« January 2005 | Main | August 2007 »

Via Relevant Magazine:

And yet we wonder why "Politically Incorrect" didn't stand the test of time. I'm not Bill Maher fan. Not in the least. The man has a Napoleon complex beyond belief. But of this entire statement, Maher and I can agree on one thing: Christians are unenlightened because of of their faith--as a whole, that is.

Unfortunately, the first part of this statement is our downfall. The notion of a "Christian" in America is severely confusing. When I say, "Christian," it could mean a number of things, and unfortunately, it does. We live in the era of "Choose your own adventure" Christianity, or as I prefer to call it, "Mamby-Pamby."

As for the second part of Maher's statement, his assertion that Christians lack enlightenment is probably spot on. That is to say, most certainly aren't walking in the type of revelation necessary to make a dent in this world.

If Maher's notion of what it means to be "enlightened," includes tolerance, acceptance and carnality, then I reject his "enlightenment." Now in regards to "Christians" offering something the world needs, I'd say the salt needs to get some saltiness.

• Is the Tide is Turning in Hollywood?: An interesting Fox news article examines the change in the Hollywood climate post-"Passion." I'm not so sure Gibson's efforts have blown the door open, but they certainly have humbled know-it-all executives. But I will say this: Ice Cube is doing family films. That in and of itself speaks volumes.

• Actor Will Smith is Fat: So says the "Center for Consumer Freedom," a self-proclaimed health and obesity watchdog that says Smith's 6'2", 210 lbs (and yoked as of late) frame gives him a Body Mass Index (MBI) of 27 which means he's "overweight." Mmkay. I saw "Hitch" last weekend, and if Will Smith is overweight, then we all should just quit right now. Instead, the "CCF" should focus their energies towards these people.

• Malcolm X is Not the Hero We Exalt: Yesterday marked the day of X's death. Columnist Stanley Crouch bravely asserts that we rarely discuss the truth about Malcolm X's legacy and wrongly liken his Civil Rights Movement contributions to those of "The King." I remember being the only one in my "Equity, Justice & Race" class who wasn't enraptured by "The Autobiography of Malcolm X."

• Michael Jackson & The Peter Pan Syndrome Spirit: I think this man may give us all some insight into the depth of confusion that is Michael Jackson. I've taken a lot of heat in my inbox for being critical of Mr. Jackson. I don't care. I think the man needs help beyond psychiatry and I don't particularly think our polite dismissal of his behavior is going to save his life. Throughout his career, Jackson has made many references directly and indirectly to the archetype of the androgynous, eternal child, "Peter Pan." Draw your own conclusions.

• Blogging Helps Employment: Nope not for me, but for Joe at "The Evangelical Outpost," his posts on Christian Bio-ethics gained the attention of "The Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity". It was only two weeks ago that he announced his unemployment, and now Joe's been offerred a job with them. I'm not a hater, I'm just saying isn't there a "Center for Sensible Fashion in Politics" that's hiring?

• Howard Dean: Race Relations Coordinator: My favorite bald-headed blogger, "Baldilocks" is disgusted at the lack of outrage present in regards to Howard Dean's "hotel staff" comments at the recent Democratic "African American caucus" gathering. Funny, I started ignoring Howard Dean a long time ago.

The first time I saw the commercial for the new "7up Plus," I cracked up. I thought, surely these monkeys are not trying to pass off chemically manufactured soda (or pop) as though it were healthy. Indeed they are. The Atlanta-Constitution-Journal reports:

Although I have an affinity for fried, um, everything, even I am smart enough to know that there comes a point of absurdity. What's always struck me as particularly evil is the fact that instead of introducing new products that really are healthy to support a changing market, companies just try to convince the masses that the old stuff really is good for them.

Couple this with the fact that (pop) soda machines are strategically placed in inner city schools and we might have the makings of a conspiracy theory.

As long as they don't take away my fried catfish, I'm good.

Only nine days left in black history month. Better get in and get your fix while you can.

Growing up, my mom--a college professor--used to jokingly call this month "Black People Work Month," because in February, her calendar was always booked with guest lectures, key note addresses and such. So it's no suprise to me when I hear that many black leaders are getting sick of the demands of the month. MSNBC reports:

"The only black county commissioner in Dallas, John Wiley Price spoke Monday to 100 mostly black middle school students about history, responsibility and their futures. If he had been invited the following day - Feb. 1 - he would have refused.

That's not because of a scheduling conflict. Price no longer makes public appearances during Black History Month. Like some other top speakers, Price has grown weary of being in high demand for a just few weeks and then often ignored.

"I'm not going to be 'pimped'"
"I'm not going to be, as the kids say, 'pimped' during the month of February," Price said.

A few years ago, Price said, he was inundated with speaking requests. Then he realized that "black people were visible during February, but the other 11 months of the year we became the invisible people."

He isn't a lone rebel: Twenty-nine years after Black History Month was officially designated by the federal government, something of a backlash has begun.

Though February is still an exhilarating time for many high-profile black Americans, whose research and life experiences are celebrated, others see it as overwhelming, even debilitating.

They grow bleary-eyed, traveling almost daily, giving keynote addresses, participating in symposiums and moderating panels. And their physical exhaustion highlights an unsavory reality: Come March 1, public interest in them and their work plummets.

Such is the high price we pay for trying to compartmentalize history and cram it into a 28 day month. I still say, it's time to move another direction.

Only nine days left in black history month. Better get in and get your fix while you can.

Growing up, my mom--a college professor--used to jokingly call this month "Black People Work Month," because in February, her calendar was always booked with guest lectures, key note addresses and such. So it's no suprise to me when I hear that many black leaders are getting sick of the demands of the month. MSNBC reports:

"The only black county commissioner in Dallas, John Wiley Price spoke Monday to 100 mostly black middle school students about history, responsibility and their futures. If he had been invited the following day - Feb. 1 - he would have refused.

That's not because of a scheduling conflict. Price no longer makes public appearances during Black History Month. Like some other top speakers, Price has grown weary of being in high demand for a just few weeks and then often ignored.

"I'm not going to be 'pimped'"
"I'm not going to be, as the kids say, 'pimped' during the month of February," Price said.

A few years ago, Price said, he was inundated with speaking requests. Then he realized that "black people were visible during February, but the other 11 months of the year we became the invisible people."

He isn't a lone rebel: Twenty-nine years after Black History Month was officially designated by the federal government, something of a backlash has begun.

Though February is still an exhilarating time for many high-profile black Americans, whose research and life experiences are celebrated, others see it as overwhelming, even debilitating.

They grow bleary-eyed, traveling almost daily, giving keynote addresses, participating in symposiums and moderating panels. And their physical exhaustion highlights an unsavory reality: Come March 1, public interest in them and their work plummets.

Such is the high price we pay for trying to compartmentalize history and cram it into a 28 day month. I still say, it's time to move another direction.

Character development...character development. I'll just keep chanting that to myself as I endure what seems to be one of the hardest seasons of my life. And here I thought 2004 was rough. Now I laugh in the face of 2004.

So I think I first realized that something was odd when last week, after donning my classiest pantsuit, enduring a second round of interviews, and doing this grandiose PowerPoint presentation in hopes of landing what was once the job of my dreams, they called me to say they "offered the job to someone internally," and I was...relieved.

What is wrong with you Ambra? For the first time in quite awhile, I can officially say that I have no idea what the literal tomorrow holds. I am restless to say the least.

In my state of the blog address, I talked about some changes on the horizon in 2005 for this site. One of the sections I'm going to be adding in the next month or so is movie reviews. I think it's valuable to intelligently critique what's good and what's bad about our modern day entertainment industry from the proper worldview. I am also interested in examining films as a reflection of culture and where our society is and isn't. Busy as I am with unemployment and staring at the ceiling and all, I of course can't do this myself.

You all pretty much know my angle--I thought "American Beauty" was trash; I thought "The Matrix" was brilliant, and I think Kevin Costner plays every character exactly the same way.

If you: are witty, write well, are able to subjectively view a film and critique it accordingly, and you wouldn't give "Soul Plane" high marks, I'd love to hear from you. Everyone will get the rights to their own work, but I'd publish it here too.

In light of Virginia's "Droopy Drawer Bill," it occurred to me that we can legislate nearly anything these days. So I ask, in a perfect world, what laws should be enforced? I'll start with a few:

1. It is therefore made law that men (as defined anatomically) are prohibited from wearing spandex outside the house, heretofore, therein, wherein, ubiquitously, forever and ever, amen.
   
2. All teachers, professors, and educators with direct contact with children, especially those who lean over shoulders to help with math equations must pass a halitosis test before every school year.
   
3. Slow moving pedestrians who block the entire sidewalk will be fined $15 and required to log 6 hours of speedwalking class.

What else?

• Political Bias Laws on Campus - Some Ohio state lawmakers are trying to pass a law that outlaws political bias on college campuses. Are you kidding me? They'd be better off trying to tell Richard Simmons that he's a man. At least Ward Churchill has nothing to fear.

• Kanye, the Messiah - In a backstage MTV interview, says rapper Kanye West on his Grammy win: "It's not so much particularly getting the Grammys, it was the opportunity to speak at the Grammys that I wanted. It just felt like I served God with this album. And He gave me the world tonight. He gave me the floor. That's all I wanted, I wanted the floor." Man, that's almost as good as the people that tell me they're fasting from cussing.

• Jackson Drama - Michael Jackson was discharged from the hospital today after being treated for "flu-like symptoms." The masks, the umbrellas, dancing on top of cars, dangling kids off balconies, and now "flu-like symptoms"--okay already, enough drama please.

• Chris Rock and the Oscars - Rock (who will use a 7-second delay to avoid foul language) recently caused a furor when he said only "gay men" watch the "Academy Awards." This is what happens when you get a loose cannon like Rock to host an uppity event...people get their glass houses broken. Isaiah Z. Sterrett, a conservative thinks Rock promotes race-based hatred towards whites. What I'm wondering is when we started taking anything that Chris Rock says seriously. He's like the lunatic cousin everybody lets stand by the punch bowl at the family reunion.

There is an interesting conversation going on in the comments section at Booker Rising on the duties of a parent. The conversation began when Maya Marcel-Keyes, the daughter of well-known "Conservative Christian" Alan Keyes (who's been consistently outspoken against the homosexual community), "came out" publicly against her parents wishes. I don't really think the focus should be on Maya as she's only 19-years-old and it is certain that the vampires will exploit her faster than we can blink. The real discussion here seems to be about the role of parents, the definition of love, and the appropriateness of support of a disagreeable lifestyle.

A Washington Post article titled "When Sexuality Undercuts A Family's Ties," Marc Fisher writes:

Maya Keyes loves her father and mother. She put off college and moved from the family home in Darnestown to Chicago to be with her dad on a grand adventure. Even though she disagrees with him on "almost everything" political, she worked hard for his quixotic and losing campaign for the U.S. Senate.

Now Maya Keyes -- liberal, lesbian and a little lost -- finds herself out on her own. She says her parents -- conservative commentator and perennial candidate Alan Keyes and his wife, Jocelyn -- threw her out of their house, refused to pay her college tuition and stopped speaking to her.

Maya, 19, says her parents cut her off because of who she is -- "a liberal queer." Tomorrow, she will take her private dispute with her dad into the open. She is scheduled to make her debut as a political animal, speaking at a rally in Annapolis sponsored by Equality Maryland, the state's gay rights lobby.

She plans to talk about "what it was like for me growing up as a liberal queer in a very conservative household. I've known so many other people in a position like mine, where their families really don't want much to do with them. Maybe I can help by talking about it.

Since making her activism public, as well as living a lifestyle with which they disagree, Maya's parents have reportedly "cut her off," asking her to leave the apartment they paid for, and forgoing payment for her tuition at Brown University. But don't cry for her Argentina, the "good" news is, not only has the gay community mastered victimization, they also stick together. Maya's already been granted a scholarship and housing via a big LGBT nonprofit. Now let's clock how long it will take before "The Advocate" tries to make her their poster child. Anybody got an egg timer?

This whole situation hurts my heart. As I state in The ROI of a Kid, I know what it's like to be at odds with your parents for making decisions of which they disapprove. The difference? I dropped out of college indefinitely. Maya, however, made a lifestyle choice. My sympathy ends there.

Should Alan Keyes have cut off his daughter? I've heard both sides, and personally, I think that's his business. He's the one that has to given an account for the state of his family, not I. A commenter at Booker Rising asserts:

"It may be cold and harsh, but the fact is that she decided to come out publicly, and she decided to become an activist. It isn't as if she was forced into that situation, and at the very least should have weighed the consequences for doing so."

Indeed. Another chimes in:

"Just why is Alan Keyes or any parent for that matter obligated to pay college expenses for a child he disagrees with? And since when is a parent supposed to "accept" a lifestyle like homosexuality that is morally and religiously repugnant to them? If one's daughter comes home a prostitute is one supposed to "accept" it and "take them in" in the name of "love"? What a cowardly approach.

Above all else, one thing is clear: liberals do not like the fact that Keyes is remaining consistent in principle. There's something we don't see too frequently in politics. And with that whole reparations nonsense last year, Keyes may be gaining some respect back.

Rebel: Taylor Moore

Age: 15

Representing: Chicago, IL

Status: Sophomore at Kenwood Academy High School

Why you should fear her: A sought-after inspirational speaker on the topic of abstinence, excellence, and non-violence to young people. Taylor Moore has been commanding crowds around the country since she was 10-years-old. She is the youngest speaker on the Project Reality team, an organization focused on abstinence education. In addition to public speaking, Moore is a certified cable television producer and host. She hosts three shows locally on the Chicago Cable Access Network: "Making It," "Words to Live By," and "Behind the Scenes."

In addition to all this, Moore is also an excellent student ranked in the top five percent of her class and has been named to Who's Who Among High School Students. She's a percussionist, pianist and composer.

Moore has been honored by the Governor of Illinois, Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, 4-H Club and many others. At only fifteen, she's definitely one to watch.

Links/Press:Taylor Moore's Website

Past Rebels: Ben Shapiro, Erika Harold, Farrah Gray, Hans Zeiger, Adam Hunter, Dwight Howard, Sheri Valera, Princella Smith

Al Sharpton and outgoing Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe

Al Sharpton and outgoing Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe

WorldNetDaily reports:

A master's student at a New York college was kicked out of the graduate education program because of what officials claim was a "mismatch" between his personal beliefs and the goals of the program.

According to the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, or FIRE, a nonprofit group, the trouble began when Le Moyne College master's student Scott McConnell wrote a paper that advocated "strong discipline and hard work" in the classroom and an environment that allows "corporal punishment."

Oh man that's funny. Could be because I'm writing this at 4:39 in the morning. Could be because it's funny. I'm not going to argue for or against corporal punishment in schools. I think that's a parent-mandated thing. But considering the popularity of shows like "The Supernanny" where a stern British woman has to come help pathetic American families parent their wayward children...yeah, you get the point. See my post "Spanking: the best way to save tax dollars" for more clarity.

(Brief caveat: Mkay, so I've seen once and read enough about this "Supernanny" show to get the gist. What I don't get is what type of parent pleads with a 4-year-old who hit them, called them a "poo-poo-head," and then screamed bloody murder for 5 minutes. Maybe it's cultural, but I'm 23, I'm grown, I pay my own bills, and if I ever called my mother a poo-poo-head, I'd be picking up the pieces of my face from the other side of the room.)

At the rebellious age of 14, the age at which doing homework takes a back seat to shopping and the entire hemisphere hinges on being "liked," I made a very wise decision. It was probably one of the better decisions of my formative years. Certainly a lot better than the time my friends and I decided to break into our neighbor's house to steal shampoo for kicks. One day, I solemnly decided that sex and I wouldn't meet each other's countenance until I had two circular objects firmly planted on my left ring finger. I think my mentor Lakita Garth said it best when she proclaimed, "No ringy. No dingy." Not exactly revolutionary or noteworthy, but certainly not the norm in the halls of insecurity also known as high school.

Was this decision deserving of special recognition? Applause? A gold medal? A cookie? A special seat in heaven? No siree Bob. Seeing as how sex was designed to be enjoyed within the confines of marriage, I always viewed abstinence as my reasonable service. You know, the least I could do with this here my one and only vessel on the earth. Amidst a society that fed me the lies that I couldn't do it, I was stubborn enough to follow through with my word, even if it killed me.

And it did. Curbing enthusiasm requires that some aspect of your own will be put to death. Any pious attitude or ego acquired by those who somehow feel morally superior for remaining abstinent will eventually have the crap beat out of it by the humility necessary to carry out the decision until the end (or rather, the beginning). It ain't easy. The longer you wait, the more humble you become. Just ask A.C. Green; he could write the book.

The odd thing is, today virginity is usually packaged as this unrealistic option we shouldn't be teaching and a reality for which most teenagers are ridiculed. Yet the truth is, adults who've chosen not to test drive the car probably have to endure more naysayers than the average pimple-faced teenager. Then again, high school is all about perspective so the small things become big and vice versa (read: everyone eventually grows up and realizes that high school was a joke).

As an adult, I've heard every defense in the book--everything from "How will you know you and your spouse will be sexually compatible?" to "But won't that make your wedding night awkward?" to threats that celibacy leads to geriatric ovaries. At 23, it's safe to say that I'm willing to suffer whatever "consequences" there may be if it means being without the excess baggage. You know, multiple partners, hurts, disappointments, soul ties, unwanted pregnancies, abortions, gonorrhea, and all that other fun stuff that accompanies having sex outside of marriage.

The unwritten rules of this modern-day dating game are advantageous to say least. And what a game it is. William Raspberry's Valentine's Day column in the Washington Post posed a very important question: "What ever happened to courtship?"

Maybe Valentine's Day is a good time to talk about something that's been on my mind for a while: the alarming decline of courtship.

Calling it alarming, of course, places me firmly on the old-fogy side of the discussion. The youngsters I talk to at Duke University don't seem particularly alarmed, though a few will acknowledge some discomfort, some disappointment that they find themselves in a world in which boys don't come courting. They are, willy-nilly, in a hookup culture that they (the girls, at least) don't remember asking for but feel powerless to change.

This "will-nilly" hook-up culture Raspberry alludes to is the antithesis to purity. These days, college dating relationships are messy. Raspberry goes on to narrate the account of a female college student from his "Family and Community" class at Duke. The student recounts the many meanings of the phrase "hooking up" in the college world. The general "no-strings attached" nature of the hook-up culture is on a rapid decline. Sex has been cheapened and purity is a joke.

Amidst the debates about declining standards of morality on television and the seemingly incessant back and forth nature of conversations on abstinence education and propriety in media, we often fail to stop to examine the philosophy behind the criticisms of our racy culture.

Rarely do we make a case for purity. Instead, far too often, Americans get caught in the mire of partisan conversation about symptoms and fail to address the root issue. The "they're going to do it anyway" philosophy is a cop-out. Contrary to what Darwin might assert, human beings are not animals. We don't copulate like rabbits. We have revelation; we have logic; and most importantly, we have self-control.

It's been said a thousand times over that "sex sells." Why does it sell? Well, probably because it appeals to the weakest and most vulnerable aspects of humanity: our flesh. What troubles me the most is that in general, we accept the peddling of sex as a valid way to go about cultivating our society. We dismiss its effects on children and young adults. We draw no connections between promiscuity, health, and the economy. Most tragically, those who wish to change this get labeled "fundamentalists," while most others argue counterpoints under the banner of over-romanticized concepts like a "free-society."

One of the definitions of the word "pure" is "free from what vitiates, weakens, or pollutes." One of the biggest paradigms in life is the fact that true freedom has boundaries.

Our nation's perception of freedom is a crock. Behind the facade of freedom, we've bred some of the most bound-up, oppressed, and insecure young people in the world--mentally that is. Don't let the fancy exterior fool you. From the Hamptons to the Southside of Chicago, there are young people who are empty and lack identity. And when voids are present, there is counterfeit relief available to all. These days, you can fill up just about anywhere with just about anything.

And yet we wonder why we now see fifth graders having sex in the cafeteria elevators. It's a collective effort really. You know Hillary Clinton's whole "village" concept? Yeah, it backfired. Our "progressive" society has fostered an environment where love is awakened before its time. The case for purity is derailed by the need to convince a certain cross-section of America that "love" even has "a time."

I mean, hey, if it feels good do it. Right? No consequences. No major ramifications.

The way we go about male-female relationships in this country could use an overhaul. The improper images consistently put before us have desensitized us to the sanctity of marriage, the power of purity, and male/female identity. Thrusting the younger generation into adult scenarios and the same cycle of hit and miss relationships dooms us to repeat the mistakes of our parents. Quite simply, we practice divorce.

Call me crazy, but I believe life as a teenager can be made easier and more purposeful without sex and complexly short-sighted relationships. Purity isn't a destination, but it certainly is a direction. I think we should head that way. If not for my generation's sake, at least for those who come behind us.

Elsewhere on the Internet:
- "Can a Black Man Be Abstinent?" by Duane Brayboy of Black Informant
- "Not Until My Wedding Night" by Lakita Garth, Essence Magazine (PDF)

• Bloggers and CNN Yeah and um, in case you didn't know, CNN president Eason Jordan resigned last Friday from pressure stemming from some inappropriate comments he made regarding American soldiers. I am also proud to report that I had nothing to do with it. In light of Eason's resignation, Michael Bowen Cobb theorizes on why the blogosphere is so powerful.

• Kanye West & the Grammys I'm not even going to address West's self-absorbed Grammy performance, which featured his death, burial, and resurrection (is your stomach okay?). Not only does Jesus "Walk," He also "sells." Rapper Kanye West's fable won the Grammy Award for "Best Rap Song". You may recall my distaste for the song, "Jesus Walks," on the merits of its deceiving nature. Entertainment Weekly music writer, Neil Drumming, inadvertently hit the nail on the head when he said, "It is a spiritual song, but that is not why it is popular, that is secondary. It is really an addictive, engaging and unique track. The first time I heard it at a party it had just come out and already people were dancing to it."

  Yep, sounds like the Gospel to me.

• Jose Canseco, the Buster There is a difference between a whistleblower and a snitch. Where I'm from, we call 'em "Busters." In former baseball player Jose Canseco's new book, "Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits, and How Baseball Got Big," he tells all, and manages to rat out a few folks while he does it, accusing, a few players of using steroids. I have a problem with people who profit off of supposedly "outing" other people. That means you too Kimberly Bell.

• What no Peanuts? Air Travel Gone Bad Both Paul Musgrave of "In the Agora," and blogger Chris Busch share my sentiments with the pain of modern-day air travel. You'll recall last spring, I too complained.

• Obama Deserves Black History Month Props So says the blog, "The Obama Factor" in regards to a Houston Chronicle article on the topic. Senator Obama is only the 5th black U.S. senator in history. He was also the first black president of the Harvard Law Review. He also has a beautiful (and smart) wife and family.

• New E-Mail Policy La Shawn Barber declares that she can no longer respond to every single email anymore. Funny, I just made the same decision today too. Then again, I have emails from 2001 that I've yet to reply to.

• All Ideas Welcome Unless You're Referring to Homosexuals "Tongue Tied" points to an interesting story about a UNLV economics professor being punished for stating that homosexuals tend to plan less for the future. Considering the philosophical contributions of famous gay economist, John Maynard Keynes, it's safe to say that lack of procreation (and by default, lack of generational transfer) doesn't motivate people to plan for the future.

Comments are now working. Thank you to Roderick Howard, web-extraordinaire for his help getting everything fixed. These are the people you wish you could put on staff. One of these days.

Comments are now working. Thank you to Roderick Howard, web-extraordinaire for his help getting everything fixed. These are the people you wish you could put on staff. One of these days.

Alright homies, you may be seated. Now listen up; this could get screedy.

So here we are in 2005 and after thirteen months of operating this little-known haven on the web, I've yet to fully state my intentions. And since I've had my fill of unsolicited advice from people who barely know me, it's probably about that time.

I've owned "nykola.com" since I was 19-years-old. In that time, it's evolved from absolutely nothing to the weblog you see today. Who knows where it will go tomorrow. I'm not on a quest to become the world's most popular blogger. That my friends, is what nerds do. And if I haven't made it abundantly clear, I am not a nerd.

"They" are.

I consider myself a fairly candid person. From the time I first told my babysitter that her breath stank until now, I've never been one to pull punches. Throughout the course of this site, I've shared my insights drawn from aspects of my life, my failures, my frustrations, my vulnerable times, and most importantly, my inability to hold my bladder on one very embarrassing occasion. There's only one other person that knew about that, and now you all know. You should feel special.

Honestly, that's just me. I write from the personal. I don't know any other way to write. Well, actually I do, but I don't like it, and when they make me do it, I get irritable. Yep, just like the bowels.

When a person shares about life, it's understandable that we might be inclined to think we know everything about that individual. You know, how said person ought to think, live life, write, pursue success, and all that other typical patronizing nonsense that accompanies being a "dumb" and inexperienced 23-year-old.

So what if I can't spell "definitely," me isn't borned yesterday.

Reading unsolicited advice is like eating chicken. You eat the meat and spit out the bones--unless you're Al Sharpton, because he definitely looks like somebody who eats chicken gristle. And boy do I have a pile of bones. I keep every single feedback email that I receive. The good, the bad, and the atrociously ugly. It could be masochistic, but I prefer to think of it as a subtle reminder of where I'm going. Cryptic, ignorant and spiteful emails could make a really good appendix of a book one day.

(As a brief interjection--and with apologies to William Shakespeare--I need to lament, "We are bloggers. If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you send us hateful emails, do we not pray the locusts invade your house?" I jest.)

After a year of publishing my thoughts, my feelings, and my world on an almost daily basis, I can say with blessed assurance that I've gotten over the need to be understood. At this point, if people have been reading thus far and they still don't understand my character, then they never will, or they simply don't want to. And quite frankly, I'm tired of explaining it to the latecomers. That's what the archives are for. Foo.

I learned a long time ago that people will hate you if you do, and they'll hate you if you don't. People are the most fickle creatures on the planet. I promise you, gerbils have more stability than the average person. If you're doubtful of this reality, that is fine by me, but I bet you they could get through the cereal aisle at the supermarket faster than we could.

I've always figured, if there's gonna be hateration up in this bloggery, then I might as well take a beating for speaking the truth as I see fit.

*Right side of the room stands up and claps*

Personally, I'd rather die with no friends having been the person God called me to be, than live in popularity and in utter disobedience to what I should be doing with my life.

People often ask me why I don't have BlogAds or any other advertisements in order to gain some revenue from my site. Aside from the fact that I find BlogAds incredibly gaudy, the reason is simple: I like doing things my way. Getting paid would be great, but not at the expense of not feeling the liberty to write whatever I feel needs to be written. It would be out of my nature not to tell it as I see that it is and it will be a cold day in Michael Moore's sauna before I have a Rush Limbaugh ad on my site. Which leads me to my next point.

The second reason I won't get BlogAds is because there isn't one bone in my body that desires to see GOP paraphernalia advertised on Nykola.com. (No she didn't) Oh yes she did.

I don't want to see "Red State Gear"; I don't want to see "Michael Moore Hates America" (even though he does); I don't want to see "Conservative Singles" or any other hokey advertisements typical of any weblog that has spoken against abortion. I'm sorry, but I can't fool with the partisan nonsense. It's just not me. I refuse to be a donkey or an elephant. My mama named me, "Ambra," and last I checked, I was a son.

I think God is bigger than that. I think this life is bigger than that, and so are you.

Likewise, as fun as it sounds, I have zero desire to be put in some proverbial punditry/columnist box, speaking for a man-made political side of the fence (or as blogger T-Steel once said, "yappin' for Scooby Snacks"), and being patted on the head like I'm some kind of credit to, well, you know. They could. not. pay. me. enough.

Not only is that unlike me, it's also cheesy, boring, and short-reaching. But hey, if that's what you're after, I ain't mad atcha. It's just not my cup of tea. I would however, take a book deal.

Me? I'm after something bigger. This is a weblog. And I might I add, it is just a weblog. I think sometimes we forget this. And on behalf of bloggers who obsess, I will say this: "Get a life." The sun does not rise and set on the existence of your weblog.

*Everyone stands up and claps*

"Nykola.com" is a one dimensional aspect of who I am. It's admittedly an obese and well-fed "one dimension", but you catch my drift. The prospect of being a "professional blogger" could get old very quickly. For the record, I'll opt out. I'd rather get paid to talk aloud about what I write here.

And finally, the titles bit. It's beginning to get nauseating. Whatever you're used to elsewhere on the web, please leave it at the door when you get here. This talk of "our side" and "one of us" irks me. Nowhere in my bio or my "tagline" does it say anything about philosophical affiliation. There's a reason for this. If people come here with preconceived notions of what I'm all about, I lose them at the first sentence. My theory is, keep reading long enough, and you'll eventually figure it out. Must we announce everything?

I'm weary of labels because I think they should follow and not precede. You don't have to declare yourself to be anything. Just be "it", and if "it" is, people will recognize and call it as such. Only insecure ninnies need to be called something to feel validated in it. Lately, it seems like people are trying to catch up with their descriptors. Instead of just being, they announce. "Ooh! Ooh! Look at me, I'm a Conservative, I'm a Conservative." To them I say, "Do you want a cookie?"

I'll use a most perfect example--Jesus didn't run around telling people He was the messiah. He just was the messiah. And in season, the fullness of His character was revealed even to those who'd become common with Him.

People should have to work for their titles, not vice versa. I don't want mine until I deserve it.

And now I will draw a correlation that will bother some. Oh well, tough cookies. Jesus walked a path that we could follow (and contrary to popular belief, this "walk" didn't look much like Kanye West's). Just as Jesus was who He was designed to be, so shall I also be--me.

I don't pretend to know the end from the beginning, but I know one thing for sure: I won't be defined by this weblog.

In 2005: New design, conceptual re-vamp, more stuff, more writers, lots more bothering.

Thanks for reading kids.

Okay so my last radio interview on Rabbi Daniel Lapin's show is up online. They had me on for about 45 minutes so it's not exactly quick listening. Rabbi Lapin heads up an organization called Toward Tradition.

I'll give you the link with one disclaimer: in her excitement, my interviewer was very nice, but admittedly started off the interview talking over me quite a bit so it sounds like we're competetively talking. You know how it is when someone asks you a question and then interrupts you when you try to answer. She eases off towards the remainder of the interview, but anyway, there you have it.

I think you may need the evil Windows Media Player to listen, and pardon the commercials: Toward Tradition Interview.

P.S. For all you who sent me pronounciations. You are correct, "Nykol" is pronounced "Knee-cole" and hence the site is "knee-kola".

I haven't done one of these in awhile.

I can probably count on one hand the number of times each year I physically walk into a movie theater to watch a film. This is generally because I'm protective of my time, and if I'm going to veg out for two and a half hours in a dark room with sticky floors and a heavy-breather/loud popcorn eater sitting on my right, smacking on bonbons like it's their last meal on earth, (no offense against heavy-breathers), it had better be worth my while. Seeing "Men in Black II" on the big screen makes you change your whole attitude about movie going.

For this reason alone, I usually catch most flicks on DVD. I don't watch scary movies because call me crazy, but I like to be able to walk from my car to my front door at night without envisioning random and far-fetched scenarios I just had fed to me via some poorly written thriller whose suspense rests solely on the intensity of the musical score.

So understand when I say "disturbing" I don't necessarily mean scary. Although everyone I know put the film "Se7en" (which I haven't seen) in both categories. My list of most disturbing films is probably odd to some, but when I see something that's not right, it irks me. Below are a few more recent films I could have happily done without. Not because of the quality, but only because of the content:

• Closer - (I should've read the synopsis first) The human search for significance. Sex. Lies. It was off on so many levels.
  
• American Beauty - This film disgusts me. If this is a snapshot of the American family, we have much to fear.
  
• A Beautiful Mind - I know it won an academy award and all, but the man needed more than medication.
  
• Bamboozled - This film was promising, then about halfway through, Spike Lee got messy with his message and jacked it all up.
  
• Junior - A man giving birth. It's just wrong.
  
• Terms of Endearment - I haven't made it through this movie without cringing
  
• Open Waters - One word: sharks.
  
• The Nutty Professor (don't hate) - fat people have feelings too

Spare me further disappointment by naming other disturbing films.

It occurred to me today that no aspect of my being can comprehend the type of spiritual warfare (yeah I said it) that the President of the United States faces in his position of authority. Heading up the most powerful nation in the world (and professedly a "Christian" nation at that) is no small feat, and if we're wise and take heed to the words of 1 Timothy 2, we'd spend less time berating our leaders and more time praying for them. It'd only be to our own benefit if we did. And yes this would apply if Clinton were still in office as well. The real war in this world can't be seen with human eyes.

No need for comments. If you know God, just pray.

It occurred to me today that no aspect of my being can comprehend the type of spiritual warfare (yeah I said it) that the President of the United States faces in his position of authority. Heading up the most powerful nation in the world (and professedly a "Christian" nation at that) is no small feat, and if we're wise and take heed to the words of 1 Timothy 2, we'd spend less time berating our leaders and more time praying for them. It'd only be to our own benefit if we did. And yes this would apply if Clinton were still in office as well. The real war in this world can't be seen with human eyes.

No need for comments. If you know God, just pray.

Rebel: Ben Shapiro

Age: 20

Representing: Burbank, CA

Why You Should Fear Him: I'm not one to get muddled in the specifics of why I disagree with a person politically. A rebel is defined as someone who has countered the culture and done the complete opposite of what this country expects of us. When somebody's bad (it's slang ya'll), I give them their props. Ben Shapiro is bad.

He entered UCLA at age 16 and is now enrolled at Harvard Law school. At age 17, he became the youngest nationally syndicated columnist. Today, a syndicated columnist he remains. In addition, Shapiro released his first book last year, "Brainwashed: How Universities Indoctrinate America's Youth."

He's appeared regularly on numerous radio shows and done speaking engagements across the country. For four years, he was a staunch and outspoken conservative on the politically correct UCLA (we protest everything) campus. He's willing to take unpopular stances in spite of much opposition.

Status: First year Harvard Law student.

Accomplishments: (From Shapiro's bio) He was hired in the summer of 2001 by the advertising team that had run George W. Bush's presidential campaign, writing copy for its planned ad campaign in support of Israel. His controversial columns in the UCLA Daily Bruin have been reprinted nationwide on many major websites, and he has been the featured guest on the Larry Elder Show (KABC, Los Angeles).

He was one of six winners of the worldwide Princeton University Ten-Minute Play Contest for High School Juniors in 1998-99. Shapiro is also a virtuoso violinist, having begun his training at age 5. He has played at numerous political events in his home city of Los Angeles.

Press/Interviews: Ben's Website , Town Hall Columns

Other Rebels: Erika Harold, Farrah Gray, Hans Zeiger, Adam Hunter, Dwight Howard, Sheri Valera, Princella Smith

When Whitney Houston told us all last year that "crack was whack," I don't think anyone realized her foresight. A recent Virginia law is requiring people (youth specifically) to pull up their pants:

VIRGINIANS who wear their pants so low that their underwear shows may want to think about buying a stronger belt.

The US state's House of Delegates passed a Bill yesterday authorizing a $50 fine for anyone who displays his or her underpants in a "lewd or indecent manner".

Delegate Lionell Spruill Sr, a Democrat who opposed the Bill, had pleaded with his colleagues to remember their own youthful fashion follies.

He said the measure was an unconstitutional attack on young people that would force parents to miss work to take their children to court just for making a fashion statement.

The Bill was approved 60-34 and now goes to the Senate.

I take this a bit more seriously because the state capitol Richmond, Virginia is my second abode, and with at least a 50% black population it's fairly clear who this Bill is aimed towards. While support for this bill has been bipartisan, Delegate Lionell Spurill Sr., a Democrat has been outspoken against the "Droopy Drawers Bill" because he thinks it unfairly targets black men. The Washington Times reports:

It's not clear if the fine would apply to plumbers, carpenters or other laborers who have problems with low-riding pants. The bill states the fine would apply to those who display their below-the-waist underwear in a "lewd or indecent manner."

Several lawmakers and civil rights groups said the legislation — sometimes referred to as the "droopy drawers" bill — is excessive and would encourage racial profiling, arguing that exposed underwear is simply a fashion statement by mostly black youths."

I'm mixed on the issue. Inevitably, people will try to make this some assault on free expression. They will use lots of flowery words and claim the state legislature has unfairly become arbiters of good taste in order make a case for why the entire world has to see somebody's underwear. Quite frankly, I don't buy it. It's disgusting. Considering the negative history behind sagging, asking young people to pull their pants up certainly doesn't take anything away from society. I say it all the time to my brother and his friends. They usually comply.

If young black men are the target, the Bill might be misdirected. In reality, the hip hop generation's gone more preppy these days and the new "saggers" on the block are the skater dudes. Lawmakers were unable to pass a similar Bill in Louisiana. This will undoubtedly continue to be an issue in certain states.

That said, racial tension in Virginia is palpable. My concern here is two-fold. One, I feel police officers will be given another platform to inappropriately harass people. Two, I worry about if this type of legislation will be wholly enforced. As in, will Miss "Busted Can'o Biscuits" in the too-small t-shirt with her thong showing also be fined? Only time will tell.

I am happy to present my first guest editorial (and hopefully regular) column in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. The subject? None other than our beloved Michael Jackson. If you live in the state, pick it up!

Considering the names I've been called since starting this website, I'm not one to be suggesting much of anything by way of racial authenticity but I MUST say this: will the real black woman please stand up!?

Although I'm on television hiatus, I have been following this latest installment of "The Apprentice" and as predicted, the show's producers have managed to scrounge up yet another crackhead of a black woman.

Verna Felton is her name; quitting is her game. Felton was the first "Apprentice" contestant to actually quit within three episodes. She complained of lack of sleep and exhaustion. Please.

What's worse? She's from SEATTLE! Which leads me to my next question: Where on EARTH are they finding these black women?

Felton, an Account Manager for Microsoft, claimed it was the lack of professionalism and backstabbing that led her to quit the show. I think she was too prideful and scared to get fired, but what do I care? It's just television. It's not even real. All I'm asking is for some proper representation...please?

From SAT prep to Graduate school, America's higher educational system has become a gigantic racket. A recent USA Today feature explores the rising pre-college financial costs that are preventing many young people from getting their feet in the door. Besides being unprepared educationally, students are often shocked at the expenses associated with simply taking the SAT. USA Today reports:

When Karin Iuzzolino applied to college, she skimped to hold down costs. She applied to four schools rather than the eight that interested her. She did not visit several colleges because transportation costs were prohibitive. She chose not to take an Advanced Placement exam because it cost $82.

The Boothbay, Maine, resident couldn't afford an SAT preparation course and settled for an inexpensive CD-ROM. The only thing she did not skimp on was standardized tests; she took the SAT four times and the ACT once.

Looking back, Iuzzolino, a 21-year-old sophomore at the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine, says applying to college was more expensive than she had ever imagined.

"I didn't expect a lot of the costs that came at me, especially the $50 and $60 application fees," she says.

While students from families of modest means know that it costs a lot to attend college, the expense involved in applying often comes as a surprise. And the cost will increase in March when the price of the SAT Reasoning Test (formerly the SAT I) rises from $29.50 to $41.50 because a writing component is being added.

The article doesn't even go into depth about the costs that follow the SAT. Additionally, students have to pay to have their required SAT score sent to every school to which they're applying.

Last year, Harvard University had a total of 19,750 freshmen applications. At $60 a pop, Harvard is raking in $1,185,000 a year in application fees alone. Not too shabby.

When I was a senior in high school, I used to joke about how I needed financial aid to apply for financial aid. The article continues to point out the setbacks to being middle class and jumping through the financial aid hoops:

Some students seeking scholarships also have to lay out money to send schools financial information. While most colleges accept the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as the FAFSA, several hundred colleges ask students to fill out the College Scholarship Service Financial Aid Profile, which they feel provides a more accurate picture of a family's finances. The College Board, which runs the College Scholarship Service as well as administering the SAT and AP exams, charges a $5 registration fee and $18 for each school to which a copy of the financial profile is sent.

There are so many more factors involved in getting into the best school beyond just being a good student. With SAT prep teachers commanding $800 a class, it's no wonder certain people score better. I probably have more negative theories surrounding the SAT because I realized it had little to do with how smart you were. I went to a private school that taught us how to think in terms of scoring high on our SAT.

College admissions have become a rat race mostly because of improper perceptions that attending a certain school guarantees success. Now we have pyschotic mothers enrolling their preschoolers in college prep classes, hoping one day for an admittance into Stanford. While I certainly think students should be educated on the different loopholes to getting accepted to college, it's all beginning to get a bit ridiculous.

Past Observations on Higher Education:
The Great Educational Hope
Great Educational Hope Part II
Generation Broke
Graduating Slaves

Following last year's halftime show charade, I figured Fox would play it safe this year. And safe they were; can't get much safer than Paul McCartney. Plus, if McCartney were to expose his nipple, chances are people would probably look away. For the record, although warranted, I think the FCC's crackdown was fairly hypocritical considering every other questionable aspect of the Superbowl and oh gee, half of the programming on television. Every year, the coveted Superbowl time slot offers commercials that dig deeper into the pit of eternal raunch.

This year's most highly publicized Superbowl commercial was for GoDaddy.com, a web domain registrar--in fact, the domain registrar for nykola.com and every other domain I own.

The alternate version of GoDaddy's commercial wasn't allowed on the air. After seeing the version that did go on the air (a Janet Jackson spoof not void of a buxom brunette with an apparent wardrobe malfunction) next to full on exposure, I can't imagine how much worse it could get. Not everyone was pleased.

Are Americans--men in particular--so completely overtaken by that thing between their legs that sex is the only to which companies need to appeal? Although that's what many would have us to believe, I think humanity is capable of better.

Surprisingly, New York Daily news called GoDaddy's ad one of the worst. Unfortunately, taste doesn't count in these matters. Not only did GoDaddy's banned version get publicized in the media, the whole Janet Jackson spoof has put their company name in the spotlight. The irony here is that I'm giving them publicity too. Up until now, I liked them as a company. Safe to say, they won't be getting my business anymore.

Along with others, I too was saddened to hear of legend Ozzie Davis's passing last week. Every time one of our "greats" dies, I am always reminded of how quickly time flies. Only recently, Shirley Chisholm passed; then Johnny Carson died and we can be certain that 2005 will see more deaths. C'est la vie. What is difficult is not esteeming people so highly that they become "invincible." Nevertheless, we should take these things as major indicators of time. What saddens me the most is when it doesn't seem like there are many successors to the thrones. If we're not careful, my generation is bound to crap away the legacies.

We still have time.

What struck particularly struck me about Ozzie Davis is that he was married to his wife Ruby Dee for 56 years. Count'em five and six. That's something deserving of praise considering that I just heard some entertainment anchor comment that in Hollywood, "Marriage is the new dating." Let the Davis' be an example.

In a sentence:

"These next four years ain't g'on be cute."

Well...

• Report Says MTV is Sleezy: Duh. I love the Parent Television Council. I think they do great work, but they wasted their time on this one. The first three minutes of "Real World: Philadelphia" makes their sleeze factor abundantly clear. In one week in March, the media watchdog counted 3,056 flashes of nudity or sexual situations and 2,881 verbal references to sex. We get it. MTV peddles immorality on nearly every level possible. I still say someone at the PTC needs a hobby.

• PETA Drafts Al Sharpton To Fight KFC:
  I've tried very hard to understand the psychopathy of PETA, but they lost me with that whole "Fish Amnesty" bit last year. Similarly, blogger D.C. Thornton shares disgust with their recent assault against the Colonel (that's KERNAL for all you ignorant people like me who always say it phonetically "ko-lo-nel"). What's worse is they've drafted Al Sharpton for their campaign, and now he's waging war on one of my favorite foods, telling us all not to eat. Nice pitch, but I'm not buying it. Look at this picture and tell me this isn't the face of a man who would secretly send his assistant to buy him some KFC on the down low.

• Joe Jackson cries "Racism":
  Michael Jackson's parents are claiming racism for their son's bad press. The jokes here are just too easy. This aside, I'm really having trouble with this one. Jackson has been given at least nine lives in this little sick game of his. This isn't the first time Jackson or his family has claimed racism. The Rabbi and Michelle Malkin aren't buying it. Neither am I.

• Do You Have Internet Friends?:
  Ethel, a great writer of the webjournal "Luscious and Uppity" confesses and asks others to as well. Being that I grew up during the AOL revolution (you know, before they became the devil), I've probably had more "internet friends" than the average person. Owning a blog brings in a whole new element: "blogfriends". Not many of those. I guess I need to start linking more. But as you'll see in the next installment of "How to Blog Like a Rockstar", I think over-linking is overrated.

• Bill Cosby's Unfavorable Press:
  Not quite sure what to make of this latest "improper sexual contact" madness. Infidelity on any level is disappointing to me. This article suspects Cosby may have been set up by the media to be discredited in light of his recent outspoken activism. If it were a set-up, it would be from within, not from without.

Name: Erika Harold

Age: 23

Representing: Urbana, Illinois

Why You Should Fear Her: Ms. Harold is no joke. In 2003, she deferred acceptance into Harvard Law school after being crowned Miss America. With her primary platform being "Preventing Youth Violence and Bullying: Protect Yourself, Respect Yourself," she faced a firestorm of controversy at the beginning of her reign, when she wanted to publicly discuss her past platforms of abstinence education. The Miss America Organization attempted to bully her into not discussing the "Sexual Abstinence" platform, but Harold did not relent.

In response to pressure to back down from one of her platforms, Harold said the following

"One of my jobs as Miss America is to be a role model to young people and to provide them with my story as an example of how they can achieve positive things in their lives. My personal commitment to abstinence from drugs, sex and alcohol in my opinion helped me to accomplish many of my goals. If I were prevented from speaking about that I think it would be very disingenuous in terms of serving as a role model."

Nothing more to say there. Harold has worked closely with Project Reality, a nonprofit organization promoting abstinence. She also spoke at the last RNC and has worked on many political initiatives.

She's a classically trained vocalist, a brilliant student, and can work an evening gown better than the average woman. Most importantly, she's a no-joke, on point, pull no-punches, woman of God. Oh, and she's gorgeous.

Accomplishments: Erika is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Illinois, a three time member of the National Dean's List, a National Spokesperson for the Teen Victims Project of the National Center for Victims of Crime, and a member of the National Board of Directors for the Center of Youth as Resources. She has received numerous academic and community awards.

She currently attends Harvard Law School and hopes to pursue a career in public interest law and public policy. Harold is also a classically trained vocalist.

Press/Interviews: NPR Interview, Woman's Touch, Salon.com, Young Money, The Black Collegian

Other Rebels: Farrah Gray, Hans Zeiger, Adam Hunter, Dwight Howard, Sheri Valera, Princella Smith

Every February, it starts. The United States commemorates what we somewhat affectionately call "Black History Month". So begins the 28 days during which much of white America runs around trying to be "deep" and "in touch" and "ethnic" and as far as I'm concerned, "fake".

The January lead-in to this month is the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday, the day on which the "opressor" makes atonement for their racial sins by being cleansed in the fountain of guilt, hokeyness and requisite chorus of "We Shall Overcome". Similar to Martin Luther King Day, "Black History Month" has become overwhelmingly trite over the years.

This isn't to say that setting aside a part of the year to acknowledge the historical contributions of black Americans is a bad thing. Considering what's being taught in the average U.S. History course, the holes certainly require some filling in. However, I often wonder if what was once a good means is no longer proper for the end. That is merely to say: I’m getting a little tired of singing “Lift Every Voice And Sing”.

Growing up under the banner of the typical elementary and secondary school "Black History Month" curriculum can give a person a cynical attitude toward the month and its purpose.

By high school graduation, we all knew just about everything there was to know about Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King, Jr., Frederick Douglass, and Malcolm X. These were of course the heroes of "Black History Month", or what I affectionately call "the token Negroes".

Not to negate their achievements, but it always came across as a bit patronizing to me that we spent the better part of 12 years of our education learning about the gaggle of accomplishments of Mr. White Man “the Great”, only to spend less than 28 days a year studying everything but the lint in the pockets of the same four black Americans.

The worst of it occurs when the subject of black achievement comes up and everyone and their mothers point to Martin Luther King like he was the only black person of significance ever to walk the planet. Growing up, it seemed to me that black people certainly had more to offer than that. It didn't take me long to find out that they did.

And while I've heard some "conservatives" argue the reason white people get so much play in history curriculum is because "they built this country", I’d like to point out that we often fail to recognize on whose backs the “building” was achieved.

The way I see it, the inherent problem with "Black History Month" is that it further isolates a subject that has already had its share of isolation. In singling out the issue of black history, we never call people to account for the fact that black history isn't just "black" history; it's all peoples' history. It shouldn't just be taught alongside or in addition to our "regular" history, but instead should become a part of the curriculum that was lacking wholeness in the first place.

Perhaps I'm delusional to think that something so monumental could really take place, but I believe we need to start holding our educational systems accountable to more objectivity in how history is taught. Changing the way we think about this topic may not take place in the older generations, but we can certainly start with the young.

Throwing together some month full of festivals, special commercials, and school assemblies is no excuse for our failure as a community to acknowledge the accomplishments of black people throughout the year.

While we can't get rid of "Black History Month" yet, here's to hoping that one day we can, and our end goal is such.

While reporting on the faith of American soldiers, I just overheard Peter Jennings say the following:

"The image of a man (praying) on his knees with a weapon on his shoulder is incongruous."

Is it, and why?

(Tips #1-3, Tip #4)

Someone once said, "every individual is born an original, but dies a copycat".

Oh that this would no longer be true. I know the "be yourself" message sounds trite. In fact, it is. Unfortunately, no one believes it anymore. This can be cross-applied to blogging. You would be surprised by how many people try to write like, sound like, and be like every other human being on the planet. Do you ever visit a blog and feel like you’ve been there before? It’s probably because there are 15 others just like it.

As blogging becomes more mainstream and certain bloggers gain more notoriety, there is an inevitable desire to want to duplicate whatever the top blogger of the moment is doing in order to gain their success. This is a huge mistake in blogging.

If I read one more blog titled "_____pundit" or with the tagline: "The musings of..." I might vomit. For love's sake, at least be original.

Abandon the Idea of "Reporting" The News
The advancement of the "blogosphere" beckons that you be YOU. Otherwise, it becomes this echo-chamber of lemmings who crack the same jokes, use the same memes, and report on the same stories.

Newsflash: I can get the news regurgitated to me on CNN, MSNBC, FOX, NBCABCCBS and LMPNOPQ. Why in the world would I want to spend my precious time reading the same dry material on a poorly designed weblog? What makes a blog interesting is when I can read about the news filtered through another person's world.

Don't report. Opine! And don't just list off other peoples' opinions. I want YOURS. If nothing else, when you come to Nykola.com you will read about the world through the eyes of a wacky (and somewhat rebellious) black chick in Seattle. Where else can you get that but the world wide web?

Give me a reason to come back again. It's troublesome to think that in all the vast array of individuals on the planet (none of whom share matching fingerprints, by the way), people feel the need to be copycats. A good percentage of the blogosphere needs some personality. Like the dad said in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", "they are dry like a piece of toast". Get some flava and add some hotsauce.

Unique vs. Obnoxious
In being unique in your approach to blogging, it is possible to go too far. I can't stand reading raunchy writing. It’s a turn off. I think Chris Rock is a brilliant comedian, but I think he'd be 10 times more funny if he just cleaned up his language.

Remember that one kid in class who always had to be the center of attention? Right. Don't be them. And if you answered, "no", you probably were that individual. In which case, you need to try extra hard not to be completely obnoxious.

"Being yourself" simply means being comfortable enough in who you are that the things that are special about you shine through in your writing and your approach to blogging. Just "be".

Stop Trying to Be Accepted
This concept is easier said than done as another element to blogging is the idea of acceptance. As much as we'd like to deny it, we all have egos and we protect them at all costs. Having your own website is incredibly narcissistic. Don't worry if people don't comment and stop checking your stats like you have OCD. Throw away the fear of what other people may think. I've gone months without checking my web stats. Really folks. It's not that big of a deal.

Don't disregard an opinion or an idea you have just because you think it might rub people the wrong way or it wouldn't be funny.

A brief personal example of this is my "monthly fashion critiques" feature. As a matter of habit, I have always been prone to wanting to help others not make horrible fashion mistakes. I took that passion to my blog and started the "Caught in a Fashion Faux Pas" series where I snapped pictures of walking victims, published them on my site minus the faces and talked about what went wrong with the outfit. It's never done in a mean spirited way, but there are a few people who have the reaction I feared many would have and they accuse me of being heartless or "un-Christian".

Whatever*

The reality is talking about issues of fashion is very much a part of who I am so it flows very naturally. I had to be secure in knowing that my motives were pure and all in fun. Incidentally, I get email after email from people who say the fashion posts are among some of their favorites. Imagine that!

Flow
Lastly, the fundamental reason why people must allow their own personalities to shine through their blog is because perpetrating a fraud is tiresome. Being yourself is both natural and pleasurable. After all, it's what you were created to do. It takes the least amount of work, and it reaps the best rewards. The more you stick to what you know, the more popular your blog will become. Last I checked, the only thing I knew how to do was be myself. Try it sometime. It works!

* (Relative definition of "Whatever": don't get mad at me because your mother wears combat boots)

(To Be Continued...)

Much like those who opposed Bush's decision to invade Iraq, I too have little to say about Sunday's election. There's a reason the Seattle P-I asked me not to write about the war on Iraq. Discussing foreign policy and international affairs gives me a headache. Plus, I think we tend to overcomplicate the issues. But I will say this: Americans suffer from selective amnesia.

You see, we forget.

As Americans, our opinion of Iraq's new democracy should really be taken with a grain of salt because we've been a "free country" for so long that we forgot about the blood that was spilled on our behalf. The majority of us all haven't even the faintest idea of what freedom from tyranny feels like.

Most Bush opposition was silent on Iraq's election. The reaction from those who've spoken out has been mixed. American Democrats who've vehemently opposed the war are now heralding Iraq's first free election in 50 years as a tremendous victory. Internationally, even French President Jacques Chirac, a relentless opposer of the war called the election an "important stage in the political reconstruction of Iraq."

With a 70 percent of the electorate turning out to participate, it certainly is clear that the people are hungry to let their voices be heard. Other Democrats are foregoing celebration to call Bush to establish an exit plan.

Meanwhile, much of the media has sought fit to focus on every bomb threat, murder, and plane crash in order to paint a nonsensical picture of Iraq's election. How soon we forget that America's voyage to freedom has been similarly bloody.

Perhaps someone can explain to me the utopian ideal of freedom. There will never be a time where the wicked and the righteous come together and sing Kuumbaya in hopes of "working it all out" by candlelight. Change is violent, attaining peace is violent, and gaining freedom is violent. There is simply no way around this.

I have great faith that many Americans will continue to pass judgment from the comfort of their free society, attempting to identify with the plight of the Iraqi people. People will continue to make this about "Bush", but it's bigger than that. While there is room for opportunity, there's no denying that the voter turnout is indicative of something. It certainly was enough to shut up most opposers of the war.

The day following the election, Dr. Iyad Allawi, interim Prime Minister of Iraq had the following to say:

“I will begin a new national dialogue to ensure all Iraqis have a voice in the new government. The whole world is watching us. As we worked together yesterday to finish dictatorship, let us work together towards a bright future — Sunnis and Shiites, Muslims and Christians, Arabs, Kurds and Turkmen.”

We shall see. We shall see.

Update: Michelle Malkin lists the "Top 10 Post-Iraqi Election Sourpusses".

To the extent I've allowed it, I have for some time had a love/hate relationship with my television. Don't laugh. I happen to be one of those people who names inanimate objects--cars, hats, lotion, shoes, you name it. Well, actually, I name it, but you get the gist. It wasn't until recently that I genuinely had an appreciation for the phrase, "kill your television".

I've never been a huge television watcher. From as early as I can remember, the only shows that truly captivated my attention were "The Cosby Show" (don't ever say anything bad about it or I will smite you and your seed), and "All In The Family". I am hard-pressed to think of any other television program that I've ever watched with such diligence.

My parents were the type who turned off basic cable when we got bad grades. Even worse was that on most school nights, we weren't even allowed to watch TV. We did anyway. Every. Single. Night.

When my dad came home from work, we'd quickly turn it off, and he'd put his cheek on the TV to feel for warmth. We caught on to this tactic very quickly and soon after we illegally watched, we started rubbing ice packs on the television to "cool it off". Don't hate. It was brilliant at the time. Needless to say, we weren't exactly the brightest crayons in the box.

Throughout my childhood, the Telly and I had a cordial relationship at best. It respected me; I respected it. We were...chummy.

My battle with Sir Television didn't start until my freshman year in college. Somehow our dorm managed to be the recipient of hotwired free cable. God forgive me, but I indulged with the rest of them. I mean, who could turn down free cable? It was then I first realized the television is the enemy of productivity. It fought me on my homework. It fought me on my sleep. It fought me on everything. I quickly learned that whatever you are trying to accomplish will be accomplished much slower in the presence of a wretched television.

As far as content is concerned, my general philosophy that whatever we take in will eventually come out of us kept me away from a lot of the garbage on the air. It's never been about content for me. It's always been about time.

Today my battle is similar but more complicated. Because I consider myself a culture critic, I'm one of those people who gets ideas from the television. Take MTV for example. Yes; I find a good portion of their programming absolutely despicable, but I also recognize that it is in part, representative of my generation. As a writer especially, I can't even begin to engage others in dialogue about things I've never seen. At the least, it's good fodder.

Then a few months ago, something really bad happened. TiVo. Imagine the possibilities! The ability to record every episode of "Newlyweds" from now until 2018 is just plain dangerous. There is a special place in a very unhappy location for the creator of TiVo.

I'll admit that while I enjoy my television a little too often since venturing into the world of unencumbered playback, I hate it just as much. From one moment to the next, I can go from completely incensed to completely giddy and all at the fault of my television. At times I rely on the anger my television brings me in order to push out some quality criticisms (read: rants). This isn't to say that television has redeeming qualities because it doesn't. Next to beating the air, TV is probably the biggest waste of time on the planet. Yet, one day I want to be on one. Go figure.

Some may recall late last year when I caught this revelation early on and wrote an Open letter to "American Idol". Well, the reality has descended upon me once again that I have to turn off my television. Not permanently, but certainly until I can get some quality writing done. It pains me to admit this because I was looking forward to ranting about Katie Couric, BET, and the sick, demented, and psychotic cast of MTV's "The Real World".

There is time for that in a month or so, but right now, I must write and catch up on reading and I fear the television has a personal vendetta to see fit that productivity doesn't happen. On more than one occasion, a few individuals have told me that I should pursue writing as a career. Call me crazy, but I actually believe them. I need to see to it that this occurs sooner than later, so when the television starts paying my bills, then maybe I'll reconsider. For now, however, the Telly's on time-out.