More Tools of the Tirade: Nixon Watches

So my man hits me a few days ago w/ a txt like: "What's the name of the watches you mess w/ again?"

Nixon my dude. Nixon all day.

How could you not rock a hot time piece? A nice one can compliment your outfit so well. So shocked I was when I read this piece in the Globe & Mail some time ago. They went on to say that the watch was a dying accessory and that more and more ppl were using their cells to tell the time.

Wowsers. Using my Nokia all day for time? I do from time to time... But ma montre! Considering that Nokia started as a tire and rubber company, maybe timepieces are not out of reach and in the not so distant future....

Hmmmm. I'll stay with the watch thanks.

In fact, I was thinking of adorning my wrists with some more of Nixon's fine accoutrements. But, for those who didn't know, they make what I personally think are some of the freshest (if not the freshest) watches around - Period. Again, my connection w/ SoCal deepens all the time.

Been watching them (ummm, yea) for a min, and I still recall when I finally dipped in.

My 1st Nixon was the Rocker (you can never forget su primera). This was where I was @ when I bought it: listening to tons of Maiden. Still love it, though I now favor butterfly clasps.

Then, I proverbially went nuts. I followed that up wth:

A Gold Ticket. Stunning. Mine has the burgundy face though.

2 Players: Silver and most recently a Black one. The Player is way too classic. And the Black one emerged from the amazing All Black collection. I equate ownership of a player as quasi rite of passage...

2 Rotologs: The Original Walnut (which sent the whole world in a spin), and then the White one. The original was part of a Mos Def campaign for Nixon that they shot in Toronto being that he was here. Would you believe that I even had drinks with the man responsible for the Roto's design? Nutz. Shouts to Luis C for hooking that up.

My latest purchase was the Esquire CS.

I have a few nore in my site. I don't think my collection could be complete w/o a Gold Player.

This is the original killer. In fact, it was re-released prolly due to incessant requests. Good move Nixon. And yes, that is a real diamond. Before the re-release, I was trying to buy my boy's OG one. Then he left it @ some chick's place one night. Ahhh PHILLY you idiot!

I also want to get my hands on some pieces from the Elite Collection, and notably (you guessed it): The Ceramic Player.

Swiss movement w/ an all white ceramic casing and a lone red ruby bezel. Bananas.

Where I buy mine? Ransom Holding - on top of GoodFoot. Ask for Martin. He'll show you the truth. Hell, he might even show you his. I think he wears a SuperHero SS.

Wanna see the rest? Go nuts. They do ladies' watches too.

Shouts to BeeDub!

Thx Stones Throw

I've always respected the label, music and artists, but in more recent years, I have grown to love all about them [read the operation]: the business model, their artwork, simplicity of their site design and philosophy. Let alone Dilla moved there to LA to be with them, and that they house some of the more interesting artsists around right now (Madlib, Guilty Simpson, and employ one too).
They are usually pretty quick to embrace technology and changes in the fan's daily routine - gawd knows we're all over the place: Youtube, Myspace etc...
As such, they have a podcast that I subscribe to, as all iPod/computer owners/fans of indie labels should.

They're more recent one was just one simple track.

and with that being said:

I present Guilty Simpson's Man's World.

Produced by none other than the latest and greatest J Dilla. His legacy scintillates forever. Don't look for this track to be available for sale as a 12" or on GS's 9/11 album (that's right), as there's a very transparent and self evident $ample clearance hurdle. And since they are coming off a lawsuit for The Red (off Jaylib)...

Anyhow.

Lean back, click play & enjoy... (after thanking Stones Throw in your prayers).

Day TONA: Tona Video/EP Release Party

Toronto is burning up...

Sin Duda.

Yea... Me and this cat Tona hooked up via Brassmunk a few years back, and we clicked. Like, let alone that he spit that fire, he and I clicked on the music that we loved. (RIP you know who). For real. As such, I got love for my man.

The singular star from the oft maligned but well celebrated Scarborough has a video release party for this banger Dial Tone that he put out a min ago (produced KingSampson and not just Gameboy. Details by email can be ambiguous. Erratum corrected), long side a celebration of the release of his EP: Don't Holla. Say wrd.

Make sure to peep this out, as it's at recently favored venue of choice - The Revival. Sh*t, I was just there last night.

Dial Tone video/Don't Holla EP Release.
Tuesday June 19th @ Revival - 783 College St.
Cover: Finski aka $5.



See you there. Mek it, Mek it!

Wanna peep that song?? Peep below. Just make sure to have the oven mitts. ;)

Just click play. Say wrd.

Another G.O.O.D. Looking Week pt 2

So...

In case Wednesday might not be enough...

Friday will hold something nice as well:

2000'til.



Should be tight, w/ the lineup below:



The last few have been pretty crazy. Style code? WTF?? I'll stun. worry not. Say wrd. Will this be Disorderly Conduct 2?

Then, I'll take it to some darker corners and hang with my ppls, Jason Palma, Dirtiest Dale Arsenault & special guest: Karizma.



So Karizma's here again to rinse riddims. Last time he was in YYZ @ 7 Frasier's new little room, I had such a blast. Then, I was @ his bday party in Miami during WMC2007 this year in March. Ran into him the same night outside of the Rawshack Party. This should be something worth peeping for sure.
See you soon.

Another G.O.O.D. Looking Week pt 1

Man, this sun is coinciding with some good nights on paper.
Starting w/ STD: Slow Teenage Dance.

This is @ the Beacs Wednesday. Not been to one of these in some time. They're nuts. A must check. What you know a bout power ballads?
As well...
We got Ladies Night w/ Low B in the building @ the Social. Same night. Shouts to my boy MO.b. I see you.

See you then...

Riding Shotgun

Or is that back shot when someone rides from behind?? Anyhow, wanna give a shout out to NR who was the very 1st beneficiary and donee of my newest acquisition: a new helmet and cargo net. As such, she got to ride to her destination, as I will now likely be carrying a 2nd w/ me most of the time. ;)

click pic to reveal...

¡El Sol!

Are you kidding me?? This is so dangerous. Work is done x El Sol.

It's basically going to be bananas all week. Wow. For my US counterparts, the above basically means:


With that, I have to wheel the sunny selections once more.

Enjoy the music....

Jneiro
Newyorican Soul
HiTek

....and this quasi sunset....

(click for bigger vers.)


Just click play.

Geek Retreat: 26 hrs in Chicago @ The Nokia Flagship Store

Geek Retreat? I have a few a year. Events where I go look @ techie items w/ techie friends. My last one was Macworld in SF.
So a few months ago, Nokia posted that they were going to have a soirée for S60 users. It's the name of the o/s (the software) that many of the Nokia phones use. Having missed the one in NY, I decided to RSVP for this one taking place @ the flagship Chicago Store on Magnificent Mile.

So started the 26hrs in Chicago. As per usual, I was able to pimp a return fight to Chitown for $178 CAD return - and you know this!
But these always start as early mornin drives...

Landed.

YYZ, pls take notice: I can travel right from O'Hare to dwntwn Chitown by simple public transit aka subway. Why this cannot happen @ Pearson International is beyond me.
Had a quick brkfst, and then started my day, and what a sunny day it was....

I made my way up and down North Michigan aka The Magnificent Mile and took in some good retail. Did you know that Garmin as a flagship store in Chicago?? Nice.

I then made my way down to Wicker Park for more of my boutiques, small independents. Fer sure, made a quick stop @ St Alfreds to show love.
6pm CST quickly came, so I hopped back on the sbwy line and made it back to Mag Mile and the Nokia Store - and so the night began.

Got to meet up with ppl I met the launch day last year: Timothy, Linda and Dan aka YSR.
Also got to catch up to online rawk stars like the Mobile Diva and Deity herself:

Darla Mack.

Our 1st meeting though we chat all the time. She's got the block on lock. Great resource for all things Nokia. Check her out here.
Thinking that I was the only Canadian there was so small minded and I do apologize. Mobile Magnate Howard Chui of HoFo aka HowardForums was in the building.
I met some wonderful ppl that night. Many of which I will certainly keep in touch with.
Best was the grab bags. I was given a Nokia Audio Wireless Gateway - I can stream audio thru this device using bluetooth capable handsets. Kind of a predecessor to Cerulean by iSkin.

Also got to look @ some new product. One of many was the thinnest S60 to date. As much as I hated it on paper, and when I caught a quick glimpse of it, the N76 is now getting more of my attention. In fact, Nokia has won me over. I will now try to get my hands on one. It's a a lot hotter than I thought.

I was just bent on the fact that I felt that it was a RAZR look alike. But Moto could never even come close to a s60 phone. As such, even with all of Moto's revisions, the N76 is going to be what the RAZR could never be: a dope phone. +, the N76 is a real smartphone/music player anyhow. It has a true headphone jack with controls @ the front as well. Nice. Peep the mirrored secondary screen...
This is why Nokia is so dope. Product line is forever the tighest and they have solid handsets. I would still add a tweak of more design, but overall. They still rawk.
In any case, I want to thank Phil S. @ the Nokia's S60 team for inviting me, and the rest of the S60 staff who were on hand. I had a blast. Phil: Let me be the Toronto Agent.
The night came to and I stepped out to peep an Adidas party on Rush st (Originals Store), and then went for a bite with my man YSR and Juanita. Good look on killing time with your boy.
Then got back on the sbwy @ 3am....




Made my way back to ORD, and then home.
26 dope hrs.
Thank gawd for eTickets... no lineup for me!

All was good.
Look for me to make the 1yr anniversary this month.Should be tight...
More photos....







what was this all about??

Jesus walks...

... with me.

Jessica, I have ascorbic acid & Gawd on my side. All is love.

Had a good time @ the Drake tonight. NXNE, you Bastid!
See you cats tonight @ The Gladstone for the Tanya Morgan & Nouveau Riche show.

Apple Loves Black People

These words would have left Kon the Louis Vuitton Don proud and Dubya Bush, Conde Rice, Michael Brown feeling more discomfort than a lactose person after a milk shake. I'm glad to see these type events take place. Who remembered that June is Black Music Month?? Apple did. As such, they have both Wayne Wonder & Tarrus Riley for an in store. Bobby Valentino tomorrow... Hey, I'll take that.
Apple loves black people and I love Apple right black. Click below for bigger version.

So who's your fave Black Music artist? why? Comment freely, and Happy Black Music Month.

Still Working: Geek Retreat Foreward

Gawd bless Nokia + Apple. They make for some serious team mates and road warriors. As such, you can leave town and still work like you hadn't. Sittin @ and undisclosed Apple Store, handling customer issues and sending emails, on a gorgeous day. Away on a quick Geek Retreat - which come up a few times a year. I'll be back before most even know I am away.

So where am I??
Drink on me if you can guess, but no drinks if you already know.

Speaking of drinks on me, 1 million apologies to Rache H who took the red wine on her turq pants Friday. Lo siento. I got you!

QXQW: QUEENXQUEENWEST, Tonight @ The Beaconsfield!

The sun will shine. Tonight is the night. The world premiere of the Black Beatles. ¡En Vivo! El Gringo Spliff Starr, George Jefferson Harrison, Jon Jon Lenin Lenin & Paul Wall McCartney. The calamitous quartet will bang out their personal faves. It all goes down tonight @ The Beaconsfield: 1154 Queen St West. Free all night. Doors to heaven @ 10p. Shouts to Carlos, Eddie Machete and Katherine - watch your step dear... See you tonight.

Disorderly Conduct!

This past Friday, I was on MSN w/ Jon Jon Lenin Lenin and I told him "Dude, the sun is out. Trying to wil'out tonight: it's all about Disorderly Conduct." In fact, I added that I was ready to get kicked out of where ever we were going. It's all good. Just trying to have some fun, no? What began @ The Beaconsfield with few drinks, transformed to quaffing of copius quantities @ Tangerine. I would likely have been qualified as a rookie by European soccer hooligans, but I had a blast nonethless.

These are just the little breaks that I need errr-so oft, esp from work! Argh! I was able to swipe some red wine, and a bottle of Hypnotiq from the bar! Bartenders should be more vigilant. Anyhow, highlights were certainly running into many I had not seen in some time. The bestest surprise: Ebony! Tengo la sangrìa, me cuentas pronto! Rache! Glad you made it back safe. Mae Ling! Lori! And all the ones who i don't recall seeing... esp near the end. Oh yeah, J. Redhead, I so wanted to say "hi" but was quicky slipping into belligerant behavior... Drinks on me next time. Finally, shouts to Jon Jon for putting me in the taxicab hearse - and the roller coaster ride had still not ended - I LOST MY CAR KEYS! For all who may have pix of me (and I know they're out there), feel free to email them: Hit me here. @ least gimme a chance to edit before you facebook em. ;) I'll give you full credit.







** update **
As I previously mentioned, I suddenly became a defenseless prey and schlemiel to the paparazzi in attendance. I was anonymously sent these shots below, but the author later came out of the shade. Good Look Richniques. ;) KB, I see you.

Love is the message

Sin Duda. Last night, went to a photo exhibit as part of closing events for Contact @ the 1nce King Sol turned hot space for rent location @ Queen & Bathurst (QB!). I was aware that dentist to the stars Dr. Ken M. would be there, but was not aware that Jamel Shabazz would be in attendance. Quelle belle surprise! I recently attended his lecture @ Ryerson, and have been a fan of his work. This man's compassion and sympathy is unparalleled. Wow. Seeing and hearing him is always a pleasure, let alone inspiring. His accounts are numerous and colorful, and I urge you get your hands on his books. Back In The Day is my joint!
His work can be found @ Jamel Shabazz dot com

Hza x Shabazz - circa May 2007