Quiet Minds?

It's simple..
or at least I think it is, to have a quite mind
one that has no thoughts
has no dreams
instead just sits...

sits like those who complain about the world and offer no action
sits like the generation who feels as if they are entitled to the world
sits as in a dog that does what it's told
but instead it's harder than that

it doesn't sit
it doesn't stay quiet... it moves
quickly
fastly
in a way that I can't shut it down
in a way that my thoughts..those damn words cause me to drown
in them
and about them
with them
for them
all because of them
those damn words
they fill my mind when I sit
when I stand
when I sleep
when I work
when I drive
when I'm out
and when I'm at home

It's nice having a mind that doesn't rest at times
I'm able to write novels... but what about sleep?
what about sanity?
those things are a rarity
it's a blessing and yet a curse
but a card that I've been dealt by God
because he knows I can handle it
Sleep one day will come
until then I'll let the words fill my mind
pour out of my heart
and fill the pages of novels
while I sit
and I write
-Ebony

Fake Complaint Scams on Voicemail

Good morning loves! I thought I would write a little something that's been happening to me lately. Since I've moved, I've been getting random recorded voicemails that say a civil suit is against me OR someone claiming to be an officer in the Denver/Aurora area.  I know this is a scam, however plenty of people might not know it's a scam. Here's how this scam works.

1. They leave a voicemail, either recorded or a live person
2. They claim to be an officer, lawyer or a representative of a company
3. They claim there's a claim against you
4. They want you to call them back ASAP, they give you a number to call
5. When and IF you call, they require you to pay a fee in order for the claim to be removed

IF you get these phone calls and or voicemail DO NOT pay these people. Odds are, they are scammers. Instead give the information to local law enforcement, because if you didn't know, impersonating an officer or any official is illegal. Also if you do call back, you can say you're with local law officers and will hand over the phone, or that you're with your lawyer and will hand over the phone.

I claimed to be in my lawyers office and the man hung up on me and refused to answer my phone calls again. BE AWARE of these scammers!

1. Don't freak out
2. Don't call them back
3. Contact your local police department and send them the information
4. Get a lawyer and let them know this information
5. Take matters into your own hands and challenge them

ONE THING that might make you think these scams are real, is that these people do research on any public profile. They might know that you have kids and their ages, they might have your address, social media handles and so on. ANYTHING that is on the internet and public information they will use to make you think this is real.

My advice is listed above, ultimately listen to your gut!

Big Dreams- Tayy Tarantino

Album Cover Courtesy of Tayy Tarantino

Opening my email and looking at the cover of Tayy Tarantino's Homecoming, it took awhile for me to click the audio tracks. I was immediately struck with a remembrance of home aka Anchorage, Alaska. The realness of the cover, the rawness of creativity made me wonder what treasures were on the inside. What was I about to hear in the tracks to come? Would it make me cry? Would it make me question the current state of home? Would it make me want to close my eyes and relax? Would it make me pick up the phone to tell those that I still had back in Alaska that I miss them?

Truth is...

Listening to the music made me want to do all those things and more. Without giving too much away from the musical genius that is Tayy Tarantino, you have to be ready to be taken on a lyrical roller-coaster. One that has loops of emotions that take you up to its peak and then plummet you down into sanity. Listening to the album brought memories of other hip-hop heads in the game those of Stalley, Future, J. Cole and Kendrick to name a few. I understand those are pretty big names, but don't let the size of Tarantino fool you, he can buck with the best of them in this creative poetry set to demanding beats that take you to another place, another world, a realistic dimension that we all face or will face at some point in our lives

Photo Courtesy of Tayy Tarantino's Facebook : Tayy Tarantino opening for Wu-Tang 

Being from Alaska it's hard to have a big dream, it's harder to chase it and have support. Being in entertainment tops the cake for difficulty. Only a few people from  Alaska have made their dreams a reality like Carlos Boozer, Mario Chalmers, James Morrison and even the singer Jewel from Homer, Alaska. It takes leaving what you're used to and being thrust into another world for Tarantino that world was California and Washington D.C.  If you ask me, he's doing a great job between his regular 9-5 gig, to being a father to being dedicated to the studio, participating in SXSW in Texas and much more. Because of his tenacity, I have no doubt that he'll be added to this list of amazing people....soon.

He, like the others who made their dreams come true, has determination in his eyes. He's opened for Wu-Tang, Twista, performed at the Alaska State Fair just to name a few impressive knock outs on his resume. I've personally been around him at SXSW and to hear him speak on his projects, what they mean to him, how his words fit his actions is refreshing. Most artists want it the easy way, "hey you know me so here's my stuff" But Tarantino, he's a different breed. One of respect, hard work, dignity, emotion, determination and the list goes on. What I love about him is that he takes no short cuts and will take his time to make sure his craft matches who he is as a man on and off the mic.

When you listen to Homecoming you have no choice but to enter his world. You enter the mind of a man who's been through a lot, who shares his experiences in a way that only he can. He immediately grabs your ears with his intro and holds it tight throughout the entire album until the outro. He makes you feel like you're going home too.

With his latest single Black America taking storm over YouTube, Homecoming by Tayy Tarantino couldn't come at a better time; is available tomorrow September 13, 2016.