***Ranting*** by Suge KNice

All I gotta say is, "the UFC is a REAL money marketing machine for Dana White (and investors) if I ever saw one." Out of all the fights that were shown (because not all the fights of UFC 121 were televised) on PPV, in the movie theaters, at bars, clubs, restaurants, etc., there was only a decent one and a real good one. I wanted to see a LOT of folks get their a$$ beat like they stole something. Sanchez vs Thiago had some good action, but Cain Velasquez "beat da BRAKES" off of Lesnar quick, fast, and in a hurry...just like he did Nogueira back in Feb. You ain't the baddest S.O.B. on this planet no mo' are ya Brock? LOL

The rest of the fighters were all playing it safe, tryin' not to get beat too bad. They musta had their moms in the audience watching or they were auditioning for a spot on GLEE (or something). Although, I must say it was funny to see Tito Ortiz lose to one of his (TUF) students after all that crap he was talking. I guess Matt Hamill doesn't have a soft head after all, huh Tito? hahahahaha

I REALLY wanted to see each fighter try and stomp the $h!t out of each other. Isn't that what a fight is all about? When you're in that octagon you're there to do battle, I don't care if that's your friend, relative, or business partner. When the fight is over someone will be celebrating their win, while the other adds an a$$whippin' to the books, simple as that.

Oh well, at least I'm glad I didn't pay to see it. Hell I got two free passes at the AMC theater to watch it on that "Fathom Events" thingy (thanks to a slip-up by the manager on-duty...way to go pal). The movie theater was packed with folks. Each of them spent their hard-earned $15 to see UFC 121. I wonder if people REALLY think they got their money's worth watching it? If you ask me, I think everyone got a big FAT one right in the backside...

YEAH......SO WHAT......I SAID IT!!!

And this Tuesday night (as well as every Tuesday night), I'm going to go mellow out at my favorite Tuesday night hangout...Train of Thought!!  I think you should come mellow out too after reading all the "crap" I just wrote!!

YEAH......I SAID THAT TOO!!

PEACE and a bottle of hairgrease,

Suge KNice (^_^)

P.S. - Next Tuesday (Nov 2nd) is election day. If you don't VOTE......then STFU about your issues with politics & politicians...(drops the keyboard...)

Get Up! (by By Geshalem Perez aka g*)

I often wonder what some of us Train of Thought-goers do outside of the weekly gathering. I wonder if anyone else is politically active at all. I know a lot of us are conscious people living the day-to-day; some scraping by, others a bit more well off but what I realized is that when we take a step back and look at the bigger picture, we are all in this together.

It doesn't matter what our socio-economic status is, or where we went to school, or what we do for a living. What does matter is that we are all a vital piece of the puzzle to create a more progressive San Diego. That's right, you and me, and her and him, and that other person, too. The most important thing to consider is this: in order to create and land ourselves in better jobs and living situations (because, let's face it, who doesn't want a better job or living situation?) we must all participate and focus our energy in...politics.

No matter what your view on our local, state, or federal governments are, we are a vital force to be reckoned with when it comes to helping elect working-class friendly candidates or propositions which help working families. And no, it doesn't really matter what party anyone belongs to, because as long as we educate ourselves and move to action in some way, shape, or form, we can help make those positive changes we want to see in this city, state, nation, and world happen.

I believe that it is our duty as human beings to get involved in the political process as much as possible so that we actually get a say in what goes on around us. In turn, if we fail to participate and instead focus our efforts on playing video games, watching the latest novela, e-stalking your friends friends on Facebook, or simply doing nothing we will never break free from the strong chains of the machine that control those distractions.

So, why is it important to get involved in politics? Well, if we don't, we can't complain about the decisions other people make for us.

Getting the word out on a candidate, proposition, or issue that may affect our lives is key even if we are or are not U.S. Citizens. To those who think otherwise, think about this: think about how many people you interact with on a day-to-day basis, those that you have casual or serious conversations with. U.S. Citizen or not, chances are you may be able to influence at least one other person, if not a handful. All it takes is a simple conversation, a little confidence, and knowledge on what proposition or which candidate you're speaking of to engage those around you.

For those qualified to do so:
Voting matters because every vote counts (check out the Juan Vargas vs. Mary Salas June Primary race; Vargas won by a whopping 22 votes!!).
Voting matters because it helps us stay involved/informed with current issues.
Voting matters because it truly gives each of us the opportunity to voice our concerns (and if a good number of us are concerned about the same thing, we might actually be able to make a difference in addressing those concerns!).
Voting matters because it can wake up a group of people (for good or bad it can wake them up!).
Voting matters because we can sway politics and policies to our favor.
Voting matters because it helps level the playing field between large (evil) corporations and hard working class people, like us.
Voting matters because it's frustrating not being able to (trust me, I know because I just became a U.S. Citizen two years ago, at 25 years young!).


But, no need to start the debate once elections are over because...they'll be over and done with and unless you have the time, energy, and resources to petition against that new law or elected official-which, chances are you may only have 1/3 of that equation-your arguments will be null and void and too late to combat the votes cast. Your arguments will fall on def ears, shrugged shoulders, and that nagging voice inside saying "you should have voted because now you can't complain about the decisions other people made for you."

HOW TO GET INVOLVED THIS ELECTION SEASON:

1. Remember, you can't vote unless you're registered; you must re-register if you've moved or changed your name.
   a.    Register today by clicking the link: http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/voters/Eng/Ereg.shtml
2. Learn more about whom our local labor movement has endorsed:
   a.    http://www.udwa.org/political/state-elections-impacting-ihss/#state
   b.    http://unionyes.org/endorsements-upcoming-elections
   c.    SPREAD THE WORD!
3. Volunteer with the UDW Homecare Providers Union by contacting Geshalem Perez at gperez@udwa.org

Gill SOTU speaks...

Sometimes, you just have to step out on faith.


Thought I would start with the moral of my story to get it out of the way. I know some of you hate spoilers, but I say, why wait till the end? Most stories end on the "you gotta have faith" note anyway so there is no surprise here.   
So this is all about a man and his play. No, a man, his play, my girlfriend and me. Wait, it's actually about all of the above, Spiderman, and someone asking to watch me pee and me getting kinda choked up about it. Sound interesting? Read on...


After HBO Def Poet and hip-hop theater artist Ise Lyfe came to Train of Thought and performed his performance lecture "Is Everybody Stupid", I knew I was going to learn a great deal from this brother. It was the start of something for sure. I chased that feeling, made plans to drive cross state to Oakland from San Diego to watch Ise's full production theatre piece "Pistol's and Prayers". This turned out to be no easy task for several reasons (ill just give you the main two). One, I was balling on a budget with my infamous blue Saturn threating to be in one of her moods. Two, in order to get my girlfriend to go I had to promise to stay with her college buddy and her two kids in a tiny studio near San Francisco.


Won't bore you with all the details, but the boys were all sorts of cute and energized at six the next morning.  Not just laughing energized, but kung-fu, spider-man, jump on and off the bed energized. We shared a common love of comic heroes and being fatherless boys in a house full of women. Got through the punches, kicks and fake action sound effects like a champ. Got to admit, Gill loves the kids.


The play itself was amazing. When you hear hip-hop theatre, you might think it would be just about the culture.  I was pleasantly surprised to see how far reaching the piece goes. Along with rap, spoken word, videos, modern dance, African American spirituals, Ise also uses all the characters trapped inside him to speak to and about American culture as a whole. I was blown away.


Waking up the next day, duty called. One of the kids knocked on the door. "What are you doing?" "I'm going pee." I replied. "Can I watch?" he asked through the door. The question took me back a little. Then I asked myself would I have or had I ever asked the same thing. He just wanted to see how it all works. Knowing what it was like not having a man around I admit I got choked up at the same time I was making my business, weird sensation. To answer the question you may be thinking I told him NO, but it got me to thinking of Ise's play and how much fathers or the lack there of affects our lives. Maybe this little inquisitive one will grow up and be a poet like Ise or myself, using the power of written/spoken language to figure it all out, or at least ask the question in a fancy way. Maybe he'll perform it in a one-man play and call it "Spider-Man Pees Alone." Sounds like a winner.


See you for Pistol's and Prayers coming to the Queen Bee's Oct, 8th, 9th, and 10th. Go to www.iselyfe.com or www.trainofthoughtsd.com for more info and save money on pre-sale tickets.

I Can't let go

I Can't let go
Memories of the past
still rotating round
Blue planets blues spiraling out of his eye
the way we think our brains are fried
Eggs in frying pans
Remember anti- drug commercials
This is you brain on drugs... always made me hungry
I crave the old days
my first pair of shelltoes
my memories
the way you make me feel, you really turn me on
the way i make you laugh
flowers that grew in the ghetto knows more about survival than the one that grew in the meadow
bullets don't fly through the forest that often
opened my heart and mind and find what I've always be looking for
Find you staring me in the face time and time again
fighting love battles we know we can't win
I just can't let go of old family memories
When I'm down those are best remedies
riding this train filled of thoughts
Never lost memories of you
But I dress them up
Me with better credit
You with really big... ambitions
Can't let go... but i have to

Last chance to catch a dream

This is it, your last chance to catch a dream,
A chance never given before
Chop the sun and find forever,
Deep fried butter makes me shudder
Erects me into my morbid lover
Allows me to rise from undercover
And catch a glimpse of caramel on my tongue
This is it, your last chance for last chances
Swallow some sunshine or learn to love the cataracts in your eyes
Hide the heart you think you have
Stifle your giggle before it becomes a laugh
Have you ever awakened from a dream in hysterics?
Have you ever forgotten the lyrics?
Because its like background noise
At a concert, strolling like
A stoner hippy that hitchhikes
Across the country
I like the chocolate too!
I love the chocolate!
But lets switch the topic
Queen Bee is the hotness
Lets keep the topic I love the chocolate
I got my love no need to mock it
See the smile on my face, just try to stop it.

I heard a song on the radio today

I heard a song on the radio today

It had a bell

It reminded me of high school

And the bell rung loud

It reminded me how awful music is today

Soundaholics hearing poison in the airwaves

Every song sounds the same they need to switch it up

Singn' only true - if the hears beats red and blue

Unless you stepped in do

The sky then cracked into a heart shape

The high men rapped about heart breax

Crazy words break the loud silence of the voiceless

Lay with dogs, expect to get fleas

Let go of the fleas and life can be a breeze

Unless you take a shortcut, but don't get cut

Cut with razors but buzzed like tazels

The radio today lies to kids just like saviors

I don't listen to the radio

But I play my music loud

Bearded robots drink from uranium

Coffee cups while sitting on Saturn rings

Generalizing it happens too often

Somehow the light makes me feel darker

The moon's back nine

I don't remember the song, but remember the time

About beauty and life and the loss of human strife.

I am one of those so and so's

I am one of those so and so's
I sew and sew, but my needle doesn't know my flow
Put the needle on a record maker the crowd say HO!
Like DJ Redlight at the Train of thought show...
The love behind the eyes is lies, if the love within is never revealed through the soul
Every thing is in your dream, so live life like there is no sleep
You can sleep when you die so continue this life week by week
day by day, just do what is do boo boo
I just wish more people would follow the rules
to the poem, cause this is a collective piece
Next week, if people f this up there will be beef
let's just have peace and leave the beast in the streets
Have a glassless mind and love conditionally
some see the glass have empty others half full
I say "I don't care, I'm thirsty, can I have some"
I have one, request, stop telling me to listen to my heart... it doesn't speak english
And I am not Bi-lingual, I am bi-sexual, and no... you can't watch
Stop think, the people you surround yourself with are a direct reflection of you
So if your friends aren't that cute... maybe you should look in the mirror
What it takes to start, is the same as what it takes to finish, first step is the hardest
"You're killing me smalls, you're killing me" the great Bambino
But the great bambino is in my pants, home run... bitches
Home I run Home I ran, running looking to be blessed
But God Can't bless what He or She doesn't possess
Who are you being held by
I am the captain of my soul, but who is the admiral
Life would be more fun if we were made of pudding, but a lot messier too
Plus the proof would be in us
So pop the top cause this is a rolling rock
and once you pop you can't stop.. again
And if I do will the chip man in this can give me a bad review
but the only review that counts is the one I give myself... Robert Palmer
I wonder would Chris brown would be pressing charges if he would have reacted more calmer
love is beautiful hate is waste, If you were a Popsicle, I would have a taste
Grow stronger in faith thru unity, speak peace, fluently
speak fluently in native tongues across this sate of consciousness
be conscious of who you are and love yourself
be a master of your own mind, be a master mind
if you go finishing, be a master of your own bait, be a masturbater
Whaddup tho, Yabba dabba doo son, cookooo agh Brrr gucci
Never brag about how real you keep it, cause its the best kept secret
You got a dollar, I got another... We got Two
She had fake breasts, fake lips, fake eyes, fake nails, and wore a weave, and somehow claimed she kept it real
Had nerve to get on stage and sing "I got to be me"
So, when I leave, come together like but cheeks

There is no elevator to success so take the stairs

There is no elevator to success so take the stairs
how many stories will it take to be aware
It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog
Also it's whether or not the dog is female, life can be that way sometimes
Keep it 100, gill should buy Elliot a candy bar and some popcorn
DJ Red light has no game, but he keeps it poppin
If DJ Red light has a finger up your butt, it's time to stop talking
The destination don't matter just keep walking
And remember to skip sometimes... yeah
Celebrate good times... come on
Think rather cheekily, and a delicious dollop of irony and everyone can be great
Live in the now, don't dwell on what was
Write your own history ending each paragraph with a semi colon and right parenthesis
If chicken and biscuits didn't exist
I mean dang, Then this poem wouldn't even make sense
There's only one you, no one can do it better
you make success, success don't make you
all you have is yourself and your dreams
and thats the best team... so give thanks
go head and get rich, but happiness diesn't live in the bank
No use fighting when there's nothing to defend
I Don't have a penis but me and my girlfriend have enough toys to pretend
Cause you hold the power to break or to bend
We don't have to follow every trend
Because the ones that stay true have no time to spend
Reverse Psychology Got 'em scared to say when things are whack
For fear of being called a Hater... imagine that
Please, someone Do me a huge favor and hate these
When I was a child I used to pray for a new bike every night.
Then I realized that God doesn't work that way.
So, I stole one and prayed for forgiveness.
These day I don't know which direction to ride in
taking wrong turns is sometimes exciting
Cruising down the streets no brakes all pedal
Taking life in hand, riding towards the sky hoping to become the solar wind
When I was young, someone stole my bike
To that Person: I hope there is an earthquake, next time you are in the process of shaving your genitals... peace

Guns don't kill people

Guns don't kill people
The finger that pulls the trigger does
Bullets flying into the masses
Masks and facades blown clean away
back into the shadows, where backs are turned black
Till the train of thought put you back on track
bullets are accompanied with teardrops, falling in the rhythm of hiphop
form like conception in triple darkness
grown through cracks in concrete banners
but some get lost under the pavement
so live everyday like it is your last
not letting one minute or second pass
look towards the approaching moments
without losing the beauty of this one
make sure your success is cooked, well done
...I like cookies
I haven't read any of this poem
So I have no idea what its about
the only Idea I have is that man is only as powerful as the idea behind him

I wish I could give it back

I wish I could give it back
To when it was new
Rewind then fast forward back inside of you...
Mother earth
Uncover the truth, when reality lied
only to find there's pie in the sky
or you only wish it was
Here is where I stay...  at the summit of truth
Let's take the "rut" out of Truth
I mean after all there's nothing else to do
Or how about lets make it new
Give back Pokemon and revisit the Smurfs and Carebears?
But damn the Carebears, cause who really cares
It was Yo Joe!!
The real American heroes taught me that knowing was half the battle
...the other half was lasers
I'm not really sure what this poem is about
I wanna give back every Lil Wayne song
But there's some lil Wayne songs that are... well... naw, never mind
Proceed in Giving back all Lil Wayne songs
but let's get back to what we love
Recycle the earth
Let's give the forests back its trees
And just burn the weeds
4 realz
I'd give back you silly iPhone users
beacause I really don't want mine anymore
I'd give back drugs, cause its killing us!
Plus crack sells in filling us with greed
I wanna Give back Christ... because we don't deserve him
I wanna give the apple back to the tree
I would give back my pain
Request a full refund or better yet exchange it for ignorance vouchers
Then slang them to the rednecks who voted for bush the second time

Truth falls short when love is absent from class

Truth falls short when love is absent from class
The class where you were taught by a belt on your ass
Easy come, easy go this lesson in fleeting
So we sit and listen together
Wednesday,
Knights at a round table meeting
Only the painted picture of Heaven looks like hell
You decide your own heaven
But when you live in the world today that can be hard to do
Open your arms, bend down to your knees and give praise to the Lord
True
Then close your eyes, dream big, we must create a bigger future
Still, Past Present and Future are all the same
the people don't change the price of the game
Be true to yourself and you'll always go far
Go off on your own path and you'll have fun wherever you are
but don't lose yourself, cause you cant back track
no take backs
do the math and your path will lay exponentially in front of you
Tip your head back and enjoy the ride
because where we are going, you won't decide
Time flies... inside out
Outside in time wins
Tuesday Morning were born on 12/9
All in all, it was a good year for frogs
We loved once and lost all
If we never ever lost, we would not be as good as lovers
The world is my home
It's like a good song, never wanting it to end
Replay that one track from a CD of whackness
Replay that track and change its tire
Remix the slow jam until your feet cant help but moonwalk like MJ
Remix those words that ebb & flow throughout your floating mind
It's shameless, certain so called comedians shall remain nameless
As said truth falls short
When it is absent from class
And we came full circle like a flash from the past
So always speak truth to power
Never mind reputation, concern yourself with character
Always be positive
And love one another
... Bitches

We be to soul like key be to lock

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Today is Movement Appreciation Day

I appreciate a movement that builds
I build appreciation then move on
I protect and guard it like the Pentagon
"The Yasin Oda Show" is the Bomb
The movement, perhaps disguised is not yet gone
Fueled by the blood of visionaries who desire change
And floods from the centuries that erase our names
With appreiating ourselves the movement will progress
And with progression it avoids depression
I'm meant to move with the truth without coincidence
To hate is to be stagnant therefore embrace the movement for that is love
The move moves, flourishes, an permeates the air
Constant, cyclical, and growing stronger by the year
The movement is a metamorphosis and the world will never see change like this
Until I speak up and profess truth
But that takes more courage than I confess to write
Or re-right my wrongs
So we people walk and talk this life to lyrics we call songs
Hoping that metaphors convey the feelings we never had the courage to say
Bring movement to the seats, to the streets, to your feet
Praise the lord mac mosesilow
Love is unconditional, love me as I love self
A soon as we come to understand life in all forms
The sooner we will learn to understand each other

your 5 senses are powered by your sixth sense
Understanding
Whats on the other side, lets look over and see,
The grass looks greener to me

Ya need to take that movement... and move ya butt out my face!
No... not you, baby. You can bring that beautiful mind over here
The movement is us.

The sky was fuzzy today

The sky was fuzzy today/
I pulled the clouds over worries for warmth and comfort/
I watch the sun as my new beginnings/
Exploded into a burst of light/
Water is the essence of beauty/
Your love is as unexpected as a yeast infection/
He just came on the set like a porn star/
These hands don't write, my imaginations do/
I love Tuesday Morning/
I'm going to USC next year yaaay!!
Red lips, nice body, devil in the blue dress/
Nice face but totally a mess/
We have only seen these days once before/
But f**k I'm in love/
Caught up in the potential of moments/
Lovers not friends, time to be myself/
Open your eyes & realize all them lies/
But sometimes the truth is right in front of us/
Open up to receive inspiration and it will change your life/
I looked up and saw the beautiful clouds and wondered/
The silver lining lets me know there's something good ahead/
When I saw Dan, I said, "sorry your mom is a alive"
I doubt why I do what I do but then I remember...I want a puppy/
Because she had a puppy that she always loved more than him/
Only because I have so much love to give and no one to give it to/
I would give my...I forgot...damn I'm slow/

Is Everybody Stupid?

Is Everybody Stupid?
did brains just vanish into thin air
war profits and dope outfits
we need a lantern to light up our pitch black days
another day was not ever just another day
for from the very moment I decided to make a decision
for always, forever, every decision is epic
deep, deep, deep yeah we all are stupid
we forgot how to read the notes we left ourselves,
if there was an iPhone app that could help me remember
you got to figure out what is important enough to mention, forget the rest
today the clouds shine bright
your smile lightens up my part of the world
your astrological sign isn't logically compatible to mine
my love for you is as great as a free pass to Disneyland
but don't think the pass is free, cause it will cost you plenty
and when it comes to the new big face Benjamins, you better have many
and you'll know when, the thing you will know, when you are in need. Know we are one
In a time when beauty is only skin deep but pain is razor sharp
one must dig deep inside and further acknowledge what's deep inside our heart
tired of appetizers, when do we get our full plate
don't want love games with an expiration date
spoiled like rotten milk, rejection is hard to digest
so take two tabs of fad just to stomach the artificial ingredients from the superficial market.
speak your mind-say what you feel good or bad
if you feel it say it, people need to hear truth.
it don't stop cause off top I be bringin' it
It can only be from the effort and what you believe...is what I see
feeling is what I want so come give me a touch
I love him like GOD loves me
enjoy life and the time you have.

Today I Was Hip-Hop

Today I was Hip-Hop
I found an avenue
just a beat rippling up & down my soul.
A place I can go to for relief from the mundane
Just walking demonstrates mind of matter
 but scientists tell me that life is matter
I'm ready for hip hop to go back to the day when it made me feel
hopped over the bull, "Keep It Real"
the rhythm of the beat speaks through my feet
through my soul, and out my lips.
Freedom of thoughts inviting those to understand my pain, sorrow & life.
The sound of auto-tune pierces my innocent ears
but my sound is no longer virgin & I say fuck all the ignorance
Life is better with Hip-Hop
Stop lying to me Hip-Hop, tell me the truth.
You don't love me, you love you...I hate you hip hop
wondering why forgiving is so hard, but asking GOD for mercy is so easy
can we ever get back to the soul of hip hop?
So we can make sense of hip hop today?
So we can love each other everyday
and stick my peter in your vag-eater
and sex you up but only in a metaphorical way