"With great power comes great responsibility"

You may know him as the wall-crawler, the web-head, or simply put by one of his lovers, 'tiger.'

Whatever you call him you can rest assured he's you're one and only friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.

Growing up, I was introduced to Batman. The bat-mobile, gadgets, and dark allure spoke to me. He was beyond intriguing. As I grew older, and understood how real-life worked, my interest began to shift. I saw my parents scratch to pay rent; I struggled with payments myself, fell further and further in being able to relate to the ladies, and so-on and so forth. This is where Peter Benjamin Parker stood out to me.

Sure, powers play a part in how I see a hero, but the fact that Marvel went out of their way to make a super-hero seem like the most average/regular joe when the mask was off was genius. A part of us tries to see a bit of ourselves in these heros, and with Spider-Man, I felt I was veering into the deepest reflection of a mirror. I lived his life...to an extent. I lived with both of my parents, and wasn't a brainiac, but was an outcast and dealt with the struggles of day to day life just as Peter did.

What also made Spider-Man cool was his villains. Let it be known, my favorite comic-book villain of all time is The Joker. He's sick, twisted, and is the epitome of what an arch nemesis should be. But 'Spidy's' villains had style, flair, and a sick lust for evil. Take the Green Goblin, Spider-Man's version of the Joker. He's nuts, strong, and flies around on a scary glider in a horrifying Goblin outfit armed with bombs to the teeth. Then there's Venom, Spider-Man's reflection of terror. Venom was written as an alien creature hell bent on Spider-Man's destruction after Peter fought and rejected the alien as a host (symbiotic relationship).

With his troubles in school, to his troubles with the ladies, to his cool powers and abilities (wall-crawling, web-slinging, sixth-sense having, super weight-lifting awesomeness) Spider-Man is the regular guy's super-hero. A guy you can share a brew and talk about your troubles with and at the same time, expect to save you if you've got a 6'7" man in a rhino suit chasing you atop a sky scraper. The 'amazing' Spider-Man.

Phil, Zen, and You...

Phil Jackson: Former player, winning coach, spiritual leader?

Well all know Phil Jackson as arguably one of the greatest coaches in NBA history. With a total of eleven rings (two as a player with the New York Knicks, six as the head coach of the Chicago Bulls, and three as head coach of the Los Angles Lakers) Phil Jackson has become a relative icon for winning. But how? What's his secret?

For the last three decades, Phil has been a practitioner of Buddhism, particularly Zen Buddhism. According to the faith, all human beings have the Buddha-nature, or the potential to attain enlightenment. The belief also notes that the potential is blocked or clouded by the frantic lives we live.

Jackson's application to coaching? Well, it's quite simple. As a coach you are a leader, a person to go to in the midst of chaos. Jackson's beliefs have brought him an inner-peace that he tries to instill in his players. Seriously, just think for a moment. Phil is one cool dude. I can count how many times I've seen him jump off of a bench for a bad call, or go loco on a player for an ill-advised shot attempt. Some would say that he's not even a coach, more like some kind of "on-the bench guru" that motivates his players to victory. When really, he's crossed his knowledge of x's and o's with the art of Zen and found a pretty nice medium.

Who I'm beefing with

If you haven't noticed, when it comes to food, bargains are in. In the realm of fast-food, specifically the "burger-joints," one is able to indulge in high caloric goodness for cheap. As a humble college student, no one appreciates being able to enjoy a burger more than me. I've tasted dozens of variations, but this post will reflect the three highest domestic chains: Burger King, McDonald's, and Wendy's.

My good friend Nic Roundtree and I have had this conversation plenty of times, more than often ending with a difference of opinion. Our argument is based on the "double-cheeseburger,"a standard amongst many restaurants today. Of what we'll call the Big 3 (Burger King, McDonald's, and Wendy's), I have made my decision on whose beef is best. The three components to a good double-cheeseburger: price, quality, and taste. The accommodation of each restaurant's respective french-fry also weighed into the decision, but not too much as to take away from the effect of the burger.

First up, Burger King. Flame-broiled goodness. What's unique about this particular brand of double-cheese burger is not only how it's prepared, but the ever-so delectable sesame seeded bun. McDonald's may have made a name for their bun in the form of a jingle for one of their burgers, the 'Big-Mac,' but the fact one is able enjoy sesame seeds atop top flame-broiled patties is sexy to me, I'm sorry. Although there isn't too much else to this burger besides pickles, ketchup and mustard, the Burger King double-cheeseburger is nothing to sleep on.

Next up, the McDonald's "McDouble." You would think with over "a billion served" that you would be able to have a pretty sturdy double-cheeseburger. Well, McDonald's had me, and lost me faster than a dollar down a stripper's g-string. They lamed out and gave me the "McDouble" where I was used to their good old double-cheeseburger. The problem? Choice of beef, and the price. I'm not saying the McDouble isn't good, but rather that I am disappointed in that I had gotten so used to eating better quality overall for a cheaper price. If I'm not mistaken, the McDonald's located down the street from my current location sells double-cheeseburgers for $1.26 as opposed to the $1 McDouble. Now I know what you're thinking, "Felix, stop being cheap! It's only change!" But that's where you're wrong m good patron. It's about principle. The double-cheese burger was bigger and leaner, the McDouble is merely it's tag along sidekick. Sure it'll get you by, but when you want bang for the buck, Mickey D's comes up a little short.

Last but not least, we brief the chain Dave Thomas made famous, Wendy's and their "Double-Stack" burger. In terms of size, it isn't the biggest thing on the block, but where the double-stack lacks in size, it makes up in flavor. What separates this burger apart from its two competitors is the use of garnishes: lettuce and onion. Teamed with ketchup, mustard, and those "pretty thick for a buck" squared patties, the double-stack is that deal. I just wished Wendy's chains would come to a consensus on a price! There's nothing worse than seeing a double-stack offered for a higher price than what you're used to. It's very disheartening, almost insulting. "What do you mean it's an extra $.50? How dare you!"

Ok, so with each burger thoroughly discussed, a decision has infact been reached. The victor? The.........Burger King double cheeseburger. Why? It's basic, yes, but it has a certain, "complex-simplicity." What sets it off is not only its soft bun, or flame broiled patties. It's the fact that it dwarfs the other two and leaves you fuller longer. I dare you to eat two BK double-cheeseburgers and a fry and say, "I'm not stuffed." Those words should never fall from a human's lips...unless they have serious eating condition. IT PUTS YOU DOWN, and when I have little to my name, I want something that not only tastes good, but puts me to sleep.

So the BK double-cheese burger is the winner. Second place goes to the double-stack, and in last, WACKdonald's McDouble. Congrats Burger King, you've got the 'Cool' points for the day. And I'm out!

What's my passion?

I began this blog as a project for a class, but I don't think the world is fully aware of who I am and what I do. That being said, let me introduce my passion: music.

When I was in the 7th grade I had listened to hip-hop to the point that I figured I would give it a go myself. When I first started out, well, lets just say I wasn't some sort of child prodigy. Ok, looking back, I was bad. Like I was really bad, but it was something I stuck with. Something that I was passionate about. I kept my lyrics in decorated composition notebooks. The contents showed I was definitely just starting out, but with each book I filled a busted to the brim with mangled hand writing and fancy doodles, you could sense the level of progression. By the time I was a junior in high-school I had met up with a group of guys I had been introduced to by my cousin, and became a member of the Miles High Crew, a rap group whose dreams rested solely in a mic hung in our friend's closet across from his stack of t-shirts.

I used my time with Miles High to enhance my skills and eventually left the group and became a member of BFO, a six man group I enlisted in when I reached college, and whom I've been with ever since.

Since I began my journey I've hit many highs, and a whole lot of lows. In the end, rhyming is something I've stuck with for over 12 years. Damn, my girl friend just called me old! (lol) I am proud of my accomplishments and encourage all to follow their heart. I'm a soon to be college graduate with a degree in journalism, and plan on making use of it; however, I plan on giving everything I've got to make myself as a known emcee the world over.

US & WEed

I want to out on a limb and say the average citizen knows little about 4/20, three notorious numbers that literally 'spark' excitement amongst marijuana enthusiasts across the globe. Apparently the stoner holiday came about in 1971 when a group of teenagers named the 'Waldos' would meet up at 4:20 p.m. after school to smoke pot after school.

Yesterday would mark 4/20's 39th annual celebration. How does one celebrate you ask? Well it should be rather obvious at this point. Imagine back to your fondest childhood Christmas memory. You were so giddy with excitement you could hardly contain yourself, running down the stairs with a smile from ear-to-ear. That's pretty much the feeling one gets when 4/20 rolls around, only the wide ear-to-ear smile is replaced with an obnoxious laugh and red eyes.

For the record, I do not smoke. However, I am currently in college where such activities do occur from time to time, so don't judge me when I tell you that I've seen things. Weather it be people coughing up a lung from hitting a blunt (joint) too hard, or rooms so full of smoke it looked like Shanghai in the summer time. I've experienced a lot where people would indulge in such activities...and it's actually quite hilarious.

I mean, I'm not going to sit here and tell the U.S. government that they should legalize weed; that would be a disaster. I honestly believe weed can't be made legal because it would piss drug dealers off too much. The legalization of weed would cause a chain reaction that would send pot to convenience stores, and consumers to crack! I know it sounds crazy, but it's true. Weed is the one illegal contraband that dealers know that they'll sell. It's their staple. Whenever you need a quick $10 bucks you grab a dime bag and you post on a corner, simple as that (again, don't judge)! If you take away their bread and butter by making it just another item you can check out along with a tank of gas and some doritoes they'll be forced to alternative means. Means to ensure that the customer stays hooked. Enter the hard drugs, crack-cocain in particular. Ok, maybe crack is a bit much, but you can't argue that there would be more pill abuse than a teenage...never mind...too insensitive.

But alas, weed smokers do it because they feel it's natural, it's from the earth, so it's ok to do, and honestly, that's the dumbest thing I've heard since Sarah Palin, but I'm not going to judge. Do you.

So here's to all my dro, kush, blue-berry yum-yum, purple haze, durban poisen rollers out there. Sure you give Bob Marley a bad name, but again, I'm not going to judge. Burn one for ya boy!

And I'm out!

Baby Bucks

As a college student, I am trained to extensively think about my future. All I've been taught is to learn enough to be able to support myself, and one day a family.

Considering that I'm in a pretty good relationship, and that I'm two weeks from graduation I've really been dwelling on what it would mean to have a family...mainly supporting a kid.

There's a lot of us out there who've grown up knowing someone close that have had a child without preparation, many times before hitting their 20s. I'm 23 years old, and though I want to start my own family one day, I thank GOD that I've gone through life thus far without getting some one pregnant.

So I did a little research and found out what it would cost to bring up a baby:

>$3,000-$12,000 to have a baby (hospital care)

>$200-400 for housing (per child/a month)

>$70-$260 for food (per child/per month)

>$200 a month for transportation ($30K over 17 years)

>$30-$100 (a month/$17,000 over 17 years)

>$15,000 for health care (over 17 year period)

>100K-200K for education

Wow...after seeing this, I wanna cut off my...well on second thought, that's a bit extreme, but it does make me think. As much as I want a child, I'm nowhere near ready for the financial obligation that comes with one. To find out what it's like making babies click here.

2 DOLLAR BILL Y'ALL

How often have you been in a convenience store and only wanted maybe a snickers and a sprite, and the total comes to roughly $2.35? You look in your wallet and find that all you've got is a $20 and your debit/credit card. You don't want to be the prick that walks around with wads of cash in your pockets, because you'll just hold up the line the next time you stop for lunch. On the other hand, you don't want to be the prick who puts a $2.35 charge on their card. Worst case scenario: you're with Bank of America and you over draft on a $2.35 purchase and get charged a $35 over-draft fee... but I digress.

If there were only some way to alleviate this dilemma. Oh wait! There is! The rarity of the $2 bill!

According to tnttrader.com, only %1 of all notes produced today are $2 bills. The note, which features the United States' 3rd president, Thomas Jefferson, and the signing of the declaration of independence had mainly been used for entertainment purposes, primarily for placing horse race bets and tips for "gentlemen's clubs." Since a print of the note in the 1976 series, the bill has only been printed twice (1995 and 2003). It is said that more will be printed once the 2003 series is taken out of circulation.

"Though many cash registers accommodate it, its slot is often used for things like checks and rolls of coin. Few money-handling machines (such as vending machines) accommodate it, but self-checkout lanes have been known to do so, even if the fact that they are accepted is not stated on the label. They are not handed out arbitrarily, but two dollar bills can sometimes be found at banks by request. Oftentimes if a bank has none in stock, they will order them, so long as the customer takes a certain quantity of the order."

-www.tnttrader.com

I honestly don't know where this whole notion of "we don't need $2 bills" came from. i don't think the people that made this statement have ever been to Snackers or Chick-fil-A on my college campus, or have ever had a long night out with friends and crave a double cheese burger! Stop making my life so damn inconvenient! We want more $2 bills and we want them NOW!