Nature vs. Nurture

Intimately speaking...


Dealing with emotions is always a very, very, very, veeeeeery sensitive circumstance. Allow me to repeat that, it is a VE-RY SEN-SI-TIVE circumstance. It's often said that women are emotional creatures while men are more logical thinkers - is this true, who knows? Do I think so...from life experience, YES; however, in conversation with lady friends of old and new, two points continue to be brought up:

1) It is within a woman's nature to nurture (hence the emotional abundance)
2) Men are just as logical as women are

If it is within a woman's nature to nurture (as stated by said lady/ies in said conversation(s)) then I think nature will run its course and the human interaction will take place according to that perspective. What is overlooked, though, is where the woman is attempting to nurture.

::pause::
This is the point at which my maleness takes full effect
::unpause::

Do not, once again, I repeat, DO NOT attempt to nurture a man (in the sense of maleness, not maturity, because that point can and will be argued if need be) that has not expressed any interest in wanting to be nurtured. Of course, the question is then begged, "What do you mean by nurturing?" Could a friendly gesture be perceived as nurturing...yes, anything can be perceived as anything, but it's not simply a matter of who's perceiving it, as much as it is a matter of why they're perceiving it as such.

If a man says that he has no desire to engage in an exclusive, intimate relationship with not only a particular woman, but women in general, and that fact has been clearly stated numerous times, why is it so surprising to find that he remains true to that sentiment despite any verbal, physical or otherwise interactions with whomever he pleases. In other words, "Because I've stated my stance on my relationship with you (you being whatever woman/women at the time), I do not expect there to be any qualms whenever I decide to think/speak/act according to my being, and my being alone." Furthermore, the perception of a woman's actions are based upon her knowledge of the man's life circumstances, which means, (a) any action from the woman will be accepted as a sign of friendship and (b) in the case of said situation, ladies, you should not attempt to nurture where nurturing (beyond that of a friend, within reason) is not wanted; leaving you to be resentful of the time "wasted" on said gentleman. If you cannot naturally be as you are, in the very essence of my perception of the word, you have committed sin against yourself; you have acted opposite of who/what you believe yourself to be.

Moral of the story: you cannot have what someone is not willing to give you

Point 1 = Complete!



I phrased my second point as I did to show that men think the way women think. That is to say, men "think logically" because that's what they "choose" to do.


*think logically - not taking emotions into account as often as women do
*choose - perceived action that is often times not contextualized within the concept of socialization
(I will leave the socio-philosophical argument at that)


The often over-looked discussion of this point revolves around the simple notion that men are women, women are men, and both women and men are people!!! I refuse to believe that there are no women who do not act on the basis of emotion. No matter the percentage, they exist, so despite its nature as an anomaly, the truth is, no one ever wants to acknowledge the "crude/vulgar/misogynistic" ways of men being played out by women. As trite as it might sound, these are the social realms and margins within which we live our lives, more commonly known as labels. I have lady friends who are just as nonchalant about exclusive, intimate relationships, while being enraptured in exclusively intimate relations, as the men they're engaging in them with. So while some women feel that their nature is to nurture, others feel that they will nurture their nature.

Moral of the story: People should do what they want, however they please, and stop blaming others for their emotional sorrows (and by people, I mean women)

Point 2 = Complete!



I initially started this post to try and address a more personal situation, but I figured I'd just attempt to touch on the larger matters at hand. Hopefully it comes across the way I intended, because I'm not going back to read it in order to make sure. How about you just let me know!



--- ygb

Listen Up!....

Dear Independent Media,

(So I initially typed this out the first time and tried to post, and it went byebye, so I had to convince myself to re-type it! that means I truly love you guys, because the original post was LONG!smh)

Anyways, I woke up this morning with a sense of urgency to post this blog, and after much toiling back and forth as to whether or not to post it, I said f*** it! I'm grown and I can post whatever I so choose. And if you don't like it, find the delete button, lmbo! With that being said. I don't know what's been put out in the atmosphere lately but there has been a heaviness upon my spirit. And I've been feeling the blues as of late. I know that within the past year all of us (including those individuals reading), have faced some frustrating situations, issues, hardships, that have brought us to our knees, tears (men included), saying things we don't mean, giving up on dreams and hopes, gave us the blues, etc....but the truth is I need for all of us, myself included to put on our "Thick Face, Black Heart's" (if you don't know what this means then look it up).

I need for us to be strong and perservere....because we weren't created to dwell in our dark moments. I'm learning the best way to appraoch life is to come with the knowledge and understanding that yes bad things may happen, embrace it. Learn to work through it, and find the joy and overcoming it. I of all people needs to let that marinate! I believe so strongly in you guys that I'm willing to risk it all to see you succeed. And you ask "why?"...well it's simple because Nothing happens by happenstance in my eyes. Look back and recall on how each of you all met, RANDOM! Yes, even how I waltzed in the picture, super random, but the reality is I'm here to help you guys live to your fullest potential. I have heard so many people say, whether music industry related or not, that you guys have something unique and special, and I'm not saying that for shits and giggles!

I'm giving you guys time and space to figure it out what it is you guys want. You have desitines and how I look at it, the divine creator is not done with anyone yet, if we wake up each morning, there is something waiting yet to be done or fulfilled. So I'm making it known that I'm not going anywhere...so get used to my rants, my tantrums, my frustration, my drive, my pushing you guys til you think you can't be pushed anymore, my tenacity, my persistance, my pressure til you crack so I think can help piece you back together again, and my cussing you out at 4 am for whooping my ass in Scrabble (pure conspiracy! DO-OVER! now, as I squnit my eyes and roll them, hard!)

as I close, this we were all born with the ability to vision, and I believe that God has the ability to allow that vision to unfold...you just got to keep dreaming beyond your here an now. beyond Toledo, beyond your circumstance or situation. problems are always going to be apart of the equation, the question is what do you intend to do to work past what is meant to help build your character, your strength, your wisdom, and your growth...choose to live vs. die (and I don't mean literally).
anything worth having in life, doesn't just come, it takes hard work. I'm proud of you all...

you can have fun working and doing what it is you love to do-Music

with a high five and a hug,

your advisor, manager, friend, homie, niggey, pucnh bag (NOT!), whatever you need me to be...im there :)

peace and poetry,

Miz Naki

*this ish better post or i'm going to blow the internet up* (I really can't even hurt a fly if I wanted too, it just sounded mad aggressive)

Get Him Girlllllllll Photo Shoot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay so where do I begin! (I will probably get the "for real, I can't believe you just put all our business out here look") But life is grand and this blog will make for a great laugh. So please someone call on me (arm raised in the air)! This morning was IM's first official photo shoot. I was probably more excited than these guys were simply because for the first time, they would have a photo where they were all in the picture together. It's not easy getting all of them in the same vicinity, but none the less after many schedule conflicts, we finally made it happen. I will try to make this brief but my observation of these hilarious men is simple: In reference to the photo shoot (actually to music too, lol) IM has something against FOCUSING! LMBO...ADHD would have definitely been a befitting name for them. But, YEAH!....so to sum it up the photo shoot that was supposed to last all of maybe an hour and a half ended up being about three hours long! And maybe I'm exaggerating but truthfully, shooting these young, gifted and black men was worse than trying to take photos of young children, LMBO! Between Ed I Elm's frustration with time and us (the photographer and myself) being completely uncertain of the location of the amphitheater in the park, Bono falling (not JUMPING as instructed) and almost ending his life, JoJo and his miscellaneous Blue shirt that look like a shirt that he randomly sleeps in (and he consciously put that shirt on, knowing he had a photo shoot), and Chrispi taking an hour to go back to the car to change his clothes and living up to his character trait of the group OUTCAST, they all made the shoot quite entertaining. So with that being said after a lot of yelling, sighing, shaking my head, the photo shoot turned out amazing, and we can't wait to share these crazy, daring, funny, photo's with you! Stay Tuned...

until next time...

peace and poetry,

Miz Naki

Letting You Know We Still Here

Yo, cats really took the weekend off, but, don't fret we back at it. Yo, I know I've been procrastinating on posting the pics, I gotta go get my external joint. Yo, I can honestly say, I had a great weekend partied fri, sat, relaxed sun. I'm in the office as I write this, yo my position is coming to an end 6/30 sooo...I figured why not capitalize on this opportunity to send a few words. Not going to stay long, just passing through, I had checked this joint earlier and there was nothing new so, I took some initiative. So, as soon as I'm done with my client at 1:30pm, I'll be back, hopefully with some pics. It's so difficult to do these things without a camera of your own (hint, hint...yea you fella)But, let me get outta here, holla and you beauty people in cyberspace here shortly. Peace, ED I ELM (The moniker and government are one and the same)

Words of Wisdom (from the chatbox)

Intimately speaking...


You've heard (read) from her earlier this week, but here are some more words of encouragement:

"i told Ed the other day i never ever wanted to hear him say again out his mouth that he would die with the debt he has over his head...

i don't believe we were created to be in debt and i trust that with wisdom, good counsel, and following our hearts and passion it will lead to the fruits of our labor

that's why i believe in you guys so much because it's more than just music...it's you guys lifestyle that has blessed me"


From the always inspirational, Miz Naki


--- ygb

Just Dropping a Line

Yo, so I was thinking last night, about waiting until the photo shoot to post some pics...I changed my mind. I got sidetracked though, I got caught up listening to the GOD AWFuL sound quality of the "Wackness" and "Mic Out The Box" P.S. The Wackness will never, ever, in a million years see the light of day. Mic Out The Box, maaayybbee 5. Anyway, as soon as the overseer gets off my neck, I'll post some pics. I just wanted to make my presence felt without the contact, I'm off to slave for pennies shaven on a plantation. I'll post those joints ASAP. Peace, (geeettt em giiirrl, (sing in falsetto) also, take your index and do the GIIrrllL.

Verse 1 - Everything Changed Nothing

Musically speaking...


I know that this is one of the featured joints already uploaded, but I like it too much for it not be available at all times...as soon as you arrive to the page...FOR-e-VER, FOR-e-VER, FOR-e-VER...::snaps back to reality::

"Oddisee of the Mind" was written and recorded during my last semester at U of M, so some of the non-rappity-rap-rap content centers around school. This particular track speaks on our nature of "music vs. everything else," and also chronicles the events of the day leading to our second recording session of the project.

As a bonus to the track being highlighted, I figured I'd include the first (my) verse:


7:00 o'clock wake up alarm, not too happy, but it's part of me shaping my cause, hop in the shower, slip on my sweats, hurry up, cause I'm taking the bus and drivings don't be waiting on us, campus, I'm here and sitting in class, counting the seconds of every minute that's passed, 10 o'clock on the dot and I'm slipping out the door, visit the clinic, irrigate my ears now I can hear clearly than before, wondering what's in store for the rest of the day, no class, so the rest of it's play, pressed, on my ipod, Viva Brasil, 3 verses, nice job, gotta call the crew like, "My gosh, we did it again," suggestion, why not, finish what we started, "I'm all in, call when you get close, I'll be at the spot, gotta get clothes


--- ygb

People At Work

So...When I came into work this morning, I had a sticky note on my computer that read: Please do not download music, itunes or other applications to your/this computer. Please delete if you have already done so-these applications and files affect the speed of the computer. Thanks! Ok, so now, let me commence my rant. Now, I will admit to downloading itunes, my gripe is with the people/person who conveyed this information to my supervisor. What kills me is that these/this people/person communicate with me on more than just a professional level. Now, instead of saying hey Ed do you know anything about this, if so can you take this off, or do it themselves (side note: these/this people/person, very computer savvy, uses computers all day at work, at home) they wait until supervision, and say you know what, my computer is running awfully slow for some odd reason. Supervisor says: I thought we corrected that problem, but I will contact the computer tech to see if we can get it fixed. People/person says: You know what, I bet you it's that itunes program installed, I saw it on the desktop and wondered where it came from. Now, I must say, I downloaded itunes maybe 2 months ago, and the computers at the workplace have alllwwwaaayyyysssss been slow. It just bothers me, that people can be so...(fill in the blank with a word or phrase)yea, that right there! On another note, ha, ha, that's why I have an interview today. (Shaking fist in the air) I'll show you...until next time.

My Thoughts On These Guys....

Greetings you fantabulous people! And yes I did say fantabulous (my new word of the day). I would like to introduce myself. My name is Miz Naki a.k.a. niggey (maybe I shouldn't put that on here) but anyways I'm like the extended member of the group, Independent Media. I've known them for all of maybe a hot two months but outside of that I will share briefly how these amazing beautiful individuals have richly blessed my life. The guys and I frequented the same coffee house called, The Ground Level, and over the course of a few months and after seeing them perform, I noticed that they had something really special and unique that I wanted to expose. I being a co-host for the radio show "The Session" on WXUT 88.3 FM, took it upon myself to reach out to E.D. I ElM (Ed), explaining my interest in possibly getting them onto the radio show. That was early February and it is now June....the progress that has been made within that past couple of months is tremendous considering time constraints, families to tend to, and busy work schedules. I will personally say that these guys are working diligently to compile their music to present to you all and continue the momentum to build a strong following. With that being said, I would like to add my own personal spin on why I support these guys so much. Since I could remember I have always been passionate about music of all genres. I played the violin for 9 years, rocked out at the age of 2 to ghanian high life music, fell in love with hip hop at the age of ten, my first cd ever was "Jagged Little Pill" by Alanis Morissette and the list goes on, but I pride myself on being an individual that has "that ear" for good music. The kind of music that heals the soul. I can remember my first time getting a chance to hear IM's music, I sat in awe of everything from their style, their delivery, to how they used words to tell stories, or even better just to rhyme. They each possess something different which makes them that much more unique. But most importantly what makes them peculiar and not the ordinary is that here you have four guys who truly live the simple life. Easy going, goofy, educated, intellectual thinkers, who enjoy and live for the love of music. They have welcomed me in with open arms and warm hearts and so with the dedication and loyalty that they have shown to an absolute stranger in myself allows for me to see the pure genuineness that these fellows possess all around. So I took it upon myself to try with all my being to to expose them to as many people as I can. To share their gifts and talents with the world, and to help them realize their greatness goes beyond words. I truly believe in my spirit that these four young men will change the way people listen to music. And the best part about it, is I get to watch it unfold....until next time!

Peace and Poetry,

Miz Naki *smile*