One of the things that I enjoy most about State Street is it’s quiet character that dates back to the early 1920s.  Its history isn’t something easily realized. I only know it after doing research and talking to Clarke Cadzow, a self-proclaimed historian and owner of Highland Coffees.  Pulitzer Prize winners once walked down State Street on their way to teach the few thousand students of LSU in its early days. In total 11 residents of the area won Pulitzer Prizes. It’s quite a history for an area that is often dismissed as crime-ridden. When classes are in session at LSU, the area becomes noisy. Foreign cars mark the sidewalks of Carlotta Street as their owners walk to class.  But during breaks, it is enjoyable to take a walk through the area, go for a run around the lakes, sit on your balcony and read a book, or look at graffitti (Some consider it trash. Some think it is art. I just like to look at it.) The Tiger Town/State Street area is my favorite neighborhood near the university. It isn’t just because I live there. The nearby Northgate shopping district adds an element that the character of the neighborhood complements. It has more than simply nice, new features. It isn’t a group of brand new apartments. There is a history that is equally as important as its visual appearance. 
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One of the things that I enjoy most about State Street is it’s quiet character that dates back to the early 1920s. 

Its history isn’t something easily realized. I only know it after doing research and talking to Clarke Cadzow, a self-proclaimed historian and owner of Highland Coffees. 

Pulitzer Prize winners once walked down State Street on their way to teach the few thousand students of LSU in its early days. In total 11 residents of the area won Pulitzer Prizes. It’s quite a history for an area that is often dismissed as crime-ridden.

When classes are in session at LSU, the area becomes noisy. Foreign cars mark the sidewalks of Carlotta Street as their owners walk to class. 

But during breaks, it is enjoyable to take a walk through the area, go for a run around the lakes, sit on your balcony and read a book, or look at graffitti (Some consider it trash. Some think it is art. I just like to look at it.)

The Tiger Town/State Street area is my favorite neighborhood near the university. It isn’t just because I live there. The nearby Northgate shopping district adds an element that the character of the neighborhood complements. It has more than simply nice, new features. It isn’t a group of brand new apartments. There is a history that is equally as important as its visual appearance. 

Israel-Palestine conflict has huge implications

The majority of the American public is completely unaware of the intense violence occurring in Israel. 

If a bomb went off in any semi-large American city, everyone would go crazy. Granted, America is much more important to world economics than Israel, but we are still losing human lives. Explosions are killing people every day. Each hour, residents of Palestine and Israel are dying. 

The story behind the matter is important in the story of the fighting. It has deep religious ties between the Muslims and the Jews, but below is a brief summary of the reasoning behind the current situation.

At the end of the second world war a lot of jews moved to America to get away from the nazis. America wanted to move them somewhere else, because it was getting crowded. They took a load of land off Palastine and gave it to the Jews to live on calling it Israel. It is the holy land for Jews as well as many other religions: Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Palastine wants their land back, because Islam wants to control the Holy Land.

Some are trying to accomplish peace through diplomatic means. Others are approaching things violently.

The conflict should not turn into is a genocide. Israel could certainly invade Palestine and militarize Gaza City. That could bring negative results. Innocaent people could be killed because they are believed to be terrorists. In reality they may just be an innocent Muslim. 

Something big is going to happen very soon in Israel. People are going to begin taking sides.

In case you are curious, America is on Israel’s Side. Palestine and Egypt are friends, but America is friends with Egypt. America won’t talk to Palestine. Egypt is the mediator. 


Album Review #1- Baytl by Gucci Mane and V-Nasty In one of the more confusing collaborations of the year, Kreayshawn’s best friend known as V-nasty has partnered with Gucci Mane in an album titled “Baytl.” I have no doubt this was an idea that was conceived while not in a clear state of mind and the album reflects this. I should start with a disclaimer saying I have never been a fan of Gucci’s music. The album begins with a sub-par song called “Whip Appeal.” The beat is interesting, not too bad. It is a fairly good song, but I can’t get past the nasal sound of the female rappers’ voices in this song. It is too much. Voices, unfit to rap, continue to be a problem throughout the album. The beats get progressively better, but I would hardly call the last track, “Sick Swag,” a culmination of any sort. It is a quirky track with a quirky beat that never seemed to peak my interest. This is true for most of the album. The songs begin with clear potential but ultimately fade into irrelevant mumblings by irrelevant rappers. Final verdict (2/5): ★★
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Album Review #1- Baytl by Gucci Mane and V-Nasty

In one of the more confusing collaborations of the year, Kreayshawn’s best friend known as V-nasty has partnered with Gucci Mane in an album titled “Baytl.” I have no doubt this was an idea that was conceived while not in a clear state of mind and the album reflects this.

I should start with a disclaimer saying I have never been a fan of Gucci’s music.

The album begins with a sub-par song called “Whip Appeal.” The beat is interesting, not too bad. It is a fairly good song, but I can’t get past the nasal sound of the female rappers’ voices in this song. It is too much.

Voices, unfit to rap, continue to be a problem throughout the album. The beats get progressively better, but I would hardly call the last track, “Sick Swag,” a culmination of any sort. It is a quirky track with a quirky beat that never seemed to peak my interest. This is true for most of the album. The songs begin with clear potential but ultimately fade into irrelevant mumblings by irrelevant rappers.

Final verdict (2/5): ★★

Music Review

Starting now I am going to start something a little different on my blog.

There are plenty of music blogs out there. They all offer a nice variety trendy hipster music. But, how many music blogs are there on tumblr? 

There are plenty, but that’s beside the point.  

I am going to do an album review twice a week because I will have a lot more time on my hands in the coming weeks. I am going to review two albums released that particular week— One early in the morning or late Monday night depending on when you go to sleep and another Wednesday morning.

These albums are not going to be limited to one genre of music because my musical tastes are not limited to one genre.

I am welcome to suggestions, if there are any albums you are looking forward to. 

In several hours I will be doing my first album review. 

Excuse my cold-heartedness, I was beaten as a child

I am a product of my past. I am a product of my experiences.

From the age of 7 onward I was repeatedly beaten by my step-father on a regular basis.

I have posted depressing things before on here. However, this is probably the most depressing thing you will ever read on my blog. The details that ensue will be graphic to say the least. Therefore, if you are not genuinely interested please stop reading here for you own sake.

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When my mother remarried to David Mokry, my life took a turn for the worse and would only improve many years later.

To give you some context about David. He was a polygamist. You may ask how is this possible? Don’t. I am unsure how he managed to legally do it also. He managed to keep it secret from both wives and both sets of children.

The initial memories I have of David are positive. It is not Stockholm Syndrome. It is simply that he was a good guy at first. Then progressively he began to get more violent.

He would come home late at night, especially on weekends, and yell at me for things I did not do. If he did not come home there was peace. I could play with my Batman action figures for as long as I liked, without having to worry about being knocked out by a sharp blow to the head.

My mother and him got into repeated arguments, but she never dared to oppose him and tell him he was wrong. She needed him as much as I needed her.

As time drew on, he would come home less and less. When he did come home, he had clearly been drinking, not too mention driving. It is a shame he didn’t die in a fiery crash on one of his trips home.

Excuse my hatred.

On one night in particular, I was sitting in the living room. I was playing with some blocks and action figures while watching the latest episode of The Amazing Spiderman. Then I heard a truck pull up.

I left my toys in the living room and ran to my bedroom. I hid in my closet and locked it out of fear for my life. I heard the door open and my mother scream. David had come home and thrown her on the floor.

“Where is that boy,” he said.

I moved deeper into my closet and grabbed one of my stuffed animals, hugging it and crying as if it was my last moment on earth.

I heard his footsteps come into my room as he called out my name. There was no hiding, he knew I was in the closet and he smashed the door with ease.

David picked me up with one arm. I was terrified. I grabbed the closest thing I could find and hit him square in his face.

As blood began to drip from above his eyeball, he took out his belt and began to hit me. The lashings continued for at least an hour. My mother tried to pull him off of me, but there was no stopping him. He was determined. I don’t remember much else, but then again why would I? I was being beaten to death.

There were several days where I would go to school and be asked by my teachers if I was being abused at home. Each time I told them no, in fear the beatings would get worse.

The story has no fluid and continual story line. My memory is broken.

My saving grace was a stranger named Margaret Helena Bergeron. The only woman I can honestly call my mother.

She was dating my father, Wayne, at the time and saw the horrific life I was in.

My father eventually fought for custody of me and gained it. The judge said the quality of life would be better with him. That was an understatement. My life has been so much better.

Parents, be firm with your children. Don’t abuse them. It will damage their mind and change their life forever.

When I see a happy family I smile, but inside I am crying. My childhood was far from normal. I am a child of turmoiil. 

Work Ethic

Some people have it. Some don’t want to have it. Some procrastinate until the last minute because they know they have it. Some procrastinate until the last minute hoping they have it.

What is it? 

It is work ethic.

In college there are a variety of people. However, I can confidently say that most of the people you will meet in college are not from low income families. In fact, most people who attend college are come from middle class or high middle class families. Because of this, many college students do not know a thing about life or how to handle themselves outside of their parents’ house.

I am in the midst of witnessing this.

While I cannot confidently say I have a perfect work ethic. I can say that I am a harder worker and more motivated than majority of college students.

But hard work will not get you any where in life. Life skills are the most important. These cannot be easily taught. Life skills are an accumulation of years of one’s parents’ teachings.

Because many high middle class families do not have time to spend with their kids, they often have maids or nannies. By doing this, they are absolving their kids of any responsibility in family life. 

This transfers into college. Rooms stay messy, living rooms get messier and roaches invade the house because food is left out.

While not all college students are at fault, I believe that a good portion are. Their parents did not take the time to teach them life skills; therefore, their quality of life suffers without money. College students will realize this when they exit college, whether it is dropping out or receiving a degree.

To all parents out there: take the time to spend with your kids on a regular basis, be stern with them, call them out when they are wrong and punish them when they do something wrong.

Although I was raised in a community where corporal punishment was acceptable to an extent, most kids are not raised in an environment similar to mine. I believe corporal punishment teaches kids discipline. However, corporal punishment will not teach you life skills, that is a parents responsibility.

Residents of the south, for the most part, are better behaved in public and more respectful of those around them. Good luck finding something similar anywhere else. 

Who am I?

This question is one that many spend their whole life trying to figure out. Most of my adolescent years were spend hanging out with different cliques, wearing different things and listening to different music. However, I think I have a firm grasp on who I am, or at least who I want to be.

I consider myself a hard worker. However, this obviously isn’t currently true. If it was, I wouldn’t be writing this right now. Instead I would be working on one of the four papers I have due in the upcoming days. What I mean by this is that I work hard when I am passionate about something. Currently, I am passionate about telling you, yes you, about who I am.

I know that I have tons of potential, but due to my knack for procrastination, I frequently don’t take full advantage of my potential.. I am a smart person; although, sometimes my ego makes me seem a lot smarter than I am. 

That brings me to another point. I have a big ego. Yes, exactly like Beyonce’s song. 

Tying in with my large ego, I often talk just to make sure people know I exist.

I am narcissistic. Don’t ask me my opinion on something I am against. I might tell you more than you care to know.

The most important part of who I am is my ambition. A theme throughout my life is that I always have large unbound ideas that challenge what I can do. I often make promises then realize I have spread myself too thin and then have to retract from something I once was passionate about.

I hope to continue to find myself as I grow and learn things about myself I didn’t know. I am growing up, at this very moment. I don’t know what the future holds or whether I will even make it to the future. However, whatever happens, I am comfortable being me.