By Led Black:

Even though I only met Claudio this year, I feel like I have known the man forever. He is, no lie, one of the coolest cats I know. Claudio is the type of dude that you can have a beer with at the bar as well as a deep conversation about any topic imaginable. He is able, smart and always ready to lend a hand. He has been a welcome addition to the team and has come through in the clutch many times, even though he is the Lead Editor at NewsOne and also runs his own blog, www.liveabovemediocrity.com, which is a must-read. When I needed someone to do a story on Inwood’s sole Gay club, Le Boy, Claudio stepped up to the plate and delivered with a provocative post that was brave, honest and also quite vulnerable. The piece, The Night I Went to Le Boy, ended up generating a ton of traffic and comments but also a considerable amount of flack.

Anyway, here is the homie, Claudio, in his own words.

To read my own words, click on the link – Meet UC Contributor Claudio E. Cabrera

Thanks for those words Led.

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Meet The UC Contributors Post… is a post from: Live Above Mediocrity

Location: Where else? Our home away from home, Locksmith (Lol at E.D asking me if I’m a silent partner here)

Date: September 25, 2010

Quote that represented this night: “Let’s celebrate with a toast and get lost in tonight and make it all light up…Wait until the sun goes down we gon’ make this ***** light up. Even when the sun goes down imma make it go” – Aubrey Graham

I’m pretty sure this is the best birthday party I ever attended. I mean, Luis’ 23d or 24th at Bar 13 was epic too so I’ll just say these are 1A and 1B.

So…

We arrived at Locksmith at around 11PM and it was surprisingly quiet. Not the norm for the bar of the century. I saw the worried look on Dave’s face and I thought he was concerned it was going to be a quiet night. I felt the same. But we were completely wrong, because as it got darker – and the liquor kept flowing – the more people came in and it became the title of this blog post.

Before I continue, if you don’t know who David Rodriguez is out in the streets, you don’t know anything about this neighborhood. A 191st legend and proud member of the former “Council,” now known as “The Greater Than Club (If she ain’t 8 or greater/no autographs or hugs)”. One of my best friends/competitors since he was in Kindergarten. Sometimes I wonder how me and him are still friends because we came to blows at least 4 to 5 times while we were younger. But it was always because we were competitive. The top athletes in our class (even if my team always sauteed his team at Kappock, Dyckman Field, or the OLQM backyard).

But what occurred Saturday (into Sunday morning) was beyond great. I feel like everyone left so happy that night and finished out their weekend in a great hungover mood. That’s the whole goal of a party.

In final, I’m glad that you more than enjoyed yourself. The stumbling down 191st and your OD emotional goodbyes said it all. I’m very proud of everything you are doing in relation to your career. I’m also happy that you found the woman you are going to marry in MY precious Rita. She’s a lucky girl and vice versa. I also want to thank everyone who came out to support this fine, young gentleman. Thank you to Oscar and Ryan at Locksmith who always look out for us. Jamie and Christian as well. The sparkles with the ginger ale was priceless (inside Locksmith joke).

30 little glassies of Avion and Patron. 2 Bottles of my favorite champagne, Veuve. A bunch of mixed drinks and some chocolate/strawberry cake.

Fin…

The Greatest B’Day Party Of All-Time is a post from: Live Above Mediocrity

lie to each to other.

talk about each other to other friend’s.

find out stuff about you from other people you thought weren’t as close to your friend as you are/were.

find out stuff about you on Twitter or Facebook. Stuff that’s broadcasted to the world before it’s told to you personally.

drift apart.

compete against each other.

are sometimes jealous of one another.

think they know you, but barely do.

I’ve been guilty of some of these and I’m sure you have been to. As much as many of us would like to think we embody the word “friend,” I don’t think anyone really does.

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Friends… is a post from: Live Above Mediocrity

*Click on the pic above to enlarge*

If you need one, there’s no one better in the business than my friend, Jameel Morrison. He has his own site, JameelMorrison.Com (click on the link), where you can find the fabulous promotion he just put up for everyone out there who needs a head-shot or just wants to be photographed. The promotion is titled: “44/44/4.”

It’s a photographic session at the location of your choice for 44 minutes for a total cost of $44.00. At the end of the session, he will send you to a password protected site where you’ll be able to select 4 of the images for yourself. You can also select the location of your choice which is great.

I highly recommend this guy because he’s not only my friend, but is serious about his craft and professional. Let me know if you guys decide to employ his services.

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Need a photographer? is a post from: Live Above Mediocrity