Kanye West and Back to the Future kicks and the awesome 90s

Everything Nike are doing just now I desperately want.  I wish Britain was not as shit as it is and would hurry up and release the latest awesome stuff that will cause me to throw money (even though I am severely lacking in)  in Nike's pockets.  Nike are set to release some really kool, retro and just different sneaks.  Check it!!

First of all - we have the Nike AirYeezy II.  You only need to look at them and think "These will be mine....oh yes!  These will be mine."  Much like Mike Myers says in Wayne's World about the guitar.  What a great fim....

Here are some pics of the Air Yeezy II sneaks.  I will drop some stacks like they hot niggaz!!

Even in it's most bland colour it looks awesome.  

I like them in Red too.  These look sweet!

My favourites so far.  These are just class.  They just look so comfortable. 

T and I were talking about Kanye West the other day.  He is just the greatest at everything.  There is nothing that Kanye West is not better than you or me at and that, my friends, is fact. 

As I was talking about Wayne's World - a early nineties film - it reminds me of other awesome films.  The Back to the Future trilogy comes to mind.  One of the very few trilogies that has stood the test of time (irony!) and still a film loved and regularly quoted by people young and old.  And guess what?!  The heroes at Nike have announced a 'self lacing' pair of sneakers which are apparently being showcased in the USA tomorrow!  Unbelieveable!  I remember being a 5 year old and seeing those trainers in Back to the Future II when Marty McFly puts them on and thinking "WOOOOAAAAHHHH!"  I am so glad I get to clutch on a tiny piece of my childhood through the medium of footwear.  Hey, I'll take it!  Just get me a pair.  Who ever buys me these : 

"This is heavy."

It's the patent! "Great Scot!"

It's happening, baby!!!

Will never be made fun of by me ever again.  Even as a joke.  Chances are I'll be buy myself them.  I will never make fun of myself ever again.  

I oten sit and think about how terrible the last decade - 'the noughties' - were.  I just felt that the whole of the last ten years - which unfortunately included my formative years - were just year after year of unidentified load of shite ever.  We just tried to copy all the other decades which had passed.  We had no identity.  Nothing particularly defining of the last decade, except perhaps the shutter shades.  Thank you Yeezy! 

 

We had no real sense of new fashion unless you are one of those douchebags that try to be like Lady Gaga.  Meat is to be eaten!!! Not Worn!  "Hey, I'll dress as a burger....sellotape some lettuce on me."  Dumbdadumbdumbdumb (South Park Ref!).

Unlike the last decade, the 1990s were just awesome.  There were so many different movements in that decade, so many different forms of self expression - much to do with the direction music was taking - and it was just so incredible to see everyone taking such a badass attitude towards everything.  

It was like: 

• My hair is greasy
• My clothes are ripped
• I have spots all over my face
• I pretty much look like shit

and the answer to all these were simply "I just don't care.".

It was a great time for me growing up as I felt I witnessed so many different things.  TV was much better, films were much better and the music was just incredible.  2Pac and Biggie were still rockin' he charts as were Metallica, Iron Maiden, Oasis, Blur, The Fugees, Radiohead, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Alice In Chains, Jamiroquai and so many more!  All these bands and artists brought cultural diversity which in turn reflected people's character.  For example, if you were grunge and listened to Nirvana, chances are you would have longer hair, a flannel shirt and ripped jeans. 

Oasis and Blur were the sole reasons why Britpop became such a global phenomenon.  2Pac and Biggie changed the face of the hip hop and rap proficiency forever.  Radiohead were the only indie band that were able to pull off being indie and not wankers.  Most of the people who are indie nowadays - Coldplay, Mumford and Sons - would be looked at once and considered to be total fucking wankers in my local pub. 

The 1990s had everything.  I hope this decade will have much more to offer than the last decade but I can never see a decade surpassing the 1990s.  I wish my formative years were then.  I would have appreciated it so much more.

Much love,

Jackson L.

Invictus

I know this may be a cliche but the poem 'Invictus' by William Ernest Henely is one of the most inspiring poems ever.  Especially when it is read by Morgan Freeman in the film 'Invictus' directed by Clint Eastwood.

Nelson Mandella would actually refer to this poem when he was in prison.  He came out to unify South Africa after decades of Apatheid regime left it crippled.  He is hailed as one of the greatest world leaders in modern history if not thee greatest.

Invictus
by William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

So deep.  So moving.  Powerful and poignant and I too often refer to it too.  

In reference to this movie - based on the occasion of the Rugby World Cup - we have only 2 days before the beginning of 2011 Rugby world Cup in New Zealand.  The first game is going to be shown at 8.30AM on ITV - New Zealand versus Tonga.  Both teams perform a pre-match war-dance  known as a Haka.  Expect fireworks!!!

Much love, 

Jackson L. 

Communication

The last week or so I have had my parents come by to visit me in London which was good.  It was nice to have them over and it was good to see them again but, right from the get go, it was soured.  It was due to no fault of my own but more due to other members of the family.  From what I do understand, which is very little, I think it is all down to major breakdown in communications! 

I hate more than anything being, or even seeing a situation where someone is, the middle man!  I always find things get lost in transit.  Things always get left out and then everyone gets pissed off at me.  Well fuck off! 

I have been trying so hard to stress the importance of communication.  It is the basic building block of every relationship –

• Child to parent
• Husband to wife
• Brother to sister
• To you business partner
• Your friends

And so many more!  The thing is though, you need make sure you talk to different people differently, for example, I wouldn’t dare speak to my parents the way I would speak to my friends.  Take my father for example, he is an old school man with very disciplinarian views on everything.  He was conscripted to the army when he graduated from university in the 70s and served his country during one conflict as a military doctor.  If you say one thing out of line to him he will not hesitate to let you know that he is royally pissed off.  He is quite an intense man but, for those who really know him and know him well they all love him.

So with that said, I usually have to think long and hard about how to delicately approach my dad when I need to have a long talk with him, whereas with my mother I can speak freely.  I feel I have a good relationship with both my parents as I do communicate my standpoints and point of view regularly.  My opinions are not necessarily taken on board all the time but, of late in particular, they have been quick to turn to me for my thoughts and ideas.  It is so important to tell people your thoughts as it would be difficult for people to understand your point of view.  We are not mind readers!

Communication is so very important for everyone but, if anything else it’s always good to talk, to your nearest and dearest anyway.  There are very few people I am comfortable in the presence of with complete silence. 

Speaking of communicating; dad and I were having casual chat about world leaders as we were watching the latest news on Gaddafi (what a shithead).  Eventually I then mentioned Obama and said –

“I think Obama has saved himself millions of dollars next year”

“What do you mean?”

“American people think he is the most heroic person ever now.”

“What makes you say that?”

“He caught Bin Laden….”

“Oh, yes.  You are right, I think on that basis he may well get his second term.  He has accomplished nothing, really.” 

He actually genuinely has not accomplished anything.  But the thing about the tragic majority of Americans is that they think terror is over now!  You can probably hear the Americans from America still screaming “USA! USA! USA!” while they masturbate to the video of Bin Laden’s assassination.  Although he has achieved nothing but further fuck up America, Obama can literally address his nation in nothing but a pair of flip-flops, boxers, a bath robe with a stain of vomit on it – wielding a bottle of Black Label Johnny Walker saying

“My fellow motherfuckers, I caught Bin Laden……suck my big black stuff!”

 

And he will probably still get his re-election.  Depressing. 

He can change his election slogan from "YES WE CAN!" to "FUCK YOU ALL I CAUGHT HIM!!" 

and he will still get re-elected.  

I then said to dad –

“I’m glad they got that cunt!”

Yeah, I swear in front of my dad!  Grow up!!

“Me too.  He was such a bastard!”

He swears in front of me too. 

*Mum overhears*

“You should never rejoice over someone’s death!”

………I would like to challenge that.  I think death is horrific and I would never go out chanting the initials of my country outside the current country’s representative’s home but……

If Kerry Katona was on fire and Jedward were there to help put the flames out and their stupid hair caught alight and then Peaches Geldof came along to pick up Jedward and used them to pat out the flames and suddenly caught ablaze herself and the entire cast of loose women, Glee and My Name Is Earl also tried to help but consequently all fell off an 18 storey building to their death and upon crashing to the ground crushed Ashley Cole and his racist ex-wife Cheryl Cole…..I would laugh and carry on with my life.  It would be tres bizarre and that would be the only reason why I would laugh.  Honest. 

Much Love,

Jackson L.