Reading is Fundamental

For those of you that follow me on Twitter, @RusAzal, you that I'm tired of Commercial blogs (I won't say which ones), because they lack originality and creativity and chances are if you see it on blog A, your more than likely to see it on blog B. With that said, I decided I was gonna buy a magazine, which? I wasn't sure, but staying true to my word, I bought Interview 1. because Hov the God was on the cover and 2. because I wanted to branch out and read something that was a lil' different than what I would normally read.

It was actually the first magazine that I bought in the last 6 months and was worth it, it was an interesting read.

Parisian Gifts

A friend of mine, recently went to Paris and before she left, I told her to bring me back something, that she thought I would really like and appreciate.

She came back today and gave me this...
Chocolate- Which makes me think, she thinks I'm a fat ass...LOL

Soap- Does she think I stink? Cuz' I've been told different...

A nail clipper/Swiss French Army Knife- *Draws Blank*

Despite, the weird combo of gifts, I'm very appreciative of it!

THANK YOU MUCH,
Rus

2/1- Rice n' Peas @ Sway

Last night, 2/1, tired and not really in the mood to party, I got dragged out to Rice n' Peas at Sway. Despite the frigid weather and the fact that it was a Monday night, the turnout wasn't too bad! DJ Gravy, who also DJ's downstairs at Santos, in the what I like to call...The Flatbush Backyard bashment, was spinning last night and lets just say, it was nuff buddy pon' bumpa!




Ok, so victim of the night, was this "More to Love""A Lot to Love" girl who some dudes tried to champion... it was funny at first, then she got brave and wet his crotch w/ Henieken, turning into pure histeria.



And lets not forget the Jop-pan-knees girls! LOL!!! Seriously, Ming Lee was getting it in, til' homeboy pounced on her and finished her...

In Four Words or less...

This morning, while getting ready to start my day I overheard on the radio, if you could describe using four people or less who would it be? I gave it some serious thought...

Here are my 4, in no particular order. I won't tell you why I choose these four, but understand they all have deep significance!

Steve Stoute

David LaChapelle

Hype Williams

James Dean


I'm curious to know yours!

Music Monday- Ms. Fat Booty

This is one of those "no words" type songs! The first time I heard this, I was walking out of McDonalds downtown Brooklyn, I had just ordered an Arch Delux (remember those...LOL) and a vanilla milkshake and heard this song blaring from a car parked up at the corner.

***Fact: You will forever remember where you were, and what you were doing when you heard an instant classic!

Friday Night Lights

Friday, 1/29, after leaving work, a lil' early, I headed down to Bann w/ a couple of friends for some food. After leaving we headed over to Johnny Utah's for a friends Birthday were we met up w/ other friends. We wound up leaving a lil' earlier than planned, because apparently, on Fridays Johnny Utah's goes from being a restaurant to a club, where promoters sell tables..(So weird!!!). Making moves, we headed downtown to Santos, for Re-Opened-ed, w/ new resident DJ Jus Blaze. (I haven't been to Santos since tip left, and was kinda curious to see what it was about now and for the record, the new supporting cast at Santos sucks ass!) After getting situated and getting our table...I'll just let the pics tell the rest.

***Happy Birthday Maysa

These crab rolls look a lil' interesting, but I promise you they were on point!


Johnny Utah's!!!
Happy Birthday Maysa!

Suprisingly, when I looked online, I found this flyer for the "party" at JU's...




Mazzi X The Birthday Girl


Steve-O (whose Born day was the next day too) X The Birthday Girl



I decided to add some art to Santos' museum!



Steve-O, Always working...

Its always good, bumping into friends randomly. This time it was Callender, Raeana & her cousin



So chick on the right taps me on my shoulder and is like "today's my birthday! Take a Picture of me and my gurl" so I'm like fuck it w/e, then she whispers in my ear "guess how old I am?" Being the nice jerk that I am, I'm like "27?" shes like "Nah, I'm 39." With all honesty, I knew she was like 35+, I was just being nice! LOL

Late Night Samich Run!

Not sure about you, but after a long night of being out, whether partying, chillin or doing whatever, I can't go home unless I feed myself. Thank GOD for classic hood spots like Laurels on Myrtle Avenue! For those of you outside of Brooklyn, or that don't know, Laurels is a lil' corner store bodega that's open, just about 24 hours and makes the best samiches in Brooklyn!

Me: "Yo Papi, Let me get a roll w/ Turkey, Munster, Lettuce Tomatoes, a lil' bit of mayonnaise and spicy mustard."

Sandwich Guy: "You want hot?"

Me: "Na cold!"



Still trynna figure out what "chop up" is...

Believe half of what you see and none of what you READ!

Some time back in November, I had the privilege of hearing music legend himself, Clive Davis speak at NYU. Prior to him speaking they had these screens, that were suppose to keep us occupied, but for me it didn't work, all I kept thinking about was, what I was going to eat when I.
But then this screen pops up...


Then, being the gullible ass that I am, I text it only to get this...


and again, I say all of that to say this, "Believe half of what you see and none of what you read."

Music Monday

Within The last 6 months, Twitter has become my #1 Bitch, and I've been pounding her out everyday! Sometimes 10-15 times and hour! HAHAHA!!!

With all that said, I've decided to add something new to RusAzal.com, Music Monday's, which I'm stealing from Twitter . Now I know a lot of you fuck face's are probably like "wow, real original...", my response is simply this_______________, but nah, foreal, every monday, i'll post a song and/or video that means something to me and not just a "remember this song..." type thing.

To kick it off, I'ma take it back to 05' w/ The College Dropout Last Call. I listen to this song about four times a year to keep my morale going and to keep me focused, and I swear, everytime I listen to it, I learn and hear something new!
Pt.1

Pt. 2

I've Been Gone forever & Day...

But I'm back and It feels, oh so, good to be home!!!

There's no real reason I stop posting.. i just kinda got lazy and feel back and in lieu of my posts, I've kinda become addicted to Twitter, btw you guys can follow me too @RusAzal.

Also, in me taking a break, I got inspired in a couple of other ways too. Im working on a couple of projects, can't talk about them too much, but lets just say it should be very interesting! Uhhh what else... Im still employed (very thankful), I have a new appreciation and outlook on life, I parted ways with a couple of friends, i made some new friends. What else, what else? Enough about me, Im curious to know what's been going on with you guys these last 6 months??? TALK TO ME!!! Hit me up Rus@RusAzal.com, let me know what's up!

Gone for a min...but I'm back

I haven't posted anything in about a week, mainly because I've just been lazy...but in my absence from you guys on here I've still been busy and enjoy summer, as I hope you guys are.
_____________________________
7/19- Prospect Park

Every year the wonderful people of Brooklyn and surrounding buroughs, hike out to Prospect Park for an annual Picnic in the park of free food, people and fun! Unfortunatley this year, I didn't stay too long... As quick as I got there, was as fast as I dipped out... Said whaddup to a couple of people, ate a lil' and hugged a couple of babies and then it was time for me to go...




After leaving Prospect Park, I found My way to a co-workers house for a BBQ! Food was on point & drinks were bottomless...just my type of party!!!

Elle Clay

Feev

Hostest w/ the mostest


Lethal combo.... Henny

&

=


FYI... i suggest everyone play this game with "juice" in your system...

_________________________________________________________
7/23- S.O.B's
Thursday, batteling w/ a serious cold, I still managed to make it out to see Big Sean along w/ Mike Posner perform at S.O.Bs for a Hot 97 gig. Prior to going, I had noooooooo clue who Mike Posner was, but after seeing how receptive and in-tune the crowd was to him it forced me to go and download the mixtape, which by the way isn't bad at all...


Posner & Sean


_______________________________________________________
7/24- Summer Fridays

When I woke up Friday morning, my cold had gotten son bad, that I was seriously on the verge of calling out of work, but I said "Fuck it!" mustered up some strength and kept it moving.
Sidebar: one would think that, considering how sick I was, I'd just go home and rest...but not I....

Week 4 of Summer Fridays- This week SoBe Summer Fridays was dope... got to play some minurature golf, drink (mind you I was on meds for my cold...lol), eat and even got a free manicure...


I aint no Tiger Woods...but oh well

Jeremih also performed...


The SoBe Lizard... was getting it in too



After Leaving SoBe "Summer Fridays" a bunch of us hopped in a couple of cabs and headed downtown to Rivington & Essex to this spot VUEVE...(I think thas how you spell it). My cold had gotten so bad... that it made me almost feel like passing out, but again, being the tropper that I am, I stuck it out...




I couldn't BREATH!!!




It took every muscle in my body to pose for this...


When it was all said and done I headed, further downtown, to Santos to see Melanie Fiona perform, as well as party (You'd think I'd be home and in my bed by now right? lol). When I got there Rich Hill was ending his set. He's cool, but not really my steez

Melanie Fiona


I bumped into Alaska & Fab


Nesha came too, and managed to snag a pic w/ Melanie Fiona

It was sooo hot in there, shit was almost unbareable

But I wasn't mad, because I was sweating out my cold!!!

and still had fun!

7/17- Summer Fridays pt. 2

Last week, I made an attempt to go to SoBe Lifewater "Summer Fridays," but because I got there after 7pm, despite my gold card, I was denied, but this friday I got there earlier. Showed my Willy Wonka ticket and we slid right in. Accompanying me this week were co-workers NewYorkNick, Joe* and friend to all Assata. DJ'ing this week was, the extremely arogant, but yet lovable by most, DJ Cassidy.

Timing is everything


DJ Cassidy

They had a photo booth set-up going on where you and who ever else could take prof. pics for free...considering the time we got there, they were all booked...

So Me, Nick and Joey said fuck it...and had our own shoot...ha





After checking downstairs out..we headed upstairs

Due to all the free shit upstairs only a few ppl were allowed at a time.


I thought this shit was sooo dope, they had all these lil' lizards hanging from the trees outside...very creative

7/15- Politics & Music

Every day I hear lots of music from both unsigned and signed artist... an because there are a lot of politics in the music industry, I keep my mouth closed and chose not to say anyyyy thing. Instead I've devised a way to express my emotion about muisc, w/out saying anything!

If I like it...

July 14th- HAPPY BORN DAY RUS AZAL

Tuesday July 14th, marked another year for me on this planet. I had a quite dinner w/ my parents the night before and had my co-workers aka second family "surprise" me at work...


Pizza from Angelos, Cupckes from Crumbs, Patron, 1800 Vueve...ahh man what a day!


I even got balloons...

7/10- Summer Friday pt.1

Friday was an extremely interesting day. Started off in the office w/ Football fridays (something we just made up..lol), later I headed downtown for SoBe's Lifewater "Summer Fridays" and later over to Philip Marie's where I fed my stomach...



A couple of weeks ago, I recieved an invitation to a series of SoBe Lifewater's "Summer Fridays," which is an series fridays hosted by SoBe, w/ live music, free food and drinks and a whole lot of other free shit. Its from 1pm-8pm, so at about 6:30 me and Maddox hopped on the train and headed downtown.

*The invite said this card was good w/ a plus 1 and warranted me VIP access...

by the time we got down there, it was about 7:09 and despite what the invite said, we got shut down at the door. Apparently they had reached capacity and security wasn't letting us in.

Somewhat hungry, we said "fuck it" and walked to Philip Marie's and got something to eat.


Food wasn't bad either. We had salmon rolls & Swordfish cakes.



Wanting to switch it up a lil', I stepped outside of my norm and ordered a glass of Pinot as opposed to my usual Sprite


While eating we saw this chick outside that looked like the lady from NBC's SNL...wasn't sure if was her or not I snapped a pic of her from inside...

but after been pushed, I went outside introduced myself to her, called her Amy only to have her correct me and tell me it was Rachel instead and yes, it was her from the SNL.

Maddox had a 9 o'clock phoner, so we dipped and went our seperate ways

7/9- Subway Arcrobats

This morning, while waiting on my connecting train to work. I saw 3 lil' dudes doing acrobatic flips. Not sure if they were by themselves, but either way, I kept thinking that 1. they were gonna flip into the tracks or 2. break their necks.

7/8- Trip To Malaysia

Last night, before heading over to Happy Endings, I had a quick dinner meeting with my boi, Silberstein, at this super authentic, shanty town-esq Chinese restaurant, New Malaysia. It was interesting because It wasn't the hood New Fau Lau nor the chic Philippes, but it was veryyyy interesting, as well as an expierence.

def. not the halls of versailles...


Quack didi osso...


Silberstein deep in email world

The Menu was veryyy interesting

Im open to trying new food all the time, but some of this stuff looked like shit from off of Fear Factor


But its cool, cuz' i played it safe and ordered sauteed brocoli and Shrimp wonton soup.


But then sadly my joy came to a speed bump. I realized, I had no fork and the only thing I was left to eat w/ were chop sticks. I followed the directions and tried my best...

Even in these hard financial times, we all have a hustle...

7/8- I Apologize

I know we go through this ALLLLLLL the time, but I promise, I'll try to update more frequently. I've been busy working on a couple of things, all of which, I can't speak about just yet...but when it comes to fruition i'll be sure you all are the first to know!
But in the meantime, bear w/ me

7/8- Alone Again

My boy, Nunnie, is a video director and recently did a short film titled "Alone Again," as he describes as...

Alone Again is a short film about a woman who lost the love of her life and is finding it hard to live her life without him. but the deeper meaning in this movie is that we all lost people that we love and it is hard to bounce but we do because we have to live for for ourselves and them i hope you enjoy my short film
music by Feist-the water starring Aiesha and myself Nunnie.

Check him it out and when your done...go follow him on twitter @Nunnie20

alone again from Nunnie20 on Vimeo.

7/8- Liquid Crack pt.2

Last night on my way home, I stopped at the store and bout this new Snapple drink. I'm always up for trying new shit, so I figured why not. Its called "Peach Mangosteen: Immunity." From the first sip I was hooked and realized that America finally learned how to sell crack, legally in liquid form!!!
Only thing that kinda stumped me, is Mangosteen. Is that a real fruit? At first I thought it was a joke, until i checked the ingredients and it said "Mangosteen." I dont know wtf it is, but its GREAT!!!

7/4- Independence Day!

America, your 233 years old, broke and no one likes you, but happy Birthday!!!

July 4th was an interesting day for me. Started off watching the Jackson 5 movie on VH1 and had to pri myself out of the bed, not because I was tired, but because I wanted to finish watching the movie. I fucked around and missed out on 40 oz. bounce (let me rephrase, not missed it, but I wasn't going uptown at 5pm, considering I had a bunch of shit lined up. Once out of bed, I made my way to the Stuy for a BBQ, then later to Assata's houe to see the fireworks. A lil' later After downing a couple of Mikes Hard... a bunch of us went/met up at Habanna. Shortly after (hour or so) I found myself in Canarsie/ENY for a backyard alley bashment and then later at a reaallllll yard BBQ!
FYI..
As you go through this post you have to play this song,as it's been my soundtrack for the last couple of days!

rdx-bend ova.mp3 -
My settings on my camera weren't right, but if you look to the left you can see some fireworks...

En route to Habanna

Later...at Habanna w/ Tameeka, Assata X Shane (some of the many ppl that where there)

Rus making a new friend

Castro


Backyard festivities...(Canarsie/ENY)



"10, 5 cent, 10 cent Daggaaaaaaa...."

Aint nuthin like Jerk Chicken from drum...

& a Shandy to wash it down...

finished...

SMFH

Tonight,7/1, as I was packing my shit to go home, I got an email that caught me off guard. It was a blast from Serato WhiteLabel.net for Naturi Naughton (original dark skin chick from 3LW that got chicken thrown at her...lmfao shit sounds crazy) remixes to "Fame 09'". WTF? Why is it of any relevance? smh! But at the end of the day, you gotta eat which ever way you can!

Confused and dismayed, as I read the email...

6/30- No Shorts in the Club!

Tuesday night, following, what I guess promoters are trynna bring back- "R & B Live" at Providence, I made my way over a couple of blocks to Amalia for Jeremih's album release party. Me & my partner in crime, T., got there and linked w/ Jamie, Sabel x Sky. At first the bouncers weren't trynna let me in, because I had on shorts! but once they got the OK from MGMT it was smooth sailing...


Jeremih


Jamie X Sky

Sabel

Only nigga in the club w/ shorts

...& these

__________________________________________

FYI... Jeremih's self titled album is in stores now!!! Go cop or click here

6/29- Cain X Sway.

Monday night, 6/29, Fabolous x XXL had a party at Cain to celebrate Fab getting the cover...eventhough its him and The-Dream, but whatever. I didn't stay long long, but the time that I did spend there was well spent. Later that night I made my way to Sway, downtown on spring (I swear...It seems like, if I need a party any night of the week to go to, chances are i'll find a poppin' party.).

I told myself, when I reach that ultimate level of success I want these door handles on my shower door...I wanna feel like King Jaffe-Joffer of Zamunda!

Way before anyone got there. Kind of felt like a loser, but had to make sure shit was right, for later...


After Fab came, made his appearence, That was my que to dip. Hoped in a cab w/ a couple of usual suspects and headed down to Sway, where I ran into madd ppl, one of which I was seriously on the verge of knocking out, but once I cooled down, i was good...plus they were drunk, so I let it slide.


Proably one of the few chicks, I know that can eat a bananna in a club, w/out making it look crazy...lol


Come ina da Rompin' Shop


This nigga Freddy (the irony...lmfao)

Saturdays...for some there routine, for me there veryy RANDOM!!!

Sat. morning, somewhat unable to get out of bed, I finally got up and made my way to the barbershop, only to find out that my barber wasn't there!!! Your proabaly like... its not that serious, well for me it was! I have to take two buses to get to this nigga! I later found myself at a photo shoot for Society and later wound up downtown @ Alife w/ my boi Kev (You Already).

SMH @ The Barbersop waiting for this nigga!

Still waiting...5 minutes late, i said "Fuck it" and dipped...


About a hour later, I foudn myself at Pier 59 for the Society photo shoot.






Nakeyia X Kev....the world is sooo small. Apparently I know Nayekia thrugh like 5 different ppl.

MY TURN...



Recession special!

Still on that recession budget... i went to McDonald's and copped none other than APPLE DIPPERS!!! (Crack- I swear!)

and then, the rain came SMH! Despite the warm weather and cloud free sky, I knew it was coming!

Def June 25

On Thursday, despite the untimely passing of the King of POP, Def Jam threw an event @ 105 Rivington. The theme was "Girls Just Wanna...!" DJ Miss Saigon spun the night away playing tunes from the late great MJ.

I didn't stay too long, mainly because my stomach was talking to me and I needed to eat! So like the fat ass that I'am, I went around the corner to one of my favorite spots....





Everyine wants to be a Rock Star!!!

Matt!

_______________________________________

Food Time


Going in...

Brain Freeze

___________________________

20 mins later, I found myself at Happy Endings, which was a veryyyyy weird, causing me to leave ASAP!!!

MJ memorial...the thought was dope, but it was some weird shit (i didn't use my flash.. because I wanted you to see it how I saw it...)

Random

A couple of weeks ago, i went to Happy Endings and this chick took my pic, but I wasn't sure where it was going to wind up, but I recently FOUND IT...Funny shit is that, as she was taking a pic, i took a pic of her too...ha!

Ok evei-body (asian inflection) say cheese...

Na Bitch u say cheese!

Micheal Jackson: the Man, the Artist , the Icon!

Growing up, like most, I was always a fan of Micheal Jackson and no exaggeration, when I got the news, it felt as if, I'd lost a family member! I was at my desk, replying to a couple of emails and got a email notification from AllHipHop.com at about 5:20 pm saying that he was rushed to the hospital, seconds later I heard somene in the office say "Micheal Jackson died...?" I stopped shooked my head looked at the time and said "na, this isn't real." Turned on the radio and chimed into developing reports. About 15 minutes later, the devistating news was confirmed!

Micheal touched sooo many, young and old, black and white, of all walks of life and will forever and always be missed!

I don't want to end on a sad note, so here's my favorite MJ video of all TIME "Rock With You!" I remember trying emmualte this video with aluminum foil and a flashlight (don't ask...lol)

***Sorry guys, fucking youtube! won't let me post the actual video, but here's a lil' live action. Click here to see the original video...

6/24- Guerilla Marketing

Wed., despite the rain, I still managed to make it into work early. Suprisingly I got a lot of work done, early. I guess you can say I was doing what so many refer to as "Grinding."

Guerilla Mktg

In yo' face...

Another Guerilla on his Grizzy...

6/23- Ace Hood @ Quad Studios

Tuesday night a select few got the chance to listen to Ace Hoods sohphmore album, Ruthless, at the legendary Quad studios. They say the sophmore album is hardest, but Ace has def. proved that thats just a myth! Food was provided by Pluck U...Drinks by, 10 Cane, Hennesey, SoBe Lifewater and Pepsi natural (which isn't bad).

I was tryna capture art, hopefully your eye is as creative as mine and you'll see what I was trynna do...

Whats a listening session w/out food?

Or Drinks...



Ace X Hawaii Mike

Usual Suspects...


Infamous scene...(do your research)