2013 Mid Year Cowbell List

2013 has been quite a year so far. Lots of happenings: births, deaths, record breaking weather and news events. However, there are always some things that could use more cowbell.

I look back at the first half of 2013. My guess is many people are getting tired of being on my lists. The number of repeat offenders aren't as high. Here's who made my Hall of Shame this time around.

Repeaters:

Nicki Minaj. You start all that drama with Mariah Carey, act bizarre again at the Grammys and then quit Idol. Perhaps you should try your hand at doing high end escorting.

Kanye West: First you neglect your baby mama Kim for most of her pregnancy. Then you name your child North, for North West. I shake my head at the torment that little girl will face.

The NBA: Getting too predictable now come playoff time, and the Dunk Contest is a joke. I am an avid NBA fan and I don't know half the guys that put on these slack dunks.

Newbies:

Manti Te'O: Man the world was your oyster. You have helped lead my Notre Dame Irish back to prominence. Then you go and get duped by an online chick. For a Notre Dame student, you weren't very smart with your heart.

DMX: Please stop driving, heck just move to an island and hide out for a while.

Autozone: You were once a huge help to the mechanically impaired such as myself. Now you won't even change a car battery or a headlight. You are on this list and my blacklist.

Mark Sanford: Running for Congress after you deceived my state, South Carolina, and you still win. I believe in forgiveness, but you don't need to be in politics.

Pistorous: You inspired us in the 2012 Olympics by running with no legs. Now you go and murder your girlfriend. Pitiful.

Jesse Jackson Jr: You have a condition that you need to properly treat, especially if you're going to be in the public eye. Also, become your own man. You are not your father.

Harlem Shake: How in the world did that dance make a comeback? It was cute when children did it, but that dance should have both an age limit and an expiration date.

Online voting contests: They are flawed, rigged, and shouldn't be taken seriously.

NCAA Selection Committee: You need some actual coaches, or at least someone that knows basketball picking the tourney field. Every year you out of touch clowns make more mistakes and stupid mismatches.

Sherwood Brown: I dub you "Fro-Locks" due to your inability to maintain your dreadlocks. I was impressed with Florida Gulf Coast and your "Dunk City" style of play, but the hair man, the hair!

Rutger's men coach and program:
You all need Dr. Phil right about now. You should know you cannot treat a student athlete like this and expect to get away. Look at Bobby Knight.

Ray-J: You have redefined thirst. Guess most of us don't appreciate something until it is gone.

Katt Williams: You need anger management man. You could easily be the best comic in the game right now, but you can't keep your hands off of Target employees.

BET's The Game: one word: terrible. This show took a month hiatus and now it's back. It needs to leave for good.

Charles Ramsey: you became a hero by saving those girls. However, you are a WorldStar coon at the same time. You are like everybody's drunk uncle and that's not a good look.

Lauryn Hill: Will you ever get it together again? Your mishaps make me miss the 90s more and more

Chad Johnson: You have great hands, but they should be kept to yourself. 

New Looney Tunes: OK there are some classics that should be left alone. Tom and Jerry has already been ruined.

Aaron Hernandez: I guess NFL players do think they can get away with murder. Well guess what, you PLAYED for the Patriots, not the Cowboys or the Raiders. And you're not Ray Lewis.

Paula Deen: Few are suprised with your behavior. Your past has caught up to you. And speaking of caught, that's why you've been crying and apologizing. You're not sorry.

Let's see what else 2013 has in store for us.

Music Review: Karesh Skraps

Recently, I profiled up and coming artist Karesh Skraps. Now after listening to some of her songs more, including her lead single "Could You Be The One?" , I'm giving my views on her overall music, style and sound.

Karesh performs romantic and dance ballads that are catchy and soulful. She puts a lot of emotion and passion into her music. She produces and writes many of her songs along with David Sparks. "Extra Extra!" is more for the club. "So Stupid" shows how we have all played the fool in love and realize that mistake. "One" is her signature song and it's for those of us trying to pour out our hearts to that special someone.

She definitely has a lot of range. Her style is more like Mary J. Blige and Christe Michele, with her carrying long, tough notes in a soprano tone. She takes more of an alto tone on "Stupid."  She has the neo-soul side also, similar to Jill Scott and Floetry. Her music is deep and has a lot of feeling.

This year thus far has brought some revival to a declining music industry. Mary J. and Beyonce' are touring once again. Kanye West and J. Cole have newly released albums. Jay-Z's newest release "Magna Carter Holy Grail" comes this week. Karesh is definitely rising on the scene at a prime moment.

Her album is set for release by the end of the year. Continue to watch her progress via YouTube and Reverbnation. Also, keep up with her performance schedule and catch her live. She puts on an awesome show.

Interracial Dating: Who Better To Discuss It?

The holiday season is here and you see all sorts of happy couples as we're in the midst of boo season. Many of these couples may not have the pure love that others are accustomed to seeing. Now it's not all about black or brown love. It's simply love where race isn't a factor.

I am a product of an interracial relationship. My dad was black and my mother was white. Therefore, dating in the 90s wasn't always easy. I live in the South and many back then thought mixing races was taboo. By the 2000s, fortunes had changed some. Now its not uncommon to walk into Wal-Mart or see an interracial couple dining in Applebees. It seems black, white, Hispanic, Asian, and Italian women have been interested in me.  Believe me, this is not a man that discriminates. People are people to me.

Think of the famous persons that were results of interracial relationships. Halle Berry, Derek Jeter, Alicia Keys, Vin Diesel, The Rock, Shemar Moore, Tiger Woods, Rosario Dawson, and our president Barack Obama. Plus there are many mixed race marriages that have lasted for years. It is safe to say that many of these couples that are together for this long absolutely love each other. Scrutiny and dirty looks still linger, so you have to be strong and rise above that hate.

That being said, I don't condone anyone to date outside of their race for the novelty of it. Go out with them because you truly like them. Every relationship has problems and challenges. While its easier to date the same race, there are more challenges in crossing over, especially from the close minded and older generations. Bringing biracial babies into the mix (no pun intended) doesn't pave the way either. I can attest to this.

One can never stop the public from talking. Heck look at Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. Kim, who is Aremenian, clearly likes black men and is not ashamed of it. Therefore, if you are mentally and emotionally ready, go for it.

I've been told by women of various races as an adult that they would have liked to have gone out with me back then but they couldn't handle dealing with their parents. That's a fair answer, giving both the era and area I grew up in.

Therefore, don't go around saying there are no good men or women out there and then end up with someone that looks good to friends and family, but treats you like crap. Go for who you love, even if they aren't the same race. Love is love, and you shouldn't let others dictate who you want to be with.

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