[DISCLAIMER] In high school, I had a friend who expressed a desire to one day own a gold-plated handgun. “I’m gonna call you Half Ton [stylized 1/2 Ton], because that shit’s gonna weigh about half a ton,” I laughed and responded. From then on, that’s how I’ve referred to him. Recently, when listening to “Solid Gold Guns” by rappers Banish and Conway the Machine, as well as lyricists Recognize Ali and Supreme Cerebral, on German underground hip hop production team Snowgoon

[DISCLAIMER] When dabbling in amateur photography while residing in Bomb City during 2009, I met person X. She was an alternative model, associated with the scene subculture, and someone I once considered a relatively close friend (one attached to another by affection or esteem). To provide an adequate example of our tight bond, when person X told me that she received a death threat of imminent potential, not wanting to involve the police – as was the case with many of my

[DISCLAIMER] When listening to an electronic dance music (EDM) DJ set by Inamar, I heard her spin the song “Delete Time” (2024) by Sevenn and Space Motion. For clarity, to delete is to eliminate, especially by blotting out, cutting out, or erasing. As well, the American Psychological Association defines time as “a concept by which events are ordered into past, present, and future.” When contemplating the concept of deleting time, a psychoeducational lesson on Rational Emo

[DISCLAIMER] As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) was formed by the late psychologist Albert Ellis, who reportedly developed the first cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) psychotherapeutic modality in 1955, this blog entry is part of an ongoing series regarding his book, Ask Albert Ellis?: Straight Answers and Sound Advice from America’s Best-Known Psychologist. Now, as the matter pertains to this blogpost, the American Psychological Association (APA) defines social l

[DISCLAIMER] My introduction to gangs and gang sets was in fifth grade, when I was occasionally assaulted and battered by members of the Crips during recess and after school let out for the day. Unlike the common saying “if you can’t beat them, join them,” I simply chose to befriend gang members. In doing so, I was no longer bullied. Then, after having continued friendly relations with the Crips until and throughout high school, I also befriended members of the Bloods and

[DISCLAIMER] On Canadian lyricist Classified’s fifth major release, Tomorrow Could Be the Day Things Change (2018), is the song “Accept It”. Personally meaningful, he states on the second verse: He was searching for some work, referred to the reserves Took it further, got deployed to serve his country undeterred His wife worried, crying, when she hugged him and said goodbye Told his kids he had to leave, but they never understood why, no Active duty, overseas, saw some th

[DISCLAIMER] As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) was formed by the late psychologist Albert Ellis, who reportedly developed the first cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) psychotherapeutic modality in 1955, this blog entry is part of an ongoing series regarding his book, Ask Albert Ellis?: Straight Answers and Sound Advice from America’s Best-Known Psychologist. REBT has a longstanding foundation within the field of mental, emotional, and behavioral health (collective

[DISCLAIMER] I’ve long-enjoyed the pastime of miniature golf. When given the option to choose (to select freely and after consideration) activities for the friends with whom I spent time in Bomb City, they anticipated that I’d select going to a movie theater, a gun range, or to play miniature golf. In my head, my miniature golf skills were good (of a high or desired quality). Moreover, I maintained that I was good (of a favorable character or tendency) for having possesse

[DISCLAIMER] From when she was approximately six-months-old, until the week of her fifth birthday, I helped raise the daughter of the woman with whom I was in love. After marrying the woman, the dad of my stepdaughter insisted that she not refer to me as “dad,” “father,” or any derivative thereof. Therefore, she called me “my Deric.” Admittedly understating the matter, I loved her very much! Nevertheless, when my wife left me, contact with the little girl I’d helped raise

[DISCLAIMER] Photo credit, Designed by Magnific, fair use What comes to mind when hearing the term unfavorable conditions? Do you imagine something like a small sea vessel navigating choppy waters of the sea? That’s one way of thinking about unfavorable conditions, pertaining to circumstances, environments, or states which are disadvantageous, challenging, or harmful to success, growth, or well-being. Yet, that’s not quite what this blogpost is about. Rather, unfavorabl

[DISCLAIMER] On the collaborative album by lyricist Kota the Friend and music producer Statik Selektah, To See a Sunset (2023), is the song “Real Ones”. Noteworthy, it contains a sample of Bettye Swann’s track “Either You Love Me or You Leave Me” (1975) and has a relaxed quality to it. In his first verse, Kota states, “People judge left and right, everyone is fallible [liable to be erroneous]. Fuck the world! Focus on the babies comin’ after you. Middle finger to your opi

[DISCLAIMER] There’s an expression made popular years ago, “living my best life,” about which one source states, “Usually people have specific conditions under which they would like to live, and have specific goals they want to achieve for that to happen.” I’m not fond of this aspirational saying. Generally, people used to endorse this pretentious aphorism when gloating about their own egotistical endeavors. To expand upon my assertion, another source states of this once-

[DISCLAIMER] On his album ElCamino 2 (2019), lyricist ElCamino released the track “Eat”, which was produced by Rick Hyde. Within the chorus, ElCamino states, “I did some dirty shit that’s way far out my reach.” Here, “dirty” regards impure, and “shit” relates to deeds. When contemplating the lyricist’s healthy perspective, concerning matters of the past being “way far” out of is reach, a psychoeducational lesson on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) now comes to min

[DISCLAIMER] When prospective clients reach out to me regarding professional care for mental, emotional, and behavioral health (collectively “mental health”), they sometimes appear to be taken aback when learning that I advocate cutting people off (terminating social relationships of various sorts). Still, I stated in Cutting That Which Isn’t Necessary, “It’s often the case in one’s impermanent and uncertain life that cutting that which isn’t necessary is the best option

[DISCLAIMER] What’s Culture? What’s War? And What’s That About Cleavage? I used to enjoy discussions with other hip hop aficionados about whether or not the element of society in which we partook was a culture or a mere subculture. For context, the American Psychological Association (APA) thusly defines culture: 1. the values, beliefs, language, rituals, traditions, and other behaviors that are passed from one generation to another within any social group. Broad definit

[DISCLAIMER] When listening to an electronic dance music (EDM) DJ Set by Lisa Marty, I heard her spin the song “Take Control” (2026) by Alexey Union and Aves Volare. The lyrics state: It’s you that must change when enough is enough You gotta get on your feet when the goin’ gets tough There’s no time to think, just the time to react Life is gone in a blink; it’s a matter of fact No one will come to save your own soul It’s not done till it’s done, you must take full control

[DISCLAIMER] A psychoeducational lesson on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) came to mind when listening to the track “Grab Hold” by the Perceptionists (lyricists Mr. Lif and Akrobatik, and DJ Fakts One), produced by 8-Bza, and from the album Resolution (2017). The chorus states: Trying to grab hold of what you can’t control [x2] (There’s no end, when you’re…) Trying to grab hold of what you can’t control (You can’t win, when you’re…) Trying to grab hold of what yo