How would you handle this?

The Game is To Be Sold

When I was younger I used to be a little kleptomaniac.  I never stole from people, but places like Best Buy, Circuit City, and Caldor, were my favorite places to steal. I remember the day I stopped stealing shit. 

Typically, people stop stealing simply because they get caught, I only wish that was the reason I stopped. So my friends and I would typically go to different malls to pick up chicks. One day we were in Sam Goody record store and one of my friends were looking at a CD in one of the cases that had the alarm on it. The case wasn't all the way closed and he popped it open. It made a loud cracking sound. He immediately put the CD down and we walked away. 

We noticed that the employee paid the sound no mind. So I went to the counter to talk to him. My friend went back to where we left the cd. He put it in his pocket and started walking out the store. He walked out and no alarm sounded and no mall cops came. This event set off a chain reaction of us terrorizing local malls. We would steal the newest CDs and sell them to the older guys in the neighborhood for $10. At the time CDs were roughly $20. 

One day, I decided I would see how many I could steal in one day. I was in summer school at the time, so I planned out my route for the day. I would leave summer school and head down to The Gallery at the harbor, then catch the light rail to Hunt Valley, then I would hit Mondawmin Mall's Record Town and Sam Goody. The first 2 stops went off without a hitch. I had about 30 CD's on my backpack. I had gotten so good at cracking the cases, I could crack them and stash the CD's in my pocket, tuck them in my shorts, or backpack in seconds. In and out of a store in less than 3 minutes. I always made it a habit to purchase something when I stole just to throw the clerk off. When I got to Sam Goody at Mondawmin, I realized they had changed the cases. These cases didn't open the same way. 

I decided that it wouldn't be smart to try and steal anything at that time. Something told me that I should just go home with what I had already stolen for the day. I had already broken my personal best and I had enough CD's to make $400. 

As I walked past record town, I noticed they hadn't changed their I cases and that it was only one employee in the store. I felt like it wouldn't get any easier and it was a quick move.  So I went in like always, but for some reason I hesitated. I looked up and saw a cop passing. I decided that I was gonna take 5 and go. So after placing 10 in my bag, I decide I would put a few more in my pockets and tuck a few in my pants. 

I had about 10 in my pants and another 10 in my backpack. As I walked out of the store, the mall cop called me over. I thought about running, but there was no point. Too much shit in my pockets and backpack were too heavy. He asked me what I had purchased. I said nothing. I was terrified of going to jail, so I just admitted I stole CD's and took them out my pockets. He walked me to the back of the store and took my picture for the wall of shame. He then called my grandmother to tell her what I had done.

Lucky for me, my uncle who actually taught me how to steal answered the phone. He spoke to the cop as if he was gonna whip my ass good. The cop then escorted me out of the mall and told me I was banned for a year. I got to my grandmothers and my uncle asked me how I got caught. I told him I didn't buy anything. He told me that if it doesn't feel right, leave immediately. I got home and realized that I still had gotten away with a few that were in my backpack.  The cop never checked my bag at all.

So I hit the streets to make my money back. Everyone was asking for Snoop Dogg's No Limit CD, The Game is to be Sold not to be Told. I had sold most of the CD's from that day. As I was walking, a local hoodlum named Ace stopped me and asked to see the CD. I was terrified of him. He had a reputation of violence. He took the CD out of my hands. When I asked for $10 he told me, GET THE FUCK OUTTA HERE. Instead of walking away, I reached for the CD. Ace grabbed me, threw me to the ground, and proceeded to kick me in the face, like he was punting a football. My face hit the ground and it scraped up my skin. 

I just laid there and he stood over me and said, Uuuughhh like Master P. I pulled myself up and walked to my boy Twan's house. He asked me what happened, and I said, "I'm ready for war" mimicking Canibus. 

That was the last day I ever stole. I realized I wasn't built for that life. When I walked around the neighborhood, I avoided Ace at all costs. I would literally walk 20 or 30 minutes out of the way. If he stood in front of the building that I lived in, I would walk to my grandmothers house and stay the night.

I always told myself that when I got older I would whip Aces ass. I remember being home one summer a few years ago and asking if anyone had seen Ace. They told me he had life in jail for multiple homicides and beating someone until they were a vegetable....

Needless to say, I'm glad I never ran into him again. 

Nike 20% Off - The Jig

You've somehow managed to scratch, bite and claw your way to the latest limited release from Nike.com, only get receive your brand new kicks with a major flaw. You are frustrated with the product you have received. So you decide to call Nike customer support and express your dissatisfaction. After hearing your concerns, Nike awards you with a 20% off discount code for being such a loyal customer.

With your brand new, 20% any entire cart, you decide that you will get the most out of your code. You design a very nice NikeID, add a t-shirt to match and you have everything in your cart your desire. You go to apply your code, and get the message "The coupon number you entered has already been used. If you feel you've reached this message in error, please re-check the coupon number and try again. [Code: 030D-00000000]" You, obviously confused, try re-entering the code a few more times, but to no avail. Your 20% off discount code, for your defective product has been used by someone else. You try to figure out how this could have happened.

Here's how. In recent weeks, it was revealed that people had gathered the ability to alter the discount codes that Nike provided, following a simple pattern. Changing a few numbers here or there could net you a brand new 20% discount code. A code that had previously been issued to another Nike customer. Nike customers began bragging about getting 20% off on every order. Even boasting of ordering an $8 pair of socks and getting 20% off with free 2-day shipping. That in effect, caused Nike to lose money due to shipping.

More and more people began to exploit this loophole at Nike's expense.  It was only a matter of time before someone would have the audacity to start selling the codes to make money.  Smaller accounts began charging a few dollars for the discount codes, that could become hundreds of dollars in discounts. Then a major account began to sell the codes for $10. They sold out in two days. With hundreds of orders being processed, almost as soon as they were being purchased, using 20% off, no proof of any orders canceled for using an ill-gained discount code has surfaced.

In recent days, Nike's arch nemesis, got wind of the "discount code jig" and began to search and destroy.  The rival posted hundreds of discount codes; many were used just as fast as they were posted, setting out to end Nike's corruption and force changes.

Will Nike allow this to continue or are we in store for massive changes? Will Nike eliminate the promotion as a means to end this exploit? Will using one of these codes result in a permanent ban from Nike? Are you willing to risk it? We shall soon find out.

Angry Black Man

The Evolution of the Sneakerhead

"The game has changed!" "It didn't used to be like this!" "Those sat forever!" I copped those from the outlet!" All quotes we have all heard within the last year and a half. A few years ago, copping was relatively easy. Wake up, go to footlocker at 10am, get your shoes and go home. Or wake up at 11:55am for the midnight drops on nike.com. When the Space Jam XI dropped, finishline had a limit of five per person. FIVE PER PERSON.

GAME CHANGED

The sneaker game has in fact changed. With so many newbies to the sneaker game in such a short time, the game had to evolve. In the past, you think of sneakerheads being teenagers and 20-somethings who spent all their money on sneakers. Bragged on how they had every Jordan. Sneakerheads were never taken serious. They hung out in malls, usually chatted in groups, joked in the back of the bus...but not anymore. You can't differentiate the sneakerhead from the average Joe anymore. Hard-working, blue-collar corporate executives have joined the party. The single mom goes out to acquire the latest Jordan's for her and her child. The demographic has changed. The buyer has changed. The sellers have changed...

NIKE RESPONDS

Sneaker companies have been very eager to appease the sneakerhead, both newbie and old school. We used to have 12 months of Jordan's. We couldn't wait to see what Jordan Nike would retro the next month. Now Nike and Jordan brand have been as bold to release multiple retros on the same day. I can't remember the last time Jordan brand didn't dropped a Saturday retro release. Every week we are given a retro. Why??? Because we keep buying them. The newbie loves the new colorways. The old school will buy it because it's a retro, but will always, always, buy the OG colorway. The OG colorway was mass-produced in recent releases to accommodate the hype. Don't believe me, you can go out during the next Holiday XI drop.

Hype creates hype. Nike throw's out a teaser...The Internet responds...negatively, make it limited. Then it's a dope shoe. How can we bring the foamposite back to life? Do collaboration with Supreme and make it a Yeezy 2 colorway. Air Force 1 is dead? Put a cork option on Nike ID. Customers complaining about lack of availability of a product? Have a restock. Then restock the restock. Only a few stores are getting the shoe? Nike allows more companies and boutiques to have tier 1 accounts. A shoe isn't in high demand? Throw it in a pack with a shoe everyone wants. Nike might not always supply the demand, but they always have a response. Eventually you will buy something. Which brings me to...

THE RESELLER

There are several types of resellers. The reseller that has connects can get multiple pairs, in multiple sizes, of most releases. A power reseller usually does pre-orders, usually sells out, and usually has a large following. The reseller that has the best bots and fastest Internet, and the best computer money can buy. This reseller will also take pre-orders, but very few compared to a power reseller. They cannot say for sure they will come through. Also, there is a possibility that they will not have the shoe for 3-5 days later. Then you have the reseller that will be lucky to grab a pair and try to sell it for a few bucks over retail. They get the occasional pair. Reselling is a major part of the game. Having paid resale, and resold, I have no problem with the reseller, get your money. My problem is everyone can't be a reseller. Go to sneaker con, and it's more sellers, than buyers, traders or spectators. Hundreds of people holding the latest GR that dropped in the air as they walk through the crowd trying to charge $50 over box price for a shoe that in some instances are still on shelves. The nickel and dime reseller will usually be stuck with a few pairs.

This is just one Angry man's opinion...

How To Get Wasted

The first rule to getting wasted is there is only 1 rule; Don't drink and drive! The idea that you can't mix white & dark does not apply when you are trying to get wasted. The liquor before beer and you're all clear is null in void. I recommend starting the night off with José Cúervo shots!

Shots!!!

At this point, it's time to decide who the designated driver is, as this should be the last round of shots for the driver!

Then more shots!

As you prepare for a night out with your friends, grab a bottle to go. Diversity is the key! Always keep the bottle in the back seat just in case. Take cups, preferably red solo cups!

Take a bottle to go!

This next section is only for bottle poppers. Once at your venue, it is imperative that you procure a VIP section. It is extremely corny to walk around with a bottle in your hand. You must get atleast 1 bottle of Vodka (Goose or Ciroc) and 1 bottle of Cognac (Hennessy or Remy). You do it not for necessity, but because you can!

Pop bottles

Normally this would be a violation, but when there are excess bottles, and everyone is already washed, the alcohol must still be drank! No alcohol left behind!

This is how you drink!

It's always proper to go to the bar and order 3 rounds of the strongest shot they have, be it 151 or Don Julio! Just don't throw up on the bar. That's very inappropriate!

As you leave the party/club/groove, be sure to finish whatever bottles you have left before driving anywhere. Open bottle in a car on the way home, can end in disaster and jail! I'm pretty sure that will ruin your night.

Bottle must be finished!

Once the night is over and you're all back at the meeting spot, it's customary to celebrate with a beer, preferably corona.

And the last and most important thing is to make sure you fall asleep in an appropriate place!

Angry Black Man - Creation Story

There aren't four books to tell this creation story. There are no gifts or wisemen using the North Star. It's just one man venting to the world! Sometimes most people don't get the chance to be themselves for various reasons. Sometimes it's work, or family, or friends. In the end they lose themselves because they have another side that is trapped inside them. I created this blog as a way to let my alter-ego out. This creation story is not well thoughtout or pre-planned. It's just a rant.

Don't be offended by what you may read. If you are, fuck you. You were pre-warned. 

As a kid, I was always kinda quiet. I usually kept things to myself. Let them stay internal for far too long. I let people live because it didn't really matter to me. I used to be humble, and in real life, the life I live day-to-day, I am. I get up everyday and I go to work. I'm the busy little worker bee between the hours of 830am and 6pm. I leave my place of employment with an overwhelming sense of nothingness. I look back and realize, while I worked all day, I truly did nothing to better myself or my fellow man. But what really would I rather do for work? I don't really know, but I know working everyday fucking sucks.

So why even go to work? Oh yeah, I have to pay fucking bills, and continue to buy shit I don't need, and save for a rainy day...but every day is a rainy day. It's never enough money, you always need more. I feel like I'm broker than I was in college, making like $6 an hour. Yea they tell you "you are making good money" but when I look at my pay stub I always feel like they lie.  30% goes to taxes. To keep the streets paved, but I have been running over the same pothole for 7 years. To educate children, but kids are dumber than ever, even with Google reeling these fuckers everything. Google even does math for you. And these kids still can't count. I had to learn math in my head. No calculators or smart phones. Then out of that remaining 70% you have to pay healthcare and vision care and dental care just in case you get sick or poked in the eye or a toothache. So you really down to having 60% to live off of. But wait they tell you to tithe 10%. How do you split that between the offerings? The building fund (church been the same size for 27 years tho) , the offering of this and the offering of that...in any event, down to 50%...but you supposed to save 10% for the rainy day...but you don't because you can't figure out how to eat, pay mortgage, buy gas and enjoy life with only 40% of the money you make.

So what's the alternative? Don't work, be a bum, tell your boss to fuck themselves and move into the basement of a relative. Nah we can't do that. Because we need the latest MacBook and iPad and iPhone and Jordan's and Belts with a big G on it. Still can't get with paying $400 for a belt. You can get 40 belts from Marshall's for that. That's even worse than the morons that buy the same Jordan's every week because they have a new color. Shit, I'm one of those dudes that does that. Does that make me a moron??? Probably, but oh well. 

This is just the beginning, stay tuned for life stories, rants, pictures and whatever else comes to mind as we take a look into our alter-egos.  You can follow me on twitter @bpfillherup or Instagram @angryblack

Angry Black Man