DAMN!!!!

Self,

I found this and had to share, but back off because he's mine, DAMMIT!

Meet Matt, 2011 Rundu Calendar Cover Man

Sincerely,

Pharoah

PS to "Where my boyz at?"

Self,

OK this is the "post script" because it was in the process of writing that entry that I noticed a few things.

So as I was writing the the post "Where my Boyz at," I did a web search for images of male bonding/male friends because I didn't want the post to be all text.

Why were like 75% of the images that came back in the search seemed rather homosexualized (if that isn't a word, then I just made it one,) or very homo erotic? I mean looking back at the pictures in the post, the black & white photo of some guys drinking and smoking cigars does not fall in to the category. For that matter neither is the one of the guys sitting around the table.

The picture of the guys hugged up in the water was a little suspect but I also found to be extremely playful that it basically out shined the tinge of homo-eroticism.

However I found others pictures that leaned more the other way. And I want to see am I crazy or do others see/get it too.

So this first group are pictures that I think do not have an homosexual or homo-erotic overtone:

Ok so those seem pretty basic; you know just folks having a good time and enjoying each others' company.

Now these I thought were....suspicious to say the least;

So the three walking on the beach may be more innocent than I think butlike the three on the jet-ski and the ones on the sofa suggest the idea of a threesome, with the three on the jet-ski pushing for a sandwich like scenario. The guys in blue I could almost let go as just a group of surfers or hell scuba divers if it wasn't for the one layed out on the floor wearing slacks and a silky shirt tied like a mid-drift.

And these last two are just over the top.

Honestly I like this one of the guys kissing. Yes it is very gay but I think its fun and a bit playful. I could almost buy it as three straight guys caught acting out an inside joke. (And yes I think they are all rather cute.) Although the reality is that it may be two gay friends expressing their affection and maybe even attraction for the third. The locker room shower....well I get that it's may be an advertisement to sell the shower equipment, playing off the idea of athletes bond as a team continuously as long as they are together. However, it looks like the boys are checking each other out. And the two in the bed...someone actually had the nerve to label it as "two straight guys bonding", REALLY????? Can't be. I mean I've shared a bed with str8 guys before and even if the conversations got deeply intense and personal, we were not laying up next to each other naked while covering up our crotches with pillows.

Anyway like I said I would love to hear some feed back on these pictures.

Sincerely,

Pharoah

Where My Boyz At?

Self,

The other day I blatently experienced something that I was already aware of but not sure what to do about it. What I experienced was basically a sense of isolation.

Last Saturday I was put out the house. NO, not permanently! See what had happened was, my parents were hosting a social engagement that...well I wasn't intended to present. I mean I could have stayed home in my room, just coming out for food/drink and to use the bathroom, but that didn't really appeal to me. However, the situation served as a reminder to me that to some degree on a social level I seem to remain ...aloof or a misfit. Simply stated, I became aware of the fact that I really had no place to go.

There was a time, years ago, that like clockwork on certain days (particularly weekends) that I knew what I was doing and who I was doing it with. If all the details weren't figured out, I atleast knew who I would be hanging out with as we figured out what we were going to do that evening. Essentially, as the phrase goes, I'd be "kicking it with my boyz." (Granted unlinke this picture, sometimes there were women in the group as well but you get the point.)

This incident highlighted the fact that I don't have any "boyz" to kick it with on a regular basis like before. back then there wasn't a question of "if" we were going to see each other, it was mostly just what shit we had to do BEFORE we would see each other. So rather we were sitting at a table, making a mess and laughing like these guys. Or doing something wild and crazy that caused us to act as silly as this group.

I mean don't get me wrong I'm not a total hermit that only interact with people here in cyberspace. There are folks that I talk to almost daily, and some even 4-5 times a day, however they don't live here in Los Angeles.

I suddenly feel like the dude in "I Love You, Man." LOL Do I need to start having folks set me up on man-dates for a Bromance?? LOL ok and in the realm of Gay folks, how is that going to be different from just dating? LMAO maybe this will be a perfect use for (the devil,) Facebook.

Wow well I would like to hear some suggestion on how to solve my dilemma. ANY LA locals out there HOLLA!

Sincerely,

Pharoah

Turkey Day - Part Two

Self,

Just a quick update.

My cooking was off the CHAIN! Originally my mom was planning to keep it simple and make Stove-Top Dressing, but I decided I wanted to try making the dressing from scratch. Not only did I succeed, but it was DAMN good.

Everything was good!

Sincerely,

Pharoah

Turkey Day

Self,

I just want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. I know some people choose not to celebrate this holiday because of it's political ramifications. Although I agree with those arguments for the most part, I mostly see this as a day of reflection and to spend time with loved ones.

That said I will be doing a large portion of the cooking for the feast...mostly the sides. I'm going to learn how ot make stuffing from scratch.

Wish me luck!

Sincerely,

Pharoah

A Royal Consession

Self,

Well I listen to the radio a lot in the car while riding to and from work mostly. Although I prefer just music sometimes the music is interrupted to include traffic reports, weather forecasts, tidbits of news and kernals of gossip, sometimes the gossip is masked as news.

So the other day as I was listening to the radio, there was a bit of gossip that was masked as news. The report that I heard said that Elizabeth II, Queen of England, has officially become a member of the dreaded Facebook. Although I could use this as one more example of how Facebook is the devil since it has corrupted a member of royalty.

Many folks have been trying to get me to get on Facebook and I have resisted. However if the Queen of England has a Facebook page, I guess my royal ass can have one too. So I will look into finally getting an account. I'll let it be known when I do.

Sincerely,
Pharoah

12:34 - A Slice Novel

Self,

Well, I just heard some interesting and exciting news about someone I know. Although Note2self is really all about me every once in a while I feel the need to mention things that are going on in other people lives. This is a unique situation. I hope that by doing this it doesn't appear as if I'm playing favorites.

That said I intentially held back commenting about this book, 12:34. So I would appear of playing favorites. 12:34 is a book written by a friend of mine. As you can see from the picture of the cover the author's name is Jamal Story. (Click the link for more info.)

Yes I think it's good and enjoyed reading it. But that's not why I'm writing about it now. Mr. Story called me to inform me that he would be coming to Los Angeles to do a couple appearances for the book. He's been doing a couple appearances and other stuff around the country at bookclubs and bookfairs. What is significant about these appearances here in LA is the fact that the requests came from a university professor, who used 12:34 in a English Literature course. In fact the book has be taught at 3 colleges, one of which is California State University Long Beach, the other two are local community/junior colleges. The CSU professor has asked Mr. Story to come and do an hour long lesson, which means Mr. Story will be a college professor...for all of 1 hour; anymore than that would be detremental to the students (....he's my friend, it's only appropriate that I have to clown him some.)

Anyway Good Luck!

Sincerely,

Pharoah

Sade Concert

Self,

Well Sade is touring and they have already announced that she will be here in Los Angeles in August of 2011. Apparently the first show is sold out. I want to go, but for some reason I feel that I shouldn't go alone....ie that I should be going with a boyfriend (life partner; lover; etc etc,) even though I don't actually have one currently.

I am 500% sure there are going to be a bunch of folks hugged up, kissing, and giving each other the googly eye all through out the show. Yes, I've been to concerts before by myself, so on one hand it really isn't an issue. However, I know that unfortunately, seeing all that under those circumstances will make me feel some kind of way. And although I am raising it as a point of concern here....most likely I will just go by myself and have a blast! Fuck dem bitches!

Sincerely,
Pharoah

Last Weekend

Self,

I had another enjoyable weekend. Friday night I went to see "For Colored Girls" with my Ex (who I will now refer to as Saint Angel, because I think he was named for both a Saint and an Angel.) I must say I enjoy myself whenever we get together, that has been the case for years. I'm pleased to see he is making an effort to be more social. But there are a few hurdles to clear still.

Saturday I didn't really do much I did the grandparent-sitting which wasn't that hard. What was hard was receiving a call from a friend who had been in a car accident on Friday. Fortunately, he is ok. The difficult thing is that it seems the accident is going to cause some financial hardships for him and delay some other goals he has for himself. I wish there was more I could do for him than just be an sympathetic ear.

Sunday I went to see Ledisi in concert...I love this woman! She is a dynamic artist on stage. The house was PACKED!!!! I managed to sneak a quick video to share with y'all. However it doesn't seem to want to upload here.

Then Monday, I happen to be off and decide to make it a day to take care of some things. The top of that list was getting Thunderbolt a SMOG check in order to register it with the DMV. SO I took him to the mechanic, the same one I have seen almost every other month since May. the last time I took Thunderbolt to the shop I had an oxygen sensor problem that was replaced and I was told I had to drive the car a while before I can do the smog check but everything is fine. So I figured that this trip was going to only cost me about $50. WHY then was it $600? Apparently, the diagnostic computer found another sensor that was faulty. My mechanic said he could run the test but it would fail unless I replaced this other sensor. So I did and now I'm in the poor house! I immediately informed my friend who was in the car accident that we are in the same boat. The boat being is just as you think things are in an "up swing" something comes along to cut the rope. After I dealt with my car, they took my grandmother to the Emergency room. Fortunately she is home and is doing well....I wasn't told what the diagnosis was in her case.

Anyway that's just my life.

Sincerely,
Pharoah

There's Never Enough Time

Self,

I've been on the go and quite a few things have been happening.....I can't go over it all but here's a short list.

I found out one of the local malls have hosted a couple free concerts. So last month I was able to go see Rahsaan Patterson.



A nice sized group of us managed to come get together amonst the crowd that came to support him. And we had a good time.... however, He DID NOT do one of my favorite songs of his (So Hot) but I'll live. I guess that means I have to pay to hear him do that one live. However Vesta and Rachelle Farrel made and appearance to belt out a few bars with him so I really can't complain. There was also an artist I don't know (yet) named Sy Smith, (I think she had did a show in the mall a few weeks prior to Rahsaan.) And it was anounced that in the audience to see Rahsaan was Michel'le.

I believe I mentioned that not too long a go an Ex contacted me and wanted to see if we can kinda start anew. So as part of that endever we went to see this movie that I have been hearing about on the Steve Harvey Morning Radio Show. The Show is promoting the movie because one of its members is the cast of the film, the movie is called N-Secure. It was not the greatest...but we got to support our black filmmakers so the Hollywood elites will continue to give them a shot. My Mistress said "It should have been a straight to DVD....It would not have made it better, but that's what it was." Hey it at least got a theatrical release.

I have also seen RED, starring Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman and a few other. I enjoyed this one a lot. LOL there were some part that had me howling with laughter. I have to share the scene that I thought was the funniest.Willis is trying to sneak into the CIA headquater with his love interest, Mary-Louise Parker, he tells her the only two ID badges they he was able to obtain to get them inside were for a military general and a female PhD physicist. She reads the name on the badge out loud as to question the validity of the name, "Shenika Johnson." With out looking at her, he says "You were adopted." Then she looks back at the badge and simply says "Okay." I screamed. (Luckily there weren't that many other people there because it was an early show.)

Just last night the same mall where I saw Rahsaan perform hosted a show for Lalah Hathaway.

Another enjoyable show. She sounded good, she had a background vocalist that was cutting it up! Vesta and Rachelle Farrel also made stage appearances with Lalah. The group of folks that I knew at this even was a bit smaller than last time but the crowd was still full and energetic.

Ok so that's the skinny...

Love,
Pharaoh