EAGLES VS GIANTS 10/19/2003 "WESTBROOK'S RETURN"

October 19, 2003 - Meadowlands, New Jersey 

     When it's the end of the winter and spring is around the corner,  you realize it's a long time before legitimate football is back, you start to look in the past.  When your team hasn't been to the playoffs in a few years, you look even farther.  I happen to stumble on this little gem against our bitter rival the Giants.  I was fortunate enough to be at this game live and I sat in the first row on the second level on the near end zone.  I was with the wonderful Ernst family, wearing our Eagles jerseys, that game was probably one of the worst games I've seen ever, as the 10-7 score before the return noted.  Might have almost dozed off a couple times, but then a little bit of Westbrook magic happened.  Brian was known to be very quick and had skills to make players miss.  We sat in the end zone that the Giants were kicking to so we got to see a great angle of Brian taking the punt.  He stopped, started, stopped and then boom...turbo!  Even that last shoulder tap where we thought his momentum would carry him out of bounds made for super high drama, but yes, our beloved Westbrook took it to the house and essentially won us the game on which would have otherwise been an effort in futility.  Of course, the home crowd was absolutely shocked and disgusted, didn't know what else to do except tell us to get the bleep out of there and we caught countless middle fingers.  We didn't care, our smiles and shock on the other side of the victory carried us to the parking lot for more chili and beer.  The one thing we did know was that we just witnessed a historic play and one that we could talk about forever.  So here's a little love for the Birds as we look to move to a new chapter later on this year........................E-A-G-L-E-S

This is great, I wrote everything above about a year ago, March of 2017.  What a difference a year makes, Super Bowl Champs!  I also enjoy how Cris Collingsworth and Troy Aikman are beside themselves that they kicked the ball to Westbrook.  HOF Play by Play announcer Dick Stockton is amazing on the call as well, it's fantastic!

"LLAMA LLAMA RED PAJAMA FREESTYLE" X MIGOS

     Quavo, Takeoff, Offset have been one of the hottest musical acts for most of 2017.  They've been on everything from Calvin Harris singles to Katy Perry to DJ Khaled and Justin Bieber to releasing their own "For The Culture" album.  There's no slowing down in sight, as Quavo continues to carve out his own solo stardom and Migos continues to put out new music and collaborate.

     This video showcases a little of what makes Migos so likeable in that they're just being themselves and truly enjoy being Migos.  While on the The Cruz Show on Power106 in LA, they're asked to read the children's bedtime book, Llama Llama Red Pajama, by Anna Dewdney, over their own Bad & Boujee beat.  The rest is pure genius as they freestyle with the book words and then continue with their own freestyles.  The adlibs throughout are just as good too.  Migos gives Llama Llama Red Pajama a completely new meaning and a true gem.  ♚

"I GOT THE KEYS" DJ KHALED X JAY-Z X FUTURE

"ROGUE ONE: A Star Wars Story" Trailer

     You're only reading this if you're a Star Wars fan or half way a fan because you just had kids or nieces, nephews.  Or you keep feeling out of place slowly but surely as the years go by where the geeks are as cool if not cooler than the normal people.  Keep up, we're almost there...with that said, this trailer represents all that is good with economies of scale and free enterprise.  "Rogue One" will represent the first movie outside of the Star Wars timeline that doesn't include the core plot, characters, and mainstream chapter the others do.  This is the result of Disney purchasing the Star Wars brand from George Lucas and continuing the legendary legacy.  This movie's plot is based around a rebel who's mission is to retrieve the Death Star blueprints and get it back to the leaders of the Rebellion so they can figure out how to destroy it.  Basically, this movie is what happens before the first ever Star Wars movie, a "New Hope" where Princess Leia is inserting the info into R2-D2.  It's right at the beginning before Darth Vader boards her ship.  Again, this movie is about how the Rebellion actually gets that information that Leia is giving to R2.  Boom.  Felicity Jones will play the main actress as Forrest Whitaker appears in the movie as well.  Main stream opening is set for December and the holidays.  This is only the beginning as Disney has free reign to expand and capitalize on their 4 Billion dollar investment.  The possibilities are endless when it comes to movies, TV, cartoons, etc.  Who doesn't want more Star Wars? Exactly.

SHOCK TOP x TJ MILLER SUPER BOWL COMMERCIAL

     Nothing like a good ode fashion joke cracking session, one on one.  TJ Miller, from HBO's Silicon Valley, has it out with the Shock Top bar tap handle.  This video is the extended version of the commercial that was aired on this years Super Bowl.

"Birthday Song" 2 Chainz X Kanye West

     I've become a big fan of Tity Boi aka 2Chainz after hating on him for quite a while.  His low calibur lyrics and silly analogies took some getting used to.   Like a lot of things in life, if you want something bad enough and put in the work, you can achieve success.  If you've listened to hip hop and R&B in the last five years, you don't go too long without hearing 2Chainz on the track.  Either his own albums or mixtapes, to his countless guest appearances, he was pretty much on everywhere.  Add that to a live show that doesn't disappoint in the least, tons of energy, and a catalog of hits, 2Chainz is as good live and worth the price of admission.  His Instagram @HairweaveKiller is usually entertaining and also shows the family side of Mr. Chainz.  Respect.
     If you actually watch the video, you can find something new to laugh at every time.  Kanye is Kanye and this banger is basically my current mood right now.

Adele X James Corden Car Ride Karaoke

     If you have fifteen minutes to kill and who doesn't, check the video of Adelle's car ride in London with late night host, James Corden.  He drives while they talk very informally but at the same time, he asks good questions, but even more entertaining, they sing their favorite songs.  Adelle is a great sport as she genuinely sings her own classics along with some of her new releases.  She discusses the Spice Girls as being one of her all time favorites and sparking her dreams, but also she has a knack for spitting a few bars.   That's what originally drew my attention to the clip, as she kills Niki Minaj's verse from Kanye's "Monster" song.  Go to the 10:30 point for that gem.  She also discusses getting reservations and a hype man for her shows.   I've posted other video's of stars in their more human moments and this goes in line with those as she looks beautiful and has a lot of fun singing her favorite songs.  Enjoy...

Dr. Naismith: Basketball Inventor - 1939 Interview

     It's pretty amazing how we progress as a people and we've heard countless times that you don't know where you're going unless you know where you come from.  I'm sure the millions, billions of basketball fans around the world aren't all sure where the game they love came from or who was responsible.  Basketball is a pretty young sport given it was created in December 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts.  Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian, created the game as a way to keep the boys busy while they were stuck inside for gym class since the winters were harsh in New England.  I don't think anybody would ever imagine how the game as evolved and ultimately one of the most popular games worldwide.  Wilt, Kareem, Oscar, Jordan, Lebron, Kobe, and countless other world class athletes have brought the game to levels that continue to grow and bring excitement to fans around the world.  College basketball has become a staple in our society, especially around March, and also has a major presence in the Olympics.  Basketball has also transcended the game in many other ways as well.  Michael Jordan broke the mold as he crossed over into athletic apparel endorsement as he and Nike created a legacy in the sneaker and fashion industry.   Everybody wanted to be like Mike and millions of fans, kids, everybody could feel like they could dunk as long as they purchased the sneakers endorsed by Mike and other athletes as well.  

     To put things in perspective, there's been an interview just released by the University of Kansas with Dr. Naismith that he did in 1939 on the radio.  He discussed how he invented the game and some other interesting facts.  He died later on in the same year.  Dr. Naismith ended up working for the University of Kansas and then ended up their Athletic Director as he started their basketball program and we know the pride behind Jayhawk b-ball.  It's definitely worth a listen and it makes you wonder what his thoughts would be seeing the game today and his perspective of what he created....and better yet, imagined if he never invented this great game, then what...enjoy!!

"Hello" Ken Jeong x Rob Riddle

     Fox Sports won with this great parody featuring Rob Riddle and Ken Jeong, two of Hollywoods favorite comedic actors.  If you're a fan of any of the teams in the NFC East this year, you clearly have watched some of the worst professional football ever witnessed.  The Giants, Eagles, Cowboys, and Skins have all showed the rest of the world how not to play, but all the while allowing each of them to have "hope" that they can win the division and still selvedge a season to forget about.  What better way than to make light of the ugly situation by parodying the super popular Adele ballad, "Hello".  The lyrics are great and the vocals from Lindsay Harper make this the only thing worth smiling about when it comes to the NFC Least.  Let's see how the season shapes up, but consider this the 2015 highlight for all 4 teams.

Undercover Ronaldo

     We've seen it done before, but it never gets old.  Hide someone super famous in a disguise, let them roam around in public to see the reaction and it's easy entertainment.  Hard to argue that Ronaldo's face isn't one of the most recognizable on the planet, given the popularity of futbol, him being on one of the globes most popular teams, and the Hollywood looks.  Here's a great spot with him in a Madrid plaza, borderline looking homeless.  He has a small dog with him, asks some girl for her phone number (which I'm sure she regrets blowing by him now), and engages strangers while he shows off tricks with the ball.  Ending is pretty neat as well and the reactions..

"Heartless" x Kanye West - 808's & Heartbreak

     Early on the Throwback Thursday or your Flashback Friday...but as we cleared the Valentines Day season, no better time to view and listen to "Heartless".  Mr. West's biggest single from his emotional diary of "808's & Heartbreak" album that almost created it's own genre.  The artistic cartoon effect that resembles the 80's, Stay On Me, but the current method was called Optiflavor, which used real life movement and was converted to animation.  More importantly, the video was directed by Hip Hop's Video Moses, Hype Williams, in 2008.  Hype actually paid tribute to Ralph Bashki, as the same animation was used for the video as was Ralph's movie from 1981.   That animation used live action footage and then animators drew over top of the video.  This became one of Kanye's most popular singles and paved a way for a genre that really didn't have a lane previously.  Him and NO I.D were the producers.

World Cup 2014 Is Here

     The globes largest sporting event is upon us and I have to say this is as popular as I've ever seen it in the States.  That's including us hosting the event in 1994 where I was lucky to attend two World Cup matches.  With technology reaching all parts of the world and more accessible in this country, the true
melting pot can be felt.  You don't have to look far in your ancestry to find some roots in some country that it's in the tournament.  At this point, I don't even care if you're a poseur pretending to care just to have a reason to party during the week, the World Cup is simply the best.  With Brazil being the host country and usually fielding the odds on favorite, this has all the makings of a world wide party with all eyes glued on the TVs, tablets, and smart phones.  Keep the fridge stocked for when you're watching at home and definitely go to your local watering holes, city pubs, Little Italy's, Chinatowns, and every  other cultural centric neighborhood and really get a taste for the game.  Remember, it's only every four years so take advantage and wear your favorite teams colors with pride!  Check out these great commercials that pretty much will want you to lace up your boots, put your kit on, and hit the pitch yourself.

I Believe....

     Getting ever closer to the biggest sporting event on the globe, we've been seeing the marketing build up on all media outlets.  As we've seen in the past, the commercials have been very creative in getting people excited to spend a month watching the best sport on the planet, played by the best athletes.
The rainbow of colors of all the participatory nations' fans will be on full display every where you ago. From the sports bars in your town to the local neighborhoods of your favorite cities, everybody will have World Cup fever.  Start planning your excuses to call out of work and get in front of the big screen because you're not going to want to miss any of it.
      ESPN has the ball rolling with this commercial to get all the US Soccer fans jazzed up.  It's going to be a very interesting World Cup for the US Men's Team as we've qualified for every Cup since 1990, but haven't advanced past the Quarterfinals.  For the US to make a big step in the eyes of football fans and to get to another level of respect, I think the USMNT needs a final four appearance.  It's time....between the advancement of MLS and producing solid players to the experience of playing in some of Europe's best leagues, we need to BELIEVE that we belong with the best of the world and it's our chance to prove it.

"You're The Real MVP" x Kevin Durant

     In this modern era of hundreds of channels, social media, and camera phones, the lines separating celebrities and the rest of the world is almost non-existent.  These platforms make normal people into reality stars and our hero's touchable.  Even though these outlets are available, rarely do you see an athlete at the top of their field shows moments of sincerity as much as Kevin Durant did receiving the NBA MVP award for this past season.  It's the best individual honor you can receive in a team sport where names like Jordan, Bird, Magic have become household names because of this.

     KD has won the scoring title many times, he's been an Olympian, he's brought his team to the NBA Finals and is a competitor of the highest level.  So to see someone of his stature take the time and sincere effort in recognizing the people that have helped him achieve his success, was a moment I think everyone should see, recognize, and appreciate.  The message of love, support, encouragement, hope, and never giving up is something we can incorporate into our lives every single day.  KD is living proof that if you keep a environment of positivity, love, and hard work, anything is truly possible.
     It's also very fitting that he received this award leading up to Mother's Day weekend as he clearly recognized the leadership, courage, strength and daily sacrifice that his mother went through to give him a chance....a chance at something much better than their daily struggle.  I think most of us can relate how our mothers played such an important role in who we all are today and in turn, how we go out in the world and affect others.
     Take the time and watch all 20 minutes plus of the speech, you will not regret it and I'm sure you'll find yourself watching it at times in the future when you need a little inspiration.  Watch it with your family, watch it with your mother, watch it with your kids.  This is something special and I think you would agree and you might want to keep a couple tissues on standby....Just sayin..

"Me and U" x Cassie

     Not too many men I come across where you mention the name "Cassie" and instantly, you're all on the same page.  Yeah..... it's proven fact.  Casandra Elizabeth Ventura is one of the most attractive females on the planet, there's no denying that and you add that she can sing, dance, model, act and well, she's close to perfect.  She still looks exactly the same as she did in this video from 2006 and it's not surprising that she's been Diddy's muse since then. This is where it started..

"Number One" Pharrell x Kanye

     Hard to read an article, turn on the television, or look at social media without seeing something about these two superstars, Pharrell and Kanye.  They've both managed to turn their careers into an ongoing creative process where they've kept themselves as relevant as ever within pop culture.  Music, fashion, art, seem to be constantly influenced by both and with two very different attitudes, but with the same results.  I've been listening to some of the earlier work by both, given Pharrell has his second solo album releasing this month and we just passed the ten year anniversary for College Dropout.  Very interesting to see and reflect how far they've come but also just as interesting as to where they'll go next.   This song and video seems very appropriate for both of these icons as everything is Number 1 in their lives, even when it originally was released eight years ago.  Styling in this video was flawless, what else would you expect.  The king of videos, Hype Williams, directs it and gives it his usual signature look.

RZA x Montreality

Montreality has the art of the interview down to a science or even better, mathematics.  Who better to represent those mathematics than the almighty RZA from the Wu-Tang Clan.  It's no secret that he's probably my all time favorite artist, hence my moniker and the love for the W for the past almost twenty years.  This interview gives tremendous insight as to why I'm a fan and a student of the Abbott.  You can also see why and how the brand is as relevant today as it was when it started in the early 90's and has influenced even todays biggest musical stars.  Drake, who is arguably music's most popular artist, has the Wu flag representing all over his latest album.  Goes to show that RZA's values and dedication to his art and product is as genuine as anything else and will last the generations.  Education, hard work, humility, and leadership are all virtues that man should live by and he's proof of that.  Enjoy the interview and remember, Wu-Tang is for the children and is Forever.

Go KD, Go Dasher, Go Breezy...

     It wouldn't be Christmas without the NBA putting on a showcase of it's best players throughout the day as we open gifts and eat more food.  As they did last year, the NBA rolls out their Christmas commercial in promotion of their holiday jerseys as your leagues finest will rock the solid color tee's.
D. Rose, Durantula, Steph Curry, Nash, Harden, and the oop to the King are featured in the promo.
As much as these commercials feel like they'll really just shooting hoops making it sound like a real song, the holidays aren't the holidays without a little make believe...regardless I still get a kick out of it.

I'm Funny How ??

Pretty great parody of a couple of classic movie scenes...been out for a while, but great none the less.
Happy Thanksgiving...

"Philly Is Ugly" x Nathaniel Dodson

     Having never lived more than an hour away from the City of Brotherly Love, it has obviously given me an affinity for one of the first cities in this country.  The long chronicled history has been told many times and is embedded in the city's culture and personality.  Philadelphia has served as the metropolitan cityscape for the South Jersey, Delaware,  and Eastern Pennsylvania region since inception.  It's easy to get overlooked when you're in between the city that never sleeps and the nation's capital but there is no doubt that Philly has it's personality and can hold it's own amongst the best cities in the world.  Although some outside perceptions of Philly has been the opposite..
     Local Philadelphia photographer Nathaniel Dodson put together a short film, using stop motion photography, to dispel the myth of the city's aesthetics.  The title "Philly is Ugly"  pokes fun at that idea as he gives everyone a really wonderful view of the city we've grown to love.  It also gives you a different view of the things we see every day and take for granted or don't think much of.  A building here, a road there…
     A great original soundtrack, provided by @shelteredturtle, accompanies the visuals as well.  Hopefully you enjoy it as much as I did and feel a little sense of pride for "our" city.  
     You can follow Nathaniel on Twitter @EndyPhoto for more information and behind the scenes footage.



Philly Is Ugly from Nathaniel Dodson on Vimeo.
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