it nuh pretty out there at all
so many rise so many fall
so many standing in the middle of dispair
nobody care nobody see it clear
dem blinded by society
and now dem cant see the quality
me see dem limited capacity
verbal verbosity
and dem ignorant atrocity
cant you see its right there
so tell me what a cause so much damn poverty
tell me why the people dem a lose gravity
it caused by a handful of minority
who try to pull down the majority
well this is up to you and me
make we sit down and talk bout long drivity
sit down and reason conscious livity
our natural ability
give thanks for diversity
It nuh pretty out there at all ...
somebody tell me what is happening out there
same old story even though it s a new year
people die every day see dem cry every day
what a burden to bear
me see how you a trick we with your politics of fear
no matter what you do dem always try to smear
and you dem want blame leave you standing in the rain
and i wonder if you hear
so tell me what a cause so much damn poverty
tell me why the people dem a lose gravity
it caused by a handful of minority
who a try to pull down the majority
it nuh pretty out there at all ...
You might ask why I picked a song like this for this type of blog. This blog deals with Love of all kinds. Not only love for your significant other, but your fellow Brothers, and Sisters. It deals with complete respect, and acceptance of our individual beliefs, customs, and standards. We need to embrace one another, and stand united. There are no front, sects, or tribes. We are all human. We are all children of the most high (No matter who you may consider that to be). We all deserve to be loved and respected.
Even though I may not know you all individually. Just know you are loved unconditionally.
-Devin.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Public Service Announcement...
Over the last week friends of mine have hit me with certain issues, that have made me appreciate the state of my own relationship. With that said, these aren't isolated issues. They're happening all over the dating world. "She's not this", "He's not that", " They have to do this in order for us to be together.". What happened to just being together? When did love become this fickle? When did love become harder than what it already was? What happened to the notion of,If there is no us...then there is nothing? We have to have these clothes, That job, or the right amount of money. Since when did a career that you'll have for 30 years become more than a person you've pledged the rest of your life to? Since when did Money become more important than someone who's priceless? Since when did things that you wear matter more than someone who thought you looked best in that one pair of jeans? Remember when people got married and took the time to grow, and accumulate together? Remember when people sacrificed themselves for love, and not just simply look for it from the other person?Remember when a man took longer than 2 years to propose, he was taking too long? There are a lot of questions, but very few people willing to answer them. I guess the true motivation behind this entry is for people to acknowledge the good in there relationships.Embrace your differences, and realize that's what drew you together in the first place. In closing. Love your partner as you wish to be loved, and your reward will be immeasurable.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
5 easy recipies for the single man.
I've tried to do a little research on this subject only to be met with over-ambitious recipe requirements, and irrational time restrictions. So I'm going to put together a list of my own 5 easy recipes for the Bachelor. The name of the game is simplicity, and bulk.Leftovers is the name of the game, and let's face it as much as someone may like to cook, no one wants to cook two days in a row, unless they're getting paid for it. So let's do this!
A. Macaroni and Cheese
• 3/4 cup dry bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 8 ounces macaroni
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 small onion, minced
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 2 quart casserole dish. Place the bread crumbs into a small bowl and mix well with the melted butter; set aside.
2.Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain, then place into prepared casserole dish.
3.While the pasta is cooking, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the minced onion and cook until the onion softens and turns translucent, about 5 minutes.
4.Stir in the flour, pepper, salt, and dry mustard until incorporated, then pour in the milk and bring to a simmer. Simmer, stirring constantly until the milk has thickened, about 10 minutes. Take the milk off of the heat and stir in the Cheddar cheese until melted. Pour cheese sauce over the macaroni, then sprinkle evenly with buttered bread crumbs.
B. Grilled Chicken Salad.
• 1lb Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Halves
*Marinade
• 1/2 cup Olive oil or Vegetable Oil
• Lemon Juice
• 2 Cloves Minced Garlic
• 1/2 Tsp Salt
• 1/2 Tsp Pepper
Vegetables
• 6 cups Washed Torn Romaine lettuce leaves
• 4 quartered Cherry or Plum Tomatoes
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (Or cheese of your choice)
• 1 cup croutons
Directions:
1.Place thawed chicken in glass pan.
2.Combine oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
3.Reserve 1/3 c. marinate (Cover and store in frig.)
4.Pour remaining marinade over chicken in pan.
5.Cover and refrigerate at least ½ hour – 1 hour
6.Toss lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese in large bowl. Cover; refrigerate until serving.
7.Prep grill
8.Drain chicken; reserve marinate from pan.
9.Grill chicken on medium coals, or heat, 10-12 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink in the middle, brushing with marinade after 5 mins. and turning halfway through grilling time.
10.Discard remaining marinade from the pan.
11.Cool chicken slightly.
12.Slice chicken crosswise into 1/2 wide strips.
13.Add chicken and croutons to lettuce mixture in bowl.
14.Drizzle with 1/3 c. reserved marinade; toss to coat well
15.For variety, make a Caesar salad, or add other veggies to lettuce mixture for a garden salad.
Note: If you don't have a grill, pan fry instead. You may want to allow chicken to become a little overdone to provide texture.
C.Hungarian Paprikash
• 2Lbs Chicken Pieces or Chicken breast.
• 1 Tbsp Salt
• 1 Tbsp Pepper
• 4 Tbsp Minced Onions
• 2 Cups water
• 2 whole peppers ( Green and Red...Add orange if you're feeling saucy!)
• 1 (15oz) can of Whole Tomato
• 2 Tbsp Paprika
1.Brown chicken, Onions, and Garlic.
2. Add water,salt,and Pepper
3. Simmer over medium heat for 20 to 30 minutes.
4.Add Tomato, Paprika, and Green/Red pepper. Mix well.
5. Add Rice Simmer over low heat for 45 minutes. If chicken seems dry add 1/2 cup water while cooking.
D. Caveman Chicken and Roasted Potatoes
Whole Chicken
•1 WHOLE CHICKEN
•4 garlic cloves, Minced
•2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil or Vegetable Oil
•1 tablespoons coarse salt (It can be any type of salt you have available)
•1 teaspoons Black Pepper
•1 teaspoons paprika
•1 teaspoons garlic powder
•1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
•1/2teaspoons seasoning salt
1. Apply rub to chicken
2. (Optional) you can either place chicken in the refrigerator to marinate or place
it directly onto baking sheet for cooking.
3. Heat oven to 375 F
4. Let chicken cook for 90 minutes
5. Remove chicken from oven and allow to rest 10-15 minutes
Roasted Potato
•4 large potatoes, Cubed (I prefer leaving the skin on, you can peel if you like)
•1/8 cup extra-virgin olive oil or Vegetable Oil
•2 Garlic cloves (Minced)
•1/2 teaspoons dried basil
•1/2 teaspoon salt
•1 teaspoons paprika
1.Preheat oven to 475 degrees F (245 degrees C).
2.In a large bowl, combine oil, garlic,paprika,basil and salt. Stir in potatoes until evenly coated. Place potatoes in a single layer on a roasting pan or baking sheet.
3.Roast for 20 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, turning occasionally to brown on all sides.
Note: Please allow the baking sheet to get hot. This will prevent the potatoes from sticking and provide you with a crispy exterior and soft interior.
E. Spaghetti and Meatballs
•1 pound spaghetti
•Salt , for pasta water
•1 1/4 pounds ground sirloin
•2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, eyeball it
•1 egg, beaten
•1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs, a couple of handfuls
•1/4 cup grated Parmesan, Parmigiano-Reggiano or Romano cheese (Optional)
•2 cloves garlic, chopped
•Salt and pepper
•1 jar tomato sauce
1.Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
2.Place a large pot of water on to boil for spaghetti. When it boils, add salt and pasta and cook to al dente.
3.Mix beef and Worcestershire, egg, bread crumbs, cheese, garlic, salt and pepper. Roll meat into 1 1/2 inch medium-sized meatballs and place on nonstick cookie sheet or a cookie sheet greased with extra-virgin olive oil.
4.Bake meatballs 10 to 12 minutes, until no longer pink.
5. Heat a deep skillet (or pot) over medium heat.
6. Add Oil and Tomato sauce. ( At this point add whatever seasonings you wish to enhance the flavor.)
7. Bring sauce to a simmer, and add meatballs to finish cooking through.
8. Serve, and Enjoy.
I know it may be a lot to digest at once (No pun intended), but being able to cook for yourself is a major bonus for most women. A man who can take care of himself is one less man that woman has to worry about. Try some of them out. Let me know how it went, and as always if you'd like to add a recipe you're more than welcome.
As always, Be safe, and good luck!
A. Macaroni and Cheese
• 3/4 cup dry bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 8 ounces macaroni
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 small onion, minced
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 2 quart casserole dish. Place the bread crumbs into a small bowl and mix well with the melted butter; set aside.
2.Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain, then place into prepared casserole dish.
3.While the pasta is cooking, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the minced onion and cook until the onion softens and turns translucent, about 5 minutes.
4.Stir in the flour, pepper, salt, and dry mustard until incorporated, then pour in the milk and bring to a simmer. Simmer, stirring constantly until the milk has thickened, about 10 minutes. Take the milk off of the heat and stir in the Cheddar cheese until melted. Pour cheese sauce over the macaroni, then sprinkle evenly with buttered bread crumbs.
B. Grilled Chicken Salad.
• 1lb Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Halves
*Marinade
• 1/2 cup Olive oil or Vegetable Oil
• Lemon Juice
• 2 Cloves Minced Garlic
• 1/2 Tsp Salt
• 1/2 Tsp Pepper
Vegetables
• 6 cups Washed Torn Romaine lettuce leaves
• 4 quartered Cherry or Plum Tomatoes
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (Or cheese of your choice)
• 1 cup croutons
Directions:
1.Place thawed chicken in glass pan.
2.Combine oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
3.Reserve 1/3 c. marinate (Cover and store in frig.)
4.Pour remaining marinade over chicken in pan.
5.Cover and refrigerate at least ½ hour – 1 hour
6.Toss lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese in large bowl. Cover; refrigerate until serving.
7.Prep grill
8.Drain chicken; reserve marinate from pan.
9.Grill chicken on medium coals, or heat, 10-12 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink in the middle, brushing with marinade after 5 mins. and turning halfway through grilling time.
10.Discard remaining marinade from the pan.
11.Cool chicken slightly.
12.Slice chicken crosswise into 1/2 wide strips.
13.Add chicken and croutons to lettuce mixture in bowl.
14.Drizzle with 1/3 c. reserved marinade; toss to coat well
15.For variety, make a Caesar salad, or add other veggies to lettuce mixture for a garden salad.
Note: If you don't have a grill, pan fry instead. You may want to allow chicken to become a little overdone to provide texture.
C.Hungarian Paprikash
• 2Lbs Chicken Pieces or Chicken breast.
• 1 Tbsp Salt
• 1 Tbsp Pepper
• 4 Tbsp Minced Onions
• 2 Cups water
• 2 whole peppers ( Green and Red...Add orange if you're feeling saucy!)
• 1 (15oz) can of Whole Tomato
• 2 Tbsp Paprika
1.Brown chicken, Onions, and Garlic.
2. Add water,salt,and Pepper
3. Simmer over medium heat for 20 to 30 minutes.
4.Add Tomato, Paprika, and Green/Red pepper. Mix well.
5. Add Rice Simmer over low heat for 45 minutes. If chicken seems dry add 1/2 cup water while cooking.
D. Caveman Chicken and Roasted Potatoes
Whole Chicken
•1 WHOLE CHICKEN
•4 garlic cloves, Minced
•2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil or Vegetable Oil
•1 tablespoons coarse salt (It can be any type of salt you have available)
•1 teaspoons Black Pepper
•1 teaspoons paprika
•1 teaspoons garlic powder
•1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
•1/2teaspoons seasoning salt
1. Apply rub to chicken
2. (Optional) you can either place chicken in the refrigerator to marinate or place
it directly onto baking sheet for cooking.
3. Heat oven to 375 F
4. Let chicken cook for 90 minutes
5. Remove chicken from oven and allow to rest 10-15 minutes
Roasted Potato
•4 large potatoes, Cubed (I prefer leaving the skin on, you can peel if you like)
•1/8 cup extra-virgin olive oil or Vegetable Oil
•2 Garlic cloves (Minced)
•1/2 teaspoons dried basil
•1/2 teaspoon salt
•1 teaspoons paprika
1.Preheat oven to 475 degrees F (245 degrees C).
2.In a large bowl, combine oil, garlic,paprika,basil and salt. Stir in potatoes until evenly coated. Place potatoes in a single layer on a roasting pan or baking sheet.
3.Roast for 20 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, turning occasionally to brown on all sides.
Note: Please allow the baking sheet to get hot. This will prevent the potatoes from sticking and provide you with a crispy exterior and soft interior.
E. Spaghetti and Meatballs
•1 pound spaghetti
•Salt , for pasta water
•1 1/4 pounds ground sirloin
•2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, eyeball it
•1 egg, beaten
•1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs, a couple of handfuls
•1/4 cup grated Parmesan, Parmigiano-Reggiano or Romano cheese (Optional)
•2 cloves garlic, chopped
•Salt and pepper
•1 jar tomato sauce
1.Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
2.Place a large pot of water on to boil for spaghetti. When it boils, add salt and pasta and cook to al dente.
3.Mix beef and Worcestershire, egg, bread crumbs, cheese, garlic, salt and pepper. Roll meat into 1 1/2 inch medium-sized meatballs and place on nonstick cookie sheet or a cookie sheet greased with extra-virgin olive oil.
4.Bake meatballs 10 to 12 minutes, until no longer pink.
5. Heat a deep skillet (or pot) over medium heat.
6. Add Oil and Tomato sauce. ( At this point add whatever seasonings you wish to enhance the flavor.)
7. Bring sauce to a simmer, and add meatballs to finish cooking through.
8. Serve, and Enjoy.
I know it may be a lot to digest at once (No pun intended), but being able to cook for yourself is a major bonus for most women. A man who can take care of himself is one less man that woman has to worry about. Try some of them out. Let me know how it went, and as always if you'd like to add a recipe you're more than welcome.
As always, Be safe, and good luck!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Companionship: It ain't all about the "Ill-nana"
As men we've all used this phrase following a breakup. " How can we remain friends when we've never ACTUALLY been friends". Looking back on it, I've used this saying numerous times without flinching.Without even thinking for one second that what I was saying was a complete bold faced lie. It wasn't until I got married that I acknowledged the truth. My wife is my friend. As a matter of fact my Best Friend (Sorry guys...you know who you are.). Most of our days are spent huddled in front of the Television Moose on one side, Zelda Perched on one of the stools. Boring yes, some would say so. But to us. It's nirvana. Conversation flows continuously. We spend our nights discussing current events, work, Gossip, and most of all our dreams, and hopes for the future. It will never be perfect. But it's right. There is nothing unique about our relationship, there are many just like it. The most important part is that you acknowledge it. As men "I" is apart of our vocabularies daily diet. A healthy dose of "I did", "I went", "I want", "I Saw's", and "I have" are our daily nutritional Pyramid. Hell there are even times when my wife has to remind me of this. She is completely right. The letter I should have vanished from my vocabulary years ago, but hey I'm a man...I can't help but to relapse every now and again. Men embrace the friendships that you have built, and are building at this very moment. Embrace the companionship. Embrace the emotion that a relationship brings out of you. Would we, Could we be willing to have sex every single night? Hell yeah. But it ain't always about the ill-nana.
Here are a few ways to help further the emotional connection you have with you partner.
1. Listen/Respond: Listen to what your partner is telling you. Let me repeat that. LISTEN To what your partner is telling you. Not only that,be able to formulate a response for it. There is nothing worse than expressing your feelings to someone only to be slapped in the face by a "huh" or "what". She's telling you these things for a reason. You're the only opinion she truly cares about.
2.Drop the "I's": Start Using words like "We", "Ours", and "us". Your relationship may not be very old or established, but once you've declared yourselves boyfriend and girlfriend you are a cohesive unit for the time being. Marriage may not be on the horizon, but thinking as a unit will help with alot of petty issues that arise in relationships.
3. "Do onto others as you would have them do onto you". Respect, and Honor are instrumental for all parties involved. Respect, Honor your partners wishes, and you will be fine. (Irrational requests need not apply)
4. Show your partner who you really are: Vulnerability is NOT weakness. Showing sensitivity is NOT weakness. Whether you believe it or not they are both showcases of strength. Hiding behind walls of pretentiousness is a sure fire way of creating unnecessary space between you and your partner. I'm not saying you have to go all-in on the first hand, but at least play with some vigor, and hunger for life and love.
Again, thank you for your time, and please leave a comment. I am here to learn as well. So if you have anything to add, or discuss feel free to do so.
Here are a few ways to help further the emotional connection you have with you partner.
1. Listen/Respond: Listen to what your partner is telling you. Let me repeat that. LISTEN To what your partner is telling you. Not only that,be able to formulate a response for it. There is nothing worse than expressing your feelings to someone only to be slapped in the face by a "huh" or "what". She's telling you these things for a reason. You're the only opinion she truly cares about.
2.Drop the "I's": Start Using words like "We", "Ours", and "us". Your relationship may not be very old or established, but once you've declared yourselves boyfriend and girlfriend you are a cohesive unit for the time being. Marriage may not be on the horizon, but thinking as a unit will help with alot of petty issues that arise in relationships.
3. "Do onto others as you would have them do onto you". Respect, and Honor are instrumental for all parties involved. Respect, Honor your partners wishes, and you will be fine. (Irrational requests need not apply)
4. Show your partner who you really are: Vulnerability is NOT weakness. Showing sensitivity is NOT weakness. Whether you believe it or not they are both showcases of strength. Hiding behind walls of pretentiousness is a sure fire way of creating unnecessary space between you and your partner. I'm not saying you have to go all-in on the first hand, but at least play with some vigor, and hunger for life and love.
Again, thank you for your time, and please leave a comment. I am here to learn as well. So if you have anything to add, or discuss feel free to do so.
The True Nature of "The Game"
I've become a big fan of the "Seduction" or "PUE" (Pickup up Expert) communities recently, and while they provide a more exciting, and glamorous aspect to courting a woman, I fear they may be lacking in certain areas. They teach you how to dress, act, walk, even help you to devise game plans in order to predict or control the courtship process. Imagine "Hitch" without the emphasis on love, and romance, but moreso on how to simply just get you laid. As men that's our primary goal, I won't lie or sugar coat it. We want the booty. But most of us want what accompanies the booty. The companionship, and Friendship aspects of a relationship. To avoid any confusion, I am well aware that you cannot provide these aspects; furthermore that you would even want to include any of these romantic aspects with EVERY woman. There are some women who simply fill a need, or due to compromises within your own, or her own character that would only lead you down a path of "sexual endeavors". But in the grand scheme of things we all desire the same thing. Love, Honor, Stability, and companionship. I feel that in some ways the PUE community Preaches some very honorable messages. Be confident, Be fun, Have some pride in yourself and what you have to offer. But if that wasn't you, it's never going to be you. There are men who simply just "Have it", and there are some that don't. Doesn't mean you can't have the woman of your dreams...Or...the woman you deserve. This blog is intended to Give some insight into the true nature of the game. A true Alpha male isn't someone who just looks the part. You can't be 6'4" Ripped from top to bottom, still live in your mommas basement and expect a woman to think you're anymore than a boy toy.
An alpha male is a COMPLETE man. Here are some things we'll be touching on in our Attempt to "Transform ya".
1. Music
2. Fashion
3. Literature
4. Food
5. Drink
6.Things to do
7.Places to go
8. Health and fitness
and Much Much More!
Consider us Esquire without the Snobbery.
WE HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON!
An alpha male is a COMPLETE man. Here are some things we'll be touching on in our Attempt to "Transform ya".
1. Music
2. Fashion
3. Literature
4. Food
5. Drink
6.Things to do
7.Places to go
8. Health and fitness
and Much Much More!
Consider us Esquire without the Snobbery.
WE HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON!
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