Pete Nickeas

If I had to guess, it’s because they didn’t realize the magnitude of the culture’s impact on pop culture until the pioneering generation was within their target demographic, which, is like 25-41 I think.

And over the years, their stuff has mostly been on point. The 100 Greatest Hip-hop Songs is an example of them showing that they know a little bit.

I disagree with a bunch of the shit on the list (Really, Tupac’s “I Get Around” over “Brenda’s Got a Baby,” “Changes,” “I Ain’t Mad At Cha,” or “Dear Mama” ?)

I mean, at least half of the back half of the list is garbage. It’s not “most influential” but “greatest” and while some of those songs had a profound effect on pop culture, they are not great.

Anyway, their documentaries on TI and Lil’ Wayne were on point.

They do the Hip-Hop Honors series, which is good.

But what’s anybody else doing with it? Nothing. It’s why kids turn to the internet for related news and shit. There’s not a reliable televised source of music news anymore, let alone a genre that barely got play in the first place.

Home is where you want to be when it first snows each fall/winter.

And right now, Casper isn’t feeling like home. It was to be expected. Springfield barely felt like home. But I don’t know that our current place of residence will ever feel like home.

I look back now and wish I appreciated what I had. With a decent income, we could’ve stayed there for a very, very, very long time.

In retrospect, of course, I miss Springfield. Now, it feels like I could call that place home. I have (almost) nothing but good memories about that place.

Walking distance from everyone who I hung out with AND walking distance from the bars. That in itself is pretty effing cool. Location of numerous pot lucks, breakfast and otherwise. A block from work. What more could you ask for?

Plus, we had a room with a view. A balcony with a gorgeous view of the Illinois capitol building. As dirty as you could feel working there, it was still something spectacular to see during the winter when the streets were dead and there was a light snow.

It actually didn’t snow when we were there. A lot of muck but no actual snow accumulation that lasted more than a morning. Frozen ice and shit too, but mostly just grime.

Anyway, we’ve only been here three months. It’s early yet. There’s no telling how I’ll feel after 7 months, which is where we were on Dec. 15 of 2008.

But, I look out my window, and I’m not five floors above a city. I don’t see the state capitol. My friends are not walking distance. When it snows (it has already), I don’t feel a sense of belonging.

Moving forward, though, whether I feel comfortable or not, Casper is my new home. It’s where we are. Though I miss what I’m familiar with, we’re slowly becoming accustomed to a different way of life out here. We haven’t changed our habits — just learning to tolerate those of an entire had been difficult enough.

The onset of winter, which should happen tonight (I’m not joking, it’s going to snow tonight and then it’s going to be in the 30’s until next week. Then a couple days of nice, then winter again), will undoubtedly endear us to Casper.

Until then, though, I feel like we’re in an odd state of limbo. It doesn’t feel like home but I don’t feel like I’m visiting either. Kind of like moving into a spot in Milwaukee 10 years ago. Just kinda was there.

With time I suppose. We shall see.

Until then, I’m going to start jacking fools on their way from the ATM.

Just joking.

If nothing else, not having enough money has taught us a lot. I feel like I’m ahead of the game anyway because I’ve never really had a ton of money and have been paying for some of the “necessities” since like 5th or 6th grade. I feel more responsible, more self sufficient, and more in a position to build a future based on my experiences and I’m grateful for all of that.

BUT DAMN I’D BE GRATEFUL FOR SOME MORE MONEY TOO!

Here’s the thing. I was half stupid and half broke in college, so a chunk of my credit card debt is 40’s and handles of whiskey. The other chunk is rent, tires, books, moving costs, etc.

One of the things I’m most proud of personally is not having incurred any debt since living in Wyoming. Erin and I have been out like 4 times since being here (more than three months now), and our recreation consists of at-home-drinking. Which, I’m good with. In my personal life I’m very fiscally conservative.

I just gotta get rid of some of this interest bearing debt. It’s a joke. It’s amazing what percentage of my monthly expenditures are from credit cards.

Work is going well, though. This last week was a grinder but I loved it. I didn’t feel like, at the end of the week, that I worked as much as I did. It flew. I was out of the office a lot, met a ton of people, etc. Plus, what I’m working on is material of consequence. I’m not pissing in the wind.

Here’s a random string of sentences:
Erin just started working full time. I’m debating the idea of getting another job. If work stays this busy I won’t have to, so I’m hoping that it does. My two brothers aren’t gonna make it out for Thanksgiving, I don’t think. That saddens me. I’m going back to Chicago for Christmas and my brothers will be there. Big ass party on the 26th. Everybody’s invited, as always. I’m glad winter is around the corner. I’m sick of people warning me about the Wyoming winter. GET ON WITH IT MOTHAFUCKA! I’m ready.