So what if it's real or fake?

Seriously, what's the big deal if it's real or fake?

So I'm talking about clothes, accessories--the like, so that means bags, shoes, sunglasses and whatever else you can think of. For every real brand out there, there's been an imitation or "fake" brand. That's how it has been since Johnny was a boy, and I'm sure that's how it will be for time to come.

But you may wonder, what's the real issue here?

Well, recently a friend of mine had a status on her bbm about how she hated to see people in fake Ray Ban sunglasses, & after interacting with her, she basically said, if you can't wear the real thing, then you shouldn't wear it at all. *record scratch*

WHAT? You mean seh, if I can't buy a pair of sunglasses for $100 US (or however much they cost) with

              <--- this sign (or this)---> 

then I should be blinded by the sun? I say: Of course not! Not when for a few hundred Jamaican dollars I can wear these; China's finest! ---> 

(And I've had about 4 of them, but they've all been broken. You may think that's because they're fake but you try dropping your real glasses repeatedly from 6 feet and 3 inches above the ground & see what happens, and let a 5'10" girl sit on another pair and see how they stack up). If I like the shape of these, why should a simple sign stop me from wearing it? Worse when I can buy hundreds--thousands even, of something that serves the same exact purpose and does the job just as well for the price of one? Yeah, I'll go with thousands please. I'm sorry but I really don't care that much for a logo. After all, it's not what keeps the sun out of my eyes.

I dunno man, maybe I'm like this because my very cheap frugal and thrifty father sent me through high school with a DONY bag (I think it was supposed to be D.K.N.Y; one letter--no big deal right? Okay, lemme pause while I shed a few tears while you laugh at me) I also got a Jonsport bag after that, when clearly if you didn't have a Jansport, D.K.N.Y or Wolf Creek bag, your bag neva dida seh nuttin. (FYI, I finished High School using bags made by the school I attended with its crest on it, and they were quite light and popular... within the school *womp*)

Now mind you, I am in no way an advocate of buying fake stuff all the time, because I know from experience that though it works in some cases, sometimes things will (literally) fall apart. Like a pair of Nike's I bought. Okay, I thought they were real. I remember my excitement at seeing them for $2700 JMD which according to the store was allegedly half price. I jumped at them because 1. (I thought) They were Nike's. 2. My other basketball shoes were starting to introduce my feet to the ground while playing. You can imagine my reaction after playing in them for the first time when pieces started to fall off.

It looked something like this; the lower part with
the hole looking thing started to come off
the first time I played

I still have them, but on my recent escapade to the USA I bought a pair of real Nike's and Adidas. Something like shoes, especially active shoes? You always go with real, 'cause those are the ones that last. But if you're really on a budget and you must buy fake, buy the 'brand' "Air"; they last longer, and they don't look too bad. And, if worn correctly, they can be mistaken for Air Force Ones :D (Trust me, I would know; I had two of those back when I was in college on a budget).

Bottom line though, as best as you can, buy quality. Sometimes you will have to go a little out of your price range for that, but in the long run you won't regret it. However, if you can't afford it, or if you choose not to afford it, and you have no qualms about imitation products, then by all means, go ahead. After all, a fi yuh, nobody neva buy it gi yuh. Wear it/use it with confidence, ignore what people have to say, because yuh neva tief it. If it serves the exact same purpose as the real thing and is just as good in terms of quality, why would you not save some money? (Stay away from things that look like these though, dem nuh good!)

I have friends (and I could call names here) who will do anything to be in 'real' brands; kill them dead, as well as those who will just buy the cheapest good looking thing they can find, whether it was made in China, Malaysia or Kuala Lumpur. As for me, I shall continue to wear fake Ray Ban Wayfarers until I don't feel like. But, if you want the hype associated with the real, or you can afford it then by all means, go ahead. It's really not that serious. If you have the real and someone has the fake? So what? How does that affect your life again? Yeah, thought so.

If buying a $300 US Beats headphone makes you feel good, buy it! I've never used one, so I don't know what I'm missing out on and I don't plan to get one. However, if you do go and get a real one, don't come crying to me or trying to borrow my $10 Walmart earphones when yours falls and gets broken. I'm just saying. Basically though, as I kind of alluded to before, just do you. Whatever makes you happy, and whatever your pocket can afford, go with that. If you're ultra confident in rocking the fake, go ahead. If you wanna fit in and feel the need to bruk yourself to get the real, go ahead. If you're rich and have all real stuff and wanna hate on people with the fake, *say it with me* Go ahead! 

I leave y'all with two songs as I get outta here!

For my people who don't care about the fake stuff:

And if your Gucci belt addi realest:

Or you can always just watch to both! They're FREE!

P.S. Dual SIM phones do not count as quality. I've never had one and from what I've seen: they vibrate WAAAY to loudly, and the buttons stop working for one (or both) call lines eventually. Nuh dweet!

And as of now, if you agree, disagree, or find this blog to be otiose (thanks for that word Adrian) you know what to do... 

The Use of Hyperlinks

This is basically a mini rant.

Anytime y'all see some blue writing (or whatever colour) looking like this:
-----> BLUE WRITING

Mi a beg unno fi click pan it. I won't send you to any spam or virus site because that's just mean and evil, and frankly I don't know how to... I think :)

So next time I use hyperlinks, click on them. They make the posts so much better, you'll understand what I'm talking about based on whatever is in the link, and sometimes they'll just make you do this <--- Click that

P.s. If you read my previous posts and never clicked on the links, yuh betta guh back and read dem ova!!! I suggest you re-read and check out the hyperlinks! :D

S(t)inking Lakers

My Lakers suck.

Its that simple really. What was supposed to be an awesome season with the marquee acquisitions of Dwight Howard and Steve Nash has turned into a Dwightmare nightmare. If your best coach in a season was the unknown assistant Bernie Bickerstaff (4W-1L) and the record now stands at 17W-25L, then you know its a straaaaaange season, especially when the other two coaches were (and I really hope "were" becomes reality!) Mike Brown (former Cleveland LeBroniers--fine Cavaliers coach) and the former Phoenix and New York coach Mike D'Antoni (the D is silent... trust me). Two big time coaches in their own rights.

(L-R) Steve Nash, 2-Time MVP, Dwight Howard (3-Time D.P.O.Y.), Kobe Bryant 5x NBA Champ 1MVP etc, Pau Gasol 2x NBA Champ and Metta World Peace (formerly Ron Artest) 1.D.P.O.Y Trophy and NBA Champ

The Lakers starting lineup, boasting at least 2 future hall of famers, regular season MVP crowns, multiple All Star selections, Defensive Player of the Year awards etc. has failed to play like they've earned any of those awards, save for one Kobe Bean Bryant. But as the wear and tear of the season rolls on, even Kobe hasn't been doing so well, suffering fresh losses to the Toronto Raptors (really?! after 81 points?!) and the Chicago Bulls, WITHOUT Luol Deng and Derrick Rose! (I expected them to lose to Memphis).

The cries for a new coach continue to ring out from me as well as other fans, prompting me to go as far as wondering if D'Antoni should be in the food business upon discovering a strange resemblance to a popular snack.

As for Dwight Howard's storied free throw woes, in the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. day, someone felt that it was time for a new dream. I didn't make the pic I just tweeted it; scout's honor!

When the Lakers hired Mike 'Antoni (the D is also invisible), I believe I read that it was because his offensive system best suited the current Laker roster, more than the Zen Master himself, Phil Jackson. WHAT the HELL?!! Let's compare rosters from Phil's last championship season to this one:

2009-10 Lakers Roster:

PG Derek Fisher
SG Kobe Bryant
SF Ron Artest (now Metta World Peace)
PF Pau Gasol
C Andrew Bynum

Bench: Shannon Brown G, Sasha Vujacic G, Josh Powell F, Lamar Odom F, Jordan Farmar G, D.J. Mbenga C, Luke Walton F and Adam Morrison (who almost NEVER played btw) F.

Compare that roster to the 2012-13 one:

PG Steve Nash
SG Kobe Bryant
SF Metta World Peace
PF Pau Gasol (Earl Clark? :S)
C Dwight Howard

Bench: Chris Duhon G. Darius Morris G, Steve Blake G (although he's been injured forever!), Jodie Meeks G, Antawn Jamison F, Earl Clark F, Robert Sacre C and Jordan Hill F/C (out for season *womp*)

How can this current LA Team not be doing well?! Only Lamar Odom (then), Jordan Farmar and Shannon Brown from that team could probably knock off a few bench players from the current team's bench. I could totally see Phil utilizing these guys the same way he did with his last championship team.

I want to say LA's problem is offense, I wanna say its defense, but at this point, EVERYTHING sucks.

To make matters worse, there are musings that a certain All-Star Center who may be a free agent soon
(or even traded; Dwightmare pt 2?!) is unhappy with the number--or lack thereof of touches he's getting on this team. This is why, among other things, I was never a fan of trading away Andrew Bynum, who may be a knucklehead at times, but is MUCH more polished offensively and certainly capable of anchoring the Lakers' defense despite not being as athletic as Dwight. Bynum knew and understood where he was on the pecking order. It is, and always will be, until he retires, KOBE 1st, then everybody else after. And frankly, Dwight certainly should not be complaining about touches because: 1. He's still turning over the ball at a high rate 2. He's getting the ball but getting fouled and still missing his FTs 3. Guys are starting to fight him from getting good post position and blocking potential lobs, although his back may have something to do with him being less effective in that regard.

I'm not surprised Kobe was the only one who stayed late after the Chicago loss to put in some serious thinking, piano playing (yes I was also surprised) and extra training, but as we can clearly see, this year, Kobe's efforts alone WILL. NOT. BE. ENOUGH. He himself admitted that he needs help, and that's not something normal, because the Kobe I know would tell you back in the day that he'd take on 5 guys and beat them at anytime.

So what's the bottom line of this mini rant/analysis? The return of STEVE BLAKE! (Has to be right?)

No. Seriously now. Everybody in the Lakers organization not named Kobe needs to find their pride, wherever they put it and play like they're the damn Lakers! The team no one wants to see in the playoffs! The team that won 5 championships from 2000-2010! The team that inspired this Ron Artest song. As it stands, (and we hope Dwight's shoulder isn't significantly worse), it can't possibly get worse...Right? Although, the way these guys are playing, I really don't wanna find out. If it doesn't work, I say blow it all up,  coach included (obviously you keep Kobe, Nash and maybe Metta) and get some D-League guys who are willing to play the right way and scrap for everything!

If not though, here's the first step to turning things around: sign K-Mart!

My Chest Struggle :(

Hooooowdy folks! Sorry for the long hiatus but, due to how my laptop stopped working on December 26, 2012, and my sister insists on using the other laptop for her I.T. SBA because apparently the computers at a school that will remain nameless still suck (after all these years!), and daddy has been using it a lot too... well, mostly because its his. However, I have found this small window of opportunity and I intend to use it!

DISCLAIMER: This post is about me! Don't wonder off to dreamland when you click the links girls...unless you dream about me :) Besides, I am in reach, they are not! :P

Now as most of you know, I've been going to the gym, and I'm on a mission to gain weight and muscles. No I don't intend to look like the Hulk or even Ronnie Coleman but I intend to have a very nice physique... You know, kinda like Shemar Moore maybe or at most, Michael Jai White... Hey! Stop it girls! Stop thinking about them! This is about me :'( and my struggles...

While I was in NJ last year, the first time I weighed I was 173lbs (I think), and my goal was to be 182. Didn't hit that goal, but I was like 179.8 or sum'n like that when I left. Upon returning the responses were varied; some said "yuh get thick doe!" others "yuh look chunky" -_- and others even said mi get fat. There were a few who said I didn't put on as much weight as they thought (or hoped I did). My intention was to keep whatever weight I gained and to add to it by a combination of joining a gym here and my newly acquired protein shake!

So far I would say I haven't been successful, or if I have, it naa show! *bawls*
I weighed on Jan 18, 2013 and I was only 181 lbs. But you know what concerns me most? All the try mi a try, is like mi chest cyaa guh no weh!

Which leads me to this:

The cry of my heart everyday... :'(

I mean, my chest is okay really... its not flat like
<---- this pic from 2009, but its just not moving as fast as I would like or enough. This is despite my efforts of doing chest twice a week in the gym, and everything else (legs, back, shoulders and arms) once! Although to be fair, I haven't done chest twice a week since being home because so far I've only gone to the gym 9 or 10 times since joining on Jan 2 (Sundays and Saturdays are out). I think so far its been Chest/Back: 2, Chest/Shoulders 2, Legs: 2, Arms 3... guess it has been 9 times. I've been religiously taking my protein after workouts and eating food, but bwoy... I doe know. I know US food will make you gain weight more than the food we have here still, but I'd like think I don't have to be in America to get big! Some workout guru (Paul Moore, Emron? weh unno deh) needs to tell me what else I can do.

I know I can't overwork the muscles (unless I want them to eat themselves), and I must give them adequate time to rest,: and I know when you're trying to gain weight, you should do small sets (6-8reps) and go as heavy as you can.

Maybe it's just my physique. With the exception of one uncle (and come to think of it, his chest isn't really that big either, but his arms and shoulders are), but I come from a family where the men are all slender, save for that pouch that seems to be developed by and by as marriage and years go by. My arms and shoulders are probably my best asset (or maybe my height). But those muscles seem to be the easiest for me to build. I won't even start on my calves, which again are okay, but could be bigger. I blame my father though, cuz everybody in his fam got skinny legs including him!

I will not accept my physique without a fight though! I mean, I love me, and if I have to stay this way then I'm cool, but I'm just tryna improve because I like the challenge and I think I'll look better (firstly to myself, then to the ladies) and that's a win win for all. And I know for a fact that's how it will be, cuz nuff girls who are like "Alwayne, wah u waa put on weight fah?" are now like "yuh a get muscles doe, mi like it!" *sigh*

Probably I should just accept that my physique is kinda like Dwight Howard's; big shoulders, relatively big arms, small chest. I mean the only difference is that his shoulders are like a quarter mile wide, and mine are just about 2ft.

See?  

Although now that I look at both pics, mi naa do too badly. I'm considering doing a shirtless pic on my bday to show y'all my progress. My bday is just a week away though... Hmm, maybe I need more time! Let's set a date. A month from my birthday! February 29!





Okay, okay, no Feb 29 this year... You caught me :)
February 28 then... Maybe, One last pic before I go... Was gonna buss a chest pic from Nov. 16. 2012, but naa :) Instead, look where I'm coming from sizewise! I started NCU at 155lbs in Fall 2007 and now I'm 181 lbsin early 2013 with much more to go. Hey! I'm in the same shirt too (ignore all the gunk on me, this was two days after my bday, January 31, 2008. My friends threw some sort of substance on me, I WISH it was flour but it was worse. WAY worse. It was this stinkin shaving powder, mixed wid oil, and toothpaste and ketchup and peanut butter and--yeah. Gross stuff. Clearly you see Jordan covering his nose.)

P.s. Ironically, I'm wearing that same red shirt while typing this :) oh well, consistency is key!

I wish my Christian friends (and I) would live as such

I wish my Christian friends (and I) would live as such.

Really. That's it. I could end the post right here. But OF COURSE you know I won't.

Now, I have a burden in my heart. A burden so big that at 3:39 am on Thursday January 10, 2013, I am sacrificing sleep because I just could not wait to write this down. And stick a pin in that word; sacrifice (forgive the image, I thought it was funny though!) but I do plan to go somewhere with that.

I am a Christian. Why? Well, several reasons:
1. I was born and raised as one
2. Growing up I learned what I means to be a Christian (follower of Christ)
3. That Christ guy is pretty awesome, I hear He loves me and died for me, so I totally love Him back.
4. Based on what I learned about being a Christian I decided that was the best way to live my life.
5. True Christians will go to heaven and live forever. I don't wanna die, so yeah, I'm going to heaven.
6. Did I say Christ was awesome? I did? Okay cool :)

And I could go on and on.

Now as Christians, there are guidelines in a special book that we're supposed to use, called the Bible. *cue light from heaven and bible slowly descending* (yes, that book in the corner with the dust on it!)
In the bible we see how Christ (Jesus/God the son--same person) lived when He was on earth, and we regard Him as the ultimate example. Even before that we have the 10 commandments, and afterwards, several guidelines given by Jesus Himself, and later on the apostles such as Peter, John, and Paul.

Now here is where the big ole lump starts to form in my cardiac muscle... ok fine, Heart.
As Christians we have all these guidelines in the bible, not to mention the things we're taught in church. My question is, WHY DI HECK-- *ahem* Why in the good Lord's name don't we follow these things? Wah wrong wid wi?

Let me first point out that sin is sin. All sin is sin. Big sin, little sin is still sin. All of them are equal. Hard to see that way but it's true. I am a sinner. A big ole dutty sinner. Mi nuh betta dan nobody. But you know what? Mi try. I really do. I try to live like Jesus would. Yes sometimes I curse in my mind, or aloud (when I'm alone), I may tell a pink lie, talk bout something on Sabbath that I shouldn't, lust etc. And wah mi seh before? Big ones, little ones, a sin is still a sin. But you know what? I don't go out trying to do wrong on purpose Sunday-Friday to come siddung and beg for forgiveness on Sabbath. You just does not does dat.

Here is my burden. My burden is the Christians who purpose inna dem heart fi do everything they shouldn't in the week, and then sing "All to Jesus I surrender..." on Sabbath... well, if they're not too tired to go to church anyway. It GRIEVE mi. Is like there's no regard for God again. In this age of social media, you can hardly tell who is who! Christian and non Christian alike just mix up so, one and the same. Everybody cussin badword like sailors, having sex all ova the place and telling tales, smoking, partying all over the place, and every minute somebody drinking this, and sipping that, and sacrificing some brain cells for a temporary tipsy feeling. And the worst part is the "mi nuh care who waa see" and the "doe seh nuttin to me" kinda attitudes. Then, everybody draws for the "don't judge me" card.

I'm not God still, I cyaa judge a soul. But I'm learning that in times like these, I have to call a spade a spade and tell it like it is. This kind of living sickens me. The worse thing about it, people who usually worry about being judged, know exactly what it is they're doing wrong.

I hurt most to see people who I consider my friends, and their blatant disregard for God, at least publicly anyway. I wish I could slap the hell outta them  do something to help them see that in the end, all the gallivanting isn't worth it. You drink your problems away today, you still have 5 exams tomorrow... and a massive headache. You have sex with that guy/girl today--feels good in the moment (maybe? maybe not?); tomorrow you're calling and the person refuses to pick up, or you discover (in a couple more tomorrows) that 1+1 can actually equal 3 (hope y'all get that). We feel soooo invincible today, and tomorrow we in the hospital, or maybe we don't even get there. God forbid, you're on your way from a party, car crashes... Nobody wants to hear that.

The truth is we all spend our lives chasing after fleeting joys and temporary highs, only to discover like Solomon in Ecclesiastes 1:14 when he said "I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind. (ESV)" And remember, this guy was a king who had all the wealth in the world, along with 700 wives and 300 concubines! oh! He was also the wisest man. Ever.

We don't know when our time is, and so we can't take it for granted that we can have fun today and go to church tomorrow. Yes it worked out that way for some, but they will tell you not to waste your time, 'cause it's not worth it. Plus life isn't fair; maybe you live to repent, and maybe you don't. Besides, perhaps one day you finally will come around, and commit fully to God, but you may not be able to witness to some people because of the lives they saw you live. The classic line, "him a did Christian?!" or "she a did Christian?!" should never reach any of us, but at the current rate, that may very well be the case for some of us.

It's not time to blend in or fit in. Ellen White said, "The greatest want of the world is the want of men [and women]—men who will not be bought or sold, men who in their inmost souls are true and honest, men who do not fear to call sin by its right name, men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole, men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall." Mi tiyad fi see my friends, who I love, looking just like any worldly person out there. Is full time Christian friends (and I) live as such.

I know this post was pretty long, hope you read to this point. Thanks for sacrificing the time :) If you have friends that aren't living the way they should as Christians, tactfully talk to them, see if you can help them along, or if you're reading right now and what I've said applies to you, all is not lost. You can still give Jesus everything and live like you're truly His! Make the sacrifice of yourself to God's cause and not the fleeting worldly desires. AND I also hope you have a little more time on your hands to sacrifice (like 11mins and 20secs more :D), to listen to this song.

After everything is said and done, It Pays to Serve Jesus. *song time* click the link, and share if you really believe what I'm saying.

p.s. It was 4:53 am when I finished this. See how much I love y'all?! 

The Bum Life

The Bum Life!

Bum Life of Alwayne Allen, day 197 (yes I actually counted... well I worked 3 days out of that so--whatever, DAY 197!)

Its been going 7 months since I resigned from my last (first and only as well) job. Friends and family have questioned the decision, some support it. Point is, mi naa wuk. Not working SUUUUCKS!

They say necessity is the father (or mother--to not be sexist) of all inventions. Well, I need a job, but I dunno mayne. Someone said to me I should look for things people don't like to do and do them for the right price.
Only problem? Chances are I may hate those things too. And that solution sounds like something for a college budget, not for a man tryna make a meaningful living, helping his parents, dating, buy gas and insuring a vehicle and such!

So you may wonder what I've been doing with all this free time. Well here's what I've been doing:
1. Going to the gym can't you tell? :D
2. Teaching myself how to play Benita (yes you may laugh at her name; but I bet u can't play a bass guitar)
3. Applying to places
4. Calling people about my applications.
5. Brooding.
6. Not caring about anything.

7. <------ Fishing
8. Travelling.

Now I'm told that I should enjoy the free time while I have it, but ahh, I think I prefer to see dollars in my bank account, I'm sure you would too.

Last thing. People are like, "oh, you will get a job soon." Soon. SOON?! How soon is soon?! Soon is so, relative! Jesus (and I do believe He is coming) but He has been coming soon for over 2000 years... I'm just saying. Get ready for real though people, He is coming. But back to my point; I understand folks are just being nice but uh, unless you have a job you know you're waiting to bestow upon me SOON, then that kind of a line I'm not tryna hear right now.

So in the meantime as I proceed to call all the places I've applied to and bad dem up find out the status of my applications, call all the links I have (need to call mommy enuh), mi will jus gwaan tek it easy and enjoy the free time I have yaa. I'll keep working out and continue my resolution of not having a new year's resolution and just doing things! Like reading 3 chapters of the bible everyday.

p.s. If you have a link, or a job, or a buss, feel free to link mi, soon!

Ready to work again!

New Beginnings (and no, this is not a 2013 resolution!)

Greetings! *excuse me* *coming through* *ahem*
Yes. Hello, you there! Uh huh, yeah you! What, just because I have a new face you're just not gonna stop and pay me any mind? Come on now. Just gimme 3mins, and I guarantee you, you'll be back for more!

Welcome to my very very VERY Humble Blog :D
Here I shall post pretty much everything as well as much ado about nothing from time to time, as issues arise... or not.

I'm a pretty normal person, aside from being 6'3" and maybe talking slower than you'd expect, but never mind that. I'm inviting you into my own little world, so come on in and enjoy the ride, you won't regret it :D