TRIAD THURSDAYS-HOMECOMING STYLE

Last night I experienced one of the most enjoyable evenings I have had in a long time. I was invited to Triad Thursday by a group of guys that have more love to offer to their business than a Mom nurturing her only child. The masterminds that put Triad Thursday together are the team of Shon Barnes, Alex Ricketts and Darryl Stevenson, collectively known as Triad Entertainment Solutions, LLC. The event was a precursor to the celebrated homecoming weekend that is occurring in the city this weekend at the University of North Carolina A&T and definitely was one not to be missed.

Triad Thursday is an event that occurs on the first Thursday of every month and usually kicks off from 7pm until 12 pm or until, depending on how long the band chooses to play and the venue allows stragglers to hang out. This event, very special as it was the kick-off of the NC A&T Homecoming weekend (G.H.O.E.=Greatest Homecoming On Earth), was held at Cafe Pasta. The restaurant is a well put together establishment with two levels, a stage and a special area under the stage for a VIP area. There is an exquisite  black lacquer bar that houses all the alcohol that one could wish for, with a large hi-def plasma television hanging on the wall behind the bar. There is also a large projection screen that at this event was playing “Lady Sings The Blues” which had many party-goers still watching the old school flick as they enjoyed the ambiance of the party.

When asked why they chose this type of endeavor, Mr. Ricketts stated that “we started this thing because being a DJ I have always loved music and this was another enjoyable avenue for me to experience that love. This is the second event and we are very happy with the results.” Mr. Barnes concurred and added “for me I wanted to find places in the city to go and hang out that had a mature atmosphere that I could sit back and enjoy and I couldn't find that anywhere! With that issue picking at my brain, and my friends that were also looking for a nice outing, we put our heads together and decided to do it ourselves.”  As well as being one-third of the trio Mr. Stevenson, as well as Mr. Ricketts, also spins records and gets the crowd rocking. Donning his signature 70’s afro Stevenson transforms himself into DJ Dirty and morphs into “one” with his turntables and Mac computer and from there the party is “crunk”! Stevenson told me after he finished his first set “This is what it’s all about man, being able to see people enjoying themselves in an atmosphere that they are comfortable in, with good food, good drinks and good music. It doesn't get any better than that and to be part of the group that put it together, just brings a tear to my eye” the jokester quantified as he strolled away shaking his afro headed back to his turntables.

This event also produced the soulful sounds of the group Soultrii, and they turned it out. Their sound s very eclectic and had patrons on the floor getting their groove on early and often. They are musicians that interact with their listeners and come out of their stage element and sing hand in hand with the ladies. They are quit a nice performance. Next, the comedian at the event, Eli Southern, is an up and coming comedian who needs all the exposure he can get. 

This guy is quick and intelligent with his comedy and it shows as he eats up hecklers and leaves them smoking in his verbal assaultive-wake for attempting to spar with him. This kid talks about everything from condoms, parenting, cops, penis size and big-Chief Knockemdown and my personal favorite..when he donned a referee shirt and threw flags on everyday situations including one guy that challenges one of his calls. Southern is extremely underrated and is indicative of the talent that Triad Thursday is able to showcase.

The energy that Ricketts and Barnes exude as they welcome party goers is a sight to behold. They interact with their patrons, they serve drinks, they refresh wine on tables and do it all while ensuring that they don't leave anyone out of their clutches as they shake hands and trade business cards with other professionals in their ever moving endeavor to network and build T.E.S., LLC into a power in the entertainment industry. 

Make sure you make it out to their next event as I know that you will enjoy it to the last record is mixed and the last glass of Chardonnay has been poured. T2 (Triad Thursday) is where you need to be in order to be part of an elegant mature soulful crowd so make sure you mark your calendars for their next event.

Feel free to contact Z Morgan, II @zmorganII@gmail.com or @twitter at zmorganII

G.H.O.E. TONIGHT!!

Cafe Pasta tonight 7pm-until-G.H.O.E. Jumpoff....Comedy, music & DJ's spinning!! Come out and party!! Pictures to follow!! Ladies and gents come out and enjoy!!

WHY SUICIDE?

Ya know most of us we walk thru our everyday lives and don't take the time to appreciate the fact that we are still alive. Regardless of our age, our financial position in life, our health or the lack thereof, our relationship status or what material possessions we have acquired along our journey, whether long or short on this great big sphere that continues to hurl around the sun just like it has for eons before any of us were placed here and just like it will continue when all of us are gone. Life is fragile and always will be, as many families have been forced to see in the past couple of tragic weeks that have taken loved ones of theirs into the beyond never to be seen, yelled at, touched, kissed or ignored again!!

In the virgin weeks of the burgeoning fall that is upon us we as a society have seen four different teen-agers take their own lies by suicide as well as one nationally recognized NFL athlete. Rutgers Freshman Tyler Clementi (18) took his life by jumping off the George Washington Bridge because his roommate had secretly videotaped an intimate moment between he and another male,  Billy Lucas (15) never came out of the closet or hinted that he was interested in or participated in any alternative lifestyle but because his classmates felt that he fit the profile teased him until he went into the family barn, hung a noose and placed the rope around his neck and hung himself because he couldn't take the relentless bashing from his classmates. In yet another senseless emotional beating,  Asher Brown (14) took his life by a self inflicted gunshot because he was thought to be Gay and thus picked on by his mates and Seth Walsh (13) hung himself in a tree in his family home back yard after being bullied by classmates for his sexual preference. Lastly, Denver Broncos Wide Receiver Kenny McKinley (23) took his life by handgun, after being placed on Injured Reserve for a second consecutive year and starting to feel the strain of the move and what it would do to his financial ability to help his family. Five young lives....GONE! Just like that,in the blink of an eye they are gone and are no longer there for abuse, ridicule, jokes, loans, family that needs from them and they feel that they cannot provide! Gone not because they wanted to be, but because others pushed them to the brink of no return. Do you know what that feels like? When you are on that mental-emotional cliff and gravity is pulling you down as you stand on the edge and contemplate that this is the best thing for you and everyone involved? Not many do, but I DO! I have been where these five victims (yes victims) have been and I’m not sure why, other than the grace of God, I am not one of the statistics that they now are!

In 1992 life for me was a very different road. I was uneducated, fresh out of the military with nothing to show but pictures and an Honorable discharge to show that I had been there, a bad attitude, a helluva chip on my shoulder, alot of harbored hate from my childhood and a wild two-year son that I was trying my best to raise as a single parent.  Now, being a single parent was one of the most enduring situations I have ever been a part of but I am no quitter so I was going to stay the storm and try my best, as I had always told myself regardless of the situation. As a man you can formulate in your mind what you are going to do, when you are going to do it and HOW you are going to do it but when you have a two year old thrown into the mix it dissipates those ideals like summer cumulous clouds in the sky of Maine hanging over a cookout, and everybody knows how quickly the weather changes there! I quickly found myself in over my head and had no one to turn to because my relationship with my birth Mother left alot to be desired so going back to her and admitting that I had made the mistake that she predicted some thirty-three months earlier when she told me that a child would be conceived from the “fun” that me and his teenage Mother at the time were having was absolutely out of the window. So here I sat, on Easter morning 1992, watching my son run around the house, hopped up on super-sweet candy from his Easter Basket as I sipped on a Crazy Horse Malt Liquor forty-ounce. I had no money, as I had spent my last $5.39 the night before on a jumbo Easter basket for him because I knew it would be only our second, but final Easter together.

How did I get here, well that was a hell of a journey in itself! In middle and high school I had issues with classmates that put me in my “Easter state of mind” plenty of time before. Whether it was being picked on for the tone of my skin being darker than other Blacks, speaking differently or more Proper than my classmates, wearing the same cheap black and white plaid bomber that another classmate also had, not being as gifted athletically in sports as the other males, enjoying playing a band instrument (GLEE wasnt cool in the 80‘s we were still nerds) and acting in plays, or the MOST used insult that I was short, there was always something that I was being picked on for. If it was cloudy I felt that somewhere that day in school I would catch the ire of someones anger because it was MY fault. So being picked on and made fun off became a daily occurrence for me and eventually it beat me down to the point of wanting to just end it. I considered it many times as teenager but i never followed thru with it although it stayed in the back of my mind everyday.

My child was conceived because I wanted something to love and honestly, I was scared of dogs. A good reason to bring a child into the world huh?  Well, even with that knowledge the Lord blessed me with my son and it was bliss watching him grow and learn and see that I was able to provide for him and protect him. That day in April mentioned above came after a layoff, when rent was due and there was nothing in the cabinets or refrigerator except rice and sardines. How long would that last? I decided I would read my son the last bedtime story I would ever read him, put him to bed, tuck him in and get in the tub and end it all. After doing all but the last chore, I went to the bathroom, ran the tub, grabbed a fresh razor blade from the medicine cabinet, closed the bathroom door and settled down into the hot water that I felt had become my life. I said a prayer for my child to be safe and I took the razor in my right hand as the sunlight gleamed off the ends of the finely sharpened tool and placed it to my left wrist, pressed down on that thick blue vein and was ready to cut. Instead of continuing the cut, I had a premonition of my son awakening and being the one to discover my body and how that image would be burned into his brain for the rest of his life. I couldn't do it! He didn't deserve that type of image into his little eyes and what type of man would I be to do that to him. Although the water was the hottest I had ever felt on my body, I was in chills when I pulled myself out of that tub! mission aborted for me but not the same for al of s that suffer bullying, depression or hard financial times.

My situation could have turned out the same as the other five gentlemen mentioned earlier....Mr. Clemnti, Mr. Lucas, Mr. Brown, Mr. Walsh & Mr. McKinley. I have read and listened to people ask how these men came to the crossroads that they did and took their own lives because of others and THEIR concern or bullying! It’s easy and it happens everyday to males AND females regardless of the age or socio-economic background. I write this because I have been one of those bullied, one of those reclusive as not to be in a position to be picked on or bullied, and one of those that may not have had the mental stability or strength to understand that the reason you pick on me or bully me is because you are just as unsure and lack the same self esteem that I do. Because I am a Yankee, Gay, Obese, Short, Physically Disabled, prescribed Ridalin or ay other medication that is helpful to me gives you no right to bully me and push me to the point of no return when it comes to whether I live or die mentally or physically. I just wish I had known that and felt that way back in 1992. Today, no one would know I have had those struggles or been thru the hallows of emotions that I have but I know that I am not alone. More of us that have endured these struggles need to step up so that we can help the people that are traveling the same emotional roads that we have. That road has no detour but one and we need to help those that feel the detour is the only way out!

Feel free to contact ZMII at zmorganII@gmail.com or twitter @zmorganII

4TH VICTIM FILES SUIT AGAINST BISHOP EDDIE LONG

Spencer Legrande, 22, of Charlotte, NC filed a suit today in DeKalb County State Court alleging that Long used his spiritual influence, wealth, cars and friendships with celebrities to induce a sexual relationship with him.

LeGrande alleged that he first met Long at the satellite church of New Birth Ministries Church  located in Charlotte, NC. LeGrande alleges further that he first had sex with Long when he traveled to Kenya with him when he was 17 years old in 2005. Long is said to have stated to the young man living in a one parent household that "I will be your Dad" allowing Legrande to trust him fully and think nothing of the relationship that was forming and taking on many different forms. LeGrande alleges that during the trip to Kenya that as they prepared for bed Long gave him a sleeping pill and they engaged in sexual acts together. LeGrande further states that Long convinced him that "engaging in a sexual relationship was a healthy component of his spiritual life." It is also alleged in the suit that in 2009 LeGrande again accompanied Long to Africa, engaged in multiple sexual acts and then moved to Atlanta at the pleading of Long. LeGrande says that he was told many time not to have girlfriends and soon he began to not fully understand how he had found himself in the predicament that he was in. At this point he moved back to NC in October of 2009 and has not had any further contact with long since.

(One of many pictures sent to young male church members)

(An additional picture that was sent by Bishop Long to alleged victims)

Long, a longtime opponent of gay relationships and marriages,  has vehemently denied all the allegations that have surfaced and said that he will speak on the matters when he addresses his congregation on Sunday, September 26, 2010.

JUDGE ORDERS MAJOR WITT RIGHTS VIOLATED BY AIR FORCE

Major Witt

Federal Judge Ronald Leighton entered an order stating that the U.S. Air Force had violated the constitutional rights of one of their own by honorably discharging her based upon their "dont ask, don't tell" policy.

Highly decorated Flight Nurse Margaret Witt was ousted by the Air Force higher ups when her sexual preference was outed by a colleague and her husband in 2004.  Witt was in the midst of an affair with Laurie McChesney and the affair was found out by McChesneys husband who applied pressure to his then wife to end the affair and inform Air Force personnel. She did, and the hailstorm began for Witt. She was honorably discharged and she being the intelligent, driven woman she is, recognized she was wronged and subsequently sued.

Major Margaret Witt and her partner Laurie McChesney

Today Judge Leighton ruled that "she be fully reinstated as soon as practical, if that is what she wanted! He then stated to Witt "I hope that you will request reinstatement." Witt left the courtroom with her partner, McChesney who is now divorced, with a sense of relief and accomplishment. This case has touched many even as far as the U.S House of Representatives. The House cited the case in a letter to President Obama as an example of the damage that is happening to our military.

MOTHER RECORDS TWO YEAR OLD SMOKING WEED

Ya know these days I'm not too surprised when I read a headline and then the accompanying story concerning our youth because kids are bad as hell and they are even "badder" parents. In what has to be the front-runner for Worse Parent 2010 we have the story of Jessica Gamble.

Gamble, a 21 year old mother of a two year toddler has been arrested and indicted for teaching AND recording her child how to smoke marijuana. Then, AND HERES THE KICKER, she sent the video to a friend. Gamble in her infinite wisdom disseminated the video because she thought it was funny (must have been the weed talking to her).
Hamilton County Prosecutors have charged and indicted Gamble for Child Endangering, Corrupting a Person with Drugs and Tampering with Evidence. She could face 11 years in prison depending on her final plea which she should do, not now, but RIGHT now! The "friend" that she sent the video to didn't find it as funny as Gable did and turned it over to to local police who got the ball rolling and the child out of the custody of the mother. At the end of the video Gamble calls the child "bad" web she should have looked in the mirror and repeated that to herself before she gave her 2 year a tutorial on pot smoking.

VOICE OF RUDOLPH REINDEER SAYS GOODBYE

The actor that gave birth to the voice of the lead character of the most recognizable holiday classic in history, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer has passed away.
Billie Mae Richardson, a radio star for over 25 years on Canadian radio voiced the male character  in 1964 and subsequently had to add "Billie" her name so not to give away the fact that she was a female in the cartoon credits.

After the release of the classic and when she was confronted by people that discounted the fact that she voiced the character she would call up the voice and show them on the spot to their surprise. Richardson also returned to provide Rudolph's voice in 1976 Rudolph's Shiny New Year and in 1979 Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July.
Richardson passed away at the prime age of 88.

DALLAS POLICE OFFICERS IMPERSONATE LAPD AND RODNEY KING INCIDENT

Dallas Police have taken discipline against 3 of 6 police officers by placing them on leave or restricted duty after a cruiser dash cam recorded them beating motorist Andrew Collins. Three officers have been charged with (F) Tampering with or Fabricating Physical Evidence and two of the three have additionally been charged with (M) Assault and Official Oppression. Dallas police Chief David Brown stated "This won't be tolerated, This is not indicative of the Dallas Police Department. No one incident defines our character.  

After Collins was arrested, an officer is shown walking back to the cruiser with the dash cam running and promptly moves the video so the officers cannot be seen. At this point is when Collins was beaten by the officers, who told superiors that they had no idea what he was talking about and that they had committed no crime. Brown added "But once the conversation was complete, there was appreciation for the transparency and honesty." 

RODNEY KING BEATEN DOWN BY L.A. LOVE

Do you remember Rodney King, the poor man that was filmed being beaten by LAPD officers back in the 1990’s?  Well guess what he’s baaccckkkk!!

King is in the news today because he has found love, or been able to finally make his love his. King recently became engaged to Cynthia Kelley whom he met back in 1994, just one day after he was awarded the jury award of $3.8 million dollars. Speaking candidly to RADARONLINE Kelley said “During deliberations, the other jurors said, ‘Let’s just award him $100,000, you know he’s just gonna blow it anyway. “It was a blessing that I was even there, the other jurors didn’t want to give him anything.” After the trial Kelley and King met each other in a pizza joint by accident and instantly felt a strong attraction to one another even though they both were married at the time.

Wind the clock forward 16 years, after they both are divorced, after many years of bouncing around in various relationships, King having been arrested numerous more times for drug related activity, King being cast in “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew” on VH1 and what do you know, they meet again! In May 2010 King placed a call to Kelley and as they say, “the rest is history”!  When asked by RADAR how he felt about Kelley, King said "She is a godsend, a blessing in my life, I don't know what I would have done without her in my life...I can't wait to make her my wife."  

E.L.O. MEMBER KILLED

Michael Edwards, the 62 year old cellist member of the Rock group Electric Light Orchestra from 1970-1975 been killed in a car accident like none other.

The accident occurred when Edwards' van was hit by a bale of hay that rolled out into the road that he was traveling.

The bale, estimated at 1, 323 lbs rolled down a hill, jumped a slope and landed on the top of Edwards vehicle crushing the vehicle and killing the driver. After the bale of hay hit the vehicle it swerved into oncoming traffic and hit another vehicle head on, with the driver of the second vehicle being uninjured.

Devon and Cornwall police are now searching for family members of the victim to inform them of the accident but have had no luck. Edwards left the band in 1975, became a Buddhist and changed his name legally to Deva Pramada. Since leaving the group he had been making his living teaching cello in Devon, England.

NY CHILD FOUND BOUND AND MALNOURISHED TO DEATH

In what is turing out to be the most heartbreaking story I have received news about this year, today in New York a 4 year old chid has been found deceased from apparent neglect at the hands of her parent. 

Brooklyn police were called to the home of 4 year old Marchellla Pierce this morning at 6 a.m. by her mother that claims she discovered the child lifeless and unconscious this morning. The mother, Carlola Pierce told police detectives that she checked on the child this morning at 4 a.m. and she was fine but  then when she checked at 6 a.m. the child wasn't breathing. Pierce then waited almost two hours before she alerted medical officials and police of her child's status. When police did arrive they discovered the child, weighing only 15 pounds, with her arms and legs bound to the side of her crib with twine in a house that described as "exceptionally filthy" and cluttered. The mother has been arrested and is answering further questions at the police department and her other two children, a 5 year old and a 9 month old have been taken to social services. There are reports that the agency has been called to the home on prior occasions in reference to neglect by the mother.

Just so you know, the average weight of a 4 year old is 35 pounds and the weight of this poor little victim was equivalent to that of a 6 month old.

GREENSBORO POLICE CHIEF SWORN IN

NC FUNERAL HOME LEFT BODY IN HEARSE

The David B. Lawson funeral home located in Graham, NC is under investigation by the NC Board of Funeral Services for violating the main ethic of care; leaving a corpse in a hearse.

The victim, Linda Walton died last week and her body was removed by the Lawson firm after being released by local police. After removing the body, owner David Lawson admitted that he left the victim in the hearse for approximately 3 days because legally he could not process the body until the next of kin was informed of the death. After being informed that there was no next of kin, Lawson then sent the body to the crematory but it was returned after a day and a half due to the smell of the corpse.

N.C. Board of Funeral Services representative Paul Harris said that the firm is under investigation as they decide whether "responsibility of care and custody to treat bodies with respect at all times" was followed by the firm. The disciplinary committee will meet on September 8, 2010 to decide what discipline should be applied to the David B. Lawson funeral home at that point.

It's a shame when even after death you cannot receive respect by those employed to take care of your remains....even when you have no next of kin. I hope that the committee comes down hard on this guy as this is just unacceptable. With the lawsuits that can be filed from this offense I bet there will be some family to come to the surface and file a suit in the upcoming days.

GERMAN POPSTAR FAILED TO DISCLOSE HIV STATUS NOW FACES JAIL TIME

What happens when you have unprotected sex with various men and do not tell them that you are  HIV positive? In the UK they arrest you and make sure that you answer to the lay of the law and to your alleged victims. UK popstar Nadja Benaissa has found that out the hard way as she now finds herself in the midst of a legal battle that may have her jailed for up to a maximum of ten years.

Benaissa, who became a member of the German band, No Angels, after she won top prize on the UK American Idol-model television show POPSTARS, faces a total of six (6) felony charges. Five (5) counts of Attempted Grievous Bodily Harm, for sleeping with partners without protection and one (1) count of Grievous Bodily Harm for infecting one man whom she dated briefly in 2004 with the HIV virus. The partner has stated to officials that he did not have any knowledge that Benaissa was carrying the disease until her Aunt asked him if he knew in 2007.

Court documents show that the singer dated three men from 2000-2004 and did not inform any of them about her medical condition. Benaissa has said “I was careless during those days!” “I am sorry with all my heart and the last thing I wanted was for my partners to get infected!” Benaissa first became aware that she was HIV positive when she was informed at a doctors visit for a regular pregnancy checkup in 1999 when the singer was sixteen (16) years old. Benaissa has said she was told by her doctors that her risk of passing the virus to her partners was “practically zero.” She further states “Therefore I also concealed the fact that I was infected to my acquaintances. I did not want my daughter to be branded by this. I told the band members because I trusted them. I never made it public because I thought that would mean the end of the band."

The trial is underway this week and looks to last for approximately five days after all evidence is presented. 

Feel free to contact me at zmorganII@gmail.com & on twitter @zmorgan

A.J. BLAKE FIRED OFFICIALLY FOR SECOND TIME BY CITY OF GREENSBORO

In what seems to be a never ending saga involving former Greensboro police officer, A.J. Blake, there has been another development handed down this afternoon. Blake has been relieved from duty, yet again by the City of Greensboro, for the second time in just over one year. Blake, who has been embattled in legal issues with the City since he first joined the lawsuit filed on behalf of a group of Officers citing discrimination by the former administration of ex-Chief David Wray, has been on the losing end of yet another legal decision so we will see what his teams next chess-move shall be. Blake had hinted recently that if the decision today was for him to be fired, then he would file a lawsuit against the City. He has 10 days to appeal the ruling which seems to be inevitable as he and his advisors are going to exhaust all legal remedies available. 

The complete story with reference of how Blake has ended up in the position he currently is at the following link: 

http://www.news-record.com/content/2010/08/16/article/aj_blake_fired_from_greensboro_police

(photo courtesy of Jerry Wolford-N&R)

RYAN DEISS PERPETUAL TRAFFIC INTERNET SCAMS!

You know as a blogger I am online all day everyday and I enjoy 90% of the information that I am able to run across. There is a plethora of information on the net, much more than there was in the 70's when there was no "internets" for us writers and laymen that weren't friends of Bill Gates and other technology forward brainiacs. Various sights will tell you that they have the "white-rabbit-way" of making money online. But as you go online you always run the risk of hitting the scam wall as there are always individuals out there that make the net a scary place as they attempt to defraud others.

I wish to make money just like the next man so I am on the hunt for advice from other bloggers and such that may have some information as to how this has or can be done. Recently I came across the Ryan Deiss Perpetual Traffic Formula and couldn't help but laugh. This gig alleges that for a mere $2,000.00 he will ensure that you make boatloads of money from your site after reading his expensive formula. 2 GRAND?! FOR REALS!! Dude, if I had 2g's just sitting around gaining interest in the bank or dust under my mattress then I wouldn't be worried about making money on the internet, I would be more concerned about what vacation or silly purchase I am going to spend that 2g's thats burning a hole in my pocket on! I read the information and was all the more disgusted as I delved deeper and the words started to resonate in my mind like I was having a biscuit and cheap cup of coffee while listening to a time-share pitch on a dreary Saturday morning in a smoke-smell-stained conference room at the local ran down Radisson! Why must they do it to us?

Bloggers please don't fall victim to any scams. They are prevalent and are popping up every minute but we have to be vigilant as writers and owners of our own virtual businesses so that we can pass the knowledge on. Bloggers, if you run across any scams such as the aforementioned Ryan Deiss Perpetual Traffic Formula, pass it on to others so that the less informed become the MORE informed and are on the same playing field as we are. It's a damn shame that there are people that are in business just to take advantage of others but if they didn't exist then we wouldn't have anything to rant and rave about. Watch out for yourselves and others and keep everyone in the know, BLOGGER-FAMILY!

SH-COOL SCHOOL!!

The calendars almost state that it is time for classes to begin so there are many updates and last minute sprucing being done to the campuses and surrounding areas. At the school crossing for Southern Guilford, here in Greensboro, NC, there was a surprise! After a local contractor was hired to complete a painting at a student crossing, they soon discovered a problem.

Ohhhhh nooooooooo!!!! SHCOOL!!!

After school officials noticed the error they reached out to the contractor and had his team come back out and repaint the error. Of course, the contractor claimed he had no knowledge of the error and trusted his staff that he sent out. Ahh,, the NC educators must be proud!!

SLOW-COOKED BAR-B-Q RIBS

This recipe is one that I have prepared on numerous occasions and have always had very positive feedback from. The prep is very simple, as is the sauce that will be spread on the racks. This recipe is perfect for either grilling or baking in the oven. Although this recipe shows the oven process you follow the same for grilling. It is a slow process but one that is worth the wait. Below you will find the step by step process complete with pictures. 

Ingredients:

2 Racks of Beef or Pork Ribs

Salt

Pepper

Garlic

1/2 Cup Budweiser Barbecue Sauce

1/3 Cup Brown Sugar

1/2 Tsp. Cayenne Pepper

1/2 Tsp. Tabasco Sauce (Habernero Flavor)

Our first step will be to give the rack of ribs a dry rub. Start by taking a garlic clove and after shelling, simply rub onto the top and bottom of the ribs. You can rub the garlic rather liberally or if you are like I am, a garlic-nut, you will want to rub the garlic on rather thick. Next add sat and pepper evenly to both bottom and top of ribs making sure that you have covered the entire portion so that there are no unseasoned spots. Lightly sprinkle cayenne pepper on both sides and with hands rub the seasoning mx into the meat vigorously. Once done, place on baking rack let sit for 30-minutes to an 1 hour covered in non-stick foil. 

While the ribs are setting, grab a glass bowl and mix the following. 1/2 cup of Budweiser bar-b-cue sauce, 1/3 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 tsp. of cayenne pepper and 1/2 tsp of Tabasco Sauce. With a whisk, mix all the ingredients together until they have all married together and thickened. Depending on the consistency and taste that you desire you may leave as is for a nice thick savory sauce or add more brown sugar to sweeten and/or add ketchup to loosen the texture. I like the sauce to be thick so that it soaks into the ribs and makes each bite full of sauce so I leave as is, but it is up to the cook.

Place the baking rack with the ribs on it onto a baking sheet and fill the baking sheet under the rack with water (this helps to steam the ribs while cooking) and set the oven temperature to 250 degrees. Place the ribs in the oven covered and let cook for 1 hour. Once they are removed they should be similar to the picture below.

After the hour of cooking raise the temperature of the oven to 300 degrees, remove the foil and allow the rack of ribs to cook for the next 1.5 to 2 hours (use a timer). 

After 30 minutes check the ribs by pulling them out and using a knife or fork to check the tenderness of the meat. At this point the meat should be browning and ready for the sauce to be added. Take the sauce that you mixed earlier and using a brush, dip the brush into the sauce and liberally coat the racks with the sauce. 

Replace the racks back into the oven and repeat the process every 30 minutes for the duration of the time left until you have allowed the sauce to marinate and penetrate the meat and then coat the outside of the racks. When the timer sounds, turn off the oven, open the oven door and simply coat the ribs once more with the remaining sauce. Allow the racks to cool (approximately 20-30 minutes) and then remove from the oven and from the racks. At this point cut the ribs individually or in pairs and plate them for presentation to table ( see below). 

Happy eating and should you have any questions or concerns about the process or ingredients feel free to contact me at zmorganII@gmail.com or at twitter @zmorganII.

CLUB THER-RO-P!!

So a couple of nights ago I went out to The UnderGround, a very happening piano and sofa bar in town. The bar is a mix of patrons and ages and is one place that you can either kick back against the old brick style cutouts, post up at the bar, get ya dance on while grooving on the raised platform stage or grab a sofa and drink and watch the varied flat-screens displaying the sports news of the day. As I interacted with others and in the ambiance of the club I noticed a few things that REALLY caught my fancy. Noticing these things brought me to ponder the different groups that are present. Clubs normally have the dancers, the drinkers, the pick-up artists at the bar and the wallflowers in attendance. When you go to the club it is the one place of leisure that all of them can go and be totally open and free? One of the best ways to free yourself...Dancing!

I noticed many dancers come in with a sort of passive attitude but when their favorite song was played by the D.J. they lost all track of where they were and scurried to the dance floor like Tom (from Tom & Jerry) as he tried to escape the Bulldog!  Musicians are powerful motivators to the end of the "shy" personality whether their song is two months old and climbing Billboards Top 100 or ten years old and hasn't been heard by the masses unless they were lucky enough to hear it on their Pandora QuickMix while exercising or mowing the yard. Witnessing the rush to the dance floor when "The Cha-Cha Slide" came on and the formations that were formed on the dance floor to the direction of Mr. C The Slide Man

To the right now

To the left

Take it back now y'all

      One hop this time, one hop this time

Right foot two stomps

Left foot two stomps

 Slide to the left

   Slide to the right

             Criss cross, criss cross

         Cha cha real smooth

as ladies knew exactly which way to slide & cross before the suggestion was even played! It's an amazing sight as the disco-lights dance to the beat transitioning thru the rainbow of available colors, casting light off of each dancer as their gyrating bodies seem to be spotlighted in their own secretive romance with the bass that is beating against the walls. 

At that moment I realized that these people that are dancing and enjoying themselves and have no regrets. They don't care about the people that are watching, they don't care if they are ON the beat or not and they certainly don't care what opinion anyone has of them as they dance! They will leave the floor when the song is over, go right back and try it again and do as the Drinkers do.

The Drinkers are the individuals that come to the bar to throw back some shots of Jägermeister, Patron and the occasional deadly Tequila shot to end the night (as we all know that the night is over when the Tequila comes to the table)! The drinkers table resembles the table seen in many an Irish bar filled with an overflow of shot glasses, empty beer steins, leftovers that have been picked over for the last five hours and the stack of napkins that have sopped up spilled drinks throughout the night. This is the table that the  barkeep loathes clearing when they leave but loves the tips they provide as well as the jovial-drunken conversation they receive every-time they visit the table with another platter of rounds!  The drinkers much like the dancers just want to have a good time and enjoy the atmosphere as they occasionally crack a playful joke at the bloke that just had a full shot thrown in his face! This club-goer is known as the PUA!

The Pick-Up Artists, PUA, is usually positioned at the best point of contact, which normally is the bar! What better place to be when a potential dance mate appears than the bar because at some point of the night all persons visit this base. The PUA can be male or female (don't be fooled, women have just as much pick-up game as men do) so don't be alarmed when you hear a clever one-liner and turn and they are wearing 6-inch heels and fire-engine red lipstick instead of Jos A. Banks finest. The PUA is a master at their craft because they have decided that whether I get turned down or accepted, I'm still going to have fun! Many PUA's only rock this role for the pure adrenaline rush that comes along with the chase, much like the Dancer gets on the dance-floor and the Drinker gets from playing a high-stakes game of quarters. I find the PUA to be extremely entertaining because they could actually take their show on the road and perform stand up comedy! It takes a lot of heart and self-esteem to be this role as it can get quite physical from thrown drinks, constant rejection and the occasional unexpected acceptance. But on Monday morning the PUA can go back to their accountant, teacher or clerk position and revel in the weekend that they enjoyed when they let it all hang out for 48 hours as they wondered why the people standing up against the wall weren't following suit.

Standing against a wall and making it look good is an art in itself! Think about it, how cool can the average person look just standing around on the lean? Well let me tell you, the Wallflower achieves it like none other. The Wallflower is that trio of guys (yes they travel in threes because guys don't use the bathroom together so when one has to go they have one left to chat it up with) that are Abercromied-down, complete with pressed slacks with a crease that could put your eye out. They like to take in the sights of the club and watch the others dance and drink and bar-talk. The Wallflowers are persons that simply enjoy being in the club for the therapy of being out of the office, out of school and/or out of the house! The therapy of the music, the smells, the drinks and the people present give them the fix that they need to enjoy where they are. They aren't interested in hooking up or being loud as they just want to fade into the background and enjoy the scene. You will see them crack the occasional joke amongst their trio but for the most part they nurse their $4.95 Heineken until it's gone as they catch up on the latest headlines being ran by ESPN or the occasional "all-important" text or email received on their smart phone. They enjoy the wall and wouldn't have it any other way because just like everyone else they are enjoying what they are doing.

How awesome of a mental place to be!! When you don't care as long as you are enjoying yourself!!! Throwing all caution to the wind seems to be the attire to donn when one takes in the club atmosphere.

 Many people I know and interact with have issues with their appearance and/or what someone has said or is going to say about them. Regardless the age, it seems to still be a personality trait that needs to be abandoned! When you worry about what others say or may say about you simply visit your club of choice and look around at the dancers, the drinkers, the pick-up artists at the bar and the wallflowers standing guard at the nearest doorway. Pay attention to the uninhibitedness that they display in their different roles and how comfortable they are in them. They don't care who is watching because they are there to have fun and enjoy their time out with friends or simply enjoy letting their hair down and dance...OUTLOUD!! That is true club Therapy that needs to be employed by all of us. Life is short, WAY too short to add the stresses of what others may say about you because of how you dress, how you talk, how good/bad your body looks, how weaved or not your hair is, how tall/short you are or how bad of a person your are! Live your life like you are always dancing on stage under the dark lights and bass driven heat of life and I bet cha when it comes time to take that last breath, you will not regret it in the least bit.

Feel free to leave your comments below and contact me at zmorganII@gmail.com and via twitter @zmorganII

THE BUSINESS OF FRIENDS

FRIENDSHIP: N. DEFINITION.

What do you think of when you hear or state this ten letter word? Loyalty, Truthfulness, Love, and long laundry lists of other adjectives and verbs that may come to mind?  Rightfully so, as we all from the time that we start play dates and daycare begin this thing called friendship. We let our friends play with our favorite toy, eat with us at our lunch table, wear our favorite clothes and most of all we open up to our friends and share with them the most intimate AND embarrassing facets of our lives. We do this because with our friends we aren’t ashamed. The same shame that you feel when you stumble up on a curb or on the last step of a flight of stairs, or when you ask someone out and they refuse the invitation is an embarrassment that has us turn red faced and flushed with wondering who seen that. It’s nothing like when we share this with our “bestie” good or bad news! The “bestie” is the one that we can count on till the very end. The one that knows us better than we know each other and will feel comfortable enough calling us on that.  Seasons aren’t the only things that change in life so we all know that there comes the possibility that our group of friends will also. What happens when friends part and it isn’t on the best of terms?

Most of us as adults understand and respect the confidences of our friends and what we have put in the “vault” as we have journeyed on this highway of life. Best friends are not supposed to let the proverbial “cat out of the bag” when it comes to secrets even when the relationship goes south and they never talk again. But there is always the thought of what are they going to say about me? Will they tell my other friends this deep dark secret that I told them and only them? This feeling of inadequacy causes us to constantly run through our mental rolodex trying to remember what is the worst that they could use against us. This is a feeling that will drive most of us crazy with the simple “wondering” and will drive others to even further drastic measures, some even criminal.  What happens when the ex-friend feels that they have been betrayed so now it is open season on all of your secrets and all that they know about you. What happens when they make an anonymous call to your husband about that indiscretion on the girls trip to Vegas? Or when they call your Mom and Dad and begin to spew out all the places you REALLY were when you said that you were spending the night with them? It is basically mental blackmail as we go into a shell trying to keep a low profile or we try and combat what they may say by doing the very same thing and starting to make our own calls in order to sandbag them. Is it right? NO. But it gives us that tool of retaliation in order to feel complacent about what we have just endured emotionally.

My position on the matter is that if we for whatever reason are not “besties” or friends any longer then that’s that. Nothing more nothing less! I can go on about my business and so can you without having to live in fear of secrets being exposed to those that we love and or worse yet in this day and age on the internets. We are not in high school so therefore should have the mental integrity to keep secrets secrets, all the way to the grave no matter how badly an argument or disagreement we have. I would never bash another verbally after we have an issue that makes us no longer able to be friends because in the words of Cedric the Entertainer…”I’m a Grown Ass Man Dawg!” Most people may think I’m alone with this line of thinking but I know there are others out there that feel the same way. Friendship is not something to be taken lightly but also not something that allows ANYONE to load up the emotional gauntlet and broadcast all that you shared in confidence with them either. Friendship can be a beautiful thing when it is respected at all times during and after the friendship has run its course. It’s sad that others don’t realize that when they begin to expose how dirty, callous, uncaring, thoughtless and vengeful  a former friend was, the only one that is showing their true traits that fit that mold are them.

Feel free to contact me at zmorganII@gmail.com and via twitter @zmorganII