Note2Self-byPharaoh

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!

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

Self,
Well I'll be a monkey's uncle!  (Since I technically don't have any nieces or nephews I can say that without being insulting...for now.)

I don't know if I would have believed that a NBA player has announced that he is gay, if I had not stubbled upon the artical with my very own eyes!

Jason Collins of the Washington Wizards steps up as the first American sports professional anouncing that he's gay in Sports Illustrated May 6th issue. 

Of course the story is available online presently.

Jason Collin's essay.

                                    

I remember that John Amechi also shared with the world that he is gay after he retired from the sport. So Collins is goin g down in history as the first active player to make such an announcement.

I wonder who will be the next???


Sincerely,

Pharoah

PS He's handsome and single...could you handle dating a NBA player???

Self,

I literally just got off the phone with a pair of business partners in which the conversation was about me possibly making cakes for their restaurants in the Lancaster/Palmdale area (about an hour north of Los Angeles.)

This is in the very early stages of negotiations, particularly on my part, but atleast to start it sounds like I only have to make 2 cakes every other week...although I think it may actually be every week because I think they are under estimating how quickly they will go through a cake by the slice.

I know I have a lot of other stuff going on, but I am putting it out there that I want this to work...hell even just through the summer or the end of the year to start, then reevaluate.  So posting it here is my way of staking a claim on it in the universe.

Sincerely,
Pharoah

Self,

It's no secret....I love "discovering" new music. 

When I heard this the other day I went right home and bought it before racing to catch a flight. 

Check it out!
Artist:  Jill Barber
Song:  Oh My My





Ok , no she is not this amazing vocalist, where he voice is just blowing you away.  However what I am loving about the track is the richness and layered texture of the music that combined with her voice is giving something different.

Sincerely,
Pharoah

Self,

Not to long ago I stopped and visited my Aunt Kwe-Kwe...or is it Cray-Cray...lol anyway.  Along with all the other things that goes with our visits, she shared some new music with me....there's three CDs but I'm only discussing one in this entry. 

This is for those jazz heads!

The CD:  The Mosaic Project
The Artist:   Terri Lynn Carrington (you may remember her as the drummer and musical director for the band on the Arsenio Hall Show in the '90s.)
The Track:  "I Got Lost in His Arms"

I am not ashamed to say that I have been rocking the hell out of this song!  I love it!  It has a funky groove, the horns are on FI-YAH.    Below is a Youtube clip giving you a sample of it.




HOT, Right,?!?!?  I'm not done.   As hot as the arrangement is, I think what hits home the most for me are the lyrics;

These words are communing to a part of me.  The more I listen to the song....which is almost constantly riding around in Thunderbolt, the more I realize...That's something I want.  I want to get lost in someone's arms and be astonished at the fact that I am also holding on to a treasure....I don't mean a trophy, but something to truely cherish. 

On top of that.....I want that feeling for everybody!  Of course I am more confident that it will happen for others than myself...and I will always be that cheerleader to push folks towards it when I think I see it....but alas for me I just don't know.  However I am in a ongoing discussion with DaBlackHobbit about faith and fear and I'm choosing to have faith....and take actions regardless of the results....that's always the hard part.....for all of us....everyone is always affraid of being hurt/dissappointed/let down AGAIN, that the fear of it causes paralysis.

I would like to think that it will happen...for me, my friends and everyone else, it just takes time and patience.  But atleast its progress from the days when my heart communed with "Good Morning Heartache" and "This Bitter Earth"......OK...both songs can still stop me in my tracks and nearly bring tear to my eyes, but hey there's still some growth there dammit! LOL.

Sincerely,
Pharoah

So I been trying to follow the games as much as possible with the crazy broadcasting schedule.  There's already been a few crushing competition, I have been enjoying the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

One of the most major and amazing of crushing blows that have been handed out thusfar has been Michael Phelps amazing 23 career awarded Oymplic medals....making him the world's most celebrated athlete.  CONGRATS to him. (Side-note; During these games I learned that there are cash prizes that coincide with each medal...that would make coming in 4th place really SUCK...doubly!)

Along with Mr. Phelps' achievement, I also have to give it up to Serena Williams who won gold in the Women's singles  (and doubles actually with her sister) tennis competition.  Serena's medal award completes what I heard refered to as a career "golden slam," which is the grand slam of (Wimbledon, US, French, and Australian Opens) combined with the gold medal.  Serena goes in the history book as only the second woman ever to achieve such an accomplishment and obviously she is the first African-american to do so in singles, although she and Venus completed a career Golden Slam in doubles with the 2000 games.  FYI- German, Steffi Graf is still the only person to win a calendar Golden Slam.)

Then there is the 2012 US Women's Gymnastics team - "The Fab Five/"  Gold Medal winners in the all around.  First time this has happen I think they said since 1988!  Way to go girls!  I think they are barely 20 and the way that sports phase out athletes...they might get to compete in 2016 before retiring.

A slightly different crush was handed to the US Women's Beach volleyball team of May & Walsh.  These ladies are the reigning undefeated Olympic champions since the 2000 games....well they were undefeated until last week.  In these games they have so far loss just one set to an Austrian team, who they eliminated after that loss.  May and Walsh are still held to be the favorites to win the gold medal this year, they will just no longer be able to add the distincition of doing so in undefeated sets to that accomplishment.  However no longer having the pressure of upholding that level of perfection may make their advance to victory that much easier now.

I will have to say I love The Olympic Summer games.  The thrilling rivalry, the overhelming patriotism and the sharing in our admirations of our finest athletes.

And I do mean PHINE...man I love the global sampling of eye candy that I can only get every 4 years!  There are several Olympic crushes that I have now....and I'm sure as the games continue there will be more...but I have to share.

John Orozco US Gymnastics...who unfortunately has been eliminated...but probably my favorite.


 2012 US Gymnastic Bronze medal winner, Danell Leyva




2012 US Sprinter, Ryan Bailey
 2012 Algerian Gold Medalist Taoufik Makhloufi
2012 British Gymnastic Silver Medalist, Louis Smith

2012 US Sprinter Justin Gatlin

Sincerely,
Pharoah

Who are some of your Olympic Crushes....I know I am not the only one with some.

Self,

So for the holiday I was in Phoenix, AZ with family.  Surprisingly it was not hot as hell there....not until the day I left, which I took as AZ's way of letting me know it was time for me to go home....lol and I did!

I know I titled this "the Up's and down's" but I don't know if I want to start with the ups or downs. 

Well I will start with the good because that was the whole reason for the trip.  I was in AZ because my nephin (nephew-cousin...ie my cousin's oldest son who is like a nephew because of my relationship with his mom) is now a High school graduate...and well a college student all in the same trip.  Obviously, attending my nephin's graduation was the purpose of my trip to the state that's usually hot as hell, this time of year.  He's also a college student becasue his mom made him enroll in summer classed at the local community college that happen to start YESTERDAY (5/29/12.)  Yeah I think that kind of sucked too, but he has to be in school to stay on the family health insurace and she wasn't going to let him sit in the house all summer playing video games while she and her husband went to work everyday.  LOL I don't blame her.

The down....
Well I had been comunicating with this guy who lives there...well actually three, but this one in particular I think I was really feeling.  So the day after the graduation, CH (his initials) and I plan to meet.  We have a late meal, play a couple games of cosmic bowling, skinny dip in his jacuzzi, watch "The Iron Lady" (because that was one of the only of his many bootlegs dvds he had that would actually plays.)  About 5am we're naked in his bed and things start getting ...exciting. Just as things start getting intense....I say something that he decides to responds to by rolling over and going to sleep....I'm left laying in bed next to him feeling insulted and hurt.  Well it is after 5am and the drive back to my cousin's house in the boonies would be murder, so I just trun over and get soem sleep also.  I wake a couple hours later, still feelin insulted I dress and leave.

Most of the day goes by and I didn't hear from CH, which to me kind of adds insult to injury...or rather injury to insult.  So I send a text that was uncomplimentary.  Of course that results in a few uncomplimentary text directed at me.  Needless to say at this point we are no longer speaking with each other. 

In the text dialogue we had CH basically said that the events of 5am had nothing to do with those at 9am surrounding my departure and that it was very shady of me to have slept in his bed and not have acknowledge him when I left.  Hindsight being 100% more clear, I did and do agree with him.  I can't help but wonder if I was somehow subcounciously sabotaging the situation.  I mean I was having a pretty good time....he is sexy as hell...pretty much a example of my ideal man physically  (aaahh, the ass and thighs on this man that became apparent when his clothes came off......not to mention the more obvious arms, chest and abs.  I don't know if all that measure out for me in a way that I wasn't....entitled to be with someone like that....if I could keep someone like that interested and satisfied....if I would be enough for him.   Then you through in the logistics....he lives in FREAKIN PHOENIX, AZ!  I mean I had enough of a headache with KB who only lived a 45 minute drive away...CH is 5 hours!  (yes only an hour by flight...but I aint rich and will be even less so once I buy a house.)...and its PHOENIX......a city I nearly despise...and can almost say with certainty that I will never live there. 

So maybe I unintentially blew up the situation.  That said when I CH pointed out my errors I of course apologized but he doesn't believe me and didn't feel it was genuine.  Part of me wants to do SOMETHING to try to make my feelings and apologies more clear and sincere.  or should I just let it go?

Don't get me wrong, I have also considered that his words and reaction may have just been an act and he played it up to make his infaction at 5am seem more insignificant.  That said the fact remains that although I did feel wronged by him, I feel bad that I wronged him in the process and feel I should try to fix it.  

If anyone is reading this...I would like to hear your thoughts.

Sincerely,
Pharoah

Self,

Last night I went to see Queen Latifah perform at Long Beach Gay Pride.  I had fun, it was somewhat a date with someone I've been getting to know for about a month.  That's all, I don't think anyone is reading this but me....and I know the rest of the story.

Sincerely,
Pharaoh

Self,

Thanks to Aunt K, I have been reinvesting in my love of music....and the joy/excitement of discovering "new" music.

See what had happened was...

On my last visit to her house when I soaked up some of the serenity in her backyard garden, she, being slightly technically/electronically disconnected/challenged she had a iPod Nano that she had never opened and gave to me.

Now I had basically despised the Nano...for size, capacity and funtionality, which is why id didn't own own one already.....but this bitch was free and I decided to use it! I mean why let a gift go to waste, right?  Well, I knew I couldn't load all my CDs in to iTunes....that might over load the poor Nano. So what I started doing was searching for the songs that I had heard on my walkabouts and had identified using an app on my phone. 

So this is one of those songs, the artist is named Kimbra the track is called "Settle Down." I think she was in a group called "Someone I use to know," I hope you enjoy this one as much as I do.....obviously it's also available on iTunes.



Ok. So as I was getting ready to publish this post, I found other videos by Kimbra...this is called "Good Intent" and as best as I can tell is a track from her new release due out in a couple weeks.


 

I am feeling this!!! What' I'm loving about this one and well both tracks actually is the music is so layered. She sound great, I love her voice! Ok this is the last one...I already have this next track in my new Nano, but I want to share it here because it seems to really showcase her voice!




Sincerely,
Pharoah
PS - I posted these for the music, but I also have to ask, what are some thoughts on the videos?

Self,

A while back I half heartedly put out a call for a pen pal.  And either I'm an extremely facinating person from my blog or he was just really bored, I actually received a response!   I'm going to say it's the former because he was in Grenada at the time and I can see how anyone could be bored on a tropical island on somebody else's dime....mostly.   Ahh but I digress.

We exchanged emails and eventually worked our way to phone calls, even a visit and have become good friends.

Yesterday I received an email announcement from the University of South Florida for there 2012 Spring semester commencement ceremonies featuring my friend, RKJ, will be conferred a Doctorate of Philosophy in Applied Anthropology.
And I would like to take a second to congradulate my friend RKJ, the doctor on his accomplishment!

Sincerely,

Pharoah

 

Self,

I've stopped buy CD's a long time ago, but I am still a music fanatic. Everyone once in a while I hear something that I love. Yes, sometimes what I hear are radio hits and gets played so much that I kinda don't feel the need to buy it. Example: Adele - Someone Like You, LMFAO - Sexy and I Know It (yes they are talking about me) DEV - In The Dark.

ANYWAY this post is dedicated to the artist that I've heard that aren't getting the same amount of airplay atleast not the radio stations that I frequently listen. I hope you enjoy this selection.

Sometimes I'm lucky enough that an app on my phone will identify a song's title and artist.

This artist's name is Hindi Zahra. The song is called "Set Me Free." It's soo sexy and sensual!



This one is "Perfect Darkness" by Fink.


This is Little Dragon's "No Love."


I hope you enjoyed this....I may be looking to purchase some new music.

Sincerely,
Pharoah

Self,

The other day, while working the graveyard shift I saw this article on AOL. The article states that in Albuquerque a 6-year old was taken from her neighborhood and one of her neighbors jumped in his own pick-up truck and chased the suspect's van down several residential streets.  The suspect crashed his van into a pole and fled on foot.  The good Samaritan to the little girl back to her family.

Yes that was a really quick summary of the article, if you are interested you can read the full story here: Thwarted Kidnapping.

What strikes me about this story is ....I wonder what I would have done.  I mean would I have had the lighting fast instincts to give chase, or just call the police (as the man's wife did while he was chasing the kidnapper.)  Or would I have just been lost in my own world and wondering what had happen and why were they shouting down the street?

From one of the comments posted with the article, supposedly the hero of the story is reported to be an illegal immigrant which makes his actions even more incredible because he didn't even stop to think "what if" in regards to himself.  The article states that his only motivation for giving chase was that he has two daughters of his own and hoped that someone would have done the same if it were one of his girls.

We always discuss the negative things in our lives - bad dates/relationships, sucky jobs/careers, financial problems, family drama, etc etc, it's nice to here that are regular folks out there that do good things too.

Sincerely,
Pharoah

Self,

Last night was the Jill Scott concert here in LA....it was hot!  SHE WAS AWESOME as usual.  Along with Jill, Anthony Hamilton and Mint Condition performed.  Of course Jill and Anthony did their duet which I love.  Mint Condition also gave the audience a surprise by having Kelly Price come out on stage to do their duet...which KB loves so he was excited when that happened.  Doug E Fresh and DJ Jazzy Jeff entertained the audience between  performers so it was really like a non-stop party!  And we were even given a surprise by them because while Doug E Fresh was on stage before Jill Scott came on stage, MC Lyte came on stage with him and rocked the mic for a bit. 

I think my parents also really enjoyed the show.  I have to say I hardly looked in their direction during the show...particularly when Jill was on stage, but I think they had fun!

Before the show KB told me that Ledisi is suppose to be coming to LA in November.....He is also a big fan of hers, so maybe we'll go to that show as well.

OMG how ironic, while writing this post, I just recieved a text from KB thanking me for "one of the greatest nights yet." 

That's a huge compliment.  LOL maybe I'm doing something right!

Sincerely
Pharaoh 

Self,

Speaking of music, I have to share this. I'm posting this because I just recently heard that this artist passed away a couple of years ago. The artist's name is Lamya and her CD is titled, "Learning From Falling." I love the CD, I'm still playing it in my stereo in my room. I was very disappointed to hear that this lady had died. I was constantly playing this cd as I patiently waited for a new release and now I understand why there hasn't and won't be a new release from her.

This is the video for the most successful single on the disc...



OK, she is HELLA sexy in this video. I LOVE the way she swings her hips as she beats the drums...HMMM. And then when she bucks her hips as she twirl the drumsticks over her head! OMG!

Yes, I am 99.99999999999999999999% strictly dickly...BUT SHE COULD GET IT....well could have got it. =(

Sincerely,
Pharoah
PS I just thought about it...I hope my admiration didn't come off as disrespectful, that was not the intent!

Self,

So I finally had a chance to speak to my friend, Jamal Story about the pledge drive he is doing for his stage production The Soul in My Purse, which cleared up a few things for me that I feel should be shared.

1) The first and foremost is that no matter what if the drive doesn't reach its goal, the project WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY of the funds pledged.

2) The site basically forced him to set up those pledge categories, but people are able to make pledges in any denomination they like, rather it is listed or not.  So even though there isn't a $40 pledge category, it is acceptable.  As he put it, he would hate for people to feel left out if they want to help but may not have $50 but are willing and able to give $10.  IT ALL ADDS UP!  1000 pledges of $10 is the same as 2000 pledges of $5 and that is the same as 5000 pledges of $2.

Like Nike....Just Do IT!

Sincerely,
Pharoah

Self,

Well as some may know I am a suppressed artíst.  (By this I mean someone who hates the fact he has no artistic talent to flaunt.) And for that reason when I hear of someone doing an artistic project I try to be supportive.  So I am pleased to share the news that my friend and author of 12:34, Jamal Story, is working on another project.

This one is a stage production of dance and spoken word.  The project is called, The Soul in My Purse.  It is still in a development stage. Well actually it is written so really what that means is he looking for financial contributors to help fund some studio time to work with the cast to fine-tune the choreography, costumes, lighting etc etc.

The title should be a link to the donation page he has set up.  On the page there is video of the last workshop he did for this project.  I have not as of yet made a donation myself, I should take care of that by the end of the night.   Plus I'm waiting to make sure that after I make the donation I can actually use the ticket that my donation will include, for that I need to find out when he's scheduling the showing, and make sure I can get the time off to make the trip.

In the mean time, I urge you to check it out and if possible make a donation...even just a $1 as a sign of support.  Art is the expression of the soul, the collective body of art through out history becomes the expression of the Human Condition.  LOL making a donation of someone else's artistic expression atleast puts you in the category of a "suppressed artíst" like myself!

Sincerely,
Pharoah

Self,
I just found it...yes it's old...but so what.

Self,

Self,