Self,
Well I have noticed that the time between posts have increase a little more than I would like. I have been busy trying to get my new career going, as well as working on the old til the new one is totally self-sufficient.
Although my cousin and her family are coming to town due to a funeral, I am looking forward to see them this weekend.
The only minor castophe of my life is my health. I am diabetic. I was diagnosed years ago. I had stopped (on my own) taking my medication due to several factors most of which was it was having adverse effects - it was making me hypoglycemic (another condition and almost the polar opposite of being diabetic, and whenI stopped everything was fine.)
Well curiousity got the best of me (and the need for updated medical records.) So I wanted to double check that everything was fine. I recently went to see a new doctor to have my sugar leveled checked (the change in doctors was also a factor in discontinuing my meds.) Of course, he reported that everything was horrible. Well not horrible because my levels were better than they were when I was first diagnosed, but unfortunately higher than "normal" which was his "definition" of horrible. I was prescribed to give myself a daily Insulin injection in addition to revamping the oral pill medication I was previously given. NOT CUTE! The first time I gave myself the shot was the hardest. Now it ain't easy but I'm dealing with it.
I believe when he prescribed the insulin that I didn't need the shots. Like I said my levels were way less than they were when I was first diagnosed and my original doctor only prescribed the oral meds and we got things back to "normal." Bogus as I believed this info to be I still heard him out. He said that we were going to try the injections for six months. When I asked if it was just for the six months, his response was "six months or the rest of your life, we have to see." THAT'S JUST WRONG! There's no hope in that, now is there? He insisted that I needed the insulin to give my body (specificly my pancreas) a break. He asked if I was going to adhere to the program. I said yes, (for now.)
I'm no doctor (obviously) but I ain't stupid either....in fact I'd say I'm smarter than the average bear. All that to say that I think this precription is in part a ploy of medical conspiricy. Just like a daily cigarette or glass of alcohol, if I give myself an injection every day for six months, my body will become dependant and addicted to that shot and once the body gets to that point it is going to want/need that injection on a regular basis, and I'll have to give myself that shot for the rest of my life. Meanwhile the medical industry will be collecting revenue for the purchase of the medication and supplies....can you say ChaChing??!?! I'm willing to give the benefit of the doubt in so much as I will wait to see how willing the doctor is to then ween my body off the insulin shots once we get things in a acceptable range. If that happens then I'll eat crow about the shots being a conspiracy, but remember the medical industry is still a business, otherwise it wouldn't cost SO DAMN much or better yet would be free all together.
Anyway, I'm giving myself some hope. My goal is that I will be off the insulin in 3 months. In just a week of taking the shots I've figured out (for lack of a better phrase) how to beat the system. Don't get me wrong, the key isn't a secret, in fact it's something that I already knew and most do too.
I need to eat better and excercise more. Duh, right?
Actually I don't think I need to change my eating habits much. I've noticed that I have let desserts and sodas slip back into my diet more frequently - I have to cut this out. Believe it or not the biggest revelation to me is that I also have to make sure that I simply eat dinner earlier than I usually do in order to produce the results I think will be necessary to convince the doctor to take me off the insulin. Combine that with excercise (that's the hardest part,) I shouldn't have a problem getting off the meds. I went to the gym once this week (WHEW!) but the effects were enough to give me reason to believe that my goal is achievable. So the gym membership that Schehimazade and Jewel conspired to get me a few months back is going to come in handy (for more info read this.) Dammit I hated it when friends can trump my ace! Those evil bastards!
Earlier this month I heard a quote while I was attending the annual convention for the company of my new career.
The quote was: "Decision making is over-rated, while decision management is under-rated."
Now it simple to understand what it means. but my take is that we place a lot of importance on making a decision, but not enough on maintaining the decision and the consequences of those decisions. The gym and diet are decisions that I will manage.
Sincerely,
Pharaoh
OH in other news, by my count this is my 100th "Note to Self!"
Friday, March 27, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Trust vs. Safety - Revisited
Self,
Last night I had an "ah-ha" moment....that I feel I should share here, since this is in part the source.
I had gone to the gym with my Str8-husband, and we had gone back to my place to get some dinner. While we were fixing our plates, I got a call from Prince Esquire. We chit-chat for a bit before he tells me that he wanted to discuss my post "Trust vs Safety" a bit further. However, he respects that I had company and wants to do it another time.
Well I mentioned it to my Str8-husband, and explained the whole post and conversation with Cameron. Just a quick recap, the issue was the idea of foregoing the use of condoms while in an exclusively committed relationship. Cameron said that his freaky/nasty side comes out when the relationship has reached a level of trust and emotional connection and there's no need for condoms. I, of course, was on the opposing side. My feeling is that it doesn't make since to stop using condoms for my own personal safety because why take the chance of feeling stupid if you discover that you were betrayed by learning you have contracted an STD.
Well my Str8-husband read between the lines of the argument (mostly mine) and suggested ...(ok he concluded) that I'm already assuming that 1 person in a relationship is going to cheat (and in my case, basically I already assume that my partner will cheat.)
I thought about it. In trying to figure out if there was any validity to his conclusion I tried to determine what might have caused me to have that assumption. (My feeling - if I have no reason to assume that then I obviously don't.)
That's when I thought about GrowlNutt. I'm naming him so because he growls when he ejaculates, which I found to be incredibly sexy, go figure. I'm not oblivious to the humorous aspect of it, if for no other reason than Schehimazade takes every opportunity to make fun of it when this person is mentioned in conversation {Schehimazade - that Bastard, lol.}
GrowlNutt is someone I dated nearly ten years ago (wow - has it been that long) and is probably one person that I might consider as being the closest to approaching such a connection at that time. (atleast on my side.) Well we lived nearly two hours apart and because I was in school I had transportation issues, but I felt we were making it work. GrowlNutt ended our relationship by telling me that he didn't have time for a relationship anymore. That was only partially true. He didn't have time for a relationship with ME because he was already 4-5 months into a relationship with someone else who had practically moved into GrowlNutt's house.
So it boils down to the idea that GrowlNutt cheated. Couple that with the fact that I know of people who cheats or have cheated on their lover at one time or another. "Ah-ha"....then yeah I guess I do have the assumption that eventually my partner will cheat on me....that's what experience has shown me at this point.
And sitting here thinking about GrowlNutt, I have to say, that situation is probably also in part the source of my hesitation with the idea of long distance relationships. The distance creates a greater opportunity for the cheating to occur. The window of opportunity to cheat increases exponentially, based on the amount of distance between the two individuals. If someone who lives in the same house with their lover can find the means and opportunity to cheat, imagine what living a block away, crosstown, 2 hour drive apart, cross state line, multiple states apart, and dare I say it - opposite coasts.
I thought the issue that I had with the situation with GrowlNutt were a part of my past. But maybe I still have a few things to address and work out?
Sincerely,
Pharaoh
Last night I had an "ah-ha" moment....that I feel I should share here, since this is in part the source.
I had gone to the gym with my Str8-husband, and we had gone back to my place to get some dinner. While we were fixing our plates, I got a call from Prince Esquire. We chit-chat for a bit before he tells me that he wanted to discuss my post "Trust vs Safety" a bit further. However, he respects that I had company and wants to do it another time.
Well I mentioned it to my Str8-husband, and explained the whole post and conversation with Cameron. Just a quick recap, the issue was the idea of foregoing the use of condoms while in an exclusively committed relationship. Cameron said that his freaky/nasty side comes out when the relationship has reached a level of trust and emotional connection and there's no need for condoms. I, of course, was on the opposing side. My feeling is that it doesn't make since to stop using condoms for my own personal safety because why take the chance of feeling stupid if you discover that you were betrayed by learning you have contracted an STD.
Well my Str8-husband read between the lines of the argument (mostly mine) and suggested ...(ok he concluded) that I'm already assuming that 1 person in a relationship is going to cheat (and in my case, basically I already assume that my partner will cheat.)
I thought about it. In trying to figure out if there was any validity to his conclusion I tried to determine what might have caused me to have that assumption. (My feeling - if I have no reason to assume that then I obviously don't.)
That's when I thought about GrowlNutt. I'm naming him so because he growls when he ejaculates, which I found to be incredibly sexy, go figure. I'm not oblivious to the humorous aspect of it, if for no other reason than Schehimazade takes every opportunity to make fun of it when this person is mentioned in conversation {Schehimazade - that Bastard, lol.}
GrowlNutt is someone I dated nearly ten years ago (wow - has it been that long) and is probably one person that I might consider as being the closest to approaching such a connection at that time. (atleast on my side.) Well we lived nearly two hours apart and because I was in school I had transportation issues, but I felt we were making it work. GrowlNutt ended our relationship by telling me that he didn't have time for a relationship anymore. That was only partially true. He didn't have time for a relationship with ME because he was already 4-5 months into a relationship with someone else who had practically moved into GrowlNutt's house.
So it boils down to the idea that GrowlNutt cheated. Couple that with the fact that I know of people who cheats or have cheated on their lover at one time or another. "Ah-ha"....then yeah I guess I do have the assumption that eventually my partner will cheat on me....that's what experience has shown me at this point.
And sitting here thinking about GrowlNutt, I have to say, that situation is probably also in part the source of my hesitation with the idea of long distance relationships. The distance creates a greater opportunity for the cheating to occur. The window of opportunity to cheat increases exponentially, based on the amount of distance between the two individuals. If someone who lives in the same house with their lover can find the means and opportunity to cheat, imagine what living a block away, crosstown, 2 hour drive apart, cross state line, multiple states apart, and dare I say it - opposite coasts.
I thought the issue that I had with the situation with GrowlNutt were a part of my past. But maybe I still have a few things to address and work out?
Sincerely,
Pharaoh
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Live from Walt Disney Hall
Self,
Last night I once again attended a concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall. I don't know if I explained how it came about that I keep going to shows there. No secret, I just became a subscriber for the year for the World Music series. Of course, I was not initally interested in doing it, particularly when I found out how much it would cost. HOW-BE-EVER, I heard the schedule, there was one performer that made me pause. The performer that had made me stop to think was Mariza. She's a vocalist from Portugal who specializes in Fado which they translate as "Destiny" or "Fate." However it is similiar to what we call "The Blues" in a way because it is the music of the poor and oppressed and speak of the things, people, and circumstances of their lives.
Well last night was that crown jewel of the series, for me anyway. It was actually I think my third time seeing Mariza perform. Once before at WDCH and I think once before that at UCLA.
I truly enjoyed it. She sings in Portuguese and no I don't speak a lick of it (yet...want to retire in Rio so I'm going to learn it, but anyway, that's another post sometime) but if you are a music afficianado you don't have to understand the the lyrics in order to apprciate the beauty of her voice.
Well since I love to share with you guys, here is a video clip I found of Mariza. This is actually my FAVORITE song by her so I'm even more excited about being able to share with you. She did perform this song live for me (yes as far as I'm concerned, she was sing just to me, everyone else just happen to witness that special serenade.) This clip has English subtitle but I'm not sure how accurate it is. The song is called "Meu Fado Meu" which I've seen translated as "My Own Destiny/fate."
Anyway, Enjoy!
Sincerely,
Pharaoh
Last night I once again attended a concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall. I don't know if I explained how it came about that I keep going to shows there. No secret, I just became a subscriber for the year for the World Music series. Of course, I was not initally interested in doing it, particularly when I found out how much it would cost. HOW-BE-EVER, I heard the schedule, there was one performer that made me pause. The performer that had made me stop to think was Mariza. She's a vocalist from Portugal who specializes in Fado which they translate as "Destiny" or "Fate." However it is similiar to what we call "The Blues" in a way because it is the music of the poor and oppressed and speak of the things, people, and circumstances of their lives.
Well last night was that crown jewel of the series, for me anyway. It was actually I think my third time seeing Mariza perform. Once before at WDCH and I think once before that at UCLA.
I truly enjoyed it. She sings in Portuguese and no I don't speak a lick of it (yet...want to retire in Rio so I'm going to learn it, but anyway, that's another post sometime) but if you are a music afficianado you don't have to understand the the lyrics in order to apprciate the beauty of her voice.
Well since I love to share with you guys, here is a video clip I found of Mariza. This is actually my FAVORITE song by her so I'm even more excited about being able to share with you. She did perform this song live for me (yes as far as I'm concerned, she was sing just to me, everyone else just happen to witness that special serenade.) This clip has English subtitle but I'm not sure how accurate it is. The song is called "Meu Fado Meu" which I've seen translated as "My Own Destiny/fate."
Anyway, Enjoy!
Sincerely,
Pharaoh
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
A New Recipe
Self,
I created my own recipe for tacos. Check it out!
EsquireEats
Let me know what you think!
Sincerely,
Pharaoh
I created my own recipe for tacos. Check it out!
EsquireEats
Let me know what you think!
Sincerely,
Pharaoh
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Blog News
Self,
I now have 20 followers! I was occilating around 17-18 for a while. I finally had to push myself over the edge. Yesterday I was helping ScheHimazade update his template on his blog. Just to give it a new look. (Check it out.) Well with access to his login info, I clicked my own page and made him become a follower. I know it was kinda wrong.....but he would've became a follower anyway eventually, I just expedited the process.
I actually told myself that I wouldn't post about the number of followers I have until I hit 25, but I couldn't resist writing about how I got my 20th follower.
Sincerely,
Pharaoh
I now have 20 followers! I was occilating around 17-18 for a while. I finally had to push myself over the edge. Yesterday I was helping ScheHimazade update his template on his blog. Just to give it a new look. (Check it out.) Well with access to his login info, I clicked my own page and made him become a follower. I know it was kinda wrong.....but he would've became a follower anyway eventually, I just expedited the process.
I actually told myself that I wouldn't post about the number of followers I have until I hit 25, but I couldn't resist writing about how I got my 20th follower.
Sincerely,
Pharaoh
Friday, March 13, 2009
Blog Interogation
Self,
Dammit, I been tagged....and I didn't even know it - bastards!
Gayte, you're lucky you are cute....then again you're ain't single, so your cute quotient doesn't matter. I guess I'll play anyway! LOL =)
AND YES I KNOW I AM SUPERDUPER LATE doing this!
HERE ARE THE RULES…ANSWER QUESTIONS WITH ONLY ONE WORD…THEN PASS ALONG TO 7 PEOPLE…
1 And1grad
2 Mr. President (Prince Esquire)
3 ScheHimazade
4 Dallas Black
5 JCal456
6 Keisha Kornbread
7 Tru3logic
Where is your cell phone? Pocket
Where is your significant other? Unknow
What's your hair color? Brown
Your mother? HOME
Your father? HOME
Your favorite thing?
Your dream last night? None
Your dream/goal? Wealthy
The room you're in? Work
Your hobby? Many
Your fear? Conquerable
Where do you want to be in 6 years? Paradise
Where were you last night? friends
What you're not? Heartless
One of your wish list items? Serenity
Where you grew up? California
The last thing you did? Work
What are you wearing? Underwear
Your TV? Off
Your pet? Wet
Your computer? HP
Your mood? Happy
Missing someone? Nah
Your car? Nissan
Something you're not wearing? watch
Favorite store? Borders
Your summer? Fantastic
Love someone? Always
Your favorite color? Blue
When is the last time you laughed? Yesterday
Last time you cried? unknow
Are you a b*tch? No
Favorite position? CEO
Favorite past time? Blogging
Are you a hater or a lover? Lover
Are you genuine or fake? Genuine
Any vices? Yes
Pro life or wire hanger? Choice
Mccain or Obama? Obama
Pro plastic or natural? Natural
Dream job? Pharaoh
LOL that last one I couldn't resist.
Sincerely,
Pharaoh
Dammit, I been tagged....and I didn't even know it - bastards!
Gayte, you're lucky you are cute....then again you're ain't single, so your cute quotient doesn't matter. I guess I'll play anyway! LOL =)
AND YES I KNOW I AM SUPERDUPER LATE doing this!
HERE ARE THE RULES…ANSWER QUESTIONS WITH ONLY ONE WORD…THEN PASS ALONG TO 7 PEOPLE…
1 And1grad
2 Mr. President (Prince Esquire)
3 ScheHimazade
4 Dallas Black
5 JCal456
6 Keisha Kornbread
7 Tru3logic
Where is your cell phone? Pocket
Where is your significant other? Unknow
What's your hair color? Brown
Your mother? HOME
Your father? HOME
Your favorite thing?
Your dream last night? None
Your dream/goal? Wealthy
The room you're in? Work
Your hobby? Many
Your fear? Conquerable
Where do you want to be in 6 years? Paradise
Where were you last night? friends
What you're not? Heartless
One of your wish list items? Serenity
Where you grew up? California
The last thing you did? Work
What are you wearing? Underwear
Your TV? Off
Your pet? Wet
Your computer? HP
Your mood? Happy
Missing someone? Nah
Your car? Nissan
Something you're not wearing? watch
Favorite store? Borders
Your summer? Fantastic
Love someone? Always
Your favorite color? Blue
When is the last time you laughed? Yesterday
Last time you cried? unknow
Are you a b*tch? No
Favorite position? CEO
Favorite past time? Blogging
Are you a hater or a lover? Lover
Are you genuine or fake? Genuine
Any vices? Yes
Pro life or wire hanger? Choice
Mccain or Obama? Obama
Pro plastic or natural? Natural
Dream job? Pharaoh
LOL that last one I couldn't resist.
Sincerely,
Pharaoh
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Trust vs. Safety
Self,
Ok, I was having a conversation with a friend and of course the topic of sex and relationships gets discussed. I don't want to go into too many details (not so much for privacy but rather to keep things PG.) In the conversation, my friend, (I'll call Cameron as a play on his initials,) said he had a dream about the person he is "getting to know," and some of the more graphic acts the two of them performed in his dream. This led to him making the comment that when he is dating someone exclusively he can be "nasty." Well that's a relative term, because some of the things he mention in his dream were 'nasty" to me (maybe I'm a bigger prude than I believed.) So I asked him to give me some examples. Well the main example he gave was the idea of using the combined semen of him and his lover as lube for further anal penetration.
I had to interrupt there and asked "then what's the point of using condoms?" His response was that by the time the relationship advance to that point he felt they wouldn't be using condoms because there shouldn't be anything between them due the intense level of emotional, physical, and spiritual intimacy that you trust each other to be faithful and exclusive.
I had a fundamental difference of opinion.
For me, it isn't a matter of how much I trust the person I'm with, but more my own safety and protection. (Call it survivor instinct or maybe just paranoia.) I said I couldn't imagine a situation for me where I wouldn't use a condom, because it too easy and often for someone to betray that trust. Cameron said that basically it's a natural progression of relationships, and used heterosexuals as an example of it being acceptable due to the idea that couple will stop using them and start having kids.
I of course pointed out how many woman mostly are reported being infected by HIV due to that thinking and the men are "stepping out" of the relationship (rather with men or women.)
The topic was basically brought to a close when Cameron said that "you haven't been in that many relationships, huh?" and my agreeing.
SO I bring this up here for feedback, am I crazy (ok I know I am, but I mean in this situation?) I don't know how to address the juxtaposition of heterosexuals with personal safety and having kids. At best I'd say that it is a calculated risk with the "pay-off" being the birth and joy of children. HOWEVER, what's the pay off for gay men, a better nutt? IS that really worth it? There are no words for how stupid I imagine I would feel if I consent to having unprotected sex with my mate and then later discoved that I have contracted HIV, and not to be all gloom and doom, that goes for any STD. Particularly when you face the reality that you wouldn't be in that situation if you had took an extra minute to apply a condom.
SERIOUSLY, I would like to hear some feedback from the Loyal Subject of the Realm...rather you are a public supporter of Pharaoh (ie a follower) or a closeted one (meaning a casual reader.)
Sincerely,
Pharaoh
Ok, I was having a conversation with a friend and of course the topic of sex and relationships gets discussed. I don't want to go into too many details (not so much for privacy but rather to keep things PG.) In the conversation, my friend, (I'll call Cameron as a play on his initials,) said he had a dream about the person he is "getting to know," and some of the more graphic acts the two of them performed in his dream. This led to him making the comment that when he is dating someone exclusively he can be "nasty." Well that's a relative term, because some of the things he mention in his dream were 'nasty" to me (maybe I'm a bigger prude than I believed.) So I asked him to give me some examples. Well the main example he gave was the idea of using the combined semen of him and his lover as lube for further anal penetration.
I had to interrupt there and asked "then what's the point of using condoms?" His response was that by the time the relationship advance to that point he felt they wouldn't be using condoms because there shouldn't be anything between them due the intense level of emotional, physical, and spiritual intimacy that you trust each other to be faithful and exclusive.
I had a fundamental difference of opinion.
For me, it isn't a matter of how much I trust the person I'm with, but more my own safety and protection. (Call it survivor instinct or maybe just paranoia.) I said I couldn't imagine a situation for me where I wouldn't use a condom, because it too easy and often for someone to betray that trust. Cameron said that basically it's a natural progression of relationships, and used heterosexuals as an example of it being acceptable due to the idea that couple will stop using them and start having kids.
I of course pointed out how many woman mostly are reported being infected by HIV due to that thinking and the men are "stepping out" of the relationship (rather with men or women.)
The topic was basically brought to a close when Cameron said that "you haven't been in that many relationships, huh?" and my agreeing.
SO I bring this up here for feedback, am I crazy (ok I know I am, but I mean in this situation?) I don't know how to address the juxtaposition of heterosexuals with personal safety and having kids. At best I'd say that it is a calculated risk with the "pay-off" being the birth and joy of children. HOWEVER, what's the pay off for gay men, a better nutt? IS that really worth it? There are no words for how stupid I imagine I would feel if I consent to having unprotected sex with my mate and then later discoved that I have contracted HIV, and not to be all gloom and doom, that goes for any STD. Particularly when you face the reality that you wouldn't be in that situation if you had took an extra minute to apply a condom.
SERIOUSLY, I would like to hear some feedback from the Loyal Subject of the Realm...rather you are a public supporter of Pharaoh (ie a follower) or a closeted one (meaning a casual reader.)
Sincerely,
Pharaoh
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Could I Be A Hater?
Self,
If I am, then I blame the kids! No, I don't mean those adorable, angel-faced, shin-kicking, snotty-nosed, hell-raising, mini-people that are terrorizing the world from the sandboxes and their playpens. How could anyone blame those sweethearts of anything other than being divine gifts from the universe?
I'm talking about those other kids. The eye-rolling, hip-swinging, self-confident, sunglasses in the club at midnight wearing, super-chic, finger-snapping, ultra stylish, falling out on the dancefloor on que, trend-setting, stunting and claiming to be fierce dingalings.
Yes, THEM!
Now that you know who I blame, I'm sure you're wondering what they did. I know I'm going to get crap for this, but ...so be it.
BEYONCE!
She is their fault. Don't get me wrong, I think .....I know she is a very talented person. I was rocking to almost all of Destiny's Child stuff. I LOVE "If I Were a Boy," I am even growing into "Halo." Along with several other track from those "yesterdays."
However right now the bone I have to pick is "Diva." I know one of those afore mentioned "hip-swing kids" was a bug in her ear and told her how fabulous she is, how beautiful she is, how much they admire her, and how much they want to be just like her. The problem is that they're WRONG, well at least in so much as misnaming her. If you think that Beyonce is "fierce" for having made this song, then you may be one of those kids...lol just fess-up to it and let's move forward, shall we.
I'm sorry but the definition of a diva is NOT a female hustler - that's a prostitute.
A true diva has (and should have) WAY TOO much class, grace, intellect, and self-respect to associate herself with being called a female hustler. (And no Diva should not be synonymous with "bitch" either.) If I were to rank these "titles" starting at the top. I'll say you'll have:
Goddess (- examples here maybe Cleopatra, Nefertiti, Queen of Sheba, Hatshepsut, Queen Elizabeth I)
Diva
Queen
Princess
Lady
Woman
Girl
....and well some where below that you have your female hustler....way below. I will give Beyonce credit as hmmm a Woman and maybe even a Lady. She does have some of the qualities that goes into the making of a Diva...but she ain't there yet, and only time will tell if she will actually get there. LOL if she keeps listening to those kids who fallout on the dance floor in the club whenever one of her songs is played, then she may not make it.
I know that in the past I have also fell into the trap and slight habit of refering to someone who has done something....unexpected, remarkable, and/or inspirational as being "fierce" or a "diva." Yes, the comment is meant to be encouraging, endearing, and celebritory in nature, but at what cost. This scenario has makes it seem like we are promoting someone when really we just mean to say "job well done."
If I am, then I blame the kids! No, I don't mean those adorable, angel-faced, shin-kicking, snotty-nosed, hell-raising, mini-people that are terrorizing the world from the sandboxes and their playpens. How could anyone blame those sweethearts of anything other than being divine gifts from the universe?
I'm talking about those other kids. The eye-rolling, hip-swinging, self-confident, sunglasses in the club at midnight wearing, super-chic, finger-snapping, ultra stylish, falling out on the dancefloor on que, trend-setting, stunting and claiming to be fierce dingalings.
Yes, THEM!
Now that you know who I blame, I'm sure you're wondering what they did. I know I'm going to get crap for this, but ...so be it.
BEYONCE!
She is their fault. Don't get me wrong, I think .....I know she is a very talented person. I was rocking to almost all of Destiny's Child stuff. I LOVE "If I Were a Boy," I am even growing into "Halo." Along with several other track from those "yesterdays."
However right now the bone I have to pick is "Diva." I know one of those afore mentioned "hip-swing kids" was a bug in her ear and told her how fabulous she is, how beautiful she is, how much they admire her, and how much they want to be just like her. The problem is that they're WRONG, well at least in so much as misnaming her. If you think that Beyonce is "fierce" for having made this song, then you may be one of those kids...lol just fess-up to it and let's move forward, shall we.
I'm sorry but the definition of a diva is NOT a female hustler - that's a prostitute.
A true diva has (and should have) WAY TOO much class, grace, intellect, and self-respect to associate herself with being called a female hustler. (And no Diva should not be synonymous with "bitch" either.) If I were to rank these "titles" starting at the top. I'll say you'll have:
Goddess (- examples here maybe Cleopatra, Nefertiti, Queen of Sheba, Hatshepsut, Queen Elizabeth I)
Diva
Queen
Princess
Lady
Woman
Girl
....and well some where below that you have your female hustler....way below. I will give Beyonce credit as hmmm a Woman and maybe even a Lady. She does have some of the qualities that goes into the making of a Diva...but she ain't there yet, and only time will tell if she will actually get there. LOL if she keeps listening to those kids who fallout on the dance floor in the club whenever one of her songs is played, then she may not make it.
I know that in the past I have also fell into the trap and slight habit of refering to someone who has done something....unexpected, remarkable, and/or inspirational as being "fierce" or a "diva." Yes, the comment is meant to be encouraging, endearing, and celebritory in nature, but at what cost. This scenario has makes it seem like we are promoting someone when really we just mean to say "job well done."
This situation has got me to thinking, who are some TRUE DIVAS. I even thought of creating a segment of "notes" labelled as "A True Diva Series" with the intent of pointing out examples of individuals that truly meet the requirement of a Diva. However, I finally stumbled across the means of creating a playlist on the blog and realized that a single blog about these individuals would not do them the justice they deserved and that the playlist on the page would be a much better tribute. Obviously if you have had your volume up as you been reading this you noticed that there are some male voices in rotation. That initially started because there was a duet and the pairing was extremely complimentary that it made me realize that there are a few fellas that also exemplify similar traits.
I hope you enjoy the musical selections from my "Classic Gems" playlist. This playlist is just a first installment. There are others who belong to this pantheon, and they may be added over time.
Sincerely,
Pharaoh
PS, I may drop a "True Diva" note from time to time, anyway.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Watch-out-there-now
Self,Well a few days ago, NY Suitor reminded me that "this was a daily blog" and that I was slacking. I know he was joking and I don't take it personal, so no I'm not complaining or pitching a fit. NY Suitor knew that last week was rather hectic for me.
I don't think I've mentioned this on here before, so I guess this is a good time to do so.
I am in the process of changing careers. It's hard trying to carry the both of them at the moment, but I'll survive. The career I'm transitioning into is in the field of financial service...more specificly strategizing with families to help them achieve their dreams and goals financially. The connection between my career move and my lack of blog entries for this past week, is that last week was the company annual convention. Luckily it was here in Los Angeles and we had company members from all over the country, as well as Canada, China, and the Philipines. The convention required some rather long hours over those several days, but the trade off was some valuable workshops and training sessions.
Well during the company convention, I was given the trophy pictured above. It may not be clear, but it's a "Sleeping Giant Award." This award is given because the company acknowledges that I'm learning and growing in the company and that they recognize that when I get hit full speed that I will be extremely successfull. (AND no they don't just give it to everybody as a "thanks for playing" token. LOL!)
Well I just wanted to share, I'm happy and proud of my achievement and I know it signifies greater things to come!
Sincerely,
Pharaoh
Monday, March 2, 2009
Some New Jeans
Self,
A friend sent this to me and I thought it was funny, so I decided to share.
I like the idea, but I think I'd like more exposure for some guys! No, I don't think I would have a pair of my own.
LOL Prince Esquire I think this would be the perfect compliment to your T-Shirt idea!
Sincerely,
Pharaoh
A friend sent this to me and I thought it was funny, so I decided to share.
I like the idea, but I think I'd like more exposure for some guys! No, I don't think I would have a pair of my own.
LOL Prince Esquire I think this would be the perfect compliment to your T-Shirt idea!
Sincerely,
Pharaoh
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