My Global Hustle

Filed under: Just YG by !YG
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My time living in the Swiss Alps taught me how much fun a ski holiday could be. I was lucky enough to live 20 mins away from 1 of the world’s top ski resorts, Crans-Montana. As we approach the winter months, I am sure u want to start planning a ski holiday for u and your peeps. Here are some of the top ( in my opinion) destinations for ski vacations.

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Filed under: YG Travel Guide by !YG
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Lily Allen seems to be the new poster child that EMI will be pushing to the states in 2007. Every year there is one UK artist/group that seems to outshine the others. (Corinne Rae Bailey 2006) I came to know about Miss Allen via MSN convo with my boy Simon, who is lives in the UK. He described her as The Streets (who is wack….tell CK I said that) meets Joss Stone. I’m a pretty open-minded guy and decided to give Lily’s music a listen….

Conclusion…… it ain’t bad! Lily is a fun loving 21 yr old, who lives in a dreamland, but I don’t mind her brand of pop music. When I consider the alternatives like Lady Sovereign (whose albums make great coasters…thx Hov) and her nursery rhymes…. Lily is a breath of fresh air. Her album “Alright Still” hit stores in September in the UK. Well….without further delay…. Here is the second single “LDN”.

~Time to Shake,

YG

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8DnwKDdGF0]

Filed under: Videos by !YG
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Are you planning your holiday party? Do u need a recipe for that “special” punch for your holiday fete? Well….. I got u!

While kicking it in Berlin last winter I came across this delightful elixir at a Holiday Carnival. It was Glühwein! This beverage is known throughout the EU under various names, but this wine based beverage is simply fantastic. I am talking “Super” Jesus Juice!

So, I am going to share with u the recipe and hopefully u won’t mess it up.

Remember feel free to get creative and develop your own version. Don’t forget to record the recipe of your final beverage because once your guests take a sippy sip they’ll be dying to know how to make it themselves.

Ingredients

1 Bottle of Red Wine- 750 ml

4 ounces of Brandy or Cognac….(Bacardi works too)

1/3 of extra fine granulate sugar (optional)

1 orange and 1 lemon cut in round slices

6 cinnamon sticks12 cloves (maybe less.. use your judgment

Mix up all the ingredients one by one…… make sure to simmer for 1-2 minutes

Tip Uno….
Red Wine from Spain, France or Italy are good choices. My friends tend to use Beaujolais or Spatburgunder. These wines usually have fruit flavor and lots of rustic structure – great for making Glühwein.

Tip Two
Never let the wine boil. If it’s boiled it’s spoiled. The flavor of the wine/spice combo will weaken if the mixture reaches the boiling point. Be sure to keep an eye on the stove and let the beverage simmer for 1-2 mins.

Tip Three
A candy cane as an embellishment sometimes adds a nice peppermint flavor to the Glühwein. It also will help get your guest into the holiday spirit.

Remember drink responsibly and have fun…
~Time to Shake,

YG

Filed under: Sippin on Crushed Grapes by !YG
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“It’s the most wonderful time of the year…” Are you trying to book that last minute ticket for your holiday get-a-way? Are you trying to replace your winter with Palm Trees and Caipirinhas? Well you’ve come to the right person…. Here are a few website recommendations that have helped me find those airline bargains.

Basic Travel Sites

• Kayak.com – my bread and butter
• Sidestep.com – good site for comparing airfares
• Qixo.com – my peeps say this is a good site
• Travel.Yahoo.com – the sleeper of the bunch
• Bookingbuddies.com – compares airfares

My Gems

• Mobissimo.com – my ace in the hole
• Cheaptickets.comm – book my trip to the beach on this site
• Site59.com – good for last minute tickets
• Travelzoo.com – good resource for travel deals
• Ebooker.com – for my friends in the EuroZone
• EasyJet.com/Ryanair.com – great choices for EU travel

You may be wondering…..where is Orbitz and Expedia? Quite frankly, I don’t use those sites! I don’t believe they offer the best rates, but what do I know… Always remember:

• Be flexible with your Departure/Return Dates
• Compare, compare, compare…… if you want bang for your buck
• Keep your eyes peeled for travel deals and last minute sales

See u on the beach….

~Time to Shake,

YG

Filed under: YG Travel Guide by !YG
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It’s that special time of the year…… The holidays are always a great reason to organize a fun fete amongst family and friends (new and old). So, you have been invited to a holiday party and don’t know what wine to bring. Well…..here are a few suggestions that will make u look like a true wine connoisseur…

BLANCO

Muscadet from France
This wine has a clean and refreshing taste. It’s always a crowd pleaser, which tends to have a juicy and pleasant tartness. Muscadet is meant to be consumed young (meaning 2006) If you want something with extra body look for the words ” sur lie” on the label.

Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand
I am a HUGE fan of “New World” wines because they have a tendency to be more consistent palate wise. Sauvignon Blanc has a mouthwatering taste that will engender many BIG smiles. A brand that I LOVE is “Monkey Bay”….it has never let me down. This is another wine that tastes lovely when consumed young. (2006)

Roja

Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile
Here is another “New World” wine that will make you the talk of any party this holiday season. This wine has a peppery flavor with a twist. Usually, you can purchase this vino for a bargain at any wine shop. Santa Rita 120 would be a good selection…..

Pinot Noir from the US of A
Pinot Noir is always a good choice when u are at a lost with regards to what red wine to select. This vino has the delicious taste of blackberries and black cherries. This is a truly delightful choice for any soiree.

Remember with wine it comes down to what YOU like. There is no real science, just be sure to enjoy yourself and drink responsibly.

~Time to Shake,

YG

Filed under: Sippin on Crushed Grapes by !YG
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Ight…..Ight……so u know that I had to speak on this. I really had to debate on whether this topic was worthy of discussion and conclusion…..YESSSIIIIR!

I am sure u like everyone else has heard the Jay-Z album, “Kingdom Come”. After discussion with my folks, many have a tepid reaction to his latest opus. Even though I like 50% of the album, Mr. Carter (at 38 according to Game & the rest of Hip Hop….40 according to Jim Jones) has succeeded in doing what he has always done.

Mr. Carter has created an excitement that Hip Hop has lacked for the past few yrs. Despite the fact THE GAME dropped a DAMN GOOD album (NO DEBATE), we still find ourselves debating about Mr. Carter’s project. The timing could not be better…. After listening to Snoop’s album and the prospect of a NAS album in Dec, Hip Hop is alive and well. Do rappers feel the need to step up their game to stay relevant to today’s fickle consumer? Judging from what I have heard….it is a resounding YES.

I will not front like Hov don’t got gems on his new album because he does, my concern is the lack of hunger that came across will dilute the Jay-Z brand. I LOVE “Beach Chair” with Chris Martin and kind of wish the album took more of that direction. Ten years in the game has earned Mr. Carter the right to take more risk as an artist, which he failed to do this time around. Instead it seems like he has rehashed much of the same rhymes from ‘99.

This phenomenon forced me to really re-examine Mr. Carter’s contributions to the culture. When he told cats to “change clothes”, well cats did….lol. When he told cats wear jeans with flip flops, they did… (just kidding) He even got his “kids” to stop drinking Cristal in exchange for Ace of Spade? I bet his “kids” will start waving like Miss America too? (i.e. “Show Me What You Got” )

Has Jay-Z become the Daddy to Gen Y? It sure seems that way as his “children” argue and dissect his album. I know we have societal issues, but damn! Obviously, Mr. Carter is a trendsetter, but is it really that deep? Mr. Carter even had the moxie to go at my man Jim “Ballin” Jones. Now as a cat who has been riding with the set since ‘98 ( shout to Capo, Jofi Jo, and Ant Lav), I really can’t acknowledge his attempts at tarnishing the name of the Set. Correct me if I am wrong, but did Hov ever go at Pac back in the day? My point exactly……. this Dipset vs The Roc “war of words” only provides great entertainment. People just need to remember that…it is all entertainment.

One more thing, Who is Tru Life? Should I ask Jay-z too? Did Nas ”eat” Hov on that “Black Republican” Track? And Y is the Common/Gap commerical kind of hot?…. Just my thoughts…

~Time to Shake,

YG

P.S. Rebuttals are VERY WELCOME…

Sickamore….Holla…I got your back….lol

Filed under: La Música by !YG
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Everyone is talking about Borat (a flick I still need to see), but there are a plethora of other films coming to the theaters this fall/winter. As we get closer to the holiday season (big $ time), it will become harder to sort through the deluge of films hitting the cinema. So I am going to help u…..

Fast Food Nation is a MUST SEE. My peeps at McDonalds don’t want u to see this movie. I read the book in ungrad & it was a real wake up call for me….. Unfortunately living in a microwave society, that awareness quickly waned and I was back to those golden fries. Needless to say from the trailer it looks hilarious & will rekindle an important discussion about what really is in those burgers and fries. (Opens11/17)

Volver is another flick that seems to be rolling off the tongue of everyone and their moma. This indie film stars Penelope Cruz as a hot Latina living in my favorite country Espana. The film gives u insight into the social framework of Spaniard living. I have heard nothing but good things about this flick. ( In theaters now)

I hope to see both of these flicks this week……..we will have to compare notes..

~Time to Shake,

Filed under: Cinema by !YG
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Sunday I attended a fantastic brunch at a friend’s crib (which more people need to have) & a group of us got into a discussion about controlling your own destiny. As an avid student of metaphysics and dictating your destiny, this conversation was right up my alley. Listening like a school boy in first grade, the discussion triggered one of those moments where the universe felt totally aligned and GOD was winking at me.

So, one book that was suggested as a result of our caucus was “When God Winks” by Squire Rushnell. The information whore that I am compelled me to cop the book the very next day. After one sitting I finished the book & felt renewed. The main premise of the book focused on the notion that the Power of Coincidence Guides Your Life. All u “Alechmist“ fans are well aware of the Power of Omens & this book rehashes many similar points in an entertaining fashion. The book is a quick read….but don’t expect to find the meaning of life. “When God Winks” will give u incentive to reflect back on turning points in your life with “fresh eyes”. Plus, it is on Oprah’s book club list…….lol!

~Time to Shake,

YG

Filed under: Books by !YG
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