Energy Never Dies”), and I can’t wait to get my hands on it. Whenever will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo, and Fergie get together, they create something innovative & uncomparable to anything else in the industry. They’ve found their niche and have definitely stuck to it over the years. Their hit single, “Boom Boom Pow” is definitely a favorite of mine; it has that heavy techno-funk beat that just gets under you. It has also been rumored that the rest of the album follows the same treatment- not the Hip Hop/R&B sounds we’re used to. Check out this LIVE video of Black Eye Peas…

DRE.B.EZ