Seems I missed the "anymore" part as you stated and pointed out (unintentionally I assure you)...

Though digging deep enough under the pile of **** like "Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz" there is still a ton of incredible groups and performers inthe Hip Hop world.

Those I mentioned in my post are still making albums as we speak... I think it is still an incredible art form and beyond all the **** out there there is still an incredible amount of great work. What so many do not understand is that Hip Hop isn't just a form of music but also of so many things from breakdancing to graffitti... and a lot more in the mix.

It opened doors for so much more in the music world. Modern day geniuses like Beck have all paid homage to Hip Hop...

Like I mentioned any art form gets itself wh*red out... Look at punk and some of the utter garbage that was/is called punk... I mean Good Charlotte  

Nevermind Joey Ramone turning in his grave for them allowing his music to be used for some cell phone commercial...

I read the thread on Blender rags greatest guitar thing and saw people talking about all kinds of incredible guitar players... but no one even dared mentioned Wyclef Jean who is w/out a doubt of one of the best out there...

Hip Hop is by far not about just the "gangsta" and "bling bling" that people always use as an example of the state of Hip Hop...

I don't really recognize rap as an art form, anymore. Just a bunch of ill written bling bling garbage. I enjoyed rap much more when 90% of the "artists'" songs were dedicated to killing each other...
It painted a nice picture - if they are really gangstA, I thought, they will whipe themselves out within the year... saving me from having to hear another rap song again.

Kind of an ignorant "view" but I really have not come to expect much more from anyone these days...

There is far more to "rap" (Hip Hop) than the "gangsta" thugs and "bling bling"... Let me ask this have you ever in your life given a listen to the following artists...?

Common
The Roots (a entire band of musicians)
De La Soul
Jurrassic 5
Talib Kweli
Mos Def

And much more...

Far from what I would call "gangsta" and "bling bling" artists.

Should people then lop everyone that plays any form of rock be it classic or alternative into the weed smoking, heroin addicts that so many are? Sounds just as ignorant... or maybe not in your book  

Hip Hop was a "fad" that was due to die well over 10 years ago and WOW still going... just like that pink shade wearing bunny. Amazing  

There is a culture to Hip Hop that most have no minute clue about... It started out as an art form that was about people having fun and letting loose. Nothing that violent beyond any average street fight of the 70's and 80's...

Of course it got exploited and has run array but so does any form of "art"... There are some incredible people involved in the Hip Hop culture from lyrical geniuses (Rakim) to musical (Wyclef).

It's funny but even some of the old bad boys of rock have gone as far as sampling (etc) in their music... taken from Hip Hop one of the first genres to ever do so.
There are producers (beyond P Diddy   ) that are amazing and have worked w/ some of rocks bad boys in the Hip Hop field.

Then newest producers on the seen producing everything from Hip Hop to rock is The Neptunes. A crew I can almost guarantee we'll be hearing a lot more from in the coming days.

What's funny is that people sooo against the "vile" being that Hip Hop is... love them Beastie Boys. Granted they did have a start in punk... it's where they drifted off into that made them what they are today IMHO.

Though I thank the man upstairs for people like the Beasties that see beyond the ignornat view of Hip Hop and welcome it w/ open arms.

I love all music... Music is too beautiful a thing to limit one self... I can say the only form of music I can not listen is modern day country...

From David Bowie to Neil Diamond to Led Zep to The Roots... there is some incredible music to be heard...


But getting back on topic... Nothing at the moment has stuck in my head... although that annoying uh oh from Beyonce's song does when I hear that... which I try to hear as seldom as possible.

Since I'm not posting much as of late....

Just a heads up of sorts to those I'm cool w/ here that are into variations...

The Arc Trooper is shipping w/ a pretty significant variation to it.

One is shipping w/ his right shoulder painted grey... the other is painted the same blue as the stripe.

Basically the stripe ends on the grey version whereas the stripe continues on the blue version. Also of note is the shoulder joint on the grey is not painted and is white, but on the blue it is painted blue like the stripe.

I do not have any pics since I well... haven't taken any yet... but if I get off my lazy *** I'll post some up.
I believe these variation exist on both the single carded version and value pack.

I have a single carded and value pack carded but both are the grey... though I have 4 loose grey and 5 loose blue that all came from value packs. So I can say it at the very least exists on the value packs in both versions...

Have fun...

These have hit here in SE MA  and are very sweet for what I consider a steal of $4.77.
 
I guess Hasbro had some major a** to do to get WalMart to carry the Clone Wars line (well partially anyway). I can see these flying off pegs faster than you can blink...
 
Keep your eyes open  

Filler news is expected from time to time, but on a constant basis well... obivously not something you want to do as seen here...

There's some news out there to be had even in this slow period, though sometimes digging that much deeper or adding people in the know (or even slightly in know) can help that little bit...

Or just running w/ what you got can work to some just as well... maybe not all though...

Just my opinion on it all... for whoever cares to listen.

Being older than most, I have way more respect for someone that takes care of themselves than exploits their natural assets.  I ain't saying I don't enjoy it, just appreciating the effort it takes after age starts fighting you rather than helping you.

I agree "old man"  

I much more respect an older woman that hold herself high and makes sure she doesn't just it all fall out like many do. There is something far sexier to me in any woman 30+ that looks "HOT" than any 23 yr old...

At 23 most women should still be in tip top shape w/ the flat as board stomachs. Many have not gone through child birth at that point along w/ the many other parts of life that can take a toll on your body quickly.

I think Demi Moore is incredibly gorgeous for her age. Yes she also has had her surgey and has enough money to look as she does... but she also could skank it out like mommy Madonna... Demi just opts for the less skankier look... IMHO


I think what's funny about most men is that they MANY do not realize the amount of makeup, air brushing, etc, etc that goes into these "HOT" women.
Do you think Ms. Skan-err I mean Aguilera is going to be all that "beautiful" when you roll over in the morning?
Uhhh... yeah...

If some bitty walked by you on the street w/ skirt as short as Christina's you'd be much more likey to call her some skanky ho... but she does it and it's all good...  

I just appreciate women that hold themselves to a higher level. Skank is easy...  and seems to be "in style"  

It's a real lull right now and it seems that just the true "hardcore" are sticking it out now...

I think like it has before though it'll pull out and be the"hot" thing again.

I do think almost all the reasons listed though are very valid as to why it's in a lull right now.

I saw many people b*tch for months that no product was hitting now there is stuff to be bought and people much more reluctant... if that's not a sign of what the economy has done alone then I'm not sure what is.

It's some rough time right now... but hopefully 2004 will start to change that all around quickly