The History of Tampons (Written by: Kenneth- Michael)

Female readers will definitely understand and appreciate this article, but I am not certain if male readers will. This is because it focuses on the history of the tampon. For over a thousand years, the tampon has been one of the best inventions for the female body. The tampon has saved the female during her most frustrating times.Today’s tampon is made of cotton and rayon (a synthetic fiber), and used to absorb body fluids (mainly blood). The tampon supports the female during the menstrual period when inserted inside the vagina. The tampon is one of two options for women. The pad is a second option. Many women rely on tampons because it allows them to be physically active in their daily activities. Pads or panty liners can be uncomfortable for women because of the bulkiness and visibility of the pad’s outline.

The Egyptians invented the first tampon, which was made from papyrus: a tall, aquatic plant. The Greeks followed suit using a piece of wood covered in lint as their tampon. Several other counties used materials such as wool, paper, trees, and other fibers to construct their tampons.

The first tampon with an application was created in the United States in 1929 by Colorado physician Dr. Earle Haas. His invention was the first with an inner and outer tube with removal string. The outer tube is placed against the vagina, as the inner tube is pushed through the outer tube. This allows the inner tube, which has the removal string, to enter the vagina without using the fingers. The application tampon was patented in 1931, and trademarked under the name “Tampax”. Haas went on to sell the patent and the trademark to Gertrude Tendrich and the Tampax Company was founded.

To view the entire history of "Tampons", click the link below:
http://www.etmmagazine.info/future/2010/articles/04/2010_04_historyoftampons.html

Never Underestimate a Great Playlist (Written by: Billy Winn)

Never underestimate a great playlist—it’s a thought I know well, having created and ardently refined a number of them since purchasing my iPod two years ago. But, what’s so great about a playlist? For someone like me who eats, sleeps, and breathes music, a playlist is an eXhibition of my musical insight—showing off my knowledge of the timeless, the classic, and the cutting edge. What’s also great is that for someone whose life does not revolve around music, a playlist gives them an opportunity to eXpress themselves through the music they hold dear. Music is one of the universe’s oldest languages, and it helps us to define ourselves and claim our individuality. Scrolling through the contents of an mp3 player or checking out the music section of one’s Facebook page can tell you a lot about a person—just by taking note of the music they listen to.

Even when we are not aware of it, we turn to music for comfort, peace of mind, and inspiration—and having an awesome playlist only heightens those times, helping to ease the pain or to energize the eXcitement.So, what makes a great playlist? Although I’ve been making them since I was introduced to Napster in high school, I didn’t become a playlist junkie until after getting my iPod. The convenience of downloading all the music I’ve ever loved and adding it to the compact little device soon led to organizing particular songs into soundtracks for my moods. I have the typical playlists—for working out and for parties—but, I also have playlists simply to match how I was feeling when I created them. For me, a great playlist is one where you never have to skip through. No matter what plays next, you’re happy to listen and eager to hear what comes after—even though you’ve heard all the songs dozens of times. Every time the songs play, it’s an all new eXperience—and if you’re a shuffler like I am, listening to your playlist will never happen the same way twice, though the way the songs make you feel will never change.

To read the entire Playlist article, click the link below:
http://www.etmmagazine.info/freeyourmind/2010/articles/04/2010_04_neverunderestimate.html

Lyrically Speaking XVIII (By Written by: Ccep J. Dew, West Coast Editor)

“It’s the thought of Mecca that keeps me alive. That’swhat helps me face these days that are all the same,these mute crystals on the shelves, and lunch and dinner at that same horrible café. I’m afraid that if my dream is realized, I’ll have no reason to go on living.”–The Merchant in Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist.

I feel like I’ve been dumbing myself down because I am afraid of my own power. How do I embrace it? How do I let go? I have always tried my best to hide from the spotlight while knowing full well that’s where I’m destined to be. And there are excuses that have helped me to reason with why I cannot or have not done all of the things that I know I am beyond capable of doing: My own timeline… Perfectionism… Work… Stress… That’s why I have three “unfinished” novels, countless writings (plays, songs, poems, etc.), and other ideas that have yet to even reach page. That’s why I haven’t done a poetry cd and don’t promote my book: I am afraid of supplying a demand that I am not sure I am prepared for. It’s also why I could never bring myself to slam. [For those of you unfamiliar with “slam”, simply put, it is a poetry competition where judges rate your performance/reading of your poetry based on their own definition of what “poetry” and “spoken word” should be. And you go up against other poets whose style, “skill level”, appearance, etc. may differ completely from yours. And there is no way of knowing what the judges will respond to and appreciate…]

Ironically enough, yesterday (a Thursday), I agreed to slam simply to fill an empty spot. I keep poems memorized, but I hadn’t practiced to compete. I wasn’t prepared for judgment on a 0 to 10 scale. But, with encouragement from my sistah Jerrica, I went up there and gave it my best.

I sit in front of this computer screen today, still trying to grasp that fact that, not only did I make it through to the second round, but I tied both rounds, perfect scores (by slam rules of dropping the lowest and highest score), with Jason O’Neil. I’d seen Jason on stage before and was always captured by what I consider a Broadway-theater presence. His voice and the animation of his movement are far different from the “B-more attitude” that I tap into on stage. And, yet, we were pitted against one another. At the end of the night, with a tie-breaker round, we both still came out with perfect scores, but, by a slight point-something advantage, I was announced the winner.

To view the entire article, click the link below:

http://www.etmmagazine.info/Editorials/2010/articles/04/lyrically18.html

Music Hits The Spot Series (What's On My Mind By Donald Mitchell)

So the long awaited cd has finally dropped. People heard the first single, and then was amazed at the video that came along with it. I don't think that people were ready to see you strip down in real life in the middle of a major street in Dallas, TX. Well guess what, she's here, and she's letting the world know that she ain't playing the game anymore, because the game is hers for the taking.



This is definitely a change-up in the game from her first cd "New Amerykah, Pt. 1: 4th World War". It reminds me of her old style, which drew me to love her in the first place. I'm not going to go into that, mainly because I've done that already here, so you can read my thoughts on the first two cds. Only thing I didn't like about this is that it's super short...by the time you get into it, it's about to go off.

But she ended it on a great note with this song:



This song right here is the perfect song to end it on. It's almost like she's having flashbacks to when she and ole dude were together, but on the brink of being separated for good. Not sure if anyone else thought about this (although I know one person already has..lol), but this is giving me Green Eyes precedence. Think about it...she's talking bout all the things that she'd do for him, and all the while, realizing that she's been the fool for him. Green Eyes is just picking up where she left off. I also like the way she sampled different songs (such as Junior Mafia's Get Money and Sweet Sable's Old Time Sake).

All in all, I'll give this a 3.5 out of 5 stars. I think that if she would have made it a bit longer then I would have given it a higher rating. But I must say, this was a good comeback, cause in my opinion, she hadn't had a banger since Mama's Gun. This is a good rideout cd. It's somewhat a bitter in a love lost sort of way, but I don't see it making women want to go out and start stabbin up people's tires or bustin out windows. I endorse it.

Good job Erykah! You ain't lost it after all.

Correction to Kirk Whalum Breaking News....

ETM prides itself on making sure our stories are always accurate. It's of great importance that our Misfits know we would never just "make things up".

For this reason we touched base with Kirk Whalum to get more clarity on his "CEO of Stax" comment during our interview. He shared with us that his title is actually CEO of The Stax Museum of American Soul Music, and the Stax Music Academy.

Now everything has been cleared up. We would like to once again thank Mr. Whalum and we can't wait for everyone to check out the interview in our Health and Fitness issue of ETM which drops this month.

Kirk Whalum becomes CEO of Stax Records

BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!!

Saxophonist Kirk Whalum broke news to me this evening that he has become the CEO of Stax Records.

Stax Records was founded in 1957 in Memphis, Tennessee by Jim Stewart and was originally named Satellite Records.

Past Artists signed to Stax:

Isaac Hayes

Johnnie Taylor

Rufus Thomas

Otis Redding

The Staple Singers

The Dramatics

That's just to name a few.


Artists Signed to Stax (Present Day)

Lalah Hathaway

Angie Stone

Leela James

N'dambi

Teena Marie

Nikka Costa

Again, just to name a few.


Kirk didn't go into much detail but he shared with us that ETM/EYM was the first publication to find out so we want to send out a BIG congrats to Kirk Whalum and we hope you check out his cover story in the Health & Fitness issue of eXcapethematriX.com dropping in April.

CONGRATS KIRK and thank you for an amadamaphus interview, it was truly an honor.

Music Hits the Spot Series (Your Like A Mirror to My Soul By Donald Mitchell)

...but a queen
And finally now I know just what that means

I'm not sure why this particular song has been runnin TUFF in my mind over the past few days. I DO know that it's been on constant repeat in my brain (and on the iPod, and on YouTube as well), but eh, it is what it is.

For those of you who remember pudgy Usher singin "Just Call Me a Mack", here is the new and improved, grown up Usher. I attest a lot of this "maturity" to what he's been through in the past few years between relationship issues with Chilli, getting married and becoming a father, not to mention coming into his own as an artist. I also think that what he has endured enabled him to sing this song with such conviction that makes you believe that whomever he's singing this song to is "The One" for him.




Previously, I did a post on wedding songs, but I'd definitely add this one to my list. Only thing is that instead of him singin it, I'd sing it to my wife (yeah, betcha didn't know I could keep a tune...lol). Or if not that, this would definitely be the first dance song....cause this is the impression that I'd want to leave in her mind from the moment that I say "I Do".

No matter how far I go
And no matter how long it takes
No one or nothing can change
Forever yours here I stand

Watch Me Fly: The Janice B interview Part II

Written By: Raven Ekundayo
Photography By: Quill Wordsmith



FINALLY! For all of you patient Janice B. fans out there I apologize on behalf of all the Misfits for taking so long to get this to you. We missed February but here ya go, Part II of my conversation with my big sis Janice B, eXclusively on the EYM blog. We discuss Racism, meeting Mo-rece and joining Stinkiface music and why music tastes like Popyes to her. We pick up the convo where we left off in the magazine on part I. I wanted to know what "Blue eyed soul" meant to her. Enjoy....

Janice – Well, that’s a good question. I think “Blue eyed soul” is a term that the record industry puts out there to promote their “blue eyed” singers (Laughs). Usually the people that fits that category like Joss Stone and people like that have voices that sound, I don’t want to say African American, but they sound like a sister. You know? I think that’s the way they market it. I don’t think that’s me and I don’t put myself in that category. I don’t think I sound like that, country maybe (Laughs). I think that’s kind of why I say I do music with soul, not soul music. That goes back to my age again because when I was growing up there wasn’t an R&B section it was a soul section. The music was soul music and if the person who was singing it was Black they were in the soul music section. If you’re Black you’re in the soul music section, that’s how it was….eXcept for the Doobie Brothers (Laughs). Now while I don’t think I fit in the “Blue eyed soul” category I do think I’m different in the sense that you can’t label me. I tend to write for me and I write what I feel. Some things are my story and some things are other people’s stories or whatever I feel at the moment. But yeah, so I don’t think I’m “Blue eyed soul”, “Brown eyed soul”, Light skin soul”, whatever (Laughs).

Raven – (Laughs). Light skin soul!

Janice – I’ve had people think I was Black before when they hear me speak.

Raven – Of which I could understand.

Janice – And I think I told you when I did my first interview on Blog talk radio with Barron.

Raven – That was your first interview?

Janice – Yes!

Raven – Oh wow I didn’t know that! That makes me feel so good that I was a part of that.

Janice – That was SO much fun (Laughs). A lot of people from my job heard it and one guy said to me “Wow, you really turned on the street”. I was like no honey I was turning off the corporate (Laughs). People are funny because they want to put you in a box and that makes me so angry. I think my purpose is to blur those lines of what people think a white vocalist is and a country singer is. To me if a song is good it doesn’t matter how you sing it. A lot of people don’t agree with me on this but I think a song takes on its own life according to who’s performing it. India.Irie has songs that sound country. It doesn’t matter what your skin color is but people want to put you in that category and I don’t do well with that. If you’re a true musician color means nothing.

Raven – Ok, if I can take a step back a little bit. We talked about how you first got into music and when you met Earl and Brian O’Neal and all but we need to discuss Maurice (Mo-rece) and Stinkiface music. I know you’ve told me things came to you through prayer it seems.

Janice – When you visualize it and you act it out and you speak it, it’ll come to you if it’s supposed to be for you. Before I met Earl I prayed; we had gone to see this band, it was my birthday, and it was an acoustic Latin band. There was something about that night where I told myself I need to do this. I didn’t know what capacity because I wasn’t even writing songs then but I knew I needed to be in that energy.

Raven – Ok, was this like the last year before you decided to leave the group?

Janice – This was 2002.

Raven – Ok

Janice – So I went home and I prayed on it. I never say “gimme this” (Laughs). God doesn’t like that.

Raven – Right, like “I want this now!”

Janice – Right (Laughs). I say this is what I feel and if this is what you want from me I’m ready so show me what I need to do. Literally within a week I was talking to Earl and he had songs he wanted me to hear. You have to be open to change. A lot of people talk about the big things they want to do and are going to do but they don’t want to step out….you know all about that.

Raven – (Laughs) Yes I do. lord knows I do.

Janice – We’re going to make a lot of friends with this conversation. Lol. But yeah, I believe Maurice (Founder of Stinkiface music), contact me initially. He came to the bands myspace page and asked about a sound person.

Raven – What year was this?

Janice – This was (Thinking) Oh lord. What year are we in again?

Raven – Oh boy. Lol

Janice – We probably started talking at the end of 2007 and Brian O’Neal sent me some tracks and I wrote lyrics to them and Maurice worked with me on them and recorded them. That’s how we started together. A lot of people have approached me lately because (in a sarcastic tone) we’re so popular now (laughs). It trips me out when someone’s like “You’re Janice B” and I’m like “Yes” (Laughs).

Raven – (Laughs).

Raven – Ok, so we’re winding down with the questions.

Janice – What does music smell like?

Raven – Why? Why Misfits? (Laughs). Why is she already prepared? What is going on (Laughs)?

Janice – I read (Laughs). I do my work. I don’t have an answer for it (Laughs), but I read.

Raven – Ok (Laughs). Well here we go. What does music taste like to you?

Janice – Oh wow (Thinks for a minute). I think music tastes like everything like chicken wings and hot sauce and macaroni and cheese and popyes and lake trout and.

Raven – (Falling out laughing). Wow, well alright.

Janice – And that’s my answer.

Raven – I’m not mad at you. (Laughs). What does music look like to you?

Janice – Wow. These questions are tough (Laughs). I think it looks like all of us. I don’t think there’s a face on music. Whatever God looks like is what I think it looks like, though I don’t know what God looks like.

Raven – Wow.

Janice – (Smiles) is that a good answer?

Raven – Yeah, even though you’re not supposed to ask me that (Laughs).

Janice – I just think music is heavenly. It’s like life blood.

Raven – I’m feeling that. What does music smell like to you?

Janice – You’re killing me, I hate you (Laughs).

Raven (Laughs).

Janice – I think it smells like earth (Pause followed by a laugh). It smells like arm pits.

Raven – Oh boy (Laughs). This works perfectly because the label you’re signed to is stinki!

Janice – (Laughs). See you took it there.

Raven – (Laughs). So now we’re to the final question. When Janice B. thinks of eXcaping the matriX, what does that mean to her?

Janice – I wasn’t prepared for that. I think it’s like everything we talked about. Blurring the edges, looking at things differently. I think it’s stepping outside of the box that society tries to put us in and persevering through that. People talk about what they want to do but I think that you need to decide what you think success is because it’s not always walking the red carpet at the MTV awards. You know? There were so many people trying to hold me back and telling me it was too late or I’m too old and I’m like huh? If it’s in you it’s in you. Your magazine and your company is a whole different world and you feel what I’m talking about all around you guys.

Raven – Thank you!

Janice – Was that a good answer? Where’s Vanna?

Raven – (Laughs). You’re hilarious. I would like to say that I have truly enjoyed this. Thank you so much.

Janice – Thank you. I enjoyed this too.



For More information on Janice B:

http://www.stinkifacemusic.com

What's Beef (Music on the Spot Series) By: Donald Mitchell

And nah, I ain't talkin about what's for dinner...or even where is it. I'm talkin about that stuff that got niggas shot up about....that stuff that produced many a bangin track, cause someone decided to rip someone apart.


Here is how beef is described by Biggie:

What's beef? Beef is when you need two gats to go to sleep
Beef is when your moms ain't safe up in the streets
Beef is when I see you
Guaranteed to be in ICU, one more time
What's beef? Beef is when you make your enemies start your Jeep
Beef is when you roll no less than thirty deep
Beef is when I see you
Guaranteed to be in ICU...

Today is a special day in the life of hip-hop, because this is the day that the great Notorious B.I.G. was murdered. Biggie was one half of one of the greatest beefs to ever hit music (2Pac being the other). I know folks loved to hear those two go back and forth about everything from style/swagger to cliques they rolled with. To me, Biggie kept it real, raw, and uncut. It was what it was. And that's all it was goin to be.

Even though he only dropped 3 albums (well some say 2, but eh #kanyeshrug), his flow and music was nothin to be effed with. Biggie dropped tracks that were club bangers (and some of them still are), those that were ride outs in the car, and even those that riled up the inner thug in you (that's if you got some of that).

I already posted once about my favorite song by Biggie - see here, but here are some of my other favorites that I always bang on the iPod...even though they all came out in the 90s.

10 Crack Commandments: Rules that all street pharmaceutical salesmen should live by.

Who Shot Ya?: During the height of the Biggie/Pac battles. Biggie wasn't playin. lol

One More Chance (remix): This song was so great, that even Ashanti could bite the music and make a hit. lol

You're Nobody (Til Somebody Kills You): This is the real though. People don't know you til you're no longer here.

Fuck Me: Real raunchy, but this interlude was HILARIOUS!

Livin the Life: One of the best tributes to Biggie....HANDS.DOWN. Snoop, Luda, and Bobby V set it out on this one.

Biggie, your lyrical mastermind will always live on. RIP Christopher Wallace

Sex is Complicated?!

On How Love Is:The Complications of S-E-X
Written by: Billy Winn

Why does the introduction of sex always seem to complicate things?! It’s a question I’ve asked myself time and time again—never seeming to find an answer that satisfies the circumstances. A relationship that has not yet made it to romance could be going in the perfect direction for romance—then, out of nowhere, the act of sex changes the perspectives of everyone involved, leaving the situation in utter ruin. It’s happened to me time after time, and, as I once again find myself surveying not just mine, but the circumstances of others, I wonder if the question isn’t “Why does sex complicate things?” but rather “Why do we allow it to?”

We started off as friends—sharing many of the same interests, frequenting the same places, and running in the same social circles, so upon first glance it looked like it could be a match made in heaven. For whatever reason, though, the relationship stalled at a friendship, which is by no means a bad thing, but the thought of taking it to another level still loomed large. Neither of us shared our feelings out right—perhaps we hinted around to it, but that only proved to be anti-productive, because at the end of the day, we remained just friends. That is of, course, until that faithful night when it became clear we both had feelings that transcended the “friends” line, and, before I knew it, we’d crossed that line, never to return again.

What I realized in this situation was that we both did, in fact, have feelings beyond a friendship. But, because we never actually stated what those feelings were, we each assumed that the other felt the same way—when in truth—we were in two different places altogether. While one of us was considering the possibility of love, the other considered the possibility of sex. We both obliged to the latter however, and that’s when the complications took over. I didn’t know this was a situation all too familiar to many, so when I shared it with a friend, I was shocked, but relieved to know someone else had eXperienced what I was going through. It made me stop and think—for real this time—about our approach to relationships and where eXactly we were going wrong with it all. My answer: we were going wrong by offering sex with the hopes that love will eventually manifest.

To see the entire article, click the link below:
http://etmmagazine.info/wakeup/2010/articles/03/2010_03_howloveis.html