BURN BABY BURN

This business will smoke you like an Optimo if you let it. You know, real slow like. But burning all the while. You find yourselves in situations where cats will rob you without even a BB gun pointed at your dome; screw you in the rear without a prophylactic or lube, as they [do not exist] say. Straight jacking for verses, tracks, publishing, writer's credit, hotel rooms, performance fees, appearance fees, jewelry, individual lyrics, mixes, remixes...whatever's up for grabs, more or less. It is sometimes disheartening to face having to soak in what often reeks of a cesspool in order to provide even a decent lives for the offspring. What jolts most is knowing that "it ain't even gotta be like that."

Why do those who are the kindest find themselves most used, abused and mistreated? We all find ourselves in the bully role in certain instances, knowing that if we just do the right thing we could make life a little easier for the next man. But, somehow many of us lose focus from time to time and eventually find ourselves remorseful and apologetic. But then there are those who get out of focus and continue down a blurry road of stepping on the next person until it becomes the norm and you may as well write them off as blind at that point.

Eye am still having trouble finding comfortability in such practices. Eye am still unable to see the justice in such treatment.

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PORK N' BEANS

Before long, we are going to have nothing "safe" to eat unless we grow it in our own backyard. This theory about soy being as poisonous as swine has finally been released from the inner vegan circles & unleashed on the populace. Years ago, eating "healthy" was all about soy. First tofu; then soy milk. Texturized Soy (Vegetable) Protein, affectionately nicknamed TVP. Morningstar burgers. Soy strips. Soy (ice) cream. Soy Slices. Shreds. Sausage. Chips? You can even indulge in the seasonal soy (egg) nog - rum not included.

As a parent, this issue gives me great guilt. A similar indecisiveness arouses when it comes to vaccinations, too. It's like...Dwight & eye spend so much time shaping the children's lives for the best. From day one, we committed to continually giving this gift until the end. But, life in general is so confusing now. Sometimes we may think that we are giving them the best possible, while finding ourselves undermined by a code of ethics that contradict our own. We are often forced to accept "that's just the way it is" as the all in all. End. All.

Well, right now, the babies & eye are catching the Wednesday night, reality-show line-up. These are our guilty pleasures. Martha Stewart's The Apprentice is on right now. You can tell about how little attention eye am paying. But, Kana(8) & Zeke(nearly 7) are glued. Eye am just not impressed - seriously. However, eye did catch the last half-hour of America's Next Top Model. Once again, the judges were inches away from choosing a model of mixed heritage. But, to our surprise, they patriotically chose the All-American chic.

DIRECT CONNECT:
Tyra Banks (+1)= Guest List for MF DOOM / CountBassD show tonight in L.A.

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VISIT THE BRAND NEW UNCHASTE BELTS. CLICK MUSIC FOR A SURPRISE.

Remember to catch Count on tour with MF DOOM from December 5 through December 17. Check dates and cities.

PEACE PEOPLE.

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MY COMPUTER LOVE

It seems that soon after Roger Troutman was brutally murdered a few years ago by his brother, bandmate & business partner, Larry Troutman, the world of Hiphop turned its back on a legendary contributor to the genre. Think: California Love & the whole commercial west coast rap sound. Too bad Roger & backing band, Zapp, have no quality supporting links to follow, but do your own search to piece together their funky story. Or should that ready fonky? This here though is pretty funny: Roger Troutman Online.

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WEIGHING IN

How much is parental commitment worth? Is it normal for parents to make promises to their children & then regularly back out - even partially? Is it disrespectful for a child to request fair & loving treatment from their parent? Is this what the Bible means by obey your parent? Is it wrong to question your parent's motives at any time? Eye have never had a "normal" relationship with either parent, so eye genuinely do not know what's considered regular.

Weigh in with your thoughts: orianalee@orianalee.com

Psychology teaches us that past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior. Therefore, more often than not, we can guess how a particular person will act based on how they have in previous experiences. Keeping this in mind when we find ourselves in guarded situations will prevent us from making decisions that will potentially expose our vulnerability. Eye am learning to trust my gut instinct in these circumstances. This is my Saturday morning epiphany.

All praise & thanks to my Granny for teaching me how to be a great mother by her example. She truly did sacrifice all for the sake of her family, and you just don't find that type of grandmother anymore. Even on her meager income, she would be of financial assiatance however she could to keep things moving for all involved. She even lessened her work week at times to help me finish school, so that the life that we are providing for the babies now would be possible. She jumped at any opportunity to spend time with her children & grandchildren because family first was truly her life & not a concept. Most importantly, she never stopped mothering me, even as an adult. She gave me much advice that was not requested & knowledge that my mind was too young to grasp at times. For these things, my gratitude is abundant! It would have been nice to have appreciated her more in those times. Hindsight is indeed magnifying.

Last week was my first visit to her burial site. It was a really bugged experience. Here swell the tears...more in a bit.

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Join us in Hartford, Connecticut @ UCONN (9 p.m.) on Saturday, December 3, for performances featuring CountBassD & Jneiro Jarel. Though this is primarily a business trip for me, as always, the King & eye will surely enjoy our time away. Our time together. It is so incredibly overwhelming to see our dreams & pursuits all coming to fruition at once.

We have been together for 12 years. We have both been working in the business for at least that long. We decided to see Count on top in 2000. This is when my career as a freelance journalist morphed into a part-time publicist position, which soon snowballed into a fulltime, exclusive management job. In 2004, eye decided to narrow my scope of work & clients to focus solely on he who eye believe in most.

MY MAN!!!

In only two years, ALL PRAISE BE TO THE CREATOR, we have come full circle in our initial endeavors. The Oriana lee EP is finally scheduled to drop mid-month with the launch of the Unchaste belt line. Visit www.unchaste.co.uk for more info. Click Music.

Catch CountBassD on tour with DOOM beginning December 5 in Austin, TX.

To the folx: Thanks for the loving response...

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"MAN, I TRIED"

We are back in the office after a 5-day family vacation. No rest for the weary. At least, not any more hot tubs or jacuzzi's to aid anyway. But it's cool. Our get-away was fie! We chilled mad hard. The babies had a blast!

December 1st happens to be the start of my new year.

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