..Skizzle My Nizzle..

The Up and Coming Artist Rook Has Been Hard at Work

2011-08-07T18:58:00.002-04:00


Rook himself performing by request

Backed by the newly formed Mbassy record label, the young Connecticut native Rook has been churning out catchy hooks and hard hitting 16’s this summer in his journey to the elite ranks of the Hip-Hop industry. He is definitely “on his grind” and has recently been featured on Muzic Jones Drew’s Falsetto’s & Fly Shit (shout out to MJMG and Jedstarz) and released his own project with fellow Mbassy records artist IggyG titled The Delorean Disc. He has been making waves on the online Hip-Hop scene lately appearing on the front of major hip-hop outlets such as Datpiff.com, hotnewhiphop.com, and hiphopearly.com. Keep your eyes peeled and your ears open for this rising talent, he is poised to be a major player in the music world. Check out worldstarhiphop.com in the near future for a new release from Rook!

-Sky

Download the music (The Delorean Disc & Falsetto’s & Fly Shit)
More information about artists provided in their links.
Falsetto's & Fly Shit can be found here on http://www.jenesismagazine.com and http://www.krankitupmag.com as well.

Rook "I Wanna Rock" Remix

2011-08-01T12:53:00.002-04:00

That's me on the right side. My boy Rook does his thing check out the video and definitely be on the look out for him in the near future!

Here is a link to Rook's Facebook page

Newest additions to the Family!

2010-11-15T16:17:00.002-05:00

Honja Low

Yaaaa I finally got my new Y-3's in the mail! I love them! I needed a new simple black shoe to wear "out" and I didn't want it to be a dress shoe. So whats the alternative? A classy sneaker of course. Y-3 by Yohji Yamamoto has been in fashion headlines for awhile, being seen on celebrities like Ciara, Lil Wayne, Cheryl Cole, and Kanye West. This line features a lot of edgy designs that can set off an outfit. My shoes are a bit conservative, but check out some of their other stuff at The Y-3 Online shop. The next pair of Y-3's I have my eye on are the Y-3 Honja Lows, maybe the Highs. I think my next shoe may be a Common Project or maybe another pair of Supras though... who knows...
Check out the links to see some of the footwear!

-Sky

A Few Avenues to Help Define Your Style

2010-11-14T17:56:00.005-05:00

I've been looking for some secret shops to buy clothes at like I used to hear about from my older brothers when I was younger. In my search I found two places that really surprised me and seemed like a blessing from above. The KYC shop and Plndr.com carry some pretty sick clothing for great prices.

Both of these places offer great deals on urban clothing that people can spend weeks looking for out in the real world. The KYC shop is ran from a fellow blogger's domain and has some pretty sick vintage clothing. The Ralph Lauren polo gear on this page (click here) is beyond being worthy of recognition, and seeing how the cold season is upon us it would definitley be a good look to snag a jacket or two. If you want to keep warm and be in style this fall/winter give the KYC shop a look!

PLNDR.com is a members only site, but registration is ridiculously easy. Upon registering you get access to AWESOME discounts on clothes that come from karmaloop.com, as well as other places. I've gotten a couple of shirts from plndr that were discounted 80%. They sell all sorts of stuff, and their sales change everyday.

So there you have it, my two BIG recommendations for clothing. If you are looking to buy something, check out these places before you head to the store. They both carry gear that catches the eye, and you might end up finding something you like that you may never see anywhere else. The beauty of urban trends. Stay classy, but stand out. That's the motto.

The links to the shops are here:

Plndr

Kyc Shop

Plndr give you opportunity to earn money towards clothes as a bonus to joining their exclusive family too! Check em out.

-Sky

The Legend, Dickie V

2010-10-01T03:12:00.003-04:00

Dickie V and his Grandsons, Myself & Coach Andy

I was lucky enough to train many great kids this past summer, and among those kids were the legend Dick Vitale's grandchildren. His grandsons are VERY young and VERY talented for their age, it was a pleasure being able to coach them one on one. I was honored when Mr.Vitale took the time to watch a couple of our individual sessions, and even took it upon himself to help out a bit. This summer was definitely a great experience for me at IMG Academies in Bradenton, Florida. Thanks Dick Vitale, Coach Dan, Nate, Shell, and Vince for the summer of excellence and learning. If you don't follow basketball, here is a link to learn a little bit about the legend that is Dick Vitale: Dick Vitale Online.

Dick Vitale, ESPN College Basketball Analyst, and considered by many to be the sports biggest ambassador, joined ESPN during the 1979-80 season — just after the network’s September 1979 launch — following a successful college and pro coaching career. He recently extended his contract with ESPN through 2013.

Social Spark and Sponsored Tweets

2010-09-26T18:33:00.007-04:00

I have recently made a choice to put a real effort into my social media. I have had this blog for over a year now and have written on a lot of things that interest me. I didn't realize how many people have really seen my blog until I looked at my stats, and I am definitely amazed that people from all over the world have seen Skizzle My Nizzle.

My motivation is simple, I'm in college, we need a voice, and a little extra $$$ from doing something that I enjoy definitely doesn't hurt.

In the beginning I liked the idea of putting my thoughts and interests on display for everyone to see so that I can have a dialogue with people, because that is always fun. So I started a blog, and a twitter. Then I joined Sponsored Tweets and offers started coming in, it's so simple to get started. I joined and made money that day. You can click this link to join now so that you can check them out. After I saw how easy it was to make money on my Twitter page, SkizzlemyNizzle, I started looking for more opportunities.

Now I'm ready to get my bloggin hat on. I found out that Izea and Social Spark make it easy to monetize your blog too. And I love the fact that they let you choose what you want to write about. Who wants to read a blog that just pushes obvious ads down your throat? I promise to write only about things that catch my eye and intrigue me.

Let's Get it!!!

FIRST FEMALE BLACK PRESIDENT

2010-09-26T02:09:00.008-04:00

Got to meet and talk to the former President of Haiti! Mme Ertha Pascal-Trouillot. THE FIRST FEMALE BLACK PRESIDENT IN THE WORLD!

I was honored to be among the seven students chosen from my school to meet with Mme Ertha Pascal-Trouillot. We were able to ask her questions, per translator, and she answered with an array of interesting stories. Her stories were about life before being President of Haiti, her rise into world politics and being a woman in a third world country. What an awesome, unforgetable experience.

To read the Palm Beach Atlantic University's official news story about Mme Ertha Pascal-Trouillot's visit: Haiti’s First Female President Speaks at PBA

InCase Backpack

2010-07-10T16:08:00.014-04:00

Just saw my next backpack. It’s sick! Shout out to INCASE they’ve got something here.They give you seven colors to choose from, my favorite being the purple one.

“With a reinforced notebook compartment, two primary storage compartments and padded ergonomic shoulder straps, our Nylon Backpack is designed for the utmost portability, protection and comfort.”

It seems pretty light and easy to work with, perfect for a person like me who always needs something extra carried around just INCASE lol. Check em out. Incase website

A Man With Influence, Marcus Troy

2010-06-27T21:23:00.006-04:00

As a new blogger it is not uncommon for one to search for a source of inspiration. We all look for a certain something that will open our eyes so as to see the world in new ways. Some time ago, I discovered for myself, such a thing. It helped me better my vision for my blog and steer it in a direction that would have been otherwise unknown.
So I would like to take the time to thank a man who has inspired me and has kept me interested in blogging, Mr. Marcus Troy of marcustroy.com. I constantly check on his page and openly suggest others to do the same.

Things like the Marcus Troy's “coolhunts” page entertain with far-fetched and exclusive articles on products that are surprisingly made in this world (like a ring that doubles as a gun) while sections like “she match my fly” pay homage to the exceptionally well kept women of the world. Marcus Troy has a unique outlook on life that radiates through his words and his work. He covers a wide variety of things ranging from a new concept hybrid bicycle by Lexus automobiles, to his new exclusive collaboration with Sebago to make his very own style of boat shoe.

Marcus Troy is a messenger to the world, and an artist worthy of notoriety. Inspiration for an inquisitive mind, I thank you again.

Pinnacle of Florida Basketball, Senior Showcase All-Star Weekend

2010-05-12T23:40:00.015-04:00

If you missed the Senior Showcase All-Star Weekend 2010, make sure you put it on the calendar for next year. If you are looking to attend college on a basketball scholarship this weekend could change your life.

"Players, coaches, and fans will be treated to a weekend full of activities and excitement.", says Jack Love, Founder and Executive Director of the Senior Showcase All-Star Weekend. "This first-class event has come from humble beginnings to be one of the premier high school All-Star games in the country."

The weekend has evolved since Carlos and I rocked the gym in 2007, they now have a Florida vs. USA Hardwood Classic where the game features the top 12 players from Florida versus 12 of the top players from around the nation. And they also added Hoops for H.O.P.E. A project that pairs 24 under privileged youth with the 24 Team Florida vs. Team USA Hardwood Classic All-Star players, working together on a community service project in the Orlando area and a mentor-ship for the youth to remain in contact beyond the bounds of the event, supporting each others future while pledging to remain drug and alcohol free. Of course they kept the Red & Blue Unsigned All-Star Games in which many of the top unsigned players from around the state participate in. All the activities are designed to provide exposure to college coaches and scouts that could earn student athletes athletic and/or academic college scholarships.

In 2007 the rosters were slammed with talent including Nick Calathes and Chandler Parsons. Other notables in past years include Mareese Speights, Aaron Holmes, Jared Swopshire, Allan Chaney, Glen Rice Jr. and more. Check it out:

Senior Showcase 2007

Four Named as Players of the Game
A player from each team during the 2007 Red and Blue All-Star Games were named Player of the Game. These players had phenomenal games on both ends of the court and helped lead their respective teams. Players of the Game were as follows:

Red All-Star Game
Demetrice Whittaker - 20 points, 4 assists Cocoa High School
Schuyler Gray - 16 points 8 rebounds Chamberlain High School

Blue All-Star Game
Demetrius Martin - 13 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals   Evans High School
Carlos Figueroa - 24 points, 6 rebounds Chamberlain High School

He's Got Next!

2009-09-24T15:24:00.004-04:00

A YouTube interview by Derrek Lett

This is Derrek Lett's interview of Palm Beach Atlantic's basketball player, Schuyler Gray. Schuyler is a sophmore at the West Palm Beach based christian university. Sky has played basketball in Florida for the past 12 years, including a high school state runner up team (Chamberlain H.S.), AAU state championship teams (Florida Elite), and the IMG Academies post grad team. READ MORE to WATCH the VIDEO.

¡Naked & Famous!

2009-06-23T17:24:00.017-04:00

I told yall I’m back in biz so I have to stay on top of my game... So there is this pretty new denim company out named Naked & Famous and I’ve been eyeing their product for a minute now. They are a unique company who specializes in fine high quality denim, with no extra treatments applied to their jeans.
You can see the quality of their product just through their pictures, and the description on their site adds to the companies persuasiveness. They are a bit pricey for the average person but seeing how they are made to compete with the True Religions and Seven Jeans of the world they are actually a reasonable price. Check em out!

Step up the kick game!

2009-06-22T22:04:00.018-04:00

I’ve been away for a minute but now I’m back and in full effect! First things first, I need to call everyone’s attention to this line of shoes that is really growing on me. The company is called Creative Recreation. I’ve always liked the shoes just for their unique style but until I saw them in person I really had no idea just how fresh they were.
I definitely recommend these to anyone trying to step there sneak game up. They are hitting some stores, but they are easiest to find online. Hit up their website Creative Recreation or visit Karma Loop.

I recommend finding a store around you that has these so you can get their full effect when you see them in person lol. If you end up wanting to buy a pair off of Karma Loop don't forget to use my rep code located on the right side of my page!

Obama Shirt Causes Controversy

2009-05-01T00:19:00.018-04:00

Artwork by Alex Ross

So the other day I wore my Superman Obama shirt on campus, and you would have thought I killed someone. I knew that it would be a big step to wear it on my campus, but what’s the point of having a shirt if you can’t wear it? I’m going to refer to the Tee as “THE shirt” from now on. Now my mom sent me “THE shirt” as a present, and I have to admit that it sat around my dorm for a couple weeks before I felt like I could wear it in public. I’m not a coward or anything close to one, but I do live on a campus that offers a “College Republicans” club with no opposition, and I do live on a campus where I witnessed various death threats and crying females after PRESIDENT Obama was elected.
Naturally I was a bit hesitant (I usually refrain from starting riots… its just me, I can’t help it…) but wearing it sure was an adventure. I knew that I would get a lot of feedback, but I definitely didn’t expect one of the cafeteria ladies to yell across the room “WHY ARE YOU WEARING THAT SHIRT?! OBAMA IS THE DEVIL!” That had to be the funniest thing I have heard in a long time. The rest of the cafeteria staff was more than happy to see my SuperObama Tee. Long story short, I couldn’t handle wearing “THE shirt” for more than three hours, so yes I did change halfway through the day. I will go down in history for wearing the only Obama shirt on my campus with a depiction of him being awesome instead of the spawn of Satan. Keep the love alive….

Dollar Bill Ya'll

2009-04-10T02:49:00.009-04:00

I’ve found a new hobby! All thanks too “Joe D!” and his fabulous art work. Check out all of his work here at "Refacing Government Tender". Some of his Bill Art is hilarious! I posted two of my favorites above. Art genius or inessential rebel? You decide.

Music Fiend's KOHLER Bathtub

2009-04-06T20:00:00.014-04:00

I came across the music fiend’s bathtub. It’s called the VibrAcoustic by KOHLER. This tub is legit. It has two stereo systems built into it, one for above water and one for below. This tub not only has music, it has corresponding vibrations and a light show too.

It comes pre-programmed with four songs, but don’t worry about the meager music selection. If you plan on dropping close to $8,000 on a bath-tub you should already know that you can plug your I-Pod into it. :p

Watch Me

2009-03-28T22:40:00.028-04:00

Just browsing different clothing sites the other day and I started running into a bunch of watches. They were pretty sick, especially Flud’s “The TableTurns” watch and Casio’s original "G-shock 1010-4A.” Casio has a lot of different G-shock styles and colors that I liked, there were just way too many to show them all. Nixon’s “The Newton Watch” is also worthy of some praise. But don’t limit yourself to my opinion, if you see something you like check out the manufacturers’ site (see Below) or you can find most of them on Karmaloop.com!! Check ‘em out.
(Nixon The_Newton)

(Flud The_TableTurns)

(Casio G-Shock_MTG1000BR)

(Casio G-Shock_G9000MX)

(Casio G-Shock_G1010-4A)

(Casio G-Shock_G5500C)

Earth Hour, Go Green!

2009-03-28T15:14:00.009-04:00

In honor of Earth Hour I decided to be a volunteer for the cause by doing what I can to inform the masses. So everyone check out EarthHour.org for more details. Basically the WHOLE world is going to shut off their lights to cast their vote against global warming, from 8:30 – 9:30 pm today, Saturday March, 28. In previous years even Times Square has participated. Last year there were a recorded 50 million participants, and this year’s goal is one billion!! Everyone please do your part to let the rest of the world know that we care, and give everyone a little hope for and faith in humanity. Lights out.

A Chair Is A Chair

2009-03-25T13:45:00.030-04:00

I have really been taking notice as to what kind of areas I do my best work in. So after countless hours of speculation I finally came to a respectable conclusion…. It’s time to get a good desk chair! Considering that my chair has been used by countless students ( I am a college kid) and that it was made for longevity and not comfort, I can honestly say that it is a “piece”. I had to start my search with basic criteria: wheels, cushion, and good back support. Oddly enough my search led me down some odd roads (check out the drift wood, and LV Electric Chair) but eventually I ran into my dream chair the Aeron, and it was pure gold! Not literally, haha. :p!

Aeron by Herman Miller

Louis Vuitton Electric Chair by Peter Gronquist

Sphere chair

Traditional Leather Chair by La-Z-Boy

BalanceBall chair by Gaiam

Desk chair

Driftwood chair

Lamb chair

Fresh With Karmaloop

2009-03-18T01:26:00.032-04:00

Use this code for 20% OFF 1st order: SY30461

I’ve been hooked on this “streetwear” clothing site for awhile now and I think its only right to share it with all of you who like to get FRESH. The site is KARMALOOP.com and its pretty sick, they have such a great selection and I’m pretty sure anyone can find something they like. Personally I’ve bought some stuff from Abstraxx,and Dissizit!, and I’m planning on getting on their Artful Dodger too. I’ve never went to their site and not seen a sale, and even if you’re not looking to purchase anything it’s still a great site to see what kind of turns the “street” fashion is taking. They have everything from ladies sleepwear to men’s backpacks. Just check it out, it’s only a matter of time before you find something you love. Oh, and be sure to check out their Kazbah Underground brand section as well!!

Ha, Sleepy Heads

2009-03-11T02:10:00.021-04:00

These are just some of my friends and teammates that I happened to catch dosing off in strange places or compromising positions. Ridiculous.

Pages of Time

2009-02-26T02:07:00.021-05:00

(click on books for more info.)
For those of you who like to take journeys through the pages of time, I have two awesome suggestions! Recently I finished two timeless stories: the first is a classic novela (short read approx. 120 pages) named The Turn of the Screw. The book is a supernatural/ psychological thriller that really did the trick.
It tells a story of a young governess and her encounters with spirits while she watches 2 peculiar children. The other book is The Aeneid which is a very famous epic that sums up the Trojan war and builds upon the foundation of Rome and the Trojan hero Aeneas (picks up where Homer left off in the Illiad) Both are written by famous authors and allow you to look back in time at cultures not so familiar to our own. Check them out if you're a book worm like me.

Mickey D's, Really Lovin It?

2009-02-22T13:09:00.027-05:00

Infiltration!..... Are You Really Lovin’ It?

Fate or surroundings, which would you say plays a bigger role in the way a person turns out? This is an age old question that had brought about many arguments and much research. But in the case of America it is almost foolish to believe anything but people being a product of their environment. One of the most predominant environments created in American culture, at least in this point in time, is that of the fast food industry, particularly McDonalds. The tactics that have been utilized in past years by this corporation such as the “cradle to grave” strategy have been aimed at the children of America as opposed to the adult consumers. This “cradle to grave” tactic capitalizes on the fact that “market research has found that children often recognize a brand logo before they can recognize their own name” (Schlosser 43). So what kind of setting is ideal for a McDonalds? Any kind. McDonalds uses a very detailed system to place their franchises but ultimately they can be found any and everywhere from rural “villages” to concrete jungles. These fast food restaurants effects the population around them undoubtedly, but the population around them also plays a big role in how these places are built, maintained, and ran.

Everyone knows that most anywhere you go you can find those golden arches and along with that a uniform dining experience. Although McDonalds tries its hardest to keep a likeness amongst their franchises this doesn’t always work out as they plan. The environment around the locations of these McDonalds affects the decor of the establishment, who works there, and many other factors that play into a customer’s interpretation of their “friendly neighborhood Mickey D’s.”

Now nothing is wrong with differences amongst food chains different locations, but when the quality of food and service begins to suffer due to some of these distinctions then the issue becomes more prevalent. I have been into more McDonalds across the country then the average American and I can say with confidence that no matter where a McDonalds is placed the environment that is produced is a product of the surrounding culture. For instance as you enter the city of Peotone, Illinois after you pass the hundred year old “Welcome to Peotone, a good place to live in” sign the first thing you notice is the hundred foot high yellow wooden M that sticks out like a sore thumb. The M oddly enough reminds me of some sort of ancient obelisk the way it towers over the city and cries for your attention. Now most McDonalds that you see have the traditional yellow and red McDonalds sign that is lit up and can be seen a good distance away but this small town was apparently had a few extra parts in their McDonalds starter kit (the M can be seen from the next town.) Upon entering this McDonalds the atmosphere didn’t seem too much different than any other fast food joint I had been in. But after ordering my food I started to notice that all of the employees looked like middle aged people, not like the teenage ran establishments that I am accustomed to back in Tampa, Florida. The service was by no means speedy but the kitchen there seemed to flow pretty well and there was none of the usual chatter that I was used to. This McDonalds seemed to me more like a old style coffee shop than a in and out hunger pit stop. There were no smiling characters on the walls and the only child friendly thing I could easily see was the happy meal boxes behind the counter. All of these things came as a huge surprise to me because just a few weeks before that I had entered one of the most well decorated McDonalds I have came across in my travels. This McDonalds was built across the street from a mall in Waco, Texas. If I was still a kid the inside of this place would have rivaled Chuck E. Cheese. The front was modeled to be a sort of upscale dining experience that is referred to now as “McCafe.” The furniture style that had been selected for this place was all modern and the color scheme that had been chosen fit a futuristic style with browns , silvers, and whites with just a hint of the McDonalds traditional red. Now the part of this McDonalds that would drive a four year old crazy is the back. No there is no “play place” to be found here but instead tables full of board games and legos, loads of bean bag chairs and comfortable couches, not to mention the xboxs and playstaions lined up along all sides of the large square room. Now comparing the set ups of these two McDonalds is simple and it is also easy to see why the Waco McDonalds seems to only employ young energetic high school students while the Peotone McDonalds seems to prefer older more laid back employees. If the Waco McDonalds employed slower and more charismatic people the atmosphere would not be as lively and full of energy which in turn would lead to children not having such a good time. The same goes for Peotone, if there were a bunch of loud and overly assertive kids working there I am sure that some of the regulars would find another more peaceful location to read and drink their coffee.

To say that McDonalds is bad for people is true, but it also helps many people at the same time. Considering that McDonalds might help kids stay out of trouble while providing them and their families with extra money, and that McDonalds also can offer people with bad job experience or less than desirable backgrounds a place to earn a living McDonalds of course has positives. The fact that they sprout their characteristics from the things around them isn’t coincidence; it is a great way to provide comfort and a sense of security to a surrounding population. I would argue that McDonalds is a great asset to most neighborhoods as long as the people in that neighborhood made wise choices about the regularity of their McDonalds visits and also good choices about what food they chose to eat on those visits. Although the food at McDonalds is horrible for you, it is cheap and is slowly improving. As long as the culture around all McDonalds keep demanding better quality food and cut back on the unhealthy items I believe that McDonalds will begin to affect communities in a much more positive way.

All of the different aspects that make up a McDonalds are easily influenced by regular customers, therefore all McDonalds reflect their community. The way that I have portrayed McDonalds is chameleon like, a sort of self modifying industrial organism that takes the form of all the things around it. This chameleon like feature that McDonalds has shown establishes its dominance amongst all other fast food restaurants and secures its future as a house hold name. After all it’s hard to dislike people that love to see you smile.

Brad Pitt Cinema Gem

2009-02-17T22:00:00.031-05:00

Just recently I came across a real cinema gem, this theatrical marvel that I happened to stumble upon is The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Although this movie did have substantial advertising and plenty of support, I still feel the need to help promote it. This is one of the most mind boggling movies I have ever seen.
The creators of this movie came up with a concept that is nothing short of genius, and if you do not know what the plot entails there is a trailer nearby for you to get a taste. I definitely insist you give it a look!

A Letter to Me - Skizzle

2009-01-19T00:23:00.016-05:00

A letter of self encouragement:

Hey Sky, how is life? Just kidding, I already know how life’s going for you! But that is not really what this letter is about. Young man, I am here to let you know that no matter what comes at you, you sir can never, I repeat, never give up on yourself or others. Things might seem outrageously tough at times but believe me (and why wouldn’t you?) after you give your task all you've got the rewards are endless.

These next few years at PBA are going to test you, and prepare you for what is to come. Just know that if you always keep faith in your heart you will be able to endure all things that come your way. Stay focused on your classes and be sure to seek knowledge not only from your professors but also from the world around you. You have been given a great source of knowledge with these PBA professors, so don’t let them get to far away from you either. They are definitely a fountain of wisdom that you can tap right into. I know that you will make the most of your opportunity, you have to. Sky you were born for battle and that is just what you have gotten yourself into, a battle. You have waged war with your own mind and heart, there is no doubt about that. So be ready to battle everyday in the classroom, on the court, and for your spirit. Don’t let a day go by where you don’t take a step at least a small step in the right direction. These next couple of years will be vital to your success as a man, an athlete, a husband, a son, and a provider for all of your current family and family that is yet to come.

The satisfaction that awaits you after this journey has reached its end is almost indescribable. You will be able to function in the “real world” as a knowledgeable and contributing citizen and you will have made many life friends along the way. So stick it out my friend, there is no “half-citizenship” in your future. Hah, I bet you thought I forgot about the Kozol guy we learned about. Love yourself and love others. Be safe, and be blessed.

Sincerely,
You