That's not how you play marbles, Jack.

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Just when I think I'm in the clear, it happens again.

Obligatory blogging.

Never in my life have I blogged on my own terms; it's always been on assignment. Instead of being a cathartic outlet (as heralded by blog-thusiasts), it is, once again, de rigueur.

Hence the title: Obligablogging. I might have stumbled upon a new catchphrase, but with the throngs of industrious (and terminally bored) youths out there, I doubt it.

This particular blog was originally created for “Hip Hop in the Media” – a blow-off turned mind-blowing intercession course my senior year at OU. If you’ve never spent 6 hours analyzing the biblical / Greek mythological references of late 90’s gang-bang rap, you haven’t truly lived. As my overly enthusiastic professor would say, “Tupac LIVES!” he certainly does.

I’m sure that this makes little-to-no sense, so if you’re at all curious, you can read those long-lost posts below. But be warned, they, too, were obligatory, and due to the nature of the course, some of the content is not meant for young children. I guess I could have started a new blog all-together, but you know what they say about hindsight.

So, requirements aside, I’ll try to breathe life into these new posts. What are we blogging about again? Interactive training sessions? Yes. I’ll breathe so much life into my interactive training session blogs that they won't know what hit them.

More, or less, to come. Happy obligablogging everyone!

Does that make me crazy?

Okay, i'll go ahead and admit that I'm kind of reaching for this post, but if you just stick with me hopefully you'll see the connection to hip hop.

One of the things our speakers talked about today was taking chances and going after your dream even when people tell you that it will never happen or it's too risky. Well, even though it’s not going after a record deal, I have a particular dream that usually draws criticism when people hear about it.

So, what is this particular dream of mine? Well, I’ve done it a few times already so it’s more of a tradition, but I always dream of continuing it. It’s solo-traveling. That’s right, traveling to places I’ve never been to, all by myself. I’m not talking about taking a solo road trip to Dallas either, I’m talking world travel.

It all started two years ago when I had planned a trip to California with my then boyfriend and he backed out at the last minute. My airfare was non-refundable (thank god he paid for his own) so I just said to myself “fuck it, I’m going.” So I boarded the plane to San Fransisco, and even though I was scared as hell to be embarking on this trip all alone, I knew it would be a life changing experience.

I discovered a completely different side of myself. Instead of being frightened and intimidated by my lack of companionship, I thrived in the solitude. I was able to experience a new and different world on my own terms, knowing every reaction to the sights and sounds would be completely my own, and not influenced by whoever I was with. If I wanted to go see something, I went. If I wanted to stop by a café and have a glass of wine at 1 in the afternoon, I could. Everything I did was purely because I wanted to do it, and that was so liberating.

Since San Fran, I’ve traveled to New York City, Los Angelas, Miami, Paris, Germany, and Spain by myself. When people hear that I’m going alone, especially to destinations abroad, they always have the same response; that’s not safe! Well of course it’s not safe! Neither is sky diving, or riding a motorcycle, or smoking! But we do it because it makes us feel good, it makes us feel alive. Seeing the world on my own terms makes me feel alive. Alive and connected. It makes me feel as if I have a personal connection with the world, and I don’t have to share it with anyone. I know it sounds selfish, but I believe everyone is allowed their own personal indulgence, even if it’s a little selfish.

So where will my wanderlust take me next? TOKYO! I’m leaving for Tokyo, Japan on Saturday. This Saturday. My parents are freaking out. They are 100% against me traveling to the East during this heated political climate, and I have to admit I’m a little nervous too, but maybe going to a place of conflict will help me understand the conflict more.

So what does this have to do with hip hop? Like any artist, I’m going after my dreams against all odds, and I’m doing what I’m passionate about. Also, if true hip hop is about being connected to culture, then this is completely representative of hip hop. My main goal of traveling is to become personally connected to different cultures, so I believe this is about as hip hop as I can get.

Plus, I hear the rap scene is really heating up in Japan. Wish me luck!