On the List

300

Nearly three years ago, I began compiling a list of things I wanted to accomplish before the age of thirty based on Michael Green’s 101 Things in 1001 Days. Initially, the list was set at 3000, but was quickly narrowed to a more modest 300.

In all honesty, I had completely forgotten all about it until I rediscovered it a few days before my 24th birthday. By that time, though, I had actually completed quite a few of the items on the list. Continue reading »

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Peace and blessings,
J. Dakar



Tracks of Time

Time waits for no one
Is what we’ve been told
The time we’ve spent together
Is worth more than gold

Our journey has finally reached its end
What a trip it has been

Laughing and crying
Smiling and sighing
All emotions we’ve had our fair share
But for each other, we’ve always been there

Disappointments as well as disagreement have appeared
Sadness and death have also been near

The conductor has opened the door
And on the train we will ride no more
Now the time has come for us to depart
And from this departure to make a new start

But from beginning to end
Friends we’ve always been
Traveling down these tracks
Only to never go back again
(Dedicated to the Class of 2002)



A New Beginning

I thought we’d always be together…thought this was the one.

It was great in the beginning; I suppose it always is.

On some level, though, you worry that things won’t always be perfect. You’ve had others before and remember how all those ended. You think that it’s only a matter of time before things go awry, but you never acknowledge it aloud. It remains an untold secret between you two while you try to remain positive.

Eventually, though, you realize something is wrong and try as you might to ignore it, you just can’t. You can’t take being unhappy any longer and you know exactly what needs to be done…
Continue reading »



I’m Black and I’m Proud

For some reason, the term ‘nigger’ doesn’t affect me, so this had no effect on me. I guess it’s because I’ve never had the pleasure of being called one…at least, not to my face.

Some time ago, I read Nigger by Harvard law professor Randall Kennedy, which offered a history of the word and its social, cultural and legal implications. I can’t say I wholeheartedly agree or disagree with his stance on the subject, but I would say that it’s worth reading.

The same applies for Nas. At this point, I’m not sure I can express my feelings regarding “Nigger”, but it’s definitely worth a listen.

For the time being, I’ll just listen to my Listen Up playlist, filled with the good vibes of classic hip-hop and soul that makes me want to say it loud: “I’m black and I’m proud!”

I roam beneath a cloud of consciousness ’cause my soul costs more than fifty cent.



What’s at Steak?

I recall reading that if you care about the environment, you had better be a vegetarian. Why? Because meat consumption is one of the primary causes of environmental devastation, including the misuse of natural resources, the polluting of water and air and the destruction of rain forests.

I have been a lacto-ovo vegetarian for nearly eight years, and never once had I considered myself an environmentalist because of it. That is until I began researching the benefits of a vegetarian diet - not only for myself, but also for the environment.

With environmental concerns like climate change on everyone’s mind lately, people may not realize that if they want to do something to help our planet, they can simply try not to eat meat.
Continue reading »