This Lineup can be used for Black History Month.

The Lineup: February ‘12

What I can’t live without: L.A. Noire.  I can’t stop thinking about how awesome my trip to Barbados was this game was.  L.A. Noire was one of the most unique gaming experiences that I’ve ever had – and I’ve played A LOT of video games.  Think about the movie L.A. Confidential and imagine if you could control the characters – that’s what this game feels like.  The interrogation mode – where you interview criminals and have to decide if they are telling the truth – is worth the price alone.  Add graphics, GTA-style gameplay, a great story and you have a hit.

Linsanity!

(L)inspiration.

Jeremy. Bleeping. Lin.

One month ago the 7 people that follow Harvard Basketball and his mom were the only people who knew him.  Today, he is the starting point guard for the New York Knicks and the most talked about player in the NBA.  He has lead the Knicks to an 8-2 record and scored more points in his first five starts than anyone has in the last thirty years.  For the record, that includes Jordan, Lebron and Kobe.  Speaking of Kobe Bryant – arguably the best player alive – he was recently outplayed by one Jeremy Lin in MSG.  He’s even come through in the clutch with a game winning 3-pointer against Toronto.  Show me someone who predicted that and I’ll show you that weird kid from Jack Bauer’s new TV show. Despite all of the media attention, I believe that people are missing the real reason why this kid is so special.

Why do we have Black History Month?

Blah History Month

This is going to sound wrong.

I’m sick of Black History Month.  I really am.  This isn’t a petition for its banishment because I still grasp its significance; but after nearly 30 years, I’m just tired of it. 

Don’t worry… I have my reasons.

The First Lineup of the year... enjoy

The Lineup: January ‘12

What I can’t live without: Candid interviews.  This month was pretty much bland in terms of things to write about.  Nothing really stood out until I went to Facebook one day and saw a video of a Bow Wow interview with the Breakfast Club in NYC.  One link lead to another and it was 3am and I watched over 6 hours of interviews.  Envy, Angela and Charlamagne are really good at their jobs.  Not everyone knows how to give a good interview and they are incredible at getting people to step outside of their comfort zone and talk candidly about sensitive issues.  Despite being incredibly disrespectful, Charlamagne manages to get honest responses from guests and the result is pure comedy.  A great watch.

Are you Watching The Throne?

iLive

Go to YouTube and search for any recent concert and you’ll notice two things: the awful sound quality and how the crowd looks like a heard of lighting bugs.  Cell phones light up the arena not in your typical fashion (think Woodstock), but to record everything on stage.  Last Summer I tried to do this at a 4^th of July concert in Philly.  The Roots were playing one of my favorite songs from the Things Fall Apart album and I wanted to get a video of it.  I grabbed the phone, held it up and pressed record.  After only 10 seconds, things fell apart.

Kim Kardashian... marriage counselor.

Lessons Learned

I am looking forward to becoming a parent one day.  I plan on being a good father that’s engaged in my children’s lives.  I have my father to thank for this.  The irony is, I haven’t seen my father in nearly 25 years.  His absence and mistakes taught me what not to do when I become a dad.  When Kim Kardashian divorced Kris Humphries after only 72 days, I’ll admit, I laughed along with everyone else.  Its no coincidence that this season of Kourtney and Kim take New York have record high ratings but while most want to see a sinking ship, I’m trying to get educated.  A marriage that ends faster than a season of Dexter will provide you with enough “do not’s” to fill up a notepad.

The Beginning...

Resolutions

It’s a new year and you know what that means, resolution time!  I’ve never been a fan of New Year’s Resolutions because they end up being a series of empty promises.  Add that to the fact that most resolutions are boring (eat less, exercise more, blah, blah), and they just don’t excite me.  But this year will be different.  This year my resolution will be to create a list of resolutions.  Instead of the predictable - often selfish goals - let’s look outward and see what we can do in 2012 to change someone else’s life.  If you have $100, I have some ideas: