Murder Rates Decreasing In Chicago

It's nice to see Chicago is changing day by day for the better..
Here's a look at some the changes occurring in 2013 thus far:
-Police say 36 fewer murders were reported in March 2013 than in March 2012.
-February's murder rate was the lowest in more than 50 years.
-For the first three months of 2013 together, the murder rate is down 42 percent with 50 fewer murders reported than for the same period last year.
-In the past year, Chicago has attracted major national attention for our high murder rate and widespread violence.

"We have the ability to stop the violence in Chicago. We've seen the numbers come down. Now, we've got to create this to become the norm of Chicago, rather than exception," said Fr. Michael Pfleger.

April Fools Fun

The Funky April Fools.

Have you ever wondered what the origins of April Fools was, and why we like to play pranks or know nothing at all about it. April 1 is a day that we dedicate or "celebrate" making other people look dumb or playing big pranks on them. Personally i like to play a few "health pranks" on my parents. The key is to know not to take a joke too far or to take the hard way. 

The United States isnt the only state that observes this day in France, Italy and Belgium children put a fish drawing on an unsuspecting person and say "Piosson d'Avril" which means April Fish. It is something humorous and fun. 

Pranks played on this day are:

*WARNING: if you know someone has a heart or mental condition do not play any prank on them you do not want to do something that you will regret.

• Whoopee cushions, when someone sits down you unsuspectingly place a cushion that will make a farting sound. 

• Telling lies such as someone fainted or that they are hurt.

• Showing someone a false document.

• Go into your victim's closet and steal one of each of their shoes. Hide them and then laugh while they frantically try to find a match.

• Take a box of cereal, crackers, etc., and cut out the entire bottom. Set the box on the cupboard shelf and then dump the cereal or crackers straight into the top of the box (if the contents of the box came in a plastic bag, discard the bag). Close the top. Then, when your victim goes to grab the box, the contents will fall straight out onto the floor.

If you would like to be truly evil and mess with their minds you can give your victim something special in their laptops.

The Blue Death Desktop Screen Saver

You can save this file and just set it as a desktop when your victim sees it you'll sure get a rattle out of them.

> A final word would be, to not take a joke to hard remember if you are going to prank be prepared for someones revenge. Always think of the "Cons" and have fun!

What's up with music anyway?

Music: Hip Hop, Jazz, Rock, Blues, Negro Spirituals. What many don't know is that they all have a chain that links them together. The fact is that mainstream music isn't as rich as it once was. Artists make music for money, and not the passion. There are still artists that are driven by a lyric and a beat-that group of artists are becoming extinct as the years go on.

When everyone first comes out, mixtapes, shows, local tours, that's when they're at their truest point. Nicki Minaj is an extremely prime example. The sound is nice now, but different because she signed her names on the dotted line. 

Nicki Minaj was first just a regular girl with YouTube access and talent. Her mixtapes like Beam Me Up Scotty, Playtime Is Ova, and Sucka Free consisted of a "nasty flow" as Fendi says . In my eyes, Minaj changed it for publicity, she changed to get further. A real lyricist, or rapper shouldn't have to change their style. The star born as Onika Miraj is now flashy, and flamboyant to the highest extent. Looking back to her old videos, she was just a tank top, hoodie, and jeans. She was explicit, she was also inappropriate, but that was Nicki.

Many may be fascinated or content with this Nicki. I am not. Holding your legacy or tradition is also what holds the attention of many. Change is extremely good and necessary for progression. The problem with many artists is that they seem to change to a new sound, to a new dollar amount. What happened to doing it for the enjoyment, whether it was in a basement, or an open mic night?

Teedottt ..

WHAT HAS THE WORLD COME TO????!!!!!

Two teenaged students were allegedly having sex in their high school library. A 17-year old boy and 15-year old girl were the two arrested at their Florida high school. Another teen boy, age 15, was also arrested for "child pornography". Like seriously? What is really going on in the world of today? We're supposed to go to school to get an education, or at least that's what I was taught as a kid.

The Wonders Music Does to Stroke Victims

The Wonders Music Does to Stroke Victims

Recent studies conducted have all pointed to one conclusion Music Therapy help recent stroke victims verbalize again, through singing. It is proven that their is a colorization between the both this is called Melodic Intonation Therapy in simpler word it is the technique of singing until you can talk again.

Overall the teaching of music isn't just a good technique to help stroke patients but also other people with disabilities, such as children with dyslexia and autism. This helps them speak more accurately.

The top beneficial things that many must see are:

• Decrease in blood pressure 
• heart rate and 
• levels of anxiety in heart patients

For the patients that have dementia {when people do not remember well}

• Improving your connection to others.
• Helping the brain produce a calming substance (melatonin).
• Improving how well you speak.
• Improving long-term and medium-term memory. 

 Music therapy helps many people music is something that everyone loves but very few knew it can heal the mind as well as the soul.

Sound of Silent Film Review

            

Sound of Silent Film; Access Contemporary Music and Palomar Ensemble.

        

The Sound of Silent Film took place March 19 at The Architectural Center in Ravenswood. For those who are not familiar with ACM they are an organization founded by Seth Bousted. He is a Chicago based composer. They have an establishment in Ravenswood it is both a music school and a school of composition. The film showed was based on the architect Gaudi (1984) by director Hiroshi Teshigahara. Gaudi was born in Resu, Catalonia Spain he was born to a middle class family and he constructed some of the most beautiful and artistic buildings. He died before he could ever finish is church, through his sickness he became a very religious man and repented for everything throughout his last days. New technology has figured his sketches and his church should be finished by the end of 2015.

The music was the main event though. A totally new and different score by Liza White, Patricia Morehead,Lawrence Axelrod, and Ryan Ingebritsen. This event was very phenomenal overall the compositions fit in perfect with the images. The shots of the film transported you the actual landscapes, it was like a lucid dream. The most memorable  part was the improvisation of the sound guy he made a sound wave move across the room in the spark of the moment Ifelt it all around me and i was quite impressed.

Overall it was a wonderful performance you felt as if you were sightseeing and you were being followed by a mini ensemble.  Their is one final performance which i will keep you guys updated on.

'Bow Down'? SIT DOWN !!

Beyoncé: singer, dancer, performer, and actress. She has given us hits such as Listen, Run the World, I Was Here, Party, Dangerously in Love, and the list of amazement goes on. The former singer of Destiny's Child recently put out her new song, Bow Down/I Been On. The song is horrible in my opinion, Beyoncé could've done better. This is obviously in response to singer Keyshia Cole's Twitter Rant. 

This isn't the first time Cole and Bey have had problems over the internet. After the reunion of Destiny's Child during the Super Bowl's half time show, Keyshia Cole had comments towards the performance. She first applauds Beyoncé saying “F*ck that sh*t up then Beyoncé! Bad b*tch central #AllGirlEverything.” She then goes at Michelle Williams, former member of DC. “I think I was frightened to blink for a sec. Then Michelle sung and woke my ass up from my daze!” Tweets Cole. “She always f*ckn the groove up.” This causes a tremendous amount of beef!

According to New York Daily News, Cole doesn’t take it well when Beyoncé drops her single. "First ‘Women need to Stick together’ now bitches better Bow. Smh (Shaking my head). But it's all G(ood)! Chicks stay shooting the s--t. But when I speak my mind it’s a prob. #Well #StayMad," This comment is agreeable. Bey is definitely giving mixed signals and symbols.

Beyoncé has been in the game a long time, making hit after hit. This new release Bow Down/I Been On has shocked and upset many listeners and other artists. First and foremost, Bey's abrupt and continuous use of the B-word. Yes. Many artists use the word and such other foul language, but many look up to the singer. Expect another level from Bey.

Bow Down/I Been On is basically Beyoncé’s way of telling the crowd that this is her scene. Beyoncé states "I took some time to live my life But don’t think I’m just his little wife don’t get it twisted, get it twisted this my sh-t, bow down b-tches" Beyoncé obviously lashes back at the comments many have made about her marriage to Jay-Z and baby Blue Ivy Carter. Bey is too grown and mature to have to explain herself. This track not only stoops to the level of her "haters", but also belittles her.

Being an African American artist with many talents, Bey could have done much better. Next time Bey should stick to what she knows while doing what she loves without the drama!

Teedottt.

.Beyonce: Bow Down/I Been On Lyrics