I got my Vans on but these Marc Jacobs.

Vans have definitely made a change for the better over the last few years. With the ever changing sneaker market over saturated because of the sneaker freaker phase. They are one of the only sneaker brands I actually look to forward to seeing every season. The freedom they have as a brand allows them the ability to do collabs with fashion houses such as Marc Jacobs, or movie houses such as the Simpsons. You would never see Nike doing a collaboration with Louis Vutton. Still, whatever the collab may be - nothing trumps a classic vans slip on, comfortable, cool and relaxed. You can dress em up and get proper, or just kick back with them in some jeans. Either or - they are definitely killing it every season giving you sometihing fresh and new - oh and did I mention the price!

If that heading is not familiar check out theCool Kids with Lil Wayne.



VANS VAULT

Keys open doors.

If you've been paying attention to tech news at all in the last week or so, you've probably seen the all hailed iPhone has been unlocked. Meaning that, you can use it on other carriers networks such as Tmobile, or Verizon or whomever else you please. This is huge for people across the pond, because Apple has yet to sign an official deal with a carrier overseas to exclusively carry the iPhone. As for the 17 year old kid who did it - he started a consulting job, and is on his way to college. Ballin.

More info. Geo Hot

The bench. Damn man - damn.

Bench's have become cool. I guess.

Im sure most of you have seen this...but. Ummm.

Oh no not again.

The first time it was Iraq and the quickly coined phrase "Weapons of Mass Destruction" - now its just Iran has terrorist and possibly nuclear weapons. After giving an arms deal to Israel and Saudi Arabia - you can tell that the US is trying to take control of the region piece by piece. Some would argue to bring democracy to all. Others who have been educated properly at all throughout their life time know that this is about oil - nothing more nothing less - its just business. Really its unfortunate, but if you don't understand watch Syriana and you'll get a piece of what's going on in the world right now.


BBC Article

Health Care Agendas

Just in case you were wondering what the Health Care agenda's were for this years presidential candidates - here they go. Undoubtedly this will be a big subject in this year's presidential campaign - but don't get your hopes up for socialized health care anytimes soon.


Peep
Health Care Agenda

Check out the highlights.

We recently through a party here in Chicago in conjunction with tha homie Jesse & Dub Frequency. Peep some of the highlights over @ Claytons Everyone is Famous. Oh what a night.

Fresh & Proper Coming soon.

Its been a minute.

Back from a little Vacay to find my ninja Heron living the Tycoon life. Homie cracks me up.

I don't mean to get all sentimental

But for those of you out there that can feel me on this you definitely understand. I use to watch Def Poetry a lot when it first aired on HBO. This was one of the best performance poems on the show. Shihan is fresh with it. Check em out.

The Muzuma Twins Ask What You Think?

Now im not exactly sure who the Muzuma Twins are or what they do. I just know they are involved with the Obama campaign to some capacity and are always hitting me with bulletins. Who really knows - anybody peep all the random chicks on their myspace. Hmm ?

Meet Us Here

We will be meeting The Cool Kids in Minneapolis for a weekend to never ever forget. We'll be kicking it @ The Graves for the first official Fresh & Proper video/photo shoot. Check out more after the jump.

Your A Needy Girl

The Cobra Snake

Paris Hilton making a cameo at Chromeo in LA. What! Fresh out of the bing - the little jail bird is actually going to listen to some good music. Kind of a suprise - but at least someone knows whats good for her.

Fancy Foot Work Tour

Chromeo


She's definitely a needy girl.

David Plouffe

The game of politics as you well know is like chess in real time – democracies of people engaging in battle to rule a dynasty. The Presidential race for the United States is bigger than the Super Bowl in terms of sports. Our so-called democratic process allows the people to decide the future of a nation with their democratic right. Who knows if those votes actually mean anything – ahem George W. – but damn you at least have to try right? As the candidates just finished the first ever You-Tube debate, this year’s marathon of Presidential race has a whole new set of maxims on how a campaign is run. And to compete in this year’s cycle you need to have a campaign manager who understands this new world of engaging people at every turn.

Most executive managers, whether NBA coaches or Fortune 500 Ceo’s, would teach you are only as strong as the pieces around you. In this year’s cycle, David Plouffe campaign manager for Barack Obama is a seasoned vet when it comes to running campaigns. Like in any other sport no matter how good the franchise player – if they don’t have a supporting cast then your just Kobe Bryant - the Bulls without Phil, Scottie and Harper, the Yankees without Torre, bottom line - you are only as good as those around you.

Plouffe, partner of AKP&D one of the premiere democratic consultant companies in the world, comes with a supporting cast worthy of an Oscar. AKP&D – an all-star team of individuals – all with varied degrees of talent and experience working with the Democratic Party. Of course they all have decorated resumes within media, campaigning, and press. But of course you wouldn't step into the playoffs with rookies at the helm? You always want a mixture of veterans and young talent taking you to the winners circle.

At the end of the day Plouffe and company know what’s up. He has been around the block when it comes to campaigning – literally – from working with grass roots campaigns within the Democratic Congressional Committee to running successful campaigns in key states. Combine that with a vast knowledge of the internet and its massive power, yet refined enough knowledge to know what it takes to run a grassroots campaign “town by town.”

That’s all you want out of your campaign manager. A coach with a diverse background, a plentiful of resources, and all-star associates with in arms reach. Someone who knows how to focus and run a grass roots campaign for the primaries but doesn’t lose site of the bigger picture in the marathon race that is campaigning for the presidency.


AKP&D

Good article in the Times

Jamar Eaton

Youtube Debate

Some highlights from the Youtube debate the other night. Definitely a different format for hosting a debate - as candidates again try to embrace all forms of new media. How about we just do the actual voting on myspace and facebook too - im sure their more accurate than voting machines in Florida.








Still I think my favorite closing remarks were - Obama on Richardson: "I like the fact Bill Richardson has devoted his life to public service. I don't like the the fact he likes either the Red Sox or the Yankees but doesn't like the White Sox."

Great closer I tell ya - the Sox definitely could use a good closer this year.

Wow. Pitchfork. Wow.

Pitchfork was simply amazing this year. With a diverse line up of acts from indy rock, to classic hip hop there was a little something for everyone - like most good summer festivals. We were lucky enough to hustle up a couple passes and find our way into the "restricted" area of the festival - thanks to the homies the Cool Kids. After grabbing a few complimentary Goose Islands, we were ready to get a little hyphy with our boys. The energy for the show was an utter buzz - and as soon as the first beat dropped they had the crowd attention at ease. Needless to say a few songs later, some crowd surfing, and blowing some smoke in the air - we were having a good ol time. Highlights from the homie Clayton over @ Everyone is Famous, he was the only other person to crowd surf! Enjoy some of the highlights bellow.





Definitely good times great oldies. Thanks homies.

Kells @ Undergound last weekend.

I don't know how R. Kelly gets away with anything in his life. But apparently he shut it down @ Underground here in Chicago last weekend. Undergound is known for so many females and so much inspiration. Seriously its almost like they don't let dudes in unless you know somebody. Lucky enough for us we know a few people - we stay connecting the dots. We caught this email today of Kells doing what he does best - and the end absoloutley cracks us up! Enjoy.

Surfing in Chicago

Thanks to the Cool Kids Pitchfork was a good time. More coming soon.

Connect The Dots

Get @ me. Talk shit, hate, wax politic, connect, build. You know - connect the dots.

jamareaton@gmail.com

The Power of Branding Ideas

Barack Obama and his top campaign staff have found a unique way to inspire their grassroots campaign. Leading all candidates in contributions they have concentrated on "spinning" the way they report the donations they have received. Bringing into play the "rock-star" appeal of Obama's persona and capitalizing on the sales of merchandise such as key chains and t-shirts. The campaign has been able to tap into resources and audiences other candidates have not been able to find. Obama has such an affect on his audiences the campaign has even been able to rely on his draw for speeches, counting the ticket sales as part of their personal donations.


But come on let’s face it – they have found a way to tap into the resources of an internet generation. Finding the niches and corners to extract capital other campaigns have yet to comprehend, they have found a way to build their organization from the ground up. Which in turn strengthens their foundation. Of course they are building a Presidential agenda – a set of missions and policies that will guide an office and a country. With the State of our current Union tattered by years of war mongering corporate Republican agendas, its good to see a Democratic campaign and staff that understands how to generate money from new places. Inspiring people who have probably at one point or another in the last eight years given up on our democratic process.

Furthermore it proves word of mouth is the most powerful way to dispense information, with the Internet as its autobahn. Now more than ever people want to be apart of something bigger than themselves, something that gives them some sort of conviction that all is not lost – that we as a country can improve. Obama inspires this at its finest, in the same way some of our favorite past leaders have. The utter joy of people to meet Bobby Kennedy, the hope some had invested in his brother John’s words and Presidency. You can see the similarties Barack has in the effect of hope he has on people. More importantly his campaign staff has been equipped and innovative enough to bring their candidate to the forefront. Understanding what it means to brand ideals and how to market those policies to a new generation. But don’t take my word for it – New York Times.
Jamar Eaton



Barack Obama

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