Ty Lawson Mix

I really think Ty Lawson is going to thrive in Denver!!

Sliznometry – Gettin’ Lost (June 30, 2009)

GETTIN’ LOST

Whadup readers! … Miss me? Probably not, but I don’t really care – I didn’t miss yall much either.  Actually, scratch that – I did.  Why the hiatus then you might ask? Well – I’m not gonna offer excuses because they’d be bogus.  I got lost – how’s that?  I’ve since found my way though, and am very, very happy to be back!  Lost and now am found – call me Amazing Grace!  You know what, don’t – just call Grayson Wynne and thank him.

Grayson didn’t find me – but he found himself – and that is why I’m back, submitting another column for this world-renowned spectacular blog.  If you’re wondering who Grayson Wynne is then you’re just like me – I had never heard of him before this week.  So who is he and why am I crediting my return as a staff writer on this blog to him?  Find out here:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/us_world/2009/06/23/2009-06-23_nineyearold_grayson_wynne_lost_in_utah_wilderness_credits_survival_with_tvs_man_.html

Grayson Wynne is the man.  The fucking MAN – and that’s saying something seeing as he is 9 years old and probably still pubert-izing.  I decided to write this column about Grayson and the above article partly because I just got back from a SICK camping trip in Joshua Tree National Park, but also because I – like Grayson – really like the show ‘Man vs. Wild’ and watch it religiously and have gained new knowledge – some ideas very basic and simple; idea-generating/paradigm-opening if you will – that came directly from this show.  Some skills I’ve used and thankfully there are some that I’ve not had to use.

Getting lost in the wilderness is no fun (well, sometimes it is) and can be VERY scary.  It’s happened to me before, but I wasn’t alone – and I wasn’t 9 – and I was outfitted with almost every type of tool one might need in the wilderness.  I didn’t get ‘scared’ per-se, but I definitely was very nervous and very anxious for a long time – until my 2 friends and I found a stream and we could re-fill our very diminished water supply (with microfilter pumps for health reasons).  Still though, we had a GPS unit so we were reassured that we could, if need be, b-line it back to where we parked, but there was a good 4 hour period where we had absolutely no idea where we were and where we got off the trail.  Without such resources, we would’ve been just like Grayson, except we were three, and he was one; we also wouldn’t have had a 14 person group of people know we were missing immediately and know to send a search party.

Everyone should really stop and think how you would react in that type of situation.  Would you have the necessary skills? What about tools? Do you think you could survive? How long? What would be the first thing you do? How would you try and save yourself and get found?

These are important questions, and whether or not you’re predisposed to camping/hiking/exploring/adventuring and thus more likely to be in that situation is irrelevant.  It literally could be a matter of life-or-death.  Personally, I think survival skills should be a subject in grade school.  It is vitally important, and many people die each year because they don’t have any type of, or insufficient, survival skills and get themselves in over their heads.

That is also why I think shows like ‘Man vs Wild’ and ‘Survivorman’ are not only entertaining, quality television programs, but also very useful tools in themselves that I’m thankful have reached mainstream media.  Grayson’s case is a perfect example – a 9 year old knowing to leave a trail (a brightly colored trail at that) so he could move and still be confident of how to get back to where he was (or to lead searchers to his location) is a pretty profound, yet incredibly simple, thing that in my opinion wouldn’t cross the mind of the average lay person.  These are the perfect medium too, in which ‘survival ed’ could be taught.  Just like every 5th grader has to learn ‘sex ed’ (and totally digs it); every 7th grader should be mandated to sit in a classroom once a week for 12 weeks and watch an hour-long entertaining TV program that shows them ways to survive – I doubt they’d fight that.  Even today’s king of comedy, Will Ferrell, made a guest appearance on ‘Man vs Wild’ and trekked through the Siberian tundra (and ate elk-eyeballs) to promote his film ‘Land of the Lost’.

Being a boy scout is one thing, and I’m not advocating that everyone should be (I wasn’t even one) but knowing simple, basic skills like ‘leave a trail’ or ‘build a fire and burn live leaves so it smokes heavily’ or ‘build shelter’ is completely different.  People need to know these things, and sadly most don’t, and they don’t come close.

Since these are my feelings, and this is my column, I’ve decided to make an attempt at educating the world on a few very basic 1-2-3′s they’d need to ensure survival:

1) always carry a knife, preferably a multi-tool

2) before setting out on any trek, have at least 3x the amount of water you think you’d need – and a way to replenish that supply

3) make sure you have a map of sorts, and a compass

4) have a whistle

5) know if you do get lost, the best thing is to find an open, easily accessible area and stay put.  If you must move, do what Grayson did

6) know how to make fire – our ancestors’ ancestors’ ancestors figured it out – and your brain is much more advanced than theirs

7) most importantly, don’t take chances – don’t freak out, start running, screaming, jumping off rocks etc – stay calm and pragmatic

I welcome comments to your thoughts, stories, advice etc.

Until next time readers – KEEP WONDERING!

**** Comments? Suggestions? Want to kidnap Sliz and really test his survival skill? Sliz can be reached at sliz@themixtapemonster.com ***

Royce Da 5’9 – Gun Harmonizing

Royce preps the release of his highly-anticipated “Street Hop” LP, (which will be released on 9-22-09) which is executive-produced by DJ Premier and has already generated overwhelming critical accolades alone with the release of street-singles “Shake This” and “Part Of Me” and the forthcoming self-titled debut LP from the buzz worthy Bi-Coastal  conglomerate Slaughterhouse (Royce 5’9, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz & Crooked I) on this summer. On the heels of both releases, Royce will first be releasing a Digital only four song EP entitled “The Revival.”  “The Revival” will be released on 7-7-09 and it will include new tracks from Royce’s “Street Hop” LP along with a new Slaughterhouse track and will be available at all major digital retailers.  “Gun Harmonizing” (produced by Emile) is the first leak from Royce’s “The Revival” EP.

Click Here to download “Gun Harmonizing”

Shaq Deez Actin A Fool

Shaq singing “Over the Edge” lip sync style and actin a fool. Donated by Bibbles.

Rapper Big Pooh – Rear View Mirror (new video)

Excellent video. Seeing the pictures of younger like 2002 Pooh were great. This is the type of video I would make if I made videos. Show people your people and the good times y’all had, and who can’t relate to that?!

New Dexter Strickland Highlights

Will Dex turn out to be the heir apparent to the Heels PG Throne? Or will Roy use his dynamic scoring ability at the 2 next year? Either way, it’s going to be exciting watching this kid’s game grow!

Michael Jackson 50th Birthday Megamix

Was off work last Friday for some wedding activities for good friends and didn’t get a chance to do an MJ post. Rest in Peace Michael Jackson!

IAmOmni EP – Free Download!!

I got a chance to hear a demo of one of the cuts off of this album a while back, entitled on the album as “Sheza Diva” and I was hooked from the second I heard that jam. Loved it, and had been waiting on the EP, well, here it is!

The new EP from CA artist Omni can be downloaded here: CLICK HERE

You won’t be disappointed!

The Stray Dogs Live at the Busy Bee

Check out one of my Pop’s bands The Stray Dogs playing live at Raleigh hot spot The Hive (aka The Busy Bee) last night. The Monster’s Pops is on the bass, closest to the camera.

Mack 10 – So Sharp (feat Rick Ross, Lil Wayne)

West coast gangster rap icon Mack 10 is set to drop his new CD “Soft White” in August. The album will have a nice feature list with artists like Anthony Hamilton, Glasses Malone, and Jim Jones amongst others. The first single is here and features Rick Ross and Lil Wayne. Download “So Sharp” below.

Click here to download: Mack 10 – So Sharp (feat Rick Ross, Lil Wayne)