Our reality is that we have a 24-hour news feed of this stuff. It is what it is. Don’t go overboard declaring that the world is going to hell in a handbasket, and don’t get callous to the point where these crazy news stories prevent you from treating real people well when you’re out in the world.

I was riding down familiar roads, headed with three of my oldest homies to go see another old school friend. Someone popped in a homemade mixtape, providing the ride’s soundtrack.

These are ten women who had themselves together enough to exist in the world of hip hop — not just showing up briefly to sing a hook, but to actually endure the tribulations of being down with the crew.

Double dipping: Beating your opponent in both games of a double header. Usage: “He was bragging about all the four home runs last night, but personal stats don’t mean jack when your team gets double dipped.”

Biz has the flyest, cutting edge 1988 technology: “Finally I step off all alone / Up to the top level to use the telephone / Never use a quarter, cause I got a calling card / So I can reach out and touch everybody I know”