YIPPY!

Self,

It's time I share that  I am officially a property owner!  I'm excited about all the things to come friends coming to town to visit, my first Christmas & New Year's, being able to entertain family and friends, quiet moments to myself.

I just got keys tonight.  The full move will be October 27, 2014. 

I'll post an update on how that goes.

Sincerely,

Pharoah

Something to Remember

Self,

There's soo much to catch up on...and I'm kinda at a point were I think I may stop this.  I haven't decided just yet, so  until I do...I'm here.  I'll probably do things in pieces to keep things short and sweet, as they say.


I went to church today.  First time in a while, that wasn't due to a funeral.  I went to a service at my childhood church where my parents still attend, at the request of my father for his Men's Ministry group. 

There were some things I didn't care for about the visiting pastor, but that's not important.

The message was that through God, you can still win when life deals you a bad hand.  We all feel like we get the short end of the stick from time to time....sometimes even when other good things or blessings are staring us in the face....yes I'm guilty of it myself...and I know of a few others who are as well.

I won't try to relay the whole sermon, but the summary goes like this;

In order to win with a bad hand, there's three things one must do.
1 Don't quit - You can't win if you aren't on the court, at the table, in the game or on the battle field.

2 Do your part -  you have to participate and do what you can to help yourself.

3 Believe - in short, let go and let God.


Honestly it's not exactly an epiphany or nothing I haven't heard before.  It just struck me that maybe I should follow these steps more often.

Sincerely,
Pharoah 

In Memorium

Self,

Today was the memorial service for my grandmother.  It was really nice. 

A day or so ago I was moved to write something to share with everyone at the service which will follow:  (names have been omitted to protect their privacy.)

It's no secret that members in this family can, as they say, "Throw down" in the kitchen.  Nor is that fact a surprise to anyone because we had an excellent teacher in our grandmother.  Some of the best holiday feasts were the result of our grandma, my mom, and aunts lovingly laboring in the kitchen together.

Now it may be a surprise to many of you to learn that mu culinary education with my grandmother began when I was just about 5 years old.  It's the truth - I was gifted.  I started cooking by pretending that four of the tiles on Grandma's kitchen floor were a stove. And I could stir up some pots with a wooden spoon,  I don't remember what I thought I was cooking back then, but Grandma was, of course, supportive.

There were many years between my days of pretend cooking and my time standing in front of a real stove.  Of course that's when the true lessons began.  These were not formal lessons like some Julia Child show, but rather carefree and spontaneous sessions that were usually prompted by my own hunger and the desire to quench it.  It didn't matter what I wanted to prepare, Grandma was always with me, even if I had to get her there by calling her on the telephone.

Along with those first lessons at the stove, came the family's hazing of the new would-be-chefs.  They were referred to as 'ooks, implying that there aren't full-fledged experienced cooks, yet.  It's a tradition started by my grandfather, O-.  My brother, A-, takes pleasure in occasionally reminding me that my time as an 'ook was marked by a crisp, ... well blackened...okay actually charred pot of white rice.  Although started many years ago, just to get a quick and easy laugh now someone might even catch an established chef in the kitchen off guard with the 'ook reference.  Usually, following my grandfather's grin and chuckle at his remark, would be the encouraging words that if we keep it up we could be as great of a cook as our grandmother.

My grandparents were married to each other for over 60 years before he passed in 2011.  Although I miss them both, the world now seems right that they are together again.  And with Grandma's lessons under my belt, and Pop's jovial support at my back, they will always be present in any kitchen I stand in.

To B-, the youngest member of our family, it is unfortunate that you are going to miss your formal training from Grandma and Pop's taste-testings.  However, I can assure you that those of us who have received their training before you will most certainly pass you the infamous wooden spoon and refer to you as the new 'ook in town.  And when you are ready for lessons to be taught the Grandma way, you just have to ask you Auntie M- how to make some cabbage; and then get your Auntie W- to make baked chicken and noodles; and plead with your cousin N- to help you fry some chicken, You might have to drag your cousin A- into a cheesy mashed potato session.  And on a cool fall or winter's day I'll happily let you sweet talk me into showing you hot to make a good pot of Grandma's chicken and dumpling.  And let's not forget that your father, L-, is known for his outstanding breakfast potatoes.  After perfecting all these delicious delicacies and enduring your share of hazing, you'll know Grandma and Pop or with you too, as they have been with us through the years.



Just thought I'd share .

Sincerely,
Ryan



Rest in Pease, Grandma.

Just Updates

Self,

I been meaning to write this but been distracted.

SO this is where things are;

No. 1 -  My grandmother passed away this week.  I will miss her. The service is planned for Aug 24.

No. 2 - A friend who recently had a couple toes amputated is being told that now they want to take the leg up to his knee. I feel bad for him and worse that I'm not in a place to be of more assistance.

No. 3 - Still house hunting and a bit pissed that when I found one that I was considering, it was sold while I was waiting on my agent to make the appointment so I could see the inside of it....this has now happened to 2 properties.

Well I think that's it for now.

Sincerely,
Pharoah

What to Do

Self,

This house hunting process is some slow going stuff.   So far my agent has shown me about 8 places...none were a good fit. One might be manageable, But it a older home, and look it...and tht's kinda a problem for me....not to mention I didn't fully like the floorplan.

However Just this passed Sunday, I happen to go to a open house right here in the neighborhood where I already stay.

I loved this place!  (Short of it not having a walk in closet for the master bedroom.)  My problem/dilemma is that this place puts me in the same commuting headache I'm already in...well more because I my expenses would be high own my own then here with my parents.

One said of me says do it, have some faith that it will work out.  the other part of me says don't be stupid and put myself in a worse situation.

Thoughts????  If anyone is out there! lol

Sincerely,
Pharoah

Exciting News

Self,

So, I have to share that I went ahead and bit the bullet.  I got pre-approved for a home loan and had my first property viewing yesterday.  It was a condo in Highland Park, which isn't really what I want but I also don't want to be soo close-minded that I may miss out on a gem.

However this wasn't a gem for me.  It had nice features, but I didn't get the feeling that it was home....So I will keep looking.

Wish me luck!

Sincerely,

Pharoah

Q.U.E.E.N. /\^/\^/\

Self,

So I received this text message to youtube a song, by one of my favorite new artist, Janelle Mon­áe.  The Song is called Q.U.E.E.N.   I love the song and video, I will be looking for it on iTune when I get home.





So after having viewed the video 4-5 times I came across these ladies doing a cover of the song...and they are jammin'!

Check them out...





Well what do y'all think?


Sincerely,
Pharoah

PS -  The Booty Don't Lie!

I Don't know!

Self,

I found this on somebody's Facebook page....you gotta see it - then we can talk about it!

...Well...Thoughts???? Oh ok lets address the obvious...they seem blessed...especially the one in the grey shorts.

On FB alot of the comments were about how "gay" it is to people. A couple guys even said that it was too gay for them to even watch all of the clip....lol ironically some woman pulled their card by pointing out that it's a little suspect that these guys even STARTED to watch a clip titled: "DICK SLANG." I wouldn't be surprised if some of you even think/say it looks gay to you too....I won't lie, for a minute so did I.

However reading the comments and seeing all the negativity that was being associated with it, begs the question - WHY?  What is actually gay about the the clip?

I mean if they were doing this "dance" in such a way that they doing the 'Dick Slang' in each other's face or were holding one another's dicks while it slang....yeah I would give you a pass on it being gay. Is it gay simply because these guys are in a room by themselves...would it be 'straight' if there were just as many females or more in the room watching....isn't that what Chippendale's and those places are about....'dick dancing.'  And if it is gay just because they are in the room with no females, does that mean all Chippendale dancers only perform with female audiences so they don't get accused of being gay because they are practicing alone....trying to perfect their 'artistry?'

Is it gay because these guys are seemingly average (if not actually masculine or even'thuggish') and they are acknowledging (maybe even praising) masculinity and sexuality among each other. Has it become a crime for men to do that for each other? I mean it's not like they were saying "damn you got a big dick JaKwuan, let me suck it," so they arent being vulgar and offensive in the acknowledgement.

Is the negativity that the comments exuded (like "SMH," and "what's the world coming to,") because they are doing this dance and have a degree of machismo masculinity. If the guys in this picture were the ones doing the "Dick Slang" dance would the comments been more like "Them boys are getting it." "Twerk it!" "FIERCE" etc, etc, etc???

(umm yeah that definitely looks GAY!)

Just something to ponder.

 Sincerely, Pharoah

Unexpected Insight

Self,

So on Wednesday night I went to dinner with an aquaintance, VK.  After dinner I had a phone conversation with a friend, MS, as I drove home.  Our conversation covered a variaty of topics because it had been a while since we had chatted.

Of course one of those topics was dating and more specificaly, my love life. During the conversation about my love life, MS asked if I was willing to have my heart broken.  I  froze. I didn't know how to answer that.  I mean who wants to have their heart broken, right? So after thinking that through, I of course said no.  MS then said "then you aren't really ready for a relationship."

MS continued saying that experience a heartbreak is probably the most agonizing experience of life, and if a person isn't prepared for the possibility of it occuring then he/she is quite ready for a relationship.

It makes so much sense to me.  I probably have said almost as much to others which is what makes love/dating a gamble...as I encouraged them to take the risk.  So now I have to get myself to do the same.....eventually.

Sincerely,
Pharaoh

I Just Gotta Do This

Self,

I believe that I have mentioned that I have been watching the NBC series, SMASH.   And I have to say that I'm hooked....I think it taps in to that stereotypical gay man that suppose to love and memorize Broadway musicals....no I haven't gone completely over the edge but I do look forward to this show every week.

I really appreciate the show for its talented artists.  I won't go crazy with sharing but I just gotta do this because, yall this woman here is SANGIN'!    I find myself watching this clip several times a day.  Enjoy!





Her name is Megan Hilty, although some may say she is an upstart nobody...cause her name isn't on everybody's lip, (yet,) She is no flunky...infact she is a Tony Award winner.  Get in to it!


Sincerely,
Pharoah