Who dat? Congrats to the New Orleans Saints!
by Mr. Glass on Feb.07, 2010, under The Sports Page
Congrats to the New Orleans Saints, Drew Brees and the entire city of New Orleans tonight! The Saints came back from a 10-0 deficit to win their first ever Super Bowl, 31-17! Drew Brees who was pretty much written off by every other team four years ago proved tonight he really is one of the elite players in the league. Brees was named the MVP tonight, but the entire Saints team played like champs tonight! Even if the commercials blew (horribly)! I bet Mardi Gras is going to be insane now!
Saints are the Super Bowl 44 Champions!
Competing Friends: The Real Antagonist in the Movie Sugar
by Mr. Glass on Jan.31, 2010, under Cinema, Mr. Glass's Orginals, The Gallery
The movie Sugar is about a young Dominican baseball player, Miguel “Sugar” Santos, and his struggles as he tries to reach his dream of 
making it to the majors, and becoming a superstar. It takes you on a journey through all of his difficulties in his first season before he ultimately breaks down. His immediate success in the minors slowly turns into frustration and failure. The main conflict in the movie seems to be the multitude of struggles a young baseball player has to overcome. Conversely, even the system created by the pro baseball industry that forces players to go through these hypothetical hoops. When you take a deeper look at the film, you realize the real conflict in this story is not of man versus the system, or even man versus self, it is that of man versus man, Sugar Santos versus the real antagonist, Salvador Torres.
Conflict between the two players’ starts early on in the movie, off the field. In the beginning of the movie Salvador Torres, signs for $115,000 to the Kansas City Knight’s baseball academy. We learn that Sugar Santos signed for only $15,000 two years earlier. When Torres tells Santos about his newly signed deal, he also asks him how much he had signed for.. You can see the look of jealousy on Santos’s face as he lies and says, “You know, about the same” (Sugar 14:48). This is the first form of competition presented between the two is that of trying to earn the most money, and Santos is failing. The fact that he signed for so much less bothers Santos immensely, driving him to work on becoming the better pitcher. When they both receive invites to Kansas City’s Spring Training, Santos outshines his competition. His newly discovered knuckle curve earns him a spot on the Single-A team in Bridgetown, Iowa. While Torres has to start out his season on the Rookie league team, in Arizona. Santos is succeeding, using the competition Torres represents as fuel. He is surprising the organization, and earning a standing as a rising star. At this point in the movie, it seems that Santos is going to wind up being the better player of the two.
When Salvador Torres earns a promotion to Single-A halfway through the season, the contest between the two takes on an elevated role. The team immediately accepts Torres as one of them. While Santos achieved quick success, he was never able to earn approval from his teammates. “You could learn a thing or two from him,” the manager says when talking about Torres, further showing Santos’s growing alienation (Sugar 1:08:14). This scene shows the difference in the levels of acceptance the two have achieved. Where back in the Dominican Republic Santos was the funny teammate and Torres was the quiet new person, their roles have reversed in this new land. Santos continues to struggle with this, questioning why his teammates have not accepted him, as well as his declining role on the team. He has become the outcast of the group. Because of this Santos’s resentment towards Torres grows. The looks and stares he gives show the jealousy building up inside of him. This resentment combined with the injury Santos is just recovering from, build on his growing frustrations. The conflict between the two is getting the best of Santos.
When Sugar Santos makes his first start back from his injury, he struggles to control his pitches. By the fourth inning, the manager pulls him from the game. The fans scream slurs at him as he walks off the field, only adding to the rage and frustration building up inside of him. Salvador Torres comes in as the relief pitcher for Santos and gets off to a hot start. The success Torres achieves comes as Santos is failing. The fans hatred and yells of anger replace the praises and cheers that were for Santos at the beginning of the season. These same fans begin cheering Torres, showing their willingness to accept him. He takes Santos’ role as the fan favorite, and eventually replaces him in the starting rotation. The quick acceptance by the fans of Torres is something that Santos cannot handle. Everywhere around him, Santos is losing grip. It is apparent that the mental tolls of the competition are causing Santos to struggle, both on and off the field. Torres is quickly taking over his role, both on the team and with the fans.
Clearly, Salvador Torres has now become the rising superstar. No longer are the announcers and fans praising Sugar Santos. Torres is receiving all of the praise, and boasting about his award of Player of the Week. Santos begins to take his rage out physically, and continues to struggle on the mound. The whole time Torres is oblivious to Santos growing animosity towards him, which only increases as he continues to struggle. When Santos arrives to the team bus for an away game, the tension he has built up towards Torres becomes apparent. He refuses to let Torres help him with his bags, pulling away from him, and blankly glaring at Torres as he heads to the clubhouse. Torres is confused, and gives him a friendly wave, but Santos just continues to glare, before slipping into the clubhouse. The competition has become too much for Santos. He is mentally beat. Finally, Santos accepts defeat by quitting and not returning to the bus. Instead, he heads to New York City, leaving the team, and his dreams of making it in the big leagues behind. It is apparent that the conflict between the two has helped propel ones career while crumbling the others. The competition Torres brought has taken its toll on Santos. Torres has soundly beat Santos into submission.
Sugar Santos’s struggle to make it in baseball is not because of a system that set him up for failure, or because of an injury that he suffers during his season. It becomes clear that the conflict in the story is that of man versus man. Santos’s failure is a direct result of subconscious conflict between two teammates. Even though it appears as though Santos would become the superstar, he quickly declines. Salvador Torres beats him in both direct and indirect conflict. In the end, the success Torres achieves propels him into becoming the rising superstar, not Santos. Santos’s inability to handle the competition presented to him by Torres proves that he is the reason for Santos’s decline, and the real antagonist in this story. Torres’s arrival on the team is not only a catalyst for change in the tone of the movie; it also leads to the eventual departure from the team by Santos, and him quitting the game he loves. Consequently, it reveals that Santos’s real antagonist is actually his friend, teammate, and closest competitor, Salvador Torres.
Works Cited
Sugar. Dir. Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. Perf. Algenis Perez Soto, Kelvin Leonardo Garcia, Rayniel Rufino. Sony Pictures Classics, 2008.
Here is the official trailer for the gem of a movie by Sony Pictures Classic, Sugar
Steve Jobs, just might be god!
by Mr. Glass on Jan.27, 2010, under Mr. Glass's Orginals, Slightly Random
For the past few days (weeks or maybe even months if you are a Fanboy) the internet and technology worlds have been buzzing in anticipation for the announcement of Apple’s new “tablet.” Well today everyone got what they have been waiting for. Steve Jobs, Apples’ Guru, announced the new device today before a media only crowd. The rumors have been confirmed, Apple is launching a brand new device called the iPad! Some are calling it “The most advanced technology” they have seen, yet others claim it is “magical”, “brilliant” and “awe-inspiring”. While it appears to be an oversized iPhone, trust me the iPad is a whole new device.
Boasting an impressive 9.7 inch OLED multi-touch screen in a package that is 0.5 inches think and weighs less then 2 lbs, the iPad might just be lightning in a bottle! With built in Wi-Fi capabilities, and an option to have 3G coverage (provided by AT&T of course) this puppy has it all. The iPad comes in varying sizes of memory from 16gb up to 64gb, (wait…doesn’t the iTouch and iPhone have just as big of memories?) there is sure to be an iPad that fits every lifestyle. Built in Bluetooth allows you to connect on the go with a slew of wireless headsets and devices. Accessories are sure to go great with the iPad and range from leather carrying cases, to keyboard docks. Now I know some of you are asking why on earth would anyone be willing to spend up too $829 for what is essentially a overgrown version of the iTouch? I mean the thing doesn’t even have a camera like the iPhone, or USB ports like a Netbook. Touché, however the iPad does have some awesome features, along with something that no other device comes close too; and it just might make Steve Jobs a god among men!
Not only will you be able to run apps galore from the 140,000 strong collection in Apples’ App Store, but it will be debuting a brand new app designed specifically for the iPad, iBook (take that Amazon Kindle). Now not only will you be able to rock out to your favorite Lady GaGa track while surfing the web, you will also be able to read books (like Mr. Glass’s Words of Wisdom, available on Amazon.com). Something sure to lure those avid book fans into dishing out the cash to get their hands on one (hmm $19.99 for this hardcover, or $829 for this digital contraption). The color touch screen is far better and brighter then Amazon’s Kindle and Kindle DX that sport a black and white, non-touch screen (yes they still make those things). Apples’ launch of 
the iPad and new iBook app means that they plan on conquering the EBook scene like they have with digital music. Five of the nations biggest publishers along with some of the largest newspapers and magazines, are already on board and will be available in the iBook store from day one. However the most exciting new feature by far makes up for the iPads’ lack of camera, and wallet robbing price. No its not the ability to view Flash or PDF documents, its something way better!
Steve Jobs likes to think of himself as a man of the people. He knows what the people want, and sets out to create it for them. Steve like many women around the world have long wanted an alternative to ruined panties. That is why Jobs decided that what the world really needed the most was not just an oversized, less useful and more expensive version of the iPhone; but an oversized, less useful and more expensive version of the iPhone with ultra absorbent wings! That is right, Jobs and Apple aren’t satisfied with dominating the Music, and Book scenes, they also plan on being a leader in women’s feminine care! Women (and men alike) will go nuts for a maxi pad that not only protects those Vicky Secret satin panties, but can also get the latest edition of The New York Times while blasting “Pants on the Ground” and checking out the internet dating scene. The iPad is a truly revolutionary device. Never before has so much been packed into one small hunk of metal. TWorld, be prepared to meet your maker, Mr. Steve Jobs!
However now that the latest Apple product has been released, its got all the Fanboy’s and rumor mills craving for what’s next. Well Mr. Glass has you covered, here is a little list of devices, apps and products I think Apple might be coming out with in the next year or so:
- iTampon : a sleeker version of the iPad for those women who prefer to wear thongs!
- iMasturbate : a joint venture between Apple and KY, a line of personal lubricants that is sure to have your partner screaming iEnjoy!
- iCondom : With Apples’ foot into the personal health market, you didn’t think they were going to miss out on a chance to create the first YouTube streaming personal protection did you?
- iBra : A line of sleek and sexy devices that not only give you with the latest technology, but also provide a certain amount of support!
- iPoop : A new laxative…enough said!
- iJesus : An interactive, technologically advanced, modernized approach at religon, with Steve Jobs as God!
- iRun : a jogging simulation game for the iPhone and iPad owners who cant find time to actually run!
- iSuck : Apples alternative to the Fleshlight!
- iDied : A new line of ultra sleek, ultra sheik coffins. Now you can enjoy the afterlife with all your favorite music, movies & books!
- iDouche : Who said douching couldn’t be enjoyable?
- iQuit : A Groundbreaking app to help you tell your boss to screw off!
- iWife : Apples’ brand new technology based wonder woman! A wife who can cook, clean, surf the web, and plays your favorite music whenever her mouth opens….YES PLEASE!
Apple well certainly be busy over the next few years. Anyone else excited for the release of iJesus?
And now it seems they have already launched the advertising campaign for the iPad, below is the first commercial for Apple’s new product!
Late Night With The Roots Crew!
by Mr. Glass on Jan.08, 2010, under Free Noise, Music Zone, The Gallery
Now this is some dope stuff! The Roots in my opinion are the BEST Hip-Hop band EVER! Black Thought is probably the most under rated MC in the game, and the entire Roots crew is phenomenal. This is a little tape put together of some of the amazing live performances they have done since signing on to be the house band for Jimmy Fallon. Collaborations with artists like Q-Tip, Clipse, Raekwon, 50 Cent and so many more! This is what real hip-hop is!
Props to Shake over at 2DopeBoyz for the awesome cover art!
A New Kind of New Year’s Resolution
by Mr. Glass on Jan.01, 2010, under Advice from Mr. Glass, Mr. Glass's Orginals
My article for the January 2010 issue of TheOuterBelt.com. Check it out and make sure you bookmark the site!
A New kind of New Year’s Resolution!
By. Mr. Glass
Every year millions of us sit down and prepare a list of “New Year’s Resolutions.” A Ridiculous set of goals we set for ourselves for the New Year. Things like ordering food from a bunch of Celebrities just so you can drop twenty pounds, or getting help for your weird obsession with the Jonas Brothers. Stuff you don’t really want to do but feel forced too by the pressures of society. Not only do we waste our precious time thinking of what we want them to be; but then we also tend to fail horrendously when it comes to achieving them. Some even suffer the pains of saying goodbye to the love of their life, like The Baconator, all to attempt something they will ultimately fail. This year I propose an option that will not only save you from heartache, soul crushing and wasted time; but something that you can easily achieve!
I propose to you that instead of making a list of worthless “resolutions”, you make a valuable list of “Things I’ll NEVER do this year!” That way you actually create a set of goals that is achievable without any effort put forth! How does one go about making the list you ask? First off, throw out the entire school of thought on making a “New Year’s Resolution!” The boring old attitudes of “bettering the world” or “improving oneself” don’t apply to this list. It isn’t full of worthy, thoughtful, grand ideas. Instead, it is chock full of things you think are lame, can’t stand, or just plain out despise. Things you refuse to ever own, say, do or buy. It shouldn’t be hard to fill a list full of outrageously dumb things you will never buy, say or do. The list is more than a set of “goals!” It’s something that you can have to remind you how lame the rest of society is!
Making one’s list can be as simple as doing the opposite of your previous “resolutions.” Instead of dropping some weight, make the very first thing on your list “refusing to eat disgusting overpriced frozen food to lose weight this year, just because Dan Marino tells me too!” Is there an annoying phrase going around that you can’t stand? Put it down, as “I will never say ‘going ham’ on anything that doesn’t involve ham” A bizarre blanket product that for the life of you, you just can’t figure out why anyone would ever buy one? “Till death, I promise to never wear a sleeved animal print blanket like a complete tool!” Once you come up with one or two good things, more should come easily. Soon you’ll be on a roll!
Finally, you have compiled your list of “things I’ll NEVER do”, now it boils down to one simple rule. Making sure, you do not do any of those outrageously retarded things on the list! This should be easy, considering no one with half a brain really wants to spend $20 on an absurdly orange paper towel anyways! Now that you have your list full of things you will not be doing this coming year, you have much more time to focus on the important things. Like constructing your master plan of kidnapping Jack then holding him hostage for a few hundred tacos! Enjoy the New Year, and make damn sure you don’t do anything I wouldn’t!
The Mixtape Gems of 2009!
by Mr. Glass on Dec.31, 2009, under Free Noise, Mr. Glass's Orginals, Music Reviews, Music Zone, The Gallery
With 2009 winding down I figured I would do a run down of my five favorite mixtapes from the year. These tapes are not only the best of the year, they are a model of what real hip-hop music is! 2009 featured some big names making comebacks along with newer guys shining through. It truly was a year for Hip-Hop. Without any more delay lets get started with my Mixtape Gems of 2009!
1: Mick Boogie Presents: U-N-I – Before There Was Love!
In my humble opinion this was by far the best mixtape of the entire year! It was 27 tracks of pure fire, featuring everyone from Talib Kweli to Evidence to Big Pooh. Before There Was Love is full of bass bumping west coast beats and a sweet mix of samples, with that smooth Cali flow these guys have come to be known for! Y-O & Thurzday put out one of the realest, illest, dopest tapes ever when they released this! They not only continue to surpass all others in the game with each release, they do it all without a major label backing. They have redefined the true essence of what Hip-Hop really is, these doods are no fad, they’re real ass MC’s!
2: Big Sean – UKNOWBIGSEAN
The past few years have been huge for the entire G.O.O.D. Music label. Common, Kid CuDi, Mr. Hudson, Kanye West the list goes on and on. Kanye’s label is quickly becoming one of the best rosters in Hip-Hop. However of all the artists on G.O.O.D. Music I think Detroit native Big Sean’s second mixtape UKNOWBIGSEAN was the best project released by anyone on the label (and that’s saying a lot considering how good Man on The Moon was). Every song goes hard from start to finish. His smooth flow and lyricism shows how much the kids learned while sitting in the Shadows! The tape is a showcase of the most underrated, unknown and unheard member of the G.O.O.D. Music family! In 2010 you will KNOWBIGSEAN!
3: Mike Posner – A Matter of Time
The debut mixtape by Mike Posner was nothing more then amazing! Hosted by Don Cannon and mixed DJ Benzi, A Matter of Time is a blend of Posner’s soulful jazz-like voice, and his dope production. Posner who is a senior at Duke University is quickly becoming one of the hottest names in Hip-Hop today. His single Drug Dealer Girl is nothing less than one of the best tracks of the year. The tape features Big Sean (see #2) as well as Eric Holljes. He released his second tape One Foot Out The Door in October, and while I don’t think it was as good as A Matter of Time, it is clear the Mike Posner is a rising star!
4: Drake – So Far Gone
Now I know a lot of people would argue that this was by far the best mixtape of 2009. However this is my list! It was one of the best, I mean the numbers don’t lie. Hell the success he has received from the tape might very well be incomparable. However I feel this was only the 4th best tape of the year. How many other artists do you know that can re-release a free mixtape as an EP and actually have it sell? Enough said!
5: B.o.B. – B.o.B. vs. Bobby Ray
No. 5 was the hardest one to decide upon, however considering how continuously dope B.o.B. has been I feel he deserved this spot over the other ones. The ATLien has blown up over the past few years. Appearing on multiple video game soundtracks, features on multiple albums and tearing up the internet, B.o.B. is one of the true leaders of the new school! While B.o.B. might be one strange cat, rapping about aliens and singing about stars, you cant deny his talent! The heart and soul he puts into each track is apparent. He is quickly becoming one of the best storytellers in Hip-Hop!
Honorable Mentions:
The Cool Kids – Gone Fishing
Could have knocked Drake off, however the fact that Don Cannon is screaming all over every track ruined it for me!
PacDiv – Church League Champions
PacDiv continues to release dope ass music! They are definitely one of the groups to be looked out for in 2010!
Mr. Glass Presents “Taste Test Vol. 1″
by Mr. Glass on Dec.24, 2009, under Free Noise, Music Zone
This is the first installment of a series I plan on doing. Taste Test will be all about songs I think people need to hear, artists I think you should know, and just plain old good music! So download it, sit back relax and press play!
- TillWeDie – Blu
- Life Change – Clipse
- The Professional – Black Thought
- Flickin’ – Kidz In The Hall
- Hometown Glory – Drekidd
- Better Dayz – Game
- Pimp Dilemmas – GLC
- Fuck Dat Hipster Shit – Grip Plyaz
- Momma May I Feat Blaqstarr – Idle Warship
- Angles (Remix) – Lupe Fiasco
- Mirrors Edge Ft Bun B, GLC & XV – Mike Posner
- Supernova Feat Kanye West – Mr. Hudson
- Gangsta Life Feat Snoop Dogg – Nipsey Hu$$le
- Baby Phat 09′ Feat Colin Munroe – Skillz
- Chasing Windmills – Heavy D
- Fly Away – Wale
- This Plane – Wiz Khalifa
- MrBlu2U – Blu (as GODLeeBarnes)
Mr. Glass Presents: Taste Test Vol. 1
Nothing more, enjoy and Happy Holidays!
Shout Out to DJ Sape!
by Mr. Glass on Dec.23, 2009, under Slightly Random
I’d like to give a huge shout out to my Australian homie Rob a.k.a. DJ Sape for helping promote my book. My friend from the OZ has given me some shout outs on the many blogs he is a part of, including Its About Music. Make sure you check his blogs out, especially SapeSaga.Blogspot.com!
Avatar: Mr. Glass Film Review
by Mr. Glass on Dec.23, 2009, under Cinema, The Gallery
Avatar is the brand new film by super producer James Cameron. It is Cameron’s directorial return to feature films. Cameron is best known for his huge success’s with The Terminator, Aliens, Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Titanic. Avatar, his newest creation raises Cameron’s reputation for creating film masterpieces. Not only does Avatar make use of new film technologies that are groundbreaking, but the visual effects are easily the best ever seen in a film. It stars Sam Worthington, Zoë Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver and Stephen Lang in a three hour film masterpiece.
It’s set in the year 2154, on an lush alien planet called Pandora. It’s inhabited by a native indigenous blue people called the Na’vi. Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) is a wounded ex-marine who comes to the planet to operate an Avatar (a Na’vi body grown with human DNA so that a human can operate it as their own body). Dr. Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver) is the head of the Avatar program, and initially refuses Sully. However when Sully earns the friendship of the Na’vi princess Neytiri ( the beautiful Zoë Saldaña), Dr. Augustine starts to see his potential as
more the a Jarhead. The tension between the natives and the mining company mount, as Sully starts be accepted as one of the Na’vi. The growing animosity between the two groups ultimately leads to a war in which Sully has to chose between his people, and the Na’vi way of life he has grown to love. What you experience is the gripping story of one mans struggles between the loyalty to his race, and his love for Neytiri.
It’s so much more then just a science fiction movie full of fifteen foot tall warrior Smurfs (Neytiri is by far the sexiest alien I’ve ever seen!) and giant spaceships. Avatar is an updated version of the stories of Colonization and subsequent destruction of the native populations that riddle our history books. It tells the story of humans greed and destruction, an all too reoccurring theme in the modern world, versus the natives love for nature. Think of it as a futuristic version of Pocahontas mixed with pieces Terminator and Titanic. It is a movie full of betrayal, war, love, greed, pain, sorrow, and victory. From start to finish Avatar catches your eye with the breathtaking imagery. However as the movie goes on, the story shows that it too is not to be taken lightly. Avatar not only sets the bar for visual effects, and filming techniques, it also shows that special effects movies can be driven by an equally powerful story. Everything about the movie leaves you in awe. The animals and landscape created are certainly jaw-dropping, and the story is no joke. Avatar is by far the best movie made in the last ten years, and sets the bar for all films in the coming decade. Overall Avatar deserves a 4.5 out of 5 stars. While it was amazing, there were a few parts of the movie that had you feeling a little let down. Mostly the lack of development of the background. However Avatar’s pitfalls are outweighed by it wonderful story, and even better visuals. It’s definitely worth the money to go and see it.
Iron Man 2 Trailer
by Mr. Glass on Dec.17, 2009, under Cinema
Here is the official trailer for the highly anticipated sequel to Iron Man. Is it just me or has Robert Downey Jr. started to transform himself into one of the top actors in Hollywood? I mean here in a few days the Sherlock Holmes movie that he is staring in is set to drop. Which by the way looks extremely dope! Iron Man 2 looks equally impressive. Mickey Rourke also continues to climb back into the spotlight. He is staring as Iron Man’s nemesis, Whiplash! Terrence Howards character Col James Rhodes will now be played by none other then Don Cheadle. No offense to Mr. Howard but he is definitely no Don Cheadle. All in all this movie is shaping up to be pretty damn good!
Where can you get the book at?
Mr. Glass's Words of Wisdom is now available for sale on:
