The Air Up Here, Vol. II - "Welcome Back" Edition

To the millions and millions of my adoring fans,

Welcome back to yet more unsolicited opinions and commentary from the man you love so much. I know it's been a while, but life has conspired to keep me out of the public eye for the past few months. For those of you all who don't know your favorite friend, brother, cousin (just fill in the blank) is now living in Atlanta. I am once again making that legal drug money pushing product for Glaxo Smith Kline. As always, I extend an open invitation for anyone that is falling through the "A" to look me up. With that background info out of the way let's begin.


1. All You Can Eat. Women, are your behinds expanding faster than the rate of inflation in some third world nations? Fellas, do young children take one look at your stomach and say things like "I didn't know men could have babies?" If any of the afore mentioned statements apply to you take heart, for as Michael Jackson would say, "You are not alone." I will use myself as a prime example of how you can easily get sucked into the fat trap and not know it. Two years ago when I graced the Big Apple with my presence, I did what everyone does when they get to New York. SHOP, SHOP, and SHOP some more. At the time going out and buying a closet full of custom-made clothes seemed to make sense because I had been the same height since high school and about the same weight since my 2nd year of college. Well right now as I am a full 20 pounds over the weight that I had been able to maintain for four years, I noticed where I went wrong. First, I started hanging out at the club and afterwards just like the video says doing that "4 A.M. at the Waffle House." With my job as a pharm rep I ride around in a car for the majority of the day and I am constantly eating lunch with clients. Believe it or not driving does make one tired, so I normally come home and just crash in front of the TV. This combined with not exercising leaves me with a closet full of "tight" clothes, both figuratively and literally. An article in the July/August 2002 issue of Men's Health magazine examines the fast food industry and its contribution to obesity, which is America's biggest health problem. According to the surgeon general 300,000 Americans die prematurely because of their weight and the economic burden to the health system is $100 BILLION (that's right BILLION, too bad I can't synthesize Dr. Evil's voice right there to say that statistic). This collectively represents a bigger economic toll than that caused by tobacco and alcohol combined. I might have to stop cracking jokes about my friends that work at Phillip Morris. Of course, one might say that it is up to individuals to take pride in themselves and get concerned about their health. You would be right in this assumption, because anyone that has hung around me has probably heard me say, "Put the Twinkie down and slowly back away from the table." However, a number of factors contribute to America's new epidemic. Oddly enough the biggest one is the fact that as a whole we are so prosperous. This prosperity as a nation has spawned a host of modern conveniences like escalators (what, you can't walk up one flight of stairs), riding lawn mowers (the original range rovers), and elevators (me and you, your mama and your cousin too, riding' down the strip on vogues . . . excuse me I got off on a tangent there). The article examines the potential health hazards of being overweight, which can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, premature death, and something that no guy out there wants to hear . . . impotence. Unfortunately, once you have one of these conditions your chances of getting the others increases astronomically. My specialty on my last internship was in the CV/Diabetes group, so I intimately know how devastating and detrimental these conditions can be. Ideas that are being tossed around to alleviate America's obesity problem are:

a. Creating a "Fat Tax." This would be a surcharge on unhealthy foods (like candy bars, fast food, etc) that would be used to subsidize the price of healthy foods. This seems to make sense because healthy/organic foods tend be more expensive, while you can get that supersized fatburger, greasy fries, and cola for under five bucks. The problem is how would foods be determined as "healthy" or "unhealthy" and who gets to make that decision.

b. Suing the fast food companies in a class action suit similar to ones that were brought against the big tobacco companies.

c. Charging obese people more to acquire health insurance. I won't even get into the list of legal and ethical challenges that would come from this suggestion.

Anyway, the article is great read that will definitely have you thinking more about your health. If you can't find the issue in stores then check out www.menshealth.com.


2. That Time Of Year. You all know that your hero (that's me) hits the big Two Five on the 22nd of next month. There really was absolutely no need for me to even mention that my birthday is September 22, because you all know that September 22 is the AIR National Holiday. When you think September 22nd, you automatically think AIR's birthday. I mean the first day of Fall and AIR just go hand-in-hand, so I can forego the usual shameless plug that I do for my birthday every year.


3. The Power of the Accidental Friendship. I have always had a grasp on the power of family. Furthermore, I have a rather close knit crew that I would "ride, cry, and die" for (okay, maybe just the first two). I'm sure everyone has a similar group of people around them that are there come what may. These are the relationships that you have cultivated, that you have nurtured and cherished for many years so you know the power that is intrinsic in them. However, I am just starting to learn about the power that is possessed in the accidental friendship. Please excuse me if I am sounding like one of Tony Robbins "Personal Power" infomercials that come on late at night. I guess I never quite knew how quickly and easily you can make friends and, conversely, how quickly that bond can be broken. A of mine friend in the "Chi" wrote in her last piece, "It's interesting how a declaration of friendship, and by that I mean verbally, how much is unleashed." It's true. You never know how one shared incident no matter how pedestrian it may seem at the time can change a person's life and open them and you up for a connection you never thought you would have. How a conversation at the bar, a few kind words while just lounging in a lobby, walking down the street, or eating lunch together can dramatically impact someone's life. I'm not going into details, but for the group that kicked it with me at Johnny Rockets, to my homie with pinky ring, and to my associate that lives to antagonize me (but I wouldn't have it any other way); I am saying THANK YOU. You don't know what just being there meant to me.


ENTERTAINMENT OBSERVATIONS
1. Ja Rule. I have reached Ja Rule overload. Every time I listen to radio or turn on my TV I see this pint-sized fool dancing around singing "It's Murdaaaaa", "Holla, Holla", or my personal favorite "Only for the Rule babyyyyyyy!!!!!!" I'm not saying the guy doesn't have talent because if you check the liner notes for any Murder Inc album he's written the majority of the songs. I even liked a few of his joints like "I Cry" and "Down 4 U", but enough is enough. I hate hearing the same ten songs rotated on every single radio station. However, maybe I shouldn't blame Ja Rule for taking advantage of a good situation, maybe I should look at the real culprits which are media conglomerates like Clear Channel Communications that own over 1,000 radio stations and are responsible for the same mundane stuff we hear everyday.


2. Res. I talked about how good Res' "How I Do" CD was in my last issue. Well thanks to Coca Cola, I was able to check out Res in concert in Centennial Park for FREE. Okay well it wasn't quite free if you count the $10 I had to pay for parking, but close enough. She had her full band with her complete with the Acolea look-alike. She performed about 8 songs off of her album and I have to admit that she sounded better live than on her CD. I was blown away by her melodic tone not to mention her stellar looks. She ended the set with a remix of AC/DC's "Back in Black" which just had the crowd begging for more when she left the stage. So if you still haven't gotten the CD, go and cop that immediately and if you get the chance to see her live pay the cash. I promise you won't be disappointed.


3. My Favorite Songs. These are the songs that have my head nodding right now. All of these would be part of my personal collection right except for the fact that Napster been gone for over a year (damn those record execs). I am feeling that "Dilemma" joint with Nelly and Kelly. It touches on a subject that many people go through. We all have probably been infatuated with someone that was with someone else at one time. The best part about the song is that it samples the Patti LaBelle classic "Love, Need and Want You." My other favorite song on the radio is Slum Village's "Tainted", which features Dwele. The song basically breaks down the difference between Real Love and Tainted Love. Not just love between two people, but love for what is important in life or what is integral to your moral fiber and well being. Don't sell your soul for some wooden nickels. I'm feelin' that new Scarface "Guess Who's Back" and that Sean Paul "Gimme the Light." I also like John Mayer's "No Such Thing" and Creed's "One Last Breath." You should check them out; I think they're #2 and #3 on VH1's countdown.


4. Creflo Dollar. Creflo Dollar, has turned into the rap industry's favorite minister. Most of you probably remember seeing him in Ludacris and JD's "Welcome to Atlanta" video. Additionally, Pastor Troy (of "Ain't No Play in G.A." fame) gives a shout out to Creflo in his latest song. I guess this goes along with Trick Daddy's catch line of "God is for the thugs too."


CD REVIEWS
1. Mahogany Soul by Angie Stone. I do not know why I did not buy this CD when it first came out. I must be slippin' on my entertainment evaluation skills. A friend of mine had it while I was in training up in Philly and I think I swiped it from her for about three straight days. I immediately bought this album when I returned to Atlanta. This is a wonderful collection of very, very soulful and soothing music. The content touches on everything from relationships to women's issues. One of the standout cuts on the album is "Brotha", which is actually an ode to men (can you believe that, no male bashing). I also like "Snowflakes", "Makings of You", and "Wish I Didn't Miss You". My personal favorite is "Mad Issues". People have a tendency to get a little fortune, a little fame and then start acting brand new. It tells that we should all take the facade off and let the world see the real person that we are inside. If we were true to ourselves then our interactions with others would be greatly improved.


2. Loveland (Bootleg) by R. Kelly. I have been reluctant to write about the R. Kelly debacle, because it has been written and talked about so much already in the mainstream media and in the other newsletters put out by my crew (if you all are not on E. Fountain's, Ric Simon's or J. Jackson's email newsletter lists you don't know what you are missing out on). Anyway, I managed to get my hands on a bootlegged copy of R. Kelly's upcoming CD tentatively titled "Loveland." I have to tell you that it broke my heart to listen to it. To think that a man that has all this talent is just throwing it all away is just unfathomable. I know many of you didn't like R. Kelly before this incident because of his music's overtly sexual themes. I probably shouldn't have been listening to that stuff back in junior high when I first became a fan, but that's history now. Anyway for those of you who never liked his music, you would have liked this album; and for those you who were fans like me you would just shake your head that someone this gifted could be so tainted. The first time I heard a song off of "Loveland" I asked the guy that had it, "When did Stevie Wonder come out with a new song?" The guy told me it wasn't Stevie, it was R. Kelly. I was shocked to say the least. Anyway, the album consists of about 15 tracks of mostly ballads. The subject matter ranges from the religious to the secular. It has "The World's Greatest", a Marvin Gaye-sounding track called "Make Me", and "In the Name of Love" which is another 70's styled track that is actually played on the radio here in Atlanta. The opera-style remix version of "I Believe I Can Fly" is probably the standout cut on the album. It also probably best portrays whatever personal demons this cat is dealing with. As I stated earlier this is probably his best work to date and would have given him a wider audience. Even the more sensual material is dealt with in the smooth style that is reminiscent of what the 60's and 70's crooners used to do. It's nothing like that just "let me hit it" material that has dominated the airways from the early 90's till now. Oh well, if the guy is guilty and it certainly looks that way from everything that I can discern; I hope he gets the help that he needs and more importantly asks for forgiveness and finds some peace.


DVD REVIEW
1. The Last Dragon. Oh Yes! Bruce Leroy has finally come to DVD. I am probably showing my age again because I can remember going to see this movie in the theatre with my dad and my brother back in the day. The movie that spawned such classic lines like "Kiss my Converse", "Can you show me some moves", and "Who's the master? Shonuff!" has been digital remastered for optimum picture and sound quality. The movie is as good and as bad as I remember it. The acting is sub par, but who cares because the overall entertainment value of it more than makes up for it. The campy karate style, the hilarious 80's slang, and of course El Debarge's "Rhythm of the Night" song make this movie a cult classic. For all fans of the movie I would say run, don't walk, and buy it now because you will have fun reminiscing. For anyone else, I recommend that you rent it before making that purchasing decision.


There is so much more that want to say, but I'm going to cut this short because I don't want to get anyone fired from their job for reading email all day. When I brainstormed for this edition I came up with over 25 topics for discussion, but I put some of the lighter ones in here because I still have research to do on the others. I will be back very soon with my most personal and controversial issue to date. Until then take care, much love, and God Bless.

-AIR © 2002

p.s. If you didn't receive one of the past editions please let me know and I get it out to you forthwith.