What girls are doing wrong in dating.

Found a great little blog post by one of my local blog heroes. His advice is usually for men, but I think he nails it on the head, especially when it comes to DC women. Ladies you add a whole new level of complexity to this city's dating scene. Thanks VK for shining some light on this humdrum town.

"There are some women out here that are just fine but might be subconsciously doing things that may result in them being pumped and dumped or ...getting no call backs for a second date. If this is you and you’re wondering what you might be doing wrong either on dates or during conversations with guys, pay attention and take some notes." - What girls are doing wrong in dating

And for a good laugh, you should browse "42 Things Wrong With American Women", but remember that there is a little truth in everything.

Keep It Short: SIGNS

Worth spending 12 minutes of your life. Love the sound track.

SIGNS


Via Chang

Quotastic!

“There are no failures - just experiences and your reactions to them.” - Tom Krause

Video: Wizard Smoke

This is probably the most artistic skate video I have ever seen. It's very simple. Dust and skateboarders, but it captures motion and energy in a wonderful way. At least watch the first three minutes for Salazar's sake.

Wizard Smoke from Salazar on Vimeo.

I can't stop listening to...

Fancy (Ft. T.I. & Swizz Beatz) by Drake



I just love the idea of the song. It's hard to hate these guys.

I Love Music Playlist Updated

If the you haven't noticed with the new update to 26.5, I've increased the size of the music playlist. I'm going to keep my favorites of the old stuff (which links still work), but I will let you know when I've added five new songs like usual. Enjoy.

"Oh Yeah!" by Diggy Simmons, Lupe Fiasco & Pharrell

"Coming or Going (RAC Remix)" by White Arrows

"Low Shoulder" by Toro y Moi

"Generator ^ First Floor" by Freelance Whales

"Don’t Turn The Lights On" by Chromeo

A Dozen Girls

"Women come in all shapes and sizes. Just ask Oprah... here is TTP’s breakdown of 12 of the girls you’ll meet in college..." -- thetoiletpaper.com

So which girl were you or still is you? 'Cause to be honest, you haven't changed at all. To read the full list of descriptions go HERE, but I'm just going to comment on the ones I've met. (NOTE: Their list is missing the so called "Sporty Spice" girl. Don't worry, I see you babe.)

1. The Cheerleader – I never hooked up with her, but we did dance once. She lived across the hall from me. Catching her walking back from the shower in her towel was a weekly gift.

2. The Phantom Boyfriend – I knew a couple of these girls. Cute, funny and actually wants to hangout. Most of their boys were cool too, but I don't think any of their relationships made it through college. I should have kept a few numbers.

3. The Courtney Love – I drank with them, but never went home with them because my brohem was hitting it.

4. The Friedan – Probably argued with her in class, but we never hung out.

5. The Chastity Belt – I didn't have patience, so I stopped hanging out with her after my first semester.

6. The Rhoda – Never met her. Thank god.

7. The Cialis – Augh! Totally chased her for like two years. We still meet up for drinks, like once a year. She knows it. I know it. Hate the game not the player.

8. The Lesbo Possessive Friend of the Chick You Hook Up With That Hates You – I never met her, because I get along with everyone. (Well usually.)

9. The Book Worm – I dated her and totally could have made better use of my time.

10. The Guarantee – Caught her during welcome week and two weeks later she peace'd out for another dude. Eventually came back, but I had moved on by then. You live and you learn.

11. The Non-Conformist – We were only acquaintances and shared a class a couple of times. Nice girl, but a little crazy.

12. The World Cup – I never had the pleasure of really crossing paths with her in college, but when I did... yeah, she's amazing.

31 Things: #11 Can't Pick Your Family

"Tip # 11. Even if your family thinks there's going to be a marriage, don't let them spoil your guy. Yes, he's grateful you gave him your car when he moved out of NYC, but he would rather have had to work for it."

I think the point of being supportive by not being too supportive is important. Letting him work/figure it out is a great teaching tool. Unfortunately, your family may not understand this and there really isn't much you can do about it.

Dealing with the relationships and the interactions between your family and your significant other is one of weirdest games you will ever play. It's such a flip floppy game. They hate her until she offers to help clean the kitchen. The love him until he spends the entire road trip asleep in the backseat.

You can't pick your family or control how they are going to react/treat the person you're with. Warning/threatening them may work for a while, but it only takes a second for something to happen that can change the dynamics of any relationship.

FOR EXAMPLE: I was meeting for the first time my ex-GF's mother, who was waiting for us at the front entrance of the building. I was casually walking behind her taking my time to practice pronouncing her last name. My GF was four steps ahead of me and turned the corner to the front before I did. As I reached the turn she came rushing back and shoved me back down the hall. Why? Because her mother brought her grandfather with her and with his views of colored people this would not be the right time to meet. Though surprised, I agreed with her and bowed out gracefully. I never met the man, but a careful explanation before the incident may have been a positive mark on our relationship.

So how do you avoid letting them spoil your guy? You don't. (Tough luck.) You just need to explain to your guy the dynamics of your family and how they usually treat your boyfriends. Whether its a bad or good thing, giving him a better understanding of the situation will help him navigate the storm, especially when you're not around.

He'll either sink or swim, cause you're not preventing forest fires. You're teaching him how to stop, drop and roll.

"You can't pick your family, just your friends."



Brandy Talk About Our Love
Uploaded by carmlo01. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.


(This is part 11 of the "31 Things" series inspired by the article, "Things I Wish I'd Known About Dating When I was 21".)

Movie Trailer: "Bouncing Cats"

Amazing story. I hope they play this at E-Street.

BOUNCING CATS film trailer from nabil elderkin on Vimeo.

"Bouncing Cats is the inspiring story of one man’s attempt to create a better life for the children of Uganda using the unlikely tool of hip-hop with a focus on b-boy culture and breakdance."


Via Kanye

Photographer: David Nguyen

"David Nguyen (of Kill The Lights Photography) is a DC/Metro area photographer who specializes in portrait and event coverage."

Just felt like rep'n a local photog today. He's got talent and does a great job covering live shows. You should check out his work.

MUSIC VIDEO: "Bag Lady"

Thought I do a throw back for all my ladies out there carrying too much pain. Travel light and don't let the troubles of this world hold you down.

Erykah Badu - Bag Lady


“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” - Lewis B. Smedes

I can't stop listening to...

The Twelves: M.I.A. - "Boyz (The Twelves Remix)"



I love The Twelves and this remix is jump'n... period! Thanks for playing a DC show guys.


Via James

MASH UP: The Notorious xx

Interesting mash up, but I hear someone did an entire album worth of mash ups with The xx and The Notorious B.I.G.. If you can find it and download it. Send it to me. Thanks.

juicy-r [the notorious b.i.g.'s juicy vs. the xx's vcr] - wait what (mashup) from wait what on Vimeo.

Via Pretty Much Amazing

Emmanuelle, please stop calling me

It's her cheeks. (Plus, who knew Canada had such hot down to earth chicks?)

"Emmanuelle Chriqui is a Canadian actress... She is perhaps best known for her role on HBO's Entourage as Sloan McQuewick, as well as the love interest of Adam Sandler in the movie You Don't Mess with the Zohan." -- Wikipedia


Emmanuelle Chriqui "Don't Mess with the Zohan" Jimmy Kimmel

31 Things: #10 The Peter Pan Effect

"Tip # 10. They might take a decade to mature. Don't hope they'll grow up or be ready in the next six months."

Unfortunately this is true, but not true in the sense that the guy sitting across from you should been seen as being 5 years younger than he really is. BUT that parts of him are a little undercooked and will need that extra five minutes. What do I mean by parts? Well...

His lifestyle... maybe he likes playing video games and eating cereal for every meal. At some point he will no longer have the time or be in the target market that these games are made for and will loose interest. Encourage (don't force) him to limit his playing time. If you want him to eat something besides cereal. Make him try new things by cooking for him. Invite him to help you chop things in the kitchens. Guys like knives, plus if you're half naked how can he not be in there?

His money... unless he's a trust fund baby or riding the coattails of his parents, his money will not even be young money. He'll be lucky to be making more than 45k a year before he's 30 and if he went to college, chances are his school loan debt is eating right through it. So don't expect him to buy you a car, a house or even an engagement ring worth 6 months of his salary. If he does. Either he fucked up big time (thanks Kobe) or he REALLY likes you more than he should. Just encourage him to hangout with an older gentleman who is doing what he wants to do. This is called a mentor and the mentor has connections to higher paying jobs.

His habits... does he wear the same clothes for three days in a row? Does he rock the jersey all weekend every weekend even during the off season? Does his elbows sit firmly on the dinner table? Well, tough. I often feel that these take longer to change, because people are comfortable in their own skin, but you can help him change little by little. Step one, don't berate him about it. This builds wall. Step two. Take him shopping and together pick out wardrobes you both like. Step three. Shower him with compliments when he does something right. Things like, "It makes you look tough," or "Wow, you look so sexy in that outfit," will eventually get to his head and he'll make the connection.

His friends... yeah, even the ones you don't like won't always be around. As life rolls on people's paths change and sometimes you loose touch with even with the foul mouth ones. Your best bet is to not to talk bad about his close friends. The people who were around before you. Now everyone else, you can warn him about or express your distaste a few times, but eventually you will have to let it go. All you can do is try new things together and be friendly in new group settings. Maybe he'll make new friends and if you like them, you can invite them out for him... hoping they'll hit it off. Guys like guys who are living similar paths in their life or into similar things. Plus guys rank each other and until rank has been established they can't be friends, so don't introduce him to someone who might make more money than him or is taller. Just a thought.

Well, my new look on life not only challenges you to truly love him, but to be dedicated to your beliefs about relationships. Which I hope includes being dedicated to him, which will require patience and helping him grow as a person.

If you can't stand the heat. Get out of the kitchen.

"I once heard that on average, men are five years less mature than their actual age. Hence, an eighteen-year old may still tell immature sexual jokes that we would tell on the playground; a twenty-three year old may still drink like he’s underage; a thirty-year old may be going through life choices that women would have dealt with five years earlier." -- Why Men Mature Slower Than Women

Act your age, please. Thanks.

Taylor Sisters - Girls Grow Up Faster than Boys Do



(This is part 10 of the "31 Things" series inspired by the article, "Things I Wish I'd Known About Dating When I was 21".)

Harvard Sailing Team (Sequal)

I think the texting is pretty much on point. Hilarity continues.


Harvard Sailing Team - Boys Will Be Girls: Night Out



Via Kathryn

Movie Trailer: Animal Kingdom

Well it looks interesting, but I don't think I would go see it in theaters. Plus, I'm sure the trailer didn't explain the plot well enough. Kind of sad that this is somebody's real life.

Animal Kingdom - Official Full Length Trailer



Via Cassandra

Quotastic!

"All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That's his." - Oscar Wilde

I agree, but I might be proving this one wrong. Thanks Mom.


Via Thrillist

Just Dance: Andrew Baterina

So sick, but I definitely can see some Jabbawockeez influence.


HDK PRESENTS: ANDREW BATERINA - PREMIERE (CHRIS BROWN - SEX)



Via Jeremiah

MUSIC VIDEO: "SHEMPI"

I love the song, but the video is freaking me out. Hahaha.

RATATAT - SHEMPI

I can't stop listening to...

"Pretty Girls" (Remix feat. Chris Brown & Fabolous) by Wale



I'm tempted to choreograph a little something to the opening.

31 Things: #9 Guys Think Differently

"Tip # 9. Guys just do not think like girls. I wish I'd had a brother. Real boys are nothing like the boys in movies."

This is a F-A-C-T. Do me a favor. Think of every love sick puppy dog romance you have ever seen on TV or in a movie and ERASE it from your mind. This shit doesn't exist and if you think you know someone who is living it. Well, it just looks like that from the outside. Cause inside they are fighting to steer a boat through the ice cold waters of the Norwegian Pass. (Totally made that up.)

There are two things to learn from this.

Number one! Eight times out of ten he's not thinking about what you're thinking about.

Number two! A man's mind is like a room full of boxes and there's this rubber ball that represents what he's focusing on/thinking about it. Well, this ball can only be in one box at a time. Though he can quickly move it from box to box, so that it looks like he's multitasking... it's an illusion. He's not.

So once you have those two ideas down, go the extra mile to explain your feelings and your thoughts. You might even have to do this twice, but at some point the ball will be in your box and he will hear you. (Warning: This REALLY takes time depending on what size your box is.)

"Most men see things in a bigger picture rather than the small picture that women see. This can be very difficult, but if you learn how to communicate with each other, you'll be able to overcome your issues. It's hard to understand the other sex, but if you can take the time to ask some questions. You'll be able to understand each other with better communication skills." -- What You Need To Know About HOW Guys Think

A lot of truth here.

What Guys (Secretly) Think About What You Wear



(This is part 9 of the "31 Things" series inspired by the article, "Things I Wish I'd Known About Dating When I was 21".)

Back to the Future Hoverboard

If there was ever a gift, I wish I could have asked for when I was a kid. A floating hoverboard would be in the top three.

HOVERBOARD - NILS GUADAGNIN from nils guadagnin on Vimeo.

"Using electromagnets embedded in the podium and a laser system to measure its position, artist Nils Guadagnin has managed to keep a familiar-looking pink plank aloft, a full five years and five months before the real deal supposedly sees common use." -- engadget.com


Via James

I Heart That Shirt: "Shh, The Rat Is Our Patron"

Pure genius. I love it! This would make an excellent dive bar t-shirt. (Let me know if you're having trouble getting this one, so I can slap you.)

Shh, The Rat Is Our Patron - $15.00

Via Jason

MUSIC VIDEO: "Don't Turn The Lights On"

Great songs deserve great videos. This is one of them. Thank you CHROMEO.


Chromeo 'Don't Turn The Lights On'



Via Music For Ants

MUSIC VIDEO: "Your Ex-Lover Is Dead"

Love the song and the throwback to a great movie.

Stars - Your Ex-Lover Is Dead

MIXTAPE: More About Nothing

I've found another mix tape and this one is straight goodies from Wale.

Download More About Nothing today. I don't think Wale represents DC. He represents good music. Totally worth it. Tracks 2 and 20 are my favorite.


Via Pretty Much Amazing

N.E.R.D. "Hot N Fun" Teasers

It's about time N.E.R.D. that you bless us with some new music.

N.E.R.D. "Hot N Fun" Dancer Version from Fro Rojas on Vimeo.

N.E.R.D. "Hot N Fun" Shopping Version from Fro Rojas on Vimeo.

"Star Trak Records (N.E.R.D.'s label) contacted me and wanted several videos to tease the upcoming release of their latest single "Hot N Fun". The idea was to capture some everyday moments of what "hot and fun" can be to different people. These are all meant as teasers for the new single." -- Director: Fro Rojas

Via Atomic-Element

31 Things: #8 It's the Small Things

"Tip # 8. In the early stages, giving him presents is too much. Generosity looks desperate to guys. You may be a great shopper and gift-wrapper; it may be his birthday and you may be wild about birthdays -- even still, he'll think you're just wild about him. Too wild."

Everyone loves presents. Even guys, but how much is too much? Just use common sense. Would you want a guy to shower you with expensive gifts when you first start dating? Seriously, think about it, because you would wonder what was wrong with him.

But... I bet you wouldn't mind a small thoughtful gift. Something cheap or handmade or related to a funny conversation you once had. I think most guys would find a gift like this humorous or cute. EXAMPLE: I started officially dating one my of ex's like two weeks before my birthday. I didn't really expect anything from her besides a card, but she went out of her way to cut up a small Van Gogh calendar and wrote little thoughtful messages on them. The best part is that she hid them in places she knew I would visit throughout the day, so for basically 24 hours I kept finding little notes wishing me happy birthday. It was super cute and I kept these notes for a long time.

It wasn't an expensive gift. It wasn't generosity. It was just happy thoughts. Despite what we say. We do have emotions and feelings, so the small things do have an effect.

"It need not be something very fancy and expensive - more importantly, it has to be genuine and sincere. You just have to be very honest and convey your emotions. In case you want your gift to be really special and memorable you can always think of homemade gifts, which he would appreciate and value regardless of what his interests are." -- Gifts for Your New Boyfriend

I have no idea how Ray J has been in the game for so long.

Ray J "Gifts" official video



(This is part 8 of the "31 Things" series inspired by the article, "Things I Wish I'd Known About Dating When I was 21".)

MIXTAPE: 500 Days Of Weezy

MIXTAPE: 500 Days Of Weezy

This is insane. It's not that it's so good that you need to listen to it. It's so unique that you really need to listen to it.

"The person behind this ambitious project, 'This is not a mashup album, this is an album about Wayne.' Right you are, Sir, and I commend you on your efforts; this is so my shit right now." -- Pretty Much Amazing

Keep It Short: "Ride"

Great concept. I know this is more of a skate video than a short film, but I think it needed that much respect because of the visuals. Enjoy.


Coke Burn | Ride



Via Kanye

I redesigned my blog!

Welcome to iHeaden 26.5!!!

I know I should have waited, but so much has changed in my life in just this past month. My blog needed to too. So here are the updates.

Update #1 - New colors, widgets and layout.

Update #2 - I've added more music to the play list.

Update #3 - I'll be posting once a day instead of twice three times a week.

Update #4 - New name and tag line, since I'm on a journey to redefine my life. To rebuild iTown.

Well, I don't know if this was beneficial or not, but I'll do my best to stay on top of it. Comcast has been screwing me up.

Let me know what you think. Peace & Love.