Top Winter Activities

The cold is here and the snow is coming! But that doesn't mean the fun has to stop. Here are some of the tops ways to keep yourself occupied throughout the winter. Whether you like to get out to enjoy the wonderland that will be in every backyard or stay in the warmth to enjoy the view from afar, there's something here for all of us.
▪Go See A Light Show
Hop on Google to see if any city near you is hosting a spectacular showing of Christmas lights throughout the Christmas season {Metro Detroit area the Detroit Zoo hosts a Light show}
▪Sledding
Find some local hills open to the public, buy some sleds & suit up!
▪Movie Marathon
Grab a list of favorites & you can even throw some holiday movies into the mix. Light up a nice fire in the fireplace, make some hot chocolate or cocoa & stay in for a warm night
▪Ice Skating
Find an indoor or outdoor ice rink & grab a friend or two
▪Snowball Fight
Find a group of friends willing to risk it in the cold. Game on.
▪Christmas Tree Lighting
Check out the major areas in your town that may be lighting a big Christmas tree for the holiday season
▪Ski Resort
No need to kill that adventurous spirit just because its winter. Take a mini vacation to learn how to ski or snowboard at a relaxing resort
▪Decorate
Take some time out with the ones closest to you to decorate a tree, the house or outside. Get festive!
▪Build A Snowman
Wait for that good snow to have a snowman building contest
▪Bonfire
A little unconventional but for those of you who can bear it, go outside for a warm bonfire, roast some marshmallows, make some Smores
▪Watch Christmas Movies
Whether it be with kids, a spouse or group of friends there are tons of holiday-themed movies to start a marathon
▪Donate
Tis the season to give. Go through some clothes, toys or buy some canned goods to offer to the less fortunate

Prob - Loves War

If you go into 25 Below's archives, you will get a good reminder of who Prob is. As he was not named our first "potential prospect" for nothing, this multi-talented young man has just dropped his first self-produced track, titled Loves War, proving his potential.

Loves War Produced by Angel Parrilla by AngelParrilla

Setting the Mood for the Ladies, (A list of Rules on Date Night with the Special Lady)

If it's one thing I have learned about dating women since I've been a grown young man, it's: you have to set the mood. If the mood isn't set or if the setting isn't comfortable you will not be getting smiles and cake at the end of the night. This is an exert about how to maintain a comfortable setting for the ladies and keeping the mood steady and steamy.

1. When inviting the special lady over insure that your bathroom is clean. Some females ask to use your bathroom just to see how clean you are. I cannot stress this enough fellas, she may come from the bathroom and grab her keys all in one motion and you will be there looking clueless.

2. Fellas make sure you have a candle burning or some kind of Air Freshener scenting up your home. She does not want to smell old socks, Black n' Mild's , funky odor from the fellas or any of that stinky, smelly stuff that girls don't like.

3. Be in the driver's seat for the date. Women are indecisive by nature, so asking them what she wants to do or eat may become repetitive after while. She will give you the typical "it doesn't matter" or she will just answer your question with a question.  So catch on to her likes and dislikes so in the future you won't have to ask questions. You can just open her door and put the evening on cruise control.

4. An important thing to remember is if she is on a date with you, SHE LIKES YOU!! So don't do anything to mess the mood of the date up. Women sniff out confidence in a MAN, and as soon as you show a bit of insecurity or doubt, she will chew you up and spit you out. Always compliment her hair, the colors in her outfit, or anything you know she took time to work on making her self look nice.

5. By now you should have some knowledge of the basics in keeping the mood steamy and steady. What I say next is more important than anything that I have said above. MEN, make sure you are groomed well, women pay attention to detail like the FBI. You must keep your grooming versatile and consistent, A well groomed man who is dressed nice and looking good are key entities when setting the mood. And fellas, do not show your hand in the beginning of a little adversity. If you think she is giving up the goods that night, don't let her know what you're thinking, or don't act out or assume. Wait and see if she is bluffing, most of the time women don't bluff. And when they throw their hand out its normally for a reason. So be ready because she may call your bluff .

I hope the women and men who read this can both learn and relate and put these mood-setters to use. Thank You, God Bless, Good Night!

Do Reality Shows Portray Black Women and Men in a Wrong Way?

When I was growing up TV shows were TV shows, not reality shows . I remember watching things on TV like Living Single, and Different World.  They portrayed black women and men in great ways. On Living Single you had Maxine Shaw who was a Lawyer, Kadijah James who owned a Magazine , Overton was a Handy man, Kyle Barker was a Stock Broker. and Different World was no different. Now a Days, Love and Hip HOP , Basketball Wives  etc. has just shown our color of people (BLACK) the total opposite of how some of us really live. I'm glad TI the Family Hustle is airing on VH1 because he does a great job of showing black males how being a father is cool and important at the same time. I really think perception mean a lot and the way black men and women get demonized on Reality TV shows have really influenced the way some people think. You can log on any social website when these show are airing on TV, and see the feedback that is talked about regarding the show. There has been so many gaps of teaching and educating the black community for so long we have become numb or use to the fact that we are lacking what it is important to maintain success and build happy families. I just wish some of the Rich Suits that run TV would do a better job of show casing how people live, and act when targeting certain races or genres of life on  reality shows. Because the reality is Love and Hip Hop  and Basketball Wives are truly fictional.

Most Anticipated Games of 2013

-Madden NFL 25 (14) 08/27/2013
Celebrating 25 years of innovation, Madden 25 gives you 30 new moves, plus the ability to string together combo moves, through the precision modifier. This unlocks more power, precision and the creativity of a real NFL ball-carrier. As we found out back in April, former Detroit Lion (for the second year in a row, might I add) Barry Sanders will be gracing the cover. But in a twist, Minnesota Vikings' Adrian Peterson will be on the cover for the next-gen consoles. Fair enough.

 

-Assassins Creed 4: Black Flag 10/29/13
Chase booty as a pirate captain in the 1715 seas of the Caribbean. Be stealthy like a ninja as you sneak onto other ships to take out the crew. Or get a party of pirates to attack and go aboard another ship to fight to the death. Explore more than 50 locations in this interactive world.

-Battlefield 4 10/29/2013

Access vehicles, explore huge, destructible environments, command your squad, more survival capabilities and improved weapons will make the new Battlefield quite the experience.

-Call of Duty Ghosts 11/05/2013 

Set in modern day U.S., you will be able to defend your country starting with your specially-trained military attack dog. Lean and slide to better help you confront your enemies. This Call of Duty is sure to have better graphics and more dynamic maps; that can change the terrain for you mid-game, such as an unexpected flood. You will be able to set up traps to further surprise the enemy. And if that's not enough, you will now be able to customize and avatar in multiplayer.

-Grand Theft Auto V 09/17/2013

With the ability to control 3 different main characters, you can experience the game in just more than one way. Playing in Rockstar's biggest open world, you will be able to do the normal stuff like drive, bike and walk, as well as dive, jet ski and fly. How will your GTA experience go?

-NBA 2K14 10/01/2013

2K has made it a point to let you know that they care about how you celebrate. How, do you ask? They brought in Kent Bazemore, of the Golden State Warriors, to bring fans a special celebratory move. LeBron holds this cover, and if that's not enough, he is also asking the fans to help complete the game's soundtrack. If you have your own music, some favorite tracks or know someone who deserves a shot, let LeBrow know. After research, I found that the best way to do this is through any form of social media and by directly contacting LeBron James. (Twitter & Instagram: @KingJames)

Other popular releases you may be interested in:

• NHL 14 09/10/2013
• Batman: Arkham Origins 10/25/2013
• Just Dance 2014 10/08/2013
• Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix 09/10/2013 (contains: Kingdom Hearts Final Mix, Kingdom Hearts RE: Chain of Memories, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days. All remastered in HD) 

Baseball in the Inner Cities of America...

Growing up baseball was my first love . I enjoyed playing the game and also enjoyed my teammates. I grew up in a small town so sports was a main entity in the community. My older brothers played as well as my close friends. But as we got older me and my friends chose different routes as far as sports goes.

I chose Football and my friends chose basketball and football.  When we played baseball as young fellas, coaches and Little League officials in my community played the Coaches son card and somewhat the race card. Playing time , respect on the field, and off, were key microcosms that played into the role of kids in the black community playing baseball. As me and my friends got older, playing baseball in  middle school and high school were after thoughts. See from little league on up coaches on the High school and Middle school level already have favorites and picks . Unless you are a standout that cant be denied. Even when you are talented these coaches would change your natural position and stick you somewhere, where you aren't necessarily comfortable at. Many black baseball players growing up in America probably can relate to this same sort of thing. Until we give everyone equal opportunity to be who they truly are in whatever it may be, Baseball players, CEO's,  Judges, we will all continue to go separate ways instead of joining and unifying. 7% of African American males represent Major League Baseball rosters at the beginning of the 2013 baseball season. YOU DO THE MATH!! But baseball is Americas great Past Time supposedly. But the rich suits that runs baseball don't care about those percentages. Just the percentages that equal $$$!

King Remembered In Time (KRIT)

Music has gotten off to a slow start in 2013 as far as good music and quality sound goes. But what I do know is that Justin Scott aka Big KRIT dropped King Remembered in Time. The 17 track mix tape/album dropped back in March. Once again he blessed the microphone and the control boards with his charismatic style and his Down Home Country SOul. The Meridan, Mississippi native resides in Atlanta, where he booms out his Melodic Soulful, HIGHS and lows Country Rap Tunes. To me Krit is picking up were Pimp C, OUtkast , 8 Ball n MJG , and any other Southern Rap Legend that you grew up on. I hope KRIT remains underground and stays Mute to the mainstream. Until Curren$y drops another Tape in 2013 I'm not sure who follows up KRIT's Tape!!