2015 End Year Recap of Sports, Entertainment and Other Pop Culture Mishaps

It's that time again: the end to another year. Here's my recap of the good, bad and the ugly from the second half of 2015. Spoiler: Beyonce' and Kobe Bryant once again managed to stay off of this list. There are many others though.

Repeat Offenders: 

The Kanye award: Kanye West. You just couldn't stop "Kanyeing". It's like you've stopped caring about what you say and how you look. And apparently you're gonna be the Donald Trump of 2020.

Opportunists: The Kardashians: Y'all are the roaches of pop culture: just will not go away. Kim, I hope you got fixed after birthing this last child. Boy I tell ya, I haven't ever seen such attention whores in my life.

Dirty football program: University Of Southern Cal (USC): You managed another bowl eligible season, but you had an alcoholic coach (Steve Sarkishan) and not much continuity. The sins of the past have continued to haunt you.

Corporate rant: Krispy Kreme in Gastonia, NC. Ok I visited this place on a slow night and I still waited 15 minutes for two HOT  doughnuts when the HOT light was on. I am officially done with this KK.

Local business complaint: Skateland in Gaffney. I was always suspect about this place and their policies. But now it has gotten worse. Racism, disrespecting children, forcing them to skate all night on lock in nights. You guys will not see a dime of my money.

First to worst: Dallas Cowboys. This would have went to the 49ers, but their expectations were already low. After last season's controversial call in the playoffs, it seems injuries, trades, and bad QB play have you at a laughingstock once again. Now you should question if Romo should return, or possibly draft a QB like Connor Cook.

Television faux pas: Cliffhangers. Please please stop with these already! They are long played out, along with originality.

Newbies:

Racist award: Hulk Hogan. You were low key about it. However you cannot drop the N bomb, regardless of how famous you are or how fast your daughter is.

Clown politician: Donald Trump. Nothing else needs to be said that we aren't already saying or thinking.

Troubled singer:  Ariana Grande. Your post Nickolodean career is raising eyebrows as you raise your skanky skirt. I suggest taking 2016 to reboot and hanging with your "Nona".

Can't Get Right Athlete: Aldon Smith. You are a metaphor and a cliché for what you do not do in professional sports. Please get your life right.

Moron rapper: Meek Mill. Meek, come harder if you are gonna beef with the most notable rapper currently in the game (Drake). That was weak as well water and you deserved to get served.

Sport in Question: The NFL Preseason. When are you gonna shorten this, or at least not mandate that teams play their starters long? It appears more injuries occurred this past preseason than in the entire regular season.

Evil coach: Mack Breed, the Texas high school coach that forced his players to take out the ref. You don't go after the officials, period, nor coach teenagers to play in that manner.

Washed Up Actor/Actress: Vivica A. Fox.  Man what a trainwreck! My once celebrity crush has gotten crazier, especially when it involves 50 Cent. Apparently he put a spell on you.

TO award for inappropriate on field behavior by an athlete: Odell Beckham Jr. You were not well known before that awesome catch last season. Now you go and head butt defensive backs? ODB, you're better than this.

Happy New Year and always make it a goal to not live like this people.

Seven Famously Inspired Hip Hop Mixed Drinks

Hip hop and alcohol seems to mesh well together. A rapper's drink of choice goes beyond Cristal, Vodka, or Petron. They love many mixed drinks, which are typically combined with different types of alcohol, candies, and even drugs. Lil Wayne has become very notorious for always having something potentially lethal in his red solo cup. Here are seven popular drinks amongst the hip hop community.
1. Gin And Juice
Like many of these drinks, this was popularized in a song by Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. Hip hop was in in its early stages, and it seemed cool to sip on gin and juice. It was cost effective, easy to make, and popular at parties, bars, and even cookouts. Gin and juice was deemed primitive by today's standards though.
2. Syrup
Three 6 Mafia and UGK made this drink popular in the late 90s. The mix is simple: E&J Brandy, Sprite and Jolly Ranchers, but it can give you an addicting buzz. Rapper Pimp C had some in his system when he passed. This is the drink that helped spawn the others on this list.
3. Purple Drank
This is another version of syrup, and supposedly much more potent. Lil Wayne and his camp love this drink. It seems to be one of the newer, popular ones out. Actual cough syrup and codeine is usually in purple drink, along with different sodas. Think of it as Syrup 2.0.
4. Crunk Juice.
This is a lot like Vodka and Red Bull, except its known not only to get you hype, but intoxicate you quicker. Instead of Vodka, you mix Hennessy cognac. Rapper and producer Lil Jon popularized this and even would carry a giant cup with Crunk Juice embroidered on the front. No wonder Lil Jon and his crew would get crunk and get crunk.
5. Thug Passion
This is another drink that came from the West Coast hip hop scene, most notably from Tupac Shakur. Thug Passion still seems to resurface from time to time.  It was also a song, and the main ingredient was Alize liquor. Like Gin and Juice, it lacked most of the extra ingredients, it was mostly alcohol. Very popular amongst the fellas.
6. Hurricane
Gotta admit, in my research, I didn't realize Hurricanes were inspired by hip hop. But they had their hey day right after Syrup hit the scene.  It is actually a combination of syrup, fruit juice, grenadine, gin, and many other concoctions. There are several different hurricanes.  E-40 is an artist that made this popular in his raps, and many Hurricanes are still made and consumed.
7. Colt 45 Blast
This drink has been under much fire and controversy in the past. Snoop Dogg has been the spokesperson for it. It is Colt 45, but mixed with soda and soda like ingredients, and even some fruit flavor.  It nearly got yanked from the counters as complaints were it resembled a soda too much, and was sold with and near the sodas in many stores.

I'm confident some mixologist is in the lab concocting a potent, exciting drink for rappers to profit from and get intoxiciated. 

 

Metrosexual or Just A Girly Man?

Once upon a time, men were REAL men. They handled their own, took care of home, were strong and protective, and showed little to no emotion. Now in 2012, it seems that is long gone. Many men are so emotional, whiny, and feminine. I blame many factors: lack of a dominant male role model, and pop culture. Drake's whiny lyrics, plus guys wearing skinny jeans have helped to soften up this new crop of men.

Metrosexuality became a craze about nine years ago. Straight men were wearing pink, getting manicures and pedicures, and simply showing a sensitive side. That isn't so bad. It's when they start acting like they are on their period, crying for no reason, and just not properly stepping up to the plate as a man.

Now what should a REAL man do and how much emotion should he show? Well, I have already listed a few traits. Also, this guy must protect, show confidence, and have good rational, aggressive decision making skills. It's fine to show some emotion and even cook, buy feminine products for their ladies, and dress nice. However, balance all of that with controlling and moderating your emotions, being strong physically, mentally and emotionally. Also, show some old school machismo. Don't put down women for being non-traditional, but know your role and play it well. You don't have to be a thug or roughhouse, but stand tall and don't be anyone's doormat. Also, whine less and be more of a man of action.

Real men are simply rocks under pressure, period. Think Clint Eastwood, Burt Reynolds, or even the abrasive Samuel L. Jackson. Women want a man in their lives, not a baby boy they have to raise. A real woman will not do that. They will tell you to go to your mom or dad for that.

So fellas, chill with the excessive crying and whining. It really isn't cool. Women will not always admit it, but they do not want their equal. Stay out of the mirror and dry your eyes. They want to be in control not necessarily of them, but situations. They want you to be able to handle your emotions and theirs.

No one is perfect, but that doesn't mean you should strive to be the best balanced man possible. That certainly doesn't include showing more emotion than masculinality. A healthy, man friendly balance is necessary.

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Teenagers, what has happened?

I'm mostly on a rant here because I don't know what is going on with our youth, especially the kids ages 13-19 (teens). It seems the teens of today have little regard for themselves or their future. They're too worried about the next Drake album, Nicki Minaj's next performance, and texting, texting, and more texting. You can't talk to a teen anymore directly, you must text them.

Many also seem to lack respect in many key areas: towards authority, themselves, their own peers. Teens now get strung out on anti depressants and/or commit suicide instead of dealing with life head on.

Years ago, troubled youth was often a nasty by-product of an absent parent, often the father. Now it is a bevy of reasons. Peer pressure is still relevant and much more intense. Also, its lack of attention at home from either parent. The discipline methods have also failed. When will these professionals realize that timeouts and simple stern looks do not solve every problem.  Often a parent or guardian will have to use strict discipline and punishment, preferably corporal punishment.

I also blame the media. Whether it be through these awful reality shows, to celebrity drama in your face 24/7, our youth aren't seeing much positive, enriching material.

Technology is also the blame. Texting, smartphones, tablets, laptops, the web, and of course social networks. Many of these are necessary for our daily lives, but now teens are so drawn into them its hypnotizing.  They are no longer or often incapable of being active outside or holding regular, traditional conversations. They are too busy texting, or on a social network such as Facebook or Twitter.

I do my part, especially with my younger cousins. Many of them have these destructive traits. However, I teach and show them alternatives, to keep them well rounded. Reading, writing, the gym, documentaries, even getting involved in their schools and communities. I feel that those activities can still make them positive, productive adults. Sometimes we need to return to what works the best.

Encourage and nurture these troubled teens, they are our future CEOs, presidents, city council officials, teachers, principals, and caretakers. They must know how to handle the real world and not think life is a game of Angry Birds or Words With Friends.

To my friends/readers with grandkids , you think raising their children is rough? Consider the fact that your golden years are in their hands. They will either be the ones taking care of you, or choosing your nursing home.

Now are we ready to be the village again?

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