Hate The Players, Hate The Game, Hate the World (Insomniac Edition)

Some days you just thank God Apple made it's superior mp3 player that allows you to listlessly space out continuously for days on end like the horrible (or extraordinary) aftermath of a junkie who won the lottery.

Besides Maxwell's latest attempt I'm hard pressed to find anybody singing who isn't visually backed up by what appears to be genetically engineered stripper-mimes in the last throes of a fatal epileptic seizure. Of course that could be due to fact Viacom won't let me watch anything that isn't soft porn, the last gasps of fame starved attention junkies, or the mewing whine of sexually confused young men.

Speaking of which, I have no hope that this Drake cat won't last long unless the unicorn and rainbows happy fun land promised by the president's supporters extend to the Hip-Hop consumer; rap aficionados have a low attention span for high yellow MC's, even ones with a noticeable screen presence.

Luckily Steve Jobs gave me the ability to quit my already ruined radio experience and the machinations of Al Gore made sure I can find new and forward-thinking music at my callous whim.

This month I've been busy devouring the latest incarnation of supreme band leader, songwriter, and influential musician Meshell Ndegeocello (I believe that's the latest spelling). Her latest album, Devil's Halo, has flown in under the radar of everyone who isn't already itching for another release of hers and will most likely stay that way due her music being very Prince-like uncategorical and most definitely dismissible to anyone without patience to listen to music.

For all those out there sick of hearing the same 80's hair metal effects and scale used in every other black artists' song featuring an electric guitar (looking at you Jigga), Meshell's newest is the aural wizardry that will allow you to momentarily forget the Disneyification of modern radio and record companies and possibly be left field enough to allow you to poison your enemies while they ponder what soundscapes they are being subjected to.

It's true, this time around Meshell made an album with a lot of indie aesthetic value while keeping it a Meshell LP. The reworking of Ready For The World's panty-dropping "Love You Down" to a modern focused bedroom groove speaks to the care she takes in her art.

Plus, you can probably play bits of the album around your older relatives and they won't look at you like you shat in their cereal cupboard like when they found out you may have bought that Three-Six Mafia album that one time in a moment of weakness and intoxication, and that has it appeal too.

Love You Down - Meshell Ndegeocello

Movies to Watch : Cashback

An amazing British comedy/drama film about a art student named Ben who develops insomnia due to constant contemplation about his breakup with a former love interest. Ben attempts to make a fruitful situation out of his extra sleepless hours by working a menial night shift job at a local grocery store. To relinquish the monotony of his position at the supermarket, he has learned to pause time and draws portraits of the female patrons.

The antics of Ben's coworkers and his best friend, Shaun, are fairly entertaining, and his growing friendship with Sharon changes his sleeping patterns for his benefit. Knowing what to do with one's time and handle their own situations while in them is a common theme that is underrepresented in modern film. Take a gander at what's in store.

Cashback Streaming Movie Link

Sesame Street

Last night I was dealing with my usual insomnia at 3 in the morning and trying to come up with sitcom ideas. To find inspiration, I began to view a Feist video on youtube called "Gatekeeper". After being enraptured with Leslie's voice and the smooth tone of her guest bugle player's horn, I came across to a link of Leslie Feist performing "1,2,3,4" on Sesame Street. I thought *This is a must see! Two of my favorite things in the world; Muppets from my childhood and Leslie Feist!*

I took a gander at the footage and I realized how many stars have wondered into the Sesame Street Universe. Notable persons such as Buzz Aldrin, Julia Roberts, and Stevie Wonder. Even the modern heroes in entertainment and beyond such as Natalie Portman, Beyonce, and Tina Fey have made appearances on the show.

I realized that when a person has truly "made it" in whatever industry and their star quality permeates throughout the country, they will eventually become a guest star on Sesame Street. Hanging out with Big Bird, helping Elmo cross the street, and eating cookies at a feverish pace with the Cookie Monster is something that should be taken as a credit to one's work. It's a plus to be on the cover of Forbes Magazine, or being asked to throw out the first pitch at Wrigley Field, but being honored with having your visage immortalized for a television institution that has been shaping children since 1969 is something in itself.