A Sign of the Times

Everyone (Self included),

I know 2010 will bring all the wonderful things you deserve; love, joy, peace, kindness, family, friends, and success!

Sincerely,

Pharaoh

December 31, 2009

Self,

It's the last day of the year and I am sure there are plenty of ways for people to ring in the new year. As of now the plan is to attend a church service which is going to feature a concert by Kelly Price.

I'll be with my good friend Prince Esquire, who is visiting from Miami. It will be an experience that is new to each of us. We both agree that it would be a good way to lay a strong foundation to build on in the coming new year and new decade.

Now it's just a START. Don't know what else the night will bring, but I look forward to seeing how it unfolds. I'll update you on whatever else happens tonight, in the morning.....well probably the afternoon at the earliest if not sometime in the evening. Aw hell, at some point before January 1 2010 is over.

I'd love to hear from everyone as to what your plans are for tonight as well.

Sincerely,
Pharaoh

I Didn't Forget

Self,

I was told that despite having wrote a post about my Christmas ailment I had lied to my "subjects" because I promised to update folks on some things that had occurred while I was in the mist of the 12 Days of Christmas series. This person was trying to specifically get me to write about a date I had with someone. I think he's crazy, the date that is. Well yeah the one you suggested too. ;-) And by crazy I mean the "tick-tick-BOOM, not playing with a full deck" kind of crazy, again the date. The person that suggested I write a post about it, well he's the other kind of crazy for sure, but that's acceptable.

So the date update:
It happened, and its over! I hear from Tick-Tick....almost daily via text - frightening, right? And yes I respond. Darktomahawk, thinks that I may be keeping Tick-tick around so that I can potentially get a booty-call out of it. Not likely, a sane person wouldn't want to keep Freddie Kruger around just for a romp in the hay. (No, Tick-tick isn't Freddie Kruger-ugly.) I mean I enjoy sex like the next guy, but it not THAT serious. Besides there's a possibility that 2010 will be a period during which I'm celibate. (No I don't mean Sell-a-bit, although I might come out of the celibacy with the right offer for me to sell-a-bit! LOL)

That leads me to the real point of this post. The New Year is upon us. The clock is tick-tick-ticking away the the remaining hours of 2009. I'm not one for "resolutions," but I will concede that this could be a time to do some reflecting about one's life, one's goals, one's dreams, the lessons one has learned and decide to make some changes. Rather the changes are because they feel they are a little off the mark and need to make course corrections or that they are right on target and they figure out how to get there faster.

I actually wait till my birthday to do that, so I still got a little time to think it all through. But good luck to you on yours!

Sincerely,
Pharaoh

My Christmas

Self,

I made it to my parents house late on Christmas' Eve, actually it was Christmas Day since it was after midnight, but that's besides the point. I made my pallet of blankets on the sofa and went to bed. Sip on a glass of egg og with a shot of dark Bacardi rum. And then I'm off to dreamland.

I woke up Christmas Day to my dad's special from-scratch-recipe pancakes along with bacon and a cold glass of milk. Not too long after that I have a glass of orange-pineapple juice that my dad had out.

We continue with the morning and in the early afternoon I decide that it's about time for me to get started preparing Christmas Dinner. So I go in the kitchen and start prepping everything. I boil the macaroni, drain it, season it , add cheese, and get it in the casserole dish to bake. I pull out the baby-back ribs from the frig so I can start coating them while heating the oil in the cast iron frying pan.

My stomach flips. I am suddenly queasy. Since I haven't really started I pause and go outseide to get some fresh air. Eventually I raise the stakes a bit with an Alka-Seltzer. I shortly go back in the kitchen to start on the ribs.

I go racing down the hall to the bathroom to stand over the toilet and empty out the contents of my stomach. Good I decide, now it's out the way and I can continue with my day. I let my mom know I want to sit down for 15-20 minutes to recoup a bit then I'll go back to the kitchen.

I'm back in the kitchen, wash my hands under hot water, and I sit out three bowls to start the coating process for the ribs. (flour, egg wash, and Panko bread crumbs.) My stomach flips again! I find it difficult to stand again and my mom suggest that I just sit and direct her on what to do because she wants to make sure we give my grandparents dinner early. So I go sit in the dining room across from the kitchen. One of the same wood-backed chairs that I've spent hours sitting in talking with family is now one of the most UNCOMFORTABLE pieces of furniture I have ever sat in. I bare it long enough to give my mom a few instructions for the ribs, then I go sit on a sofa in the living....after another race down the hall. That was all she wrote, I feel asleep on the sofa and the next thing I knew my mom was telling me to come sit at the table so we can bless the food and eat.

I sat at the table in the den/familyroom, we blessed the food. I took a couple bites of the salad my mom put together. Took a sip or two of the sparkling grape juice my dad poured in to everyone's glasses. I couldn't make it I, pulled away from the table and sat in the dinning room. (alittle closer to the bathroom down the hall. About that time a friend of my brother dropped by with his family and while they were all chatting around the table....I ran down the hall for a third time. Afterwards I passed out on the sofa again, but at some point my mom had me go lay across the guest bed until she woke me again telling me it was after midnight and was I going to stay or drive home. I stayed. She made my pallet on the sofa in the den again. (she was sleeping in the guest room to be closer to my grandparents in case one of them called out for her in the middle of the night.

I woke up the next morning...just peachy. My parents, my brother, and I finally exchanged the few gifts we had under the tree. I had a small plate of the left-overs from the dinner I planned.

That was my Christmas.

Sincerely,
Pharaoh

Twelfth Day of Christmas 2009

Self,

I warned you that the movie for the 12th day of Christmas would not be what you expected.

Today's movie is "Seven Pounds," which starred Will Smith and Rosario Dawson. In this film we watch Smith's character do some extraordinary things to help strangers he doesn't even know, including Dawson's character.

Ironically "Seven Pounds" debuted Christmas Day 2008 and here it is topping my the list on Christmas Day 2009.

I don't want to give the story away for those who have not seen this film yet but I think it embodies the essence of the holiday when examined through the lens by which the message of the holiday is love and goodwill to all mankind.

Sincerely,
Pharaoh

Peace and blessing to all.

Eleventh Day of Christmas

Self,

Yes I know I'm late, but I did make it before the end of the day!

Well I'm sure that the film I have chosen for both the Eleventh and Twelfth days of Christmas would not have been expected. Good. I'm keeping you on your toes.

The movie for today is "Last Holiday" Staring Queen Latifah, and LL Cool J.

The story is that the quiet and homely, Georgia Byrd (Latifah) is informed that she has less than a month to live. Byrd decides it's time to take action on all the dreams she had put on hold in her life.

I know this is not a traditional Christmas movie, but I still think it is fitting, aside from it being one of my favorite movies - that I watch repeatedly all year long. SO here it my reasons for including it on this list;

1. It is set in winter, around Christmas and New Years.

2. The word "holiday" is in the title and the paring of Christmas and New Years is the "last holiday" of the year.

3. The "miracle" of Christmas is slightly reflected in the story in so much as its seems like a miracle that she learns that the diagnosis was incorrect.

4. Byrd stops being overly practical and living in the mundane real world and starts living her lifer for herself which allows her to find and do the things that brings her joy and happiness. I personally feel that this coincides with the "spirit" of the holiday seasons in so much as people break from practicality and the "real world" buy gifts for others and prepare a meal that far exceeds the limits of their budget in addition to the body's need for sustenance. All of it done in the name of spreading joy and happiness to themselves and those they love. (Hmmm, maybe maybe that's why everyday should be Christmas?)

Sincerely,
Pharaoh

PS Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Tenth Day of Christmas 2009

Self,

Well I'm at the last three movies of the season.

Today's film is "Santa Claus: the Movie." It stars Dudley Moore and John Lithgow. The story is the One of Santa's helpers, (Moore) has a falling-out with Santa and runs away from the North Pole to New York. In New York, the elf works with a toy manufacturing company owned by Lithgow, as a means to prove to worthiness to Santa.

My brother has dubbed this "the best Christmas movie ever." I don't know if I would go that far, but I do enjoy it.

Sincerely,
Pharaoh

Ninth Day of Christmas 2009

Self,

As we come down to the wire of the Twelve Days of Christmas, it would be horrible not to include one of the classic stories of the season, Charles Dicken's "A Christmas Carol."

The story has appears on film numerous times with a variety of cast members. It's the story of a miserable person that is visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, who learns the meaning of Christmas and changes his ways to embrace the holiday.

As I said this story has come to us many times before but I think this is one of my favorite versions - A Diva's Christmas Carol and it stars Vanessa Williams.

Sadly this version was not give the opportunity to make a silverscreen debut, but I think it would have done well. It's the only "made-for-TV" movie on this list.

Sincerely,
Pharaoh

Eighth Day of Christmas 2009

Self,

My movie for the Eighth day of Christmas is The Preacher's Wife. This film starred a younger and sexier Denzel Washington, and the once golden-voiced Whitney Houston.


The story is that a preacher is having a hard time with his congregation during around Christmas and an angel (Washington) is sent to help him. Through the course of the angel's visit, he becomes close with the preacher's wife (Houston.)


The soundtrack has some WONDERFUL Christmas gems from Whitney.

Sincerely,
Pharaoh

Seventh Day of Christmas 2009

Self,

The movie for the Seventh day of Christmas is both a classic and modern.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas, by Dr. Seuss. It starred Jim Carrey, and may be his best work thus far. Obviously this story has entertained generations of youngsters during the holiday season, and doesn't need to be summarized. Carrey really brought my childhood imagination to life in this film and it evoked such....warm and fuzzy sentimental feelings.

In Fact I have to figure out how I can see it before Christmas.

Sincerely,
Pharaoh

Sixth Day of Christmas 2009

Self,

Moving right along here;

On the Sixth day of Christmas, the movie I have for you is....This Christmas

This movie had a stellar cast: Loretta Divine, Delroy Lindo, Regina King, Idris Elba, Mekhi Phifer, and Chris Brown (Pre-domestic violence drama.)


This one keeps to the theme of family "crazies" that occur when everyone is all under one roof. I enjoyed it, makes you laugh, might even make you cry. but it will have you watching it year after year.

Sincerely,
Pharaoh

Fifth Day of Christmas 2009

Self,

Day 5...yes I know I'm late, but I've been busy. I'll share what's been going on AFTER the Twelve Days Of Christmas series.

Today's movie is "Christmas with the Kranks," which stars Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis. The premise of the story is that the Kranks' only child informs her parents (Allen & Curtis) that she will not be home for Christmas. They are disappointed of course, so as a means to cheer themselves up, they decide to"skip" Christmas, to the dismay of the neighbors, in order to take a tropical cruise. Just when they are set to go, their beloved daughter calls to surprise them with with a last minute arrival and the Kranks go through numerous hoops to give their child the Christmas she's expecting.

This one is definitely good for a few good laughs.

Sincerely,
Pharaoh

Fourth Day of Christmas

Self,

Well this is a relatively new movie. In fact I just saw it for the first time last night. and I think the fact that I just saw it is the main reason it is appearing on this list. Not to say that I didn't like it, but I don't know if it will be one I will watch repeatedly.

it's a sentially a latino version of the Family Stone. John Leguzamo takes his Caucasian wife, Debra Messing (Will & Grace) home to Chicago for the holiday to see his Puerto Rican family. It wasn't hilarious, but it was entertaining.

Sincerely,
Pharaoh

Third Day of Christmas 2009

Self,

Well today is the third day of Christmas, and from the photo you can see the third movie I have chosen. "Surviving Christmas"

This is another whacky kind of story. Affleck is a milionaire who gets nostalgic for his youth and wants to visit his childhood home for the holidays (I think Partially because he has no place else to spend the holidays.) The catch: his family doesn't live in the house anymore. SO he rents the family and the house to spend Christmas with them. Obviously this creates drama in that he paying this family and feels they should do everything, "just so."

Sincerely,

Pharaoh

Second Day of Christmas 2009

Self,

Time for the next movie for this season is The Family Stone.

It starred Diane Keaton, Craig T. Nelson, and Sarah Jessica Parker.

As I remember it the story is that SJP goes with her boyfriend to see his parent (Keaton, Nelson) and syblings for their annual holiday celebration (for the first time.) She sees a slightly different side of him than she is not use to normally. If that's not enough to send a girlfriend in to a hizzy-fit, there's some family issue that flare up during the visit that also makes SJP feel out of place. lol It was fun.

For some folks it has an added special treat due to a minor role played by Brian J. White.

He plays the gay lover to one of the Stone offsprings that happen to be deaf.

Although family dram isn't a new idea, I thought this was and enjoyable film.

Sincerely,
Pharaoh

The First Day of Christmas - 2009

Self,

Well it's that time of year again! The holiday season is upon us. It took me a while to figure out what I was going to use in my Twelve days of Christmas series this year, considering I used my favorite carols last time. I just decided to go with Christmas movies....so here I go.

The movie reflects my...twisted mind and this movie is twisted in its own way.

The Nightmare Before Christmas.




The story of the King of Halloween Town who kidnaps Santa in order to take over Christmas. LOL yeah I'm crazy, but it's fun.

Sincerely,
Pharaoh

Les Nubians

Self,

Well on Saturday I had the opportunity to get out and go galavanting in the streets. Even though it was raining and I usually try to stay home to prevent myself from melting, But sometimes a brutha has to throw caution to the wind.

Well this wasn't a spur of the moment outing since a friend had bought the tickets about a week in advance. I went to see the Afroeuropean soul group "Les Nubians." I've know about the group for years, but this was the first time that I had the chance to see them perform live. I think how strange it was that I was going to let the opportunity pass by if my friend, Concertbuddy, (named so because most of the times we hang out it's cause we are going to a concert, and we have similar taste in music that he doesn't share with his spouse,) had not asked.

I'm glad I went and had a great time. I highly recommend that folks lend them an ear...lol get over the French...sometimes understanding lyrics isn't quite as important as the groove, melody, rhythm and harmony resonating with your soul.

Sincerely,
Pharaoh

A Recent Development

Self,

Some might like to say that I am a "social butterfly." I don't think that's totally accurate. Social butterflies are generallyextremely comfortable in ANY social setting and could arguably be "the life of a party." I am not. However I do like to stay in contact with the people with whom I feel a connection.

That said I'm prone to send texts out to let people know that I thought of them at that moment. and I'll admit that I basically do that on a daily basis.

However this situation has seem to have developed a new pet peeve of mine, that I've noticed recently. I guess from my frequency and consistency of texts people look forward to receiving my messages. Which I think is wonderful. However there are some days when things are just so hectic that I'm not able to send out any texts. And then at some point during the day I will get one from people saying;

"Why haven't heard from you all day?"

Well I don't want to seem ungrateful or an asshole or anything like that, but that's ANNOYING AS HELL to me....if that is the first/only message I've received from that person all day. I mean it's obvious that if a person has sat there and thought about rather they have gotten a text from me or not, then shouldn't that person also ask themselves if they SENT me a message at all that day.

If the answer is yes, and I have not responded then ring the alarm, and that's a valid "bitch slap" question to send me....atleast then I'll know I slightly deserved it.

If the answer is no, then I wish they would just say, "Helloooo!" I mean the person could just think about what reasons may existed that prevented them from sending me a text earlier that day? Busy at work, in class, still sleep, running errands, etc etc etc etc.... At that point a person doesn't even know if I've been having a fucked up day already and could have just appreciated a friendly "pick me up" rather than a slight chastising to suggest I forgot about them or something and I should feel guilty for having done so.

The greeting doesn't have to be specific anything like these would work;
"Hey"
"Wassup"
"Ring- ring"
"In my Wendy Williams voice, - How U doin'?"

lol creativity is welcomed!

Sincerely,
Pharaoh

Catch Up

Self,

I hate having to apologize for the fact that it has been a minute since my last post....I'm sorry!

So since I decided that I can't go to New York for New Year's Eve, what have I been up to.

I've made two trips to Las Vegas to hang out with Schehimazade. The first trip was kinda spur of the moment because I was working graveyard shift and found myself starting my weekend as early as 8am on a Friday morning so I figure if I hit the road then I would avoid all the traffic making it an almost enjoyable drive. I also went to take Schehimazade his Christmas present since I wasn't going to be in New York as I usually am to give it to him then. Schehimazade really likes my Red Velvet Cake (well my family's since that's where I learned to make it.) He says it's better than Cake Man Ray's, but I can neither confirm nor deny that statement since to my knowledge I have never tried Cake Man Ray's. However, so far I haven't tasted a Red Velvet anywhere that I like better than my own, so if I have tried it then, he's right mine is better! ;-P Anyway for the past several years I would make him one when I'd visit him in New York. So he got his Christmas present a little early this year, and he pretty much had it all to himself since he didn't have to share with his New York roommate, Hueyleen, who I will miss seeing this year.

My Second trip to Las Vegas was in part do to Prince Esquire. He happen to come from Miami and was suppose to ride with me on the first trip, but due to circumstances wasn't able to make it. SO we decided to make the drive the Friday after Thanksgiving. The three of us are rarely in the same place at the same time so it was great hanging out with two of my dear brothers-from-another-mother!

The Vegas trip with Prince Esquire after Thanksgiving worked out pretty well considering that my family had an extra guest at the dinner table that eventually got on my nerves. My father recently got in touch with a cousin of his on his father's side I believe, that he hadn't seen in like 50 years. She lives in Santa Barbara (2-3 hours North of Los Angeles,) So lets just call her SBCuz. Supposedly the "plan was that SBCuz, her son and daughter, and their families were all suppose to come for the holiday, but the family backed out and she came by herself......TWO DAYS early. My Mom was not happy, since SBCuz was now in the way of my Mom's Thanksgiving Day preparations....but my mom being the ultimate Hostess, worked it out, although I couldn't figure out why SBCuz didn't stay in Santa Barbara with her own family.

Well, I eventually figured out why SBCuz came to spend the holiday with my family. She came with the intention of being an "entitled white lady" basically. I mean everytime I turned around she was asking someone to "get" her something. I think she "suckered me" about three times before I started saying "Oh, the {insert item} is just {insert location}." I don't mind helping and doing things for someone but you can't be sitting at the same table as me and ask me to get up and get you something in order for you to continue sitting in your chair.....I am not that one.

The thing I noticed that was wearing me out was that SBCuz was trying to be both "company/guest" and "family" at the same time.... Everybody knows that don't work! You can't sit o your ass and expected to be the pampered princess because you are a guest, but then want to have special liberties in the name of being family.

She tried to be "family" twice that just didn't sit well with me.

When my cousin (my mom's niece, let's call her - BigSis, since she is older than me) and her husband arrived from Arizona on Thanksgiving Eve, they brought in a bottle of Crown Royal. SBCuz got excited and says that's what her drink. BigSis offered SBCuz a drink with the rest of us who were having a glass but SBCuz said she'll wait so she can save it to have on Thanksgiving.....she missed out because we we sipped on it all night and it was gone.I mean a guest is suppose to take what's being offered WHEN it is offered. Family MAY request to have something saved for them.

The other incident had to do with the turkey. On Thanksgiving day, my father was carving the turkey for my mom, so the meat could go in the chaffing dishes so it would be ready when dinner was served. My father had cut off the wing and drumstick and set them to the side while slicing the breast. While standing there my cousin stole a sliver, and although I don't usually eat Turkey, this was my dad's first attempt at frying one so, I also stole a sliver while he was slicing the breast. SBCuz decided she wanted the wing, and snatched it. My Cousin, in a polite manner criticized SBCuz for snatching it, stating that the wing was my mom's (the hostess and lady of the house) favorite piece. Even my dad tried to tell SBCuz that she was wrong. SBCuz's response - "Oh, she won't mind, because I'm family. Besides, there's another wing right here." As she proceeded to POKE the other wing with her finger, rather than just point at it. Now, I don't think it would be so bad if SBcuz had taken a sliver like myself. But I think it was rather rude and disrespectful for her to take a piece that could have been on someone's plate as part of the meal, just for her greedy butt to have a pre-dinner sample.

LOL the funny thing is my cousin said she told my mom what SBCuz did and said that my Mom comment was that she was ready for SBCuz to go. I don't think SbCuz will be getting another holiday invitation.

Sincerely,
Pharaoh

sgiving Eve and SBCuz and her family drove in from Phoenix on Thanksgiving Eve, and nearly order me to spend the night at my parents' house to hang out (although she checked into a hotel down the street....not happy cause I could have slept in my own bed then on the sofa if that was the case.)