Tips for new parents

I have two little duns and no one (that means you Rob) gave me any advice. They just sent me into the fire. I understand but damn you could have helped a brother out.
The truth is there is no way to really prepare you for the arrival of the rug rats but I will give you a few tips.

I encourage all my fellow parents (Steph) to add on.

1. Get a DVR. and digital cable. On Demand and DVR will save your sanity. These kids have no idea what it is like to wake up at 7am on Saturday to catch the Superfriends. This is an On Demand generation.

2. You won't sleep for 2-3 months. no getting around it. deal with it

3. Eat right. No sleep will make you vulnerable to sickness

4. they are way tougher than you think. Miles must have busted his ass a dozen times a day until he was two. Never seriously hurt. Even the girls. Savannah takes her lumps too.

5. They are never as cold as you think. No need for 3 blankets and the "Bundle Me."

6. These names are your friends: Backyardigans, Dora, Diego, Jakers, Boots, Baby Jaguar, Snook, Word World

7. Sesame Street is as good as it was when we were little

8. Just have to shout Backyardigans again. Eb and I love it as much as Miles. Alvin Ailey dancers do the choreography!

9. A little crying is ok. They'll live

10. The jungle gym is not as dangerous as you think. This from a dude who lost his two front teeth in a monkey bar incident in the 70's

11. There is a ton of things to do in the city. Don't believe the hype

12. These places are your friends: YMCA (cheap classes, free pool and gym), Music Together (Rene is the man), Brooklyn Botanic Garden (perfect for the warm weather), Children's Museum (can be a little ghetto but don't worry), Prospect Park (great playgrounds and if you go into the center plenty of space for them to run around, duck pond, waterfall), Starbucks (perfect place to chill and send emails when they fall asleep in the stroller), the park on Washington and Lafayette and the park on Washington and Greene.

13. Don't be like me and get neurotic about activities. Playing with race cars and tickle fights are as good an activity as there is. Eb taught me that.

14. Just sit and look at them for a few minutes a day. All the headaches will wash away. Guaranteed.

15. Get as much sleep as you can. Don't stay up all night playing PS2 or watching Netflix. Be in bed by midnight if you can. But get your PS2 on. Read a book. do something or it will feel like Groundhog Day.

16. Books: Sci fi is good. Gets your mind off things. Romance works for the Mrs.

17. Date night. don't forget about that fine thing that carried your babies.

18. Become a foodie Learn to cook. It will save you a ton of cash.

19. Take help when it is offered.

20. Give Thanks

Wednesday Randomness

- yeah Barry!
- As some bloke in USA Today wrote the other day. "A lot of people take steroids but don't hit 756 home runs. It doesn't matter"
- Family vacations are great
- 90 degrees and 100% humidity at 9:00 pm sucks, however
- favorite show that Miles watches: The Backyardigans
- I do beleive out little operation is about to 'turn the proverbial corner'
- there is so much copy on okayplayer these days
- whatever happened to my Rock The Bells review?
- and shouldn't they tell people that Starks is not on the bill
- is he playing in other cities?
- never really thought David Banner made sense on that bill and I am sure he was ecstactic to be rocking at like 1 in the afternoon
- if corporate dudes rock power suits to big meetings what are we supposed to rock in our world to big meetings?

Stressed out

-There is nothing like the smile of your baby boy to brighten things up and give you some perspective.
Was a little stressed out on Friday, but it was noting that Miles Boogie couldn’t fix.

-Was at the gym listening to ‘Late Registration.’ A while back Ian had called it a masterpiece and with a few arguments that’s what it is. Some joints are better than others but there are some real monsters on there. ‘Late’ and ‘Gone’ – those are songs that many MC’s simply could not pull off. I am an unashamed Kanye fan. Tantrums and all.

-So what’s with the new okayplayer.com?

-Florida and Ohio State AD’s are chiiiiiiiiilin’

- Pilates looks hard as sh*t!

- Brooklyn Bodega so fresh and so clean

- So we got Skillz, Cons, Tanya Morgan, and ______, and ________ confirmed. And about to confirm ___________ and _________!?!?!? Gonna be a nice day for sure

Up on the balcony

I coach a youth lacrosse team here in Brooklyn and on Wednesdays I run a clinic at the Dodge Y on Atlantic Ave. I love working with the kids and having a kid myself (2 years tomorrow!) I am very sensitive to keeping the program positive.

The kids range in age from 6 to 14. So I am part time babysitter, part time coach, part time mentor. A strange thing happened this Wed that really got my wheels turning. One of my six year olds is very sensitive. He gets pissed when he can't get a drill, drops a ball, or when another kid gets praise over him. Great kid but I have to be extra delicate with him.

So this past Wed we were scrimmaging and my little guy gets hit in the mouth. No real harm at all. The kid's mom is watching from the balcony above and after he gets hit he looks up and sees his mom reading a book. Boom! The tears come and he crumbles into a ball. Looks up again and now Mom is watching. Then he becomes hysterical. I ignore the hysterics, give him a pat on the back and get him back in the game. I give Mom a look and she knows we are all good.

Later that day one I'm working with one of my best players. Ridiculous athlete. 10 years old banging with 14 year olds. And doing damage. His pops is watching from the same balcony. We are working on his shot. Shoot low and shoot hard. He rips his shot and literally knocks the goal over. (this kid is gonna be an All American) He immediately looks up to the balcony. Dad gives him a nod and a wry smile graces my future All American's face.

As I do my part to be a good father to Miles I realize I am still looking up to the balcony. I want, I need to do right in a way that will make my parents proud. Whether it's my Mom looking down from the big balcony in the sky or making my pops in North Carolina proud. I hope that every time Miles looks up he will see me smiling and also realize I won't be running down to the gym. But I'll be there.

2 Years Old

This weekend is my boy's second birthday on Saurday. Going to see my main man Elmo live at MSG.

On a bitter sweet note, it's also the day our man Dilla left.

Let's celebrate either way!

Things to be happy about

his name is Lovie (#4)

1. Supposedly Monday was the most depressing day of the year. Historically. The weather. Holidays are over. Bills, etc. And I beleive it. be happy it's over.


2. Either way you cut it a Black coach is going to win the Super Bowl. That is big. Don't downplay it.


3. As someone who has to deal with loud mouth pundits who never put their money where their mouth is I was rooting for Peyton Manning. Third rate commentators cum broadcasters sit there and throw stones at these cats all year long. I don't know how they manage it. I love it when players' actions burn through their arguments.


4. His name is Lovie!


5. These blogs who are giving me the best records in creation - for free! God bless you.


6. Did I mention Miles is all about using the potty? Love it.


7. The possibility that Nas may come to the Festival. Just the hope warms my heart.


8. Professional lacrosse in New York


9. Living in New York itself


10. The Food Network and the ill recipes it gives me so I can cook for my family


11. The dude who invented the PlayStation.


12. Rome, Battestar Gallacttica, 24, and Heroes


13. IODA


14. Hip-Hop. the good and the bad


15. the DVR


16. The time this gig gives me to spend time with Miles and the fam


17. the dude who saved the guy in the subway. and him getting shouted at during the State of The Union


18. Barack Obama. Now when I tell Miles he could be president he can believe it.

Be Happy y'all

The simple things

for all my parents who know what this is.
Today was a big day as my boy used it for the first time.

So while you are happy Jim Jones is sponsoring a poetry contest I am excited about a two year old urinating.

Have a good weekend

This year we take back Ebbet's Field

You see that view?

That is how we will be doing it this year at the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival. Three days this year playboy! June 21, 22, 23.

And this year we have the whole park not just the Tobacco Warehouse.

We are getting our weight up.

Started thinking about talent and wanted to get you guys' opinion - Old school: De La and MC Lyte's name are on top of list. Was speaking to Ian about The Pack for the new school act. Definitely need some more suggestions on that front. Really need some suggestions on appropriate local acts. Not to start any beef but gun clap Brooklyn MC's are not what we are looking for. I need some cats suitable for young Miles, #2 on the way and my pops.

Let me know what y'all think