My Baby is 3 Years Old

Yooooo. I bet ya didn't even realize that last month was tha Bull Pen's anniversary did ya? Lol, It's all good. I didn't promote so I understand. But yeah, 10 days after my 21st birthday I put up "My First Post" lol... It's only a short 3 year later, but damn it feel like it went by too quick. Like I just started this. I feel I've grown before you, I feel like I've become a writer on the internet. However, instead of boring ya with my own words for a few paragraphs, this year I had a different idea. Rather than post pictures from the year, and rather than write out some boring "Anniversary Post" I wanted to put the blog in the readers hands for once. What do you mean? I mean I asked my readers, the ones who've been rocking with me since Aug. of 08, the ones who just started rocking with me, the ones who have rocked with me once or twice to write a testimony. I thought it be fun for the readers to see more than just one perspective for once. Feel me? It's almost a month late, but when you read all the things that all your fellow readers wrote, I think you'll find that the wait was well worth it. So with all that said, let's get started:
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Jemeka:
Eno Bull, if I ever created a list of my top 5 favorite writers, you'd be on it. I've told you before that you're really talented. Understatement maybe. I think it's awesome that you're so transparent and REAL when you write. It's inspiring, really. Visiting Tha Bull Pen is always an experience. Your posts evoke so many emotions. Your readers feel what you feel! "My First Love", "Untitled pt 1" and "A Song" are just a FEW of my favorites. Just keep doing what you're doing alright?


Reese: 
"What you mean you ain't got no malt liquor for the homies? Are you trying to get shot?" -The doctor that delivered Emilio Lorenzo Cortez Gutierrez. 


That's how awesome having a friend like Eno is. It makes you say cool intellectual shit you wouldn't normally say. I mean like, his blog is all like, funny and stuff, but mostly it's colorful and it has great photographs on it. He also told me to say that I learned something from his blog, or he'd kidnap my cat..so here goes:
I learned that Eno is a very good typist, he takes amazing photographs, and he likes to tell stories that help you get to know him better as a person. His entries just flow from the heart, it never feels like he's writing just to write, or blogging to get some fame. I know this cool dude offline..and he's everything his blog makes you think he is: tall, intelligent, and brown.
Congrats on the anniversary, and thanks for blogging and being an awesome friend homeboy.
You owe me like fiddy bucks. Love, Reese.

ps. Can I have my cat back now?


Nitza:
Apparently, we all have something to share. No, honestly - ask me to name people that have blogs and I can rattle 6 names of the top of my head: Sandy with travel, James with music, Ashley with her dating life, John on the art scene, Lynn on the Brooklyn life, and Lydia with whatever the week brings. In a word, exhausting. Now, having a blog site doesn't necessarily mean that your viewpoint is interesting, different, or relevant. A lot of these blogs are actually pretty dull, I don't mince words so I will label them all as "Generic" - Yeah, I said it. Around 1 year ago, I noticed that I kept returning to read Eno Bull's blog, Tha Bull Pen. Took me by surprise since I admit that I'm tired of blogs! But I realized that Eno's viewpoint, though different from my own, was actually quite interesting; he could be controversial, yet honest, loud, but sweet, a gentleman with a foul mouth. I found myself agreeing with Eno and wishing to give him a high five, then I wanted to punch him. Hey, I'm just being honest. Overall, the kid does a good job. He's my cousin after all and I wouldn't expect anything less. Love him (picture me with a grin in my face).


Dos:
Ode to my Eno LL … What can I say about tha homie Eno?! Aside from being my brutha from anutha mutha … aside from being a photographer and videographer extraordinaire … aside from being so handsome… so cool … so GQ …  … he has impressed me with his ability to express himself, his thoughts, and his ideas through his blog, Tha Bull Pen. Eno never fails to keep me entertained with his ideas, rants, and opinions … which all end up being very thought provoking, no matter the topic! I loved the blog so much … I harassed Eno to take Tha Bull Pen to the video blog world … Being the character that he is, I knew that the visual would definitely compliment the voice, the thoughts, and the ideas of Tha Bull! With that said … ALL LOVE to Eno and congrats to the 3 year anniversary of Tha Bull Pen! Wish you the most success!!! #DoWork!! #Salute!!! ~Dosage!!~


Ty:
His words, his wisdom, his individuality.....

Eno Bull's blog "Tha Bull Pen" is celebrating it's third anniversary and it is surely something to celebrate. Eno has blessed his readers with his thoughts which are innovative, true and invigorating. Eno is young but, unlike many in his age group, he is very gifted with the talent of written words from clear, educated thoughts. His blogs suck you in, makes you think, and leaves you satisfied with HIS knowledge. Every entry is unique and is an ode to his big heart and humble being. He is extremely family oriented and you can feel the love he has for his family through his words he shares with all of us. May Eno give his readers another year full of thought provoking, great reads.

Happy Anniversary to Tha Bull Pen!
Love you Eno!
Lady Ty


Angel:
I have never been a fan of blogs or bloggers, mainly because quite honestly I dont really care what others opinions are about things. I feel like I feel and, especially being a taurus, I am stubborn and am usually set in my ways & opinions! With that being said, after the 1st time reading "Tha Bull Pen"...I was a fan and hooked! Eno's blog was different to me for this reason...he didnt care either. It wasnt simply a blog of "this is the hottest movie out but I don't like it because...." , it was more real life wow these are things that meant enough to take MY time "I EXPERIENCED this situation today and I felt like this, I UNDERSTAND ya'll might not feel the same but YOU wast there. So feel how you want but Ima be me" I guess what Im saying is he is REAL! He isnt a blogger just worried about the number of posts he has or about riding the fence to make his readers happy....he's Eno...& he is definitely an example of Quality in a world of Quantity!


Michelle:
Here's the thing, I've never met a person of the male species that I feel is my exact counterpart. Reading THA BULL PEN is always an adventure, reading about secret loves, bitches that aint putting out (frontin). To being pulled intensely into something that Eno is engaged in from his love of photography to his obsession with music (good shit that it is) So on your anniversary i want to say i Laughed, learned and loved through your words, Ive been pissed off at your opinions and at the same time respected and agreed. Ive appreciated how your able to speak from a womans point of view as well as give the males BRUTALLY honest (niggaz dont do that) view. Ive appreciated how youve let myself as well your other dedicated readers into your world, into your head, damn near into your heart; and with that I want to say Happy Annivarsary ill be forever a fan. (when are you going to take my picture? "immortalize my shit")


Roxanna:
A modern day voice. Unmoved by criticism, hate, class, race or gender. Opinion is opinion. Like it or love it. I started reading these blogs since its birth and have watched it grow and take on a life of its own. Great writing will always find a way to make you question, understand and appreciate – although you may not agree with the discussions, and most certainly have your own opinion on the matter(s), one thing is always for certain Eno will state his case, present evidence and having you nodding in agreement before you reach the final period. The words spoken are “As Is” – so to speak. They are raw, they are lived and they are true. Anyone growing up in the hood can relate. We are all products of our environment and Eno simply puts life to paper in a way that is unmatched. Reading his blog is like having a conversation with him – right down to the expressions and tone. I love it! There is true talent behind these words and I ask everyone to take heed and watch these blogs because they will most certainly become something great. Eno does not write to make friends and that is what makes this a great blog. Keep up the good work baby brother!


Ieisha:
I have said this time and time again, but again Eno is an exceptional writer, one would deem his writings poetic. His blogs give us, the readers a chance to truly experience "How Eno's mind truly works." His blogs express emotions and feelings that we are often embarrassed to express to the world. One blog in particular I truly loved (I love them all) was the Fathers's day blog... That blog was probably one of the realest, most emotional words I have ever read. It showed the world a different side to Eno.... His bravery in putting those words on paper helped me to put in prospective my life in terms of my relationship with my own father. I walked away in awe and tears as it made me realize that sometimes having no father is better than having a father who is emotionless and unsupportive (I'm referring to my dad) that blog amongst many others were my guide to implementing not only a new way of life but it forced me to be real with myself about situations and feelings I tried to suppress!! Overall, I don't think there are words that I can express to give Eno the props he truly deserves! Your an awesome, real, controversial writer and your writing should be on the Times best seller list. Keep up the good work!


Dwayne:
As long as I've known Eno he's always been two things an asshole & a person with an opinion lol. But when he started his blog he found a way to combine both....and he did it in a brilliant way. I'm not just sayin this because he's my brother,but as a fan of social commentary, I've watched Tha Bull Pen go from a tongue in cheek rant to a clever well crafted gaze into the mind of a rebel. I've also had the privilege of being featured numerous times on the blog & hope I can be featured again in the future. So to my brother Eno Effn Bull & Tha Bull Pen I say.....Man Fuck ya blog, Add My BBM!!-Deascent


Buddy:
3 Years strong for tha Bull Pen!! An outlet much needed and so efficiently utilized by the man behind the posts , Eno mutha effin BULL!! From controversy to emotion-filled bloggin, uv kept me n the masses entertained bruh. Ya blog ain't a colorin book like most of these utha joints dat r heavily saturated wit pix, u capture the essence of expression thru literature, very eloquently. Keep doin it lil bro, much love, and u always have my support!


Che:
In the Nas and Damien Marley Distant Relatives album, on a song entitled “Friends”, Damien Marley says,

“Yes We Surely Had A Blast / We're Like Family / Me & You / A Nuh Every Path You Cross / Lead To Somebody Whe True / Of The Many That Are Called Only Chosen Is A Few”

That Practically explains my friendship with Edwin Gutierrez, known to others simply as Eno.

When I first met Eno, through Pers, and Buddy, he was quiet but very absorbent and observant, articulate in his own right, and only spoke when spoken to. These are my accounts, so he could disagree – but my memory is quite vivid. Eno was always down for a good laugh, and that is all that we did when the crew from Davidson Ave, gathered on the block or in an apartment.

It was the environment in which we grew up in that provided us with the creativity, experiences, and vocabulary that led us to make what we called “Music.” It was actually just rhetorical frustration on top of instruments that caught the ears of people that shared those same feelings, people like Edwin. Eno had the capability to interpret any bar that was spat from any section 8 / 4’ Treign / BXL member, in which I consider to be a skill, since I thought I was overly clever with words. It was this passion of his that allowed him to blend in with the crew.

When we began to perform at venues, Eno was there with a camera/video camera documenting everything moving. I can now look back and realize how important those times were to our development, and furthermore, how important the documentation was in itself. Eno took this craft and expanded, as any smart person would do with a talent that he or she is good at.

However, Eno has to accredit a lot of his maturity and growth to his large-supporting family: a large group of down-to-earth brown-skin people from Honduras, that consist of beautiful, fierce, loving females and talented, humorous, educated males. I consider myself - an African, from Ghana- extended family of theirs. And they have been nothing less than accepting of me and others alike. Therefore, as the junior, Edwin was somewhat forced to bare some of those traits to that of his immediate family – the gift.

The gift that was bestowed on this kid is one that he carried unconsciously through his actions and speech. If we as a circle didn’t curse, neither would he. If we didn’t go around bullying kids, neither would he. But had we pushed over a Street Fighter arcade machine for a thrill, he probably would have to, and eventually got caught trying to run because he was heavier than the rest of us, lol. But the point is, Edwin is a mold of positive influences, with his own twist.
 
Now, just like any individual who becomes educated, you beginn to make your own observations and draw your own conclusions to certain theories, and practices. Fredrick Douglas – after teaching himself how to read while in captivity – began to stumble across documents that revealed detailed information about the slave trade, and memoirs of his masters. In that instant, Douglas wished that he had never learned how to read to begin with. This is parallel to the complex that has now become of Edwin – a new “think for yourself” characteristic – which is extremely critical in this day and age, hence the beginning lines of this testimony, “Only Chosen Are A Few” Yes, it does deviate from the status quo, and so does he, but why should we all be alike? As long as you stay true to you, and have a positive purpose in life…then…live your life. But then we must ask ourselves, “What do we mean by the word ‘positive’?” I’ll leave that to the reader.

I envision great things for Edwin. Through his creativity, his options are endless. Take his blog for instance, and how far and popular it has become. He doesn’t ramble about how ‘fly he is’, or much he’s “balling” because that is not his purpose in life nor in his writing. Rather, his discussions vary from a wide range of topics from religion, and homophobia, to vanity and poverty. That makes for a good read. I personally enjoyed the “2011 Is Home” blog, which speaks about the small reunion that we as friends try to have once a year around January to make sure everyone is in perfect health and living right. I look forward to more of those. It allows us to reflect – through music, food, drinks, laughter, gaming and cutting, lol - how far we have come as simply FRIENDS. And you cannot put a corner store price tag on that. And it was Edwin who documented that event, which allows me reflect upon it, and laugh again – the literary double entendre. You can now return to the top and re-read the Damien Marley lyrics. - Che
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Honestly, I know it comes off as if I'm just saying this, but I literally read each and every one of these testimonies word for word. Before I copied and pasted I took the time out to read and understand what each and every one of you wrote, the same way ya take the time to read whatever it is I write. Some of ya brought me very close to tears and I swear ya all made me feel loved. I can't begin to express how much I appreciate all your words. I say it all the time that when I started this blog it was simply a journal for me. Well it's obvious that I've read the words of my journal out loud so much that it's brought me an audience of great people. I promise to continue to give ya the quality blogs that you've come to love. And I'll continue to thank the man above for blessing me with such great family like all of you. Peace Ya'll Eno Loves you all!
Happy 3rd Birthday to my blog!


Stay Up and Stay Tuned.


P.S. 
I didn't plan it this way, but it just so happens that this blog fell on 9/11. With that said I want to take the time out to pay my respects to all those fallen on that horrifying day 10 years ago.
R.I.P to all those victims and my sincerest condolences to the families who lost loved ones.