It's Not About You! LMAO!

Self,

I've been asked...."what up with NY Suitor? Where he at? Y'll still talking?" Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.

SO...here's the scoop.

He's fine, still in New York.

...ok keep reading!

It's Not About You! LMAO! - Part 2

Self,
Yeah I couldn't resist doing that for some reason...I'm still laughing actually!

Ok for real.

NY-Suitor is doing well.
Yes we still talk, when he's not consumed with "Sun-Rise" but we text pretty regularly.

"Sun-Rise" is the name I've given the person he is dating in New York. This is actually the second person (that he's told me about) that he's dated since he and I first met.)
I gave this guy the name Sun-Rise because one day NY-Suitor after just "bitching" about the fact that he had been dragged to the beach by this guy, sent me a two-part flowery text that the jest of it went:

"HE is Awesome. HE strong enough to take away my tears, call me on my shit and sensitive enough to recognize my moods and handle them."

Or something like that...unfortunately my phone deleted the text due to lack of memory. However I told NY-Suitor that anyone with that type of "reference" must be someone whom the sun Rises and sets upon for you....well that what I told him a few days later when we talked about it.

Initially when I got that message I was shocked for two reasons. One reason is because I felt/saw/recognized the love inherent in that statement, and was happy that NYSuitor was having a moment that was vulnerable enough to let it show. Ironically a couple days later (if not the very next day) he told me that he and Sun-Rise had exchanged "I Love You's" for the first time, that night. (Damn, I'm good huh! Yes, that's not a question, just a statement of fact.)

The other reason...is that in that moment it occurred to me that in all my years to my recollection nobody I've dated has ever referred to me in such a way. Yes, family and friends have made statements of praise, love, encouragement, support and affection in my honor and by NO means am I in any way shape or form trying to demean those sentiments. Yet, ....It's still different. However, I'm not that vain, "it's not about you: Pharaoh!"

I'm very happy that NY-Suitor has found someone special in his life. I kinda feel I had a bit to do with it. (Rather he'll admit it or not.) When we first started talking, he told me that basically he didn't really date because his guard was always up and he couldn't get close to people (correction: He wouldn't let anyone close to him.) I told him that he isn't going to get anywhere if he doesn't atleast start trying to open up to people. Of course as the Martyr that I am...I told him that on one hand I'm a good person to start trying to let the walls down with due to the fact that the distance made me safe. I also told him I'm also the worse person to try it with because I am so far a way that it will be frustrating if things really got serious. Suffice it to say, his walls cracked, crumbled some and fell enough out of the way, so that he opened up a bit to the first guy he was dating and have now virtually created flood gates that are pouring over Sun-Rise. (Damn, I'm good, huh! Again, not a question, but a statement of fact.)

SO, with a glass raised high:

- Here's to Love first and foremost!

- Here's to NY-Suitor and Sun-Rise, May all your "Today's" together be joyful and all your "Tomorrow's" hold the same promises of today!


(Damn I'm good, huh! Yeah, you know.......)

Sincerely,
Pharaoh

Some Columbo/Perry Mason Sh*t

Self,

Solve this case....

"Hey [Pharaoh], Hook me up with someone to have sex."
That was a text message I recieved the other day.

Here's the facts:

-- The person making this request is someone I met on a chat site.

-- I've kinda considered us "getting to know" each other...if not dating, (ie a starting 5 potential.)

-- there's been conversations about us dating/having sex...but nothing has happened outside of groping and fondling through clothes.

-- This persons lives about an hour outside of Los Angeles, where I live

-- He seems to have had a rough time with trying to date guys in his area.

-- His reason for refusing me as an answer to his request is that I'm talking to Mr. "Go-see."

-- I am attracted and curious enough to want to have sex with this person, but not infatuated/lusting over him.

-- I'm not going to be hurt to hear he had sex with someone else (lol received that blow a couple times already, I'm cool with it.)

-- Because of the hard time he having dating and the stress levels he's having from work and family (could be layed-off any day now and his dad is ill with cancer) I would like for him to have a good sexual encounter....because I'm pretty sure it's just stress/tension

-- I don't know any one who I can "pimp" like that since most of my friends aren't that type of freak....the ones that are....lol He's on a work trip to the "Lone Star" state and kinda dating someone (you know who you are. LOL!)

Those are the facts:

the mystery I'm trying to solve here.....What do I do?
Hopefully I can solve the case by the end of the weekend.

Sincerely,
Pharaoh

A Little Treat for Me

Self,
Well I'm sure it's common knowledge at this point that I love a WIDE range of music. And that I love to experience live performances. Well this past Saturday I had a treat that falls in to both of those categories. I was able to attend a concert. The concert was for one of my favorite world music artists: Zap Mama!

I have been listening and following this group for years! Actually Schehimazade and I have both been fans for a long time. So when I sent him a text saying that I was at a free concert for Zap Mama here in LA. I got a prompt and simple "Fuck you" in response. LOL Gotta love family, right! I know not to take it personal, he's just jealous of me...with reason. Aside from it being a FREE concert. This is my third time seeing them, while he still hasn't seen them live once. Yet.

When I first heard the group Zap Mama it was a quintet group of females of African decent in Europe. The music they made was a capella in a variety of languages with complex and sophisticated, traditional African vocal patterns that took advantage of their 5-part harmony. This first clip is one of my favorite tracks and represents their style at the time.



Well this is one of my absolute favorites, also from those early years from the groups' third cd. It represents some of the changes the group went through, the majority of that change consisted of the introduction of instruments other than the human voice as well as performing in English more. But you can also still hear how they maintained that traditional vocal element and to me it's incorporation makes this song a lot more haunting....which is why I love it so much. (I've heard Etta James perform it and wasn't moved quite as much.) And this was one song that was performed Saturday! YIPPY!



It was also about this same time when the group also began to explore other areas of music which led to collaborations with other artists, such as Talib Kweli, Common, Bahamdia, the Roots and Erykah Badu who is featured in this next track which I think is actually the official video for this song. This song may be responsible to gaining the group most of its US notoriety, which was why it was one song used to close out the show on Saturday. And although the traditional African vocal harmony is still present, it is around this time that Zap Mama became a primarily solo act rather than a quintet. (I haven't figure out if the change happened due to "bad blood" or its member just growing apart, or their record label wanting to make them more marketable.)



Not to over satuarate you , but I had to include this clip because of the pics of Common's sexy ass! YUM!



ANd this one I include because it looks like the video shoot was fun as hell. And yes I'm pretty sure that is really her dancing a because she'll do a lot of the same things on stage!



Is it me or does it seem like she got some of her fashion tips for this video from Strange'(stran- JAY) in the movie, Boomerang?

I hope you enjoyed this little journey with me. As I said it was a treat for me to attend the concert last minute and I hope having shared it was a treat for you.

If you like what you've heard and want to find the CD's here is a list of them starting with the oldest.

Adventures in Afropea - "Take Me Coco"
Sabsylma
Seven - "Damn Your Eyes"
Rafiki
Ancestry in Progress - "Bandy Bandy" & "Yelling Away"
Supermoon - "Toma Taboo"
Recreation* (this is the newest and I haven't heard it yet but will get it soon.)

Sincerely,
Pharaoh

The Sucky Side!

Self,

I know that everything of everyday can't be all peachie keen or rosie fresh. However at the same time, knowing that doesn't mean that when the crap piles up in front of you that you are just thankful for the manure...it's still shit in your face! And that sucks!

A brief crap list lately,

my grandfather has been in and out of the hospital, his doctors don't know what's wrong. However, a nurse in the family suspect from the symptoms described that it's possible that it might be bone cancer. (yes, my grandfather is 86 years old been married for over 67 years, has 4 children, 6 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandkids...and I would say have had a long life full of happy memories. I know he won't be here forever, but this isn't the way anyone would want to see his life end.)

A family member has had a miscarriage and I don't think she even fully knew she was pregnant at the time....or atleast it wasn't confirmed.

A friend's father also has been in and out of the hospital. the father had a bout with prostate cancer it was in remission, but it seems it's back stronger than before. according to my friend, the doctors don't know if the father will make it through the end of the year.

Another friend went to his country of birth to visit his father after learning that the father had a stroke. Only for the father to pass when my friend started preparing to return to the States.

I know family members are struggling financially, some unemployed

I've recently learned that a friend was stopped by the police which resulted in a DUI. (I know many will say that the DUI is a result of my friend's action by choosing to get in the car. That may be true but there is still a great deal of angusih and regret that goes along with that knowledge.)

I know that in a way most of these things are not my problem. But it stillthings that are unpleasant to hear and know about. However these are all people I care about so it saddens me to know that they are hurting. It's even more frustrating to know that I don't know what I can do to help any of them.

Sincerely,
a slightly weaker Pharaoh

Everything comes in Three's

Self

and so do my spotlight segments....atleast this time.

I just heard this like 2 days ago....LOVE IT!

I hope you will too.



Sincerely,
Pharaoh

something else to hear!

Self,

This is another track I've been hearing that I am loving. Just wanted to share!






This is just an continuation of their session in the video above. I likeded it so I thought y'all might too.




I found this too...



Sincerely,
Pharaoh

Something New

Self,

I know I mentioned that I have been asked to be a contributing writer on another blog. Well I finally took the plunge and wrote a post. Check it out - M.A.L.E. It was mostly an introduction...and some of the Loyal Subjects of the Realm may recognize part of the contents in the post from my first entry here, but it was the inspiration I needed. I got a couple good responses in the comment section....lol go check it out and leave more!

Sincerely,
Pharaoh

PS. Now I have to figure out how to keep it up......Lawd have mercy.

It's Time

Self,

I know I've been away, I'm sorry.....I'll try harder. I have to say what has sparked this note is my first love...Music.

I've been hearing this on the radio for a a while and I just love it. Itjust so upbeat and cheerful, I can't help but to feel good when I hear it. So I wanted to share the good vibes with you.




Sincerely,
Pharaoh

What's good for the goose.......

Self,

I've mentioned that a couple weeks ago I had a date and a "go-see." Things with the "go-see" were going pretty good. With out going in tofull details no penetration but we've "messed around."

One night we're laying in his bed ...messing around some and I put my finger between his cheeks (not the ones on his face mind you.) He flinches and pushes my hand away saying "stop that you haven't earned that yet." Ok fine, I'm a gentleman and can respect boundaries, and if he not ready for that then I won't force it.

So we continue fooling around and I'm stroking him and he says, "It's taking me so long to bust, how about you give me some booty?"

I simply responded, "Naw I don't think so. You ain't earned that yet either."

(Schehimazade, I do have a facial filter because I don't think he had any clue how pissed that made me.)

Go-see questioned it but didn't push the issue either. we finished and I went home.

So am I crazy? I mean I amquite offended by that. I mean his booty is so precious that I can't even touch it, but he feels that I should let him climb all up in me just because its what he wants? What am I, some cheap whore?

I haven't said anything yet. I'm trying to calm down about it and looking to find out if I'm over reacting?

Sincerely
Pharaoh