The Difference

The 2011 All-Star game this past weekend in LA was awesome and entertaining. It featured a decent if not revived dunk contest, an exciting 3pnt contest and a spectacular game. The league's marquee players showed out and for good or bad, they also solidified their rep's.

Laker's legend and reigning NBA champ solidified his rep as the world's best player by landing the game's MVP in a game he dominated and separated his skill-set amongst the country's best hoopers.

Also solidifying his rep was LeBron James. Unfortunately his rep is being a jolly green giant the first 47 minutes of a big stakes game before plummeting to lord frodo the hobbit, no rings (*pun intended).

In the waning minutes of Sunday's All Star Game, the Eastern Conference were on the brink of pulling off a dramatic come from behind victory. Spear-heading that improbable comeback was King James, or "Prince" James as Skip Bayless lovingly refers to him as. Highlighted by a ferocious dunk down the lane (*not when Kobe dunked on him lol) and a meaty triple double, James had a chance to tie the ball-game with a three and send the game into overtime. Instead, he passed the ball to 6'10'' Power Forward Chris Bosh.

Really Lebron? You do know that your knock in the league is that you don't take and knock down the last second shot with a high propensity don't you? I can't even argue that he made the correct "basketball play." Yeah in the regular season I've seen Bosh knock that 3 point shot down in the clutch (unconventionally) and he's capable of doing it. But sometimes Lebron you have to recognize the moment and be selfish.

Do you really think Jordan, Magic, Isiah,Bird, Iverson, Wade, or Kobe is going to pass up a potential game-tying or winning shot, let alone by themselves? Child please, it could be 3 opponents hanging out of Kobe's mouth and that shot is coming up. I will give Lebron and the rest of the east credit though. With the block attempt at the dunk and other aggressive defense, the East didn't just hand Kobe the MVP on some lifetime achievement award ish. They made him work for it. That's why I was a little disappointed that Lebron didn't finish what he started. In the forth quarter, he blatantly showed the world that when he's on, he may be the best and most unstoppable player on the court. Most people say that "killer kill" mentality is natural and not learned. But I've heard of the term, "trained assassin." Time to go to school LBJ.

Unlike most fans, it's not an either/or thing for me. I love both Kobe and Lebron. I'm a hybrid fan. I'm rooting for you Bronny, you just got want it. And I believe you do. You just don't know what entails in "wanting it." Sometimes that means you have to put the team on your back and be selfish. I mean you did ask me what to do in your "Rise" commercial right?

Brand New-Be-N.Y.C #slow down

Damned if you do, Damned if you don't. that's how the front office of NY Knicks management felt about 8 hours ago. "Do we pull the trigger and trade our young nucleus who brought us from years of obscurity to recent relevance for a proven blue-chip player , or do we keep a poker face and gamble on signing Carmelo in the off-season?"

In lieu of the Lebron James "Decision" precedence set last summer, it would seem a player of Carmelo Anthony's magnitude would hardly tip his hand as to would he's plotting for the future but surprisingly (and almost refreshingly)he did. Anthony appeared to have learned from the mistakes of his 03 Draft brethren and kept it candid while maintaining humility throughout this media circus. And during said process, he consistently stated the Knicks would be a dream situation for he and his family

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So if you're the Donnie Walsh and the front office, you have the advantage right? Why break up a squad you could keep intact to play along with Melo after the summer? Because you can't take the chance of Melo not signing with you. At the end of the day it's still a business and with the new CBA around the corner, there's no guarantee he would make as much money via a free-agency contract opposed to an extension.

New York is a hell of a place to be but at the end of the day, it's "Show me the money!" For Carmelo to make the most money, he would have had to sign an extension with whatever team he's playing with before he became a free-agent this summer. Sure New York is his preference, but if the Russian Nets owner or Nuggets are offering him up to $7 million a year MORE then a potential free-agent Knicks deal, where do you think he's going to go? Most likely not New York!

That's why I commend Walsh and the Knicks for making the move. You can't take a gamble on a blue-chip player like Carmelo. Gallinari, Felton, and Chandler are to be saluted but you can replace that talent easier then you can hope to find a horse a la Melo. And imagine the humongous egg they would've been wiping from their face had they not landed him? How do you explain that to the hungry NY fan-base? You can't!

Which leads me to this Knicks fan, as I close. Don't expect much from the Knicks between now and the beginning of the 2012-13 season (when Derron Williams and CP3 become free agents). New York just traded a major clog that's very conducive to head coach Mike D'Antoni's run n gun style. Replacing Felton at point is Chauncey Billups, a point guard traded 4 years ago because Joe Dumars thought he was too old and slow. Then you have Carmelo. He can run but he makes his bread and butter in the paint area after dominating the ball for 13 seconds. Have patience. All of those fast paced, 120 point game explosions may be replaced most importantly with victories.

It's not going to happen over night, but the NYC is headed in the right direction. This trade definitely puts the beasts in the east. As we speak today, Boston and LA are the favorites to win. But in a few years Chicago, Miami, and New York will be reviving and intertwining their mid 90's rivalries. You can't tell me a conference Wade, Melo, Bron, D Rose, D Howard, Stoudemire (and old Bos) isn't the best. When Kobe passes the torch, Durant will be all by himself in the West. But I digress.

MOTHERFucker: Sex Chronicles of Single Moms

*this generalization is for the mom demographic b/w ages of 18-39

M.I.L.F's (Mother Id Love to F_ck), Mother_ucker, hot momma or what have you, it's all the same. A preference on word choice to describe the very much desirable and sexually seductive woman who also happens to be a mom is up to you. The point is that in 2011 the modernized version, vision and image of the average "mom" has drastically changed from the days of Florida Evans, Mrs. Cunningham, Aunt Jemima or even your momma.

So before I go in, let me be specific. The drastic change I've noticed with contemporary "moms" is high sexual activity with partners other than the child's father. Of course times are going to change the woman; hence the different hairdo's, style of dress, etc. The one thing that consisted with the evolution of mom's in society was the preservation of morals and that wholesome image (*for the good "Betty Crocker" moms at the core). Nowadays mom's are looking younger and younger with a litany of intangibles that keep them looking that way (ie botox, music commonly shared with their children, and just flat out having more access to money). Why does youth have anything to do with high sexual activity? Because you're in your prime sexually and overall "hotness" in your youth. That's just my theory and the tip of the iceberg. You may be saying 'Dice, this ain't nothing new…mom's been getting it in for years. Hells, even your mom(s) were getting it in, you just didn't know. They were smooth about it.'

Well I'm glad you brought that up (lol). For anyone that really knows me, they know I have two mothers (This ain't football when you have 2 starting quarterbacks, you really have none---screw that). My birth moms and my Dad were divorced in 1981, shortly after I turned 3. Other then my brother's father, and POSSIBLY 1 boyfriend of 4 years, I'm pretty certain my mom wasn't intimate with anybody else during my early childhood. I'm not trying to air my mom's out like she was wack for not putting out or anoint her as some saint; I say that to commemorate and acknowledge her dedication and responsibility to her kids. During her single years, it wasn't no sneaking out during lunch(dbl negative intended for emphasis), going to the hotel for any meet-ups, or secret one-night stands after the club. Me and my brother were living in a one parent house-hold so momma wasn't playing with her money leaving work for some dude, or for that matter, she didn't have strange guys coming in and out of the house. I was a pimp! I was my mom's boyfriend (no Oedipus Complex). I knew her whereabouts at all times, her schedule, and she always came home every night solo. Any companionship she needed or jokes cracked, I was there. Even let her throw her legs on my lap after whork, in my mind thinking "you can chill ma, but I ain't rubbing your feet…it smells like you had a hard day!" lol Example A.

Also adding on to the formation of my definition and image of mom was Example B, my step-mom. My step-mom (*I ONLY say step-mom when my birth-mom is in the discussion and I must use distinction of the two) was a outstanding woman as well. She birthed two of the most fantastic and exemplary human beings I've ever met: my older brother and sister. Before my dad, my (step)mom was married before and always exhibited class. Now as time goes by and her and my father's career ascends, she's gracefully morphing into a Jacqueline Kennedy-O'Nasis who philanthropically helps people throughout the world, literally.

Did I lose you with my quasi auto-biographical review? I had to give you those examples to explain my frame of reference. I juxtapose those examples with the examples of today and it trips me out. It doesn't make me shake my head in disgust or look down on anyone, I'm just amazed at the progression or evolution. Because women have so much bread and more resources, it's nothing for a mom to "get it in." Resources meaning: #1 a degree. I'd say a majority of mom's in my generation didn't have a degree, because they were teenaged moms (it seems if you were a teenaged mom, you were doomed in regards to collegiate aspirations),so with that degree comes a good job and good money. Secondly there are so many after-school programs , baby-sisters, teams,clubs and other organizations kids are committed to, it's almost as if moms schedule their sexcapades around their kids itinerary! A big issue with mom's getting it in back in the day was the space and proximity factor. Space and proximity meaning unless you were that guy, the mom wasn't bringing you around her house or her kids. In present day with kids being absent the house so often, that major problem is relatively alleviated. I don't have direct experience with postpartum depression as a result of not having a baby's mom or wife, but I'm sure it has something to do with it(for new moms at least). Is the mom battling herself to prove she still has it? That she still provokes a certain response from a man, that she still commands sexual attention? So with those questions prevailing in her head, is that why she's hitting the gym so hard, wearing the heck out that "freak-um dress", and willing to cut her hair short or dye it another color? That definitely has to play a part. And as previously mentioned, I really believe this music (hip hop and contemporary R and B) and television overall has something to do with it. If all you're conditioned to see and hear in the media is the promotion and emphasis of irresponsible sex, it's gonna directly or indirectly affect you. But that's just my Psychology 101 Dice Freud hypothesis, nothing more.

So where does that leave us? The same place where we started at the beginning of this blog: Moms are getting it in. And I'm not mad at ya'll. I'm not a feminist but I'm also far from a sexist. I celebrate single sexy moms, and if you're taking care of business (kids, bills, not hurting anybody) then I salute you. Why do guys only get to have all the fun and glory? I must admit, I've had "fun" with a few mom's back in the day (that makes me a "mother_ucker"), but that's not my preference. Obviously not because they aren't capable of getting all glam'd up and sexy; but because of me. I think about the possible lil Dicey at home waiting for his moms, or thinking his moms is at bible study while she's really getting slayed up by me. With that said, I feel compassion for the invisible, never met before "lil dicey" and I fall back. Dicey loves the kids!…but it's really not them. It's just protecting and preserving that image of mom's I have engrained in my mind that I don't want tainted. But don't get it twist; Halle, Reagan Gomez, Sarah Palin (for vindictive, political reasons and Tracy Morgan)if you're reading this, get at me (giggity). Kourtney, Nivea, and Kendra…. well, ummm, ehhhhhhhhh.

Customer Serve-Us

hey ladies and gents, thanks for checking me out once again. right now i want to vent. the point of this selection isn't to sway you, compel you, or even inspire. i DO hope that my ventilation acknowledges, exposes and brings to light ONE of the most horrific epidemics that's plaguing the black community (i'll do laziness and ignorance another time) : LACK OF CUSTOMER SERVICE.

I'm sure there are layers of psychological, parenting, and educational reasons that explain this trendy triflingness , so i'll let you as the reader appropriately diagnose these examples that I had the misfortune of living.

EXHIBIT A: The Perpetual Hood Experience @ Wendy's on Boulevard/Ponce

it's 2011 and for several years i've patronized my local Wendy's located in midtown Atlanta off of Ponce De Leon and Moreland Avenue. Now it didn't take long for me to recognize the quality of food and sanitation would hardly rival or resemble that which is represented on TV commercials, but i do have expectations!

Expectations meaning when I'm in the drive-thru ordering, let me get a chance to finish (ie I know there's a sauce that comes with nuggets, don't cut me off when i order them; give me a chance to say "nuggets with sweet n sour sauce and honey mustard"). When I order my fries, why do they look like they been on the grill since Christmas? But in fear that they may play 'kick the can' with my burger, I silently pull-up. I used to think my old man was anal when he would specifically order "fresh fries and will wait for a new batch" because its all about the principle, and there are principles in customer service!

For this paragraph just insert several occasions of me coming home disappointed with a fudged order, a burger clad with my worse enemy (cheese), or the bread as hard as a ten commandment tablet. And the only reason I don't check my bag when it's given to me is because I feel like i'm walking on eggshells at "the second window." I'm so conditioned to being rushed off without a grace period to count my change, check my order and be told 'have a nice day.' No. It's just the roll of the eyes and a "how dare you" look for asking for the nugget sauce you forgot to give me.

And that's just my big ball of blurred blunders. That's not a recounting of a traumatic experience; it's like that all of the time (*You may say if it's that bad then discontinue from patronizing there….theoretically you're right, realistically my frugal side and gas prices trump those ethics!…i'll get over it lol).

EXHIBIT B: FOOT LOCKER @ Underground Atlanta

So if you're a sneaker fiend like me, specifically a Jordan Head, then you know the proper protocol for successfully acquiring your Jordan on release day. Especially a retro Jordan. Through trial and tribulation or being hip to urban legend, you know if it's a classic Jordan coming out, you only have 24 hours (at the most) to successfully secure your shoe or you're ass'd out. And for big foot, size 13 wearing cats like myself, you may have a two hour "shelf life" at the most. Literally. I don't think I'll ever be one of those who camps out in front of the store days before the release date or goes to some "midnight release special", but I will be at your sneaker store promptly at the beginning of business hours to cop!

With that said, a couple of weeks back one of the best Jordans to ever come out, the cement/grey elephant skin Retro 3s were released. It was a cold Saturday morning following the Atlanta snowstorm that shut the whole city down and I was up early like a rooster-fiend. The clock couldn't count down any faster but when it struck 10:00 I swiftly called those jerks at FootLocker Underground to: A) confirm they had them and B) request them to hold me a pair while I was en route to grab them up. I spoke to a young girl and she affirmed both of my interest points. I told her my estimated time of arrival was 20 minutes. I got their in 15.

Upon my arrival I was quickly dismayed to find out my Jordans were hasta lavista baby. I thought it was some kind of joke. Business hours began @ 10, it was barely 10:15 when I got there, and the store was a ghost-town due to the snowstorm. Once I figured they weren't playing, I still feel like the joke was on me. I confronted the young lady I spoke to on the phone, and she said her colleague just sold the ONLY 13 in the store to a guy minutes prior to my arrival. What had me so peeved was the lack of communication. Like from the time you got off the phone with me and assured me that you would set aside a pair of Jordans for me, what happened; where was the lack of communication? In my head Im asking this chick 'Why didn't you physically set those aside for me or communicate to your colleague not to sell the 13's b/c a dude name Dice was on the way to get them?' Of course I asked her that and she said she thought the dude that was sold the 13s was me. Obviously it wasn't if you didn't ask him and furthermore where is your accountability? She just brushed me off and had a look like "that's one of those things." No lady, it's not one of those things. Admit that and find a way to accommodate me. Naturally she gets annoyed that I'm unhappy and says "first off, i'm not really supposed to be holding shoes in the first place" bla bla bla…That maybe true, but where was this disclaimer when you were pacifying me up on the phone?

I don't know if I was more upset that I didn't get my shoe or the way I was treated. If you're gonna do me, at least use vaseline and kiss me. Show some contrition, accountability and some compassion. What's tragic is that the superiors you may want to report these incompetent and rude employees on are just as inept, immune and oblivious to customer service and etiquette as them. Crap like this makes me reiterate Chris Rocks' infamous sentiment: "I love black people, but I hate niggas" and start patronizing at "non-Afro-American" ran establishments. When I worked in "Corporate America," I used to say you're not working in" Corporate America" unless the racial ratio was 4:1 in favor of Caucasians. I think I'll start adopting that mentality as a customer.

"Other" races maybe a bit more anal and irritating (ie asking "can I help you"; "do you need help?"; "are u finding everything ok?" or just following you every 2 minutes) and cause you to feel or say "no futher-mucka, let me be the master of my own domain" as my man Troop says, but I'll take that. Yeah you're probably racially profiling me or thinking I'm going to rob/steal something, but at least you're giving me the attention that I need for you to get my services and needs right. And that's what it's all about, getting your needs serviced thoroughly with a pleasurable experience. A pleasurable experience doesn't have to be defined by kissing butt and getting personal, it's just being thorough while treating people with respect. I'm Dice. I'm a shopaholic. Thanks for letting me vent and share.