May 15
12:45 p.m. – A larceny was reported at the 1600 Peachtree St. building. A police report was filed.

No other incidents.

Young Money, Cash Money, Republic

Lil’ Wayne’s latest album, “I Am Not A Human Being II,” might be where Mr. Carter went to die. Since his stint in prison, the on and off codeine syrup abuse and the less than impressive release of “Tha Carter IV” Lil’ Wayne has lost his potency. And ironically IANAHB II doesn’t include a track without Wayne rapping about his effectiveness. Can Wayne hang up his skateboard long enough to lay down a track that isn’t exclusively about fellatio?

The album opens with an inspiring classical piano background and Wayne rapping loosely about sex and homicide. It jumps into “Curtains” next, where he leads with “I ain’t nervous, I swear to God I ain’t nervous,” but maybe he should be because the lyric quality throughout the rest of the album is seriously lacking.

The best tracks are featuring other artists such as Drake, 2Chainz, Detail and Future on “Days and Days,” “No Worries” and “Love Me”. But on “Hello” Shane Heyl makes an already bad song worse. His vocals are more than unimpressive, and overstated. It used to be Wayne that could carry a song and make it popular just by jumping on the track but now that trend has reversed. It’s surprising that his performance on studio albums would be less than par when his work on mix-tapes like “Sorry For the Wait” were really strong. He rapped with conviction and lyricism on “Tha Carter III” and his collaboration with Birdman on “Like Father, Like Son.” Although numerous singles like “Lollipop” and “John” sold well in the itunes marketplace.

IANAHB II lacks in execution because the tracks surrounding those ready-for-radio singles don’t deliver the same Wayne punch. “No Worries” and “Love Me” are going to get great circulation on mainstream hip-hop stations, hell they already are, but the rest of the album sounds like the last few scraps of rhyme at the bottom of Wayne’s hip-hop barrel. He earned the nickname “Weezy” for multiple reasons, but the one that always stuck with me was the emotion Wayne injected into his voice in songs like “Shoot Me Down,” “Misunderstood,” “I’m Me” or “Let The Beat Build.” He challenged other artists and his audience because he constantly challenged himself to create something new, novel and raw. But now the rhymes roll off his tongue like overused, under-developed ramblings of a mind strung together by blunts and codeine syrup. 

On “Beat The S***,” Wayne doesn’t even try something inventive. Every line in the hook ends with “p****-a** n****”, and his only verse on the track is more of the same with tired tag-along rhymes. Not to downplay Gunplay, who is featured on the track, but his ill-equipped verse about pitching a fit in the club is the silver-lining to “Beat The S***.”

I’m disappointed. I remember scouring the Internet a few years ago looking for anything from Lil’ Wayne that had been leaked from any of his upcoming works, but now it’s Lil’ Wayne that’ll be looking for me, his audience. I don’t want to think that Wayne threw together an album because he knew his name would sell records on it’s own, but that’s what IANAHB II is telling me. The passion is gone. What happened to “I am music?” Perhaps his persona has eclipsed itself, maybe he’s burnt out as an artist, but I hope not.

According to MTV.com, Wayne professed that after “Tha Carter V” is released he plans to retire, but he has other collaboration plans in the mix with Drake, Birdman and possibly a resurrection of Big Tymers before he calls it quits. I can only hope that whatever Wayne decides to do next it’ll do better than IANAHB II.

This student was about ten years younger than me. While Kriss Kross was a vague memory to her, they practically soundtracked my junior high school years. I remember dancing with this curly-haired guy named Andrew to “Warm It Up” during  a Friday night dance in our school’s gym. I remember walking down the hall to Ms. Stahl’s French class rapping “I’ll make ya rump rump wiggle and shake your rump ’cause I’ll be kicking the flavor that makes you wanna jump.” I’m sure my sister has the same kinds of memories of singing “Super Freak.” The point is that we all have celebrities for which we pour out a little Kool-Aid.

We may have never met them in person, gone to their concert or watched all of their movies, but there is something about celebrities that connect with us. When they pass away it feels as if our experience just got a little dimmer. It’s as if our lives are a string of Christmas lights and one of the bulbs has stopped working. Not the kind where the whole string goes out, but the kind where you can go without a replacement bulb. Anyway, life’s not as bright without them and it makes us sad.

Sometimes, we don’t even realize how much we’ve been touched by Phil Hartman, Heath Ledger, Fred Rogers, Aliyah, Evil Knievel or Lisa Left Eye Lopes until they have passed away. I didn’t know how much I loved Michael Jackson until I was sitting in front of my computer with tears running and tongue lolling while watching his funeral broadcast. There wasn’t going to be another “Remember the Time” or “PYT” from Jackson and there’s no guarantee that anyone like him will ever again write, sing or dance the way he did. When I think of all those times I sang along with my brother Damon in front of the mirror to Jackson’s songs, I’m reminded to reach out to Damon because no day is promised. I’m reminded how life is such a sweet and temporary thing.

I’m not alone. Billions said goodbye to Jackson with me. Two and a half billion said farewell to Princess Diana. I can’t even imagine if Elvis Presley had died in the digital age. As each day goes by, we’ll continue to lose our various luminaries. We’ll comment on their passing over lunch or on Facebook. We’ll take the time to play one of their old CDs or movies. We’ll think back to the first time we experienced their talent, beauty or energy at a friend’s slumber party or during a road trip to Miami. Some of us may even hold annual candlelight vigils with potato chips and spinach dip. Either way, we acknowledge their absence. We have to. We can’t help it. Which is probably why we’d better start praying for Justin Bieber.

Photo of David Howell by Le Le LeSeur, contributor.

The opportunity to travel the world is one of the major selling points for new military recruits. David Howell, third-year television production student and photography minor, served in the army for 21 years. As a result, his world travels has affected him as an artist, “Because of my missions, I saw many examples of art and architecture in various countries. I’ve seen the Egyptian pyramids and sphinxes up close and personal, and got a sense of awe being in the presence of history,” says Howell. He completed two combat tours in Iraq including Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has also served all over the United States, Germany, Italy, Bosnia and South Korea.

Similarly, Daryl Harris, second-year interior design student, traveled extensively during his nine years in the Navy. He said he found travelling throughout Europe inspiring, “I went to Florence and that was a life-changing experience for me. I traveled all over Europe and Italy. It really opened up my mind.”

Photo of Daryl Harris by Le Le LeSeur, contributor.

The military exposes individuals to world travel and culture, but is it a place for creative people? Kenneth Prater, a second-year photography student, dedicated 10 years to the army. He too served in Iraq and also as a military technician. When his tech job no longer fulfilled him he decided to pursue the arts upon leaving the military. He admits, “I was just tired of punching numbers.” He describes how the worlds of art and the military are very different, “Creativity is thinking outside of the box. The military is a box. There are jobs in the military that require people to be creative but most of them are not so.”

Photo of Kenneth Prater by Jordan Bailey.

At first glance, the military seems very disconnected from the creative process. However, Harris has found that the principles of discipline and order manifest themselves in his design aesthetic. He says, “I like order. I like things to be neat, well put-together and intentional. If I can be in an environment and feel like everything is well-thought and organized it makes me feel better.”

Serving in the military can influence the direction one takes with their own art. Howell saw the importance of art first-hand among himself and the other soldiers. He recalls, “I saw many fine examples of soldiers’ personal artwork done to relieve the stress of being in combat. Seeing that work encouraged me to ensure that my work was the best when I did news stories or work on my radio show.”

Photo of David Howell by Le Le LeSeur, contributor.

The military offers discipline, camaraderie and insights into yourself and understanding of the world. Travel proves to be a major part of the military experience especially for students of art. Much like students Howell and Harris, Prater’s global experiences shaped his photographic eye. He says, “Having the opportunity to see so many places in the Pacific, Japan, South Korea, and China had the biggest influence on my art. I had exposure to different cultures outside of the United States.”

To check out works by these students please visit the following websites:

David Howell, Defense Video and Image Distribution System portfolio

http://www.dvidshub.net/portfolio/1012547/david-howell#.UWXaapoG2So

Kenneth Prater, photo blog

http://www.kprater.tumblr.com

Daryl Harris, digital portfolio

http://www.distinctionbydesign.com

Festivals can be an enjoyable event of live music, tasty food and exchanges amongst friends and strangers. A sea of people can bond over their favorite food stands, draft beer or the lead singer of the band. If not prepared, however, a lighthearted day can turn into an overwhelming experience. Every attendee should come prepared for possible weather changes, a buddy system for safety and a mode of communication.

Bring a buddy.
A group of friends and I recently attended the Sweetwater 420 Festival, held in April at Candler Park. With our trusty blanket, we were able to score a sweet spot close to the stage. Candler Park became a melting pot of young hipsters rocking out to the music, children playing catch with their parents and couples cuddled together on their blankets soaking up the sun. It seemed all of Atlanta was there to get a dose of the Sweetwater experience.

According to Sweetwater’s Facebook page, an estimated 3,256 people attended which made the simple task of getting a hamburger with cheese an epic battle between hunger, patience and the masses. Though my hunger was winning the battle as my stomach ate away at my patience, the crowds got the upper hand. Once in line, I waited more than an hour. Luckily, I had a friend to help fight the swarms of people. We acted as one and held hands while passing through the crowds. A buddy system in large crowds is ideal because two can maneuver safely through the masses and keep each other company while waiting in those long lines.

Use your smartphone wisely.
Even with the buddy system in such a large crowd, it’s easy to get separated from friends. After hamburgers, my friends and I went to the ice cream stand. I was overjoyed to have a refreshing popsicle on a hot day. As the strawberry flavor melted in my mouth, my heart froze. I noticed none of my friends were around. Abandoned at the ice cream stand, melting popsicle in hand, I searched for a familiar face. I wanted to call out their names but I knew they couldn’t hear my calls in the crowd. Panic-stricken, I could feel a mixture of angst and worry accumulate in my stomach. A lady walked past me on her cellphone. A light bulb lit up over my head.

Today, many smartphones offer applications to help with safety. If a threatening situation presents itself, a simple app can save the day. According to Top Ten Smartphone Safety Apps, the Silent Bodyguard Application works as a panic button that sends e-mails, text messages and social media messages with your location to anyone on your emergency contact list. I didn’t have any fancy applications, but I did have a fully charged phone. I turned my ringtone to the loudest capacity with the vibration mode on. When my friends returned my phone calls ten minutes later I was able to answer.

Dress for day and night.
As the day progressed, the temperature dropped along with the sunlight. According to What’s Typical in North and Central Georgia, spring season is categorized by variability from day to day. The air turned crisp as winds pierced my bare shoulders. Night’s cold weather fell upon us and suddenly my spring outfit didn’t seem so appropriate. I pulled my sweater from my bag. That quick weather check before I left my apartment came in handy. Now wrapped inside my force field of warmth, I could focus on the festival instead of the changing weather.

Without these three tips my experience could have been a real letdown. Thankfully, just a little preparation beforehand protected my experience. My buddy and I worked the crowd like a number on Broadway. My fully charged cellphone saved the day while my sweater saved me from the cold. I was able to enjoy the occasion with ease and relaxation and you can do the same.

Lies of omission. Anyone who has ever seen “Bambi” is familiar with the Thumperian principle: “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” Sure, the sentiment is sweet but silence doesn’t trump truth. Not telling a friend they have a booger in their nose or that they are suffering from body odor before they go on a first date is wrong.

Half-truths. We love to pad our résumés with these little gems. The ability to manage time does not constitute management experience. Potty-training does not equate to advanced certification.  Knowing the words to “La Bamba,” “Guantanmera” or “Oye Como Va” doesn’t denote fluency in Spanish.  Why not admit to a lack of qualification for that executive level position? Better yet, why not hustle to get the training and experience needed to actually be qualified?

Little white lies. Parents, teachers and close friends excel at these types. It doesn’t make sense to tell little Billy some red-suited fat dude smuggled that new BMX down the chimney instead of explaining all of the overtime Mom worked to afford both the bike and the electricity bill. It doesn’t make sense for Professor Smith to give Susie an A in Nonfiction I and tell Susie that her writing has “promise” when Susie can not write a decent sentence to save her life. It doesn’t make sense to tell your BFF you came down with stomach flu instead of admitting that you don’t want to spend a third night in a row playing beer pong. Little Billy needs to understand the value of a Christmas present. Susie needs to improve her writing skills if she wants to become a best-selling author. Your BFF can handle the truth especially if you are supposed to be best friends.

Complete falsehoods. In the tenth grade, I was talking to my boyfriend on the phone when he told me that he loved me. I returned those three little words although they could not have been further from the truth. I did not love him. I was only interested in securing a date for the upcoming Jr. Ball/Senior Prom. I should have snatched those words back but I didn’t. Instead, I spent the next three years pretending to feel deeply for him. It was a complete waste of empty emotion and time.

Some argue that certain lies are necessary. A soldier may tell the mother of his fallen comrade that her son died a quick and painless death. A husband may tell a wife that she really doesn’t look fat in those jeans. An associate at Macy’s may tell a difficult customer to have a nice day. Still, we must ask ourselves why we are so afraid of the truth. Why can’t we handle the truth? What makes a lie so comforting even when we know it’s a downright pants-on-fire fallacy?

No matter the degree or severity, lies have lasting effects. Lies are the poo icing on a chocolate cake. Lies prevent Clark Kent from finding a phone booth to change into Superman. Lies build castles on sand. No lie is ever truly worthwhile. Not even for that huge corner office on the 17th floor, those really cute prom pictures when his cummerbund matched my gold dress or the endless ache of a lost loved one. The truth hangs in the air like a whispering spectre or a bony finger constantly nudging us in the spine. In the end, we still have to live with the lies we tell.

Earlier this year, The Advocate rated America’s gayest cities of 2013. Atlanta scored high marks, landing it in the ninth spot. Even though the criteria was half serious, half bogus, I do agree that Atlanta is pretty gay.

Earlier this month, a friend rated gays in Atlanta among the most diverse she has seen. Even though her criteria was pretty stereotyped, she did have a point. There are lots of gays out here and many straight people have trouble telling them apart.

So to my fellow Atlantans, straight and gay, here is a quick list to help you know what type of gay you’re dealing with. This list isn’t inclusive of all facets of gay life, but it should get the average sir or madam by.

BEAR (n.) – These gays are typically hairy and sporting some kind of facial hair. Bears are often muscular, stocky or overweight and tend to pride themselves on their inherent masculinity. Although the largest of the gays, bears are usually friendly and overall good guys. They aren’t the type to pick a fight or cuss you out, but if provoked their pack will assemble and claw you to shreds. At a bar, you’ll see them wearing flannel shirts, baseball caps and boots. They will probably be drinking beer.

OTTER (n.) – Technically this is a subcategory of bear, but otters make up a big enough chunk of the population to deserve their own section. Otters share many of the same characteristics of bears but they have leaner, swimmer’s builds. Will from “Will & Grace” is perhaps the best otter reference.

TWINK (n.) – These gays are often younger than thirty years old and look like they could use a burger or five. They almost completely lack hair and seem to be waiting for puberty to hit. Basically, they are the opposite of bears. Traditionally, these gay men are where the general effeminate men stereotypes stem from. Although not physically dangerous, twinks are known for their sharp tongues. Twinks can be seen at clubs drinking fruity mixed drinks, shopping at Abercrombie & Fitch or grabbing a salad with a girlfriend.

While there are many who accept and conform to the standards of their group, there are others who don’t quite fit the mold. For the most part, it seems people are accepting of their classification. Personally, I find the animal designations as a little degrading, though they aren’t meant to be that way. In some weird way, having these groups helps gays find like-minded friends.

I think this is what my friend meant when she said that Atlanta was diversely gay. There really are a lot of gays out there, and although some fall into the bear, otter or twink category, most don’t fit into a neat little box. There are more classifications that attempt to fix this problem, but if you need more information, I suggest you hit up a couple of gay bars or make some gay friends

Photos and article by Sheronda Gipson, contributor

Ah! Spring in Atlanta. At first only noticed by the schizophrenic weather, pollen covered cars and wheezing and sneezing of allergy sufferers. But through watery eyes and sniffling noses there is a beacon of light called the Atlanta Dogwood Festival.

Walter Rich founded the first Atlanta Dogwood festival in 1936. Even though the festival took a brief hiatus from 1941-1964 during World War II and then a temporary venue change in 2008, the Atlanta Dogwood festival is the most popular and the city’s best indicator that Spring has arrived. The renowned Artist’s Market features artist’s works of varying mediums from across the country.

Makaela Davis, first-year animation and graphic design student, not only attended the Atlanta Dogwood Festival, she has been a part of it in several ways. “I have a part-time job there regularly,” Davis says.

When asked if this was her first time at the festival, Davis replied, “Last year I won second place in their annual high school exhibition/contest, so I spent more time actually enjoying the festival then. They’re really supportive of young artists. It was a statewide contest, and everyone in it was really encouraged by the event.”

“There are plenty of awesome events for the less artistically inclined individuals to enjoy too. They have carnival rides, fair food, dog show and live music. It’s like a huge fair even if you don’t visit a single one of the hundreds of art stands that line the sidewalk,” Davis says.

The Atlanta Dogwood Festival has a well rounded crowded with rides and games for children of all ages, live bands and the Disc Dog Southern National Tournament that was a huge hit this year. “The dog disc contest was my favorite,” says Hally Joseph, first-year M.F.A writing student.

Sybil Vaughn, who has attended the Atlanta Dogwood Festival every year for the last ten years,  says “This year the art looked about the same, the vendors, the same, but there was one thing that stood out–more food stations and trucks. There were more food trucks and vendors, selling everything from fried oysters, BBQ pork sandwiches, gigantic turkey legs, grilled brussel sprouts and sweet funnel cakes laden with powdered sugar, to draft beer, homemade lemonade and $8 margaritas.”

The Atlanta Dogwood Festival is held every year at Piedmont Park. For more information, visit http://www.dogwood.org

From the artist:

“‘Burdened’ is a series about the hardships that go along with carrying a secret; more specifically the concealment of one’s sexuality. The mark making, which was heavily influenced by the abstract expressionism period, serves to further illustrate the idea of the physical and mental forces that impact one’s decision to reveal or conceal that secret.”