Last Day of NaBloPoMo November

Sooooooo I made it to the last day of the BlogHer November NaBloPoMo challenge. I may have started late by a few days but at least I stuck with it and didn’t let it fall by the wayside. I am notorious for starting blogging or any other project and never finishing. Case in point the 52 Week Blogging Challenge that I stopped blogging about shortly after writing the week #2 post.

But I vowed to myself that I would complete this challenge. That I wouldn’t listen to the voices in my head telling me that it would be okay to skip a day. That I could just change the date on a post and I’d be aight. What?! It’s true mayne.

All writers have voices in their heads, don’t they?! No? Not so much?!?! Really?!?! Oh sorry! I was having a conversation with my other ahem personalities. Don’t judge me!

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I learned a lot about myself over the last few weeks. I learned that despite my laziness I can still accomplish my goals. I also learned that I don’t have to make this whole blogging thing as hard as I have been making it.

To be honest, like with anything, the only person stopping me from writing as much as I have throughout the month of November is me. But in my short defense, I always feel like I need to write a short novel in order for my posts to be a valid actual blog post. Yes I know I don’t have to write a short novel. I know I can post whatever I want but at the same time, I suppose my whole mindset is producing quality work instead of writing because I love it. More often than not I’m too busy to actually sit down and crank out posts like I would like. But I’m sure with a little bit of effort perhaps I’ll write a tad more in December.

Thank you to all who have been faithfully reading my blog. Welcome to the land of crazy if you just started following my blog. Please feel free to comment anytime!

Thanks for reading…

The Southern Yankee

Game Day

Today, boo, my homegurl and I went to the Baylor vs Texas Tech game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Lemme tell you not only does that damn stadium look massive on the outside but it looks even more massive on the inside. The House that Jerry Jones Built is a gargantuan building. See look for yourself!!

Being that I’m a Texans fan, I have to say that shit is impressive!! Like I can even front or hate. Jerry’s World is an a ma zing building. And that display screen!!!!! My gawd that has to be the biggest thing I’ve ever seen. hahahaha that’s what she said. Sorry mind in gutta. Like this screen is… It’s… Lawd have mercy. I know e’ry damn thang in Texas is bigger but that screen!!! Ugh loooooook at it!!!

That mess is… I’m speechless. I have no words whatsoever about that screen. Um um um my lawd!

Okay sorry moving away from the screen now because obviously I could easily go on and on about that damn screen.

Aside from gawking at AT&T Stadium, it was a great day. We literally sat in the nosebleeds and lemme tell you those seats were the most uncomfortable seats I’ve ever sat in. I was okay for the first and second quarter but then my legs started to hurt beyond what I could usually tolerate. There just wasn’t enough room to stretch out. I think Boo is right if we do this again we will definitely have to splurge for better seats or at least seats that do not require to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Such a ratchetly long hike. R A T C H E T!!

The good news is Baylor won. The bad news is the QB for Texas Tech is a baaaaaaaaaaad man! First of all, he’s a freshman. Secondly, that kid threw for more than 500 yards today. Thirdly, he can schlang da rock like its a piece of paper. I dunno where Kliff Klingsbury found that kid but he best keep him around all four years because he’s going to be Tech’s ticket to greatness!

Now I know I’m praising Tech but I can’t even front. The Baylor defense sucks. It sucks so bad there aren’t enough negative words in the dictionary to describe the level in which Baylor defense sucks. They missed simple textbook fundamental tackles. Coverage was blown every which way. And they allowed four too many touchdowns. Not that I thought Tech would be a rollover but they gave Baylor more than a solid run for their money. Tech made Baylor look like the University of Kansas. I don’t mean to insult KU even though I can’t stand them but there’s a reason why they’re last in the Big 12 Conference. The way Baylor was playing you’d think the team was reverting back to the Coach Steele era. Baylor fans you remember that debacle!

Ugh and Bryce Petty left the game due to concussion like symptoms. Sean Russell did well but he didn’t do as well as he has in previous weeks. It was just a horrible and embarrassing game. Gawd I hope Baylor cleans up their act because next weekend we play Kansas State who’s been WAITING to tap some Baylor ass all season long.

At this point Baylor gon need everything short of a miracle in order to get to the playoffs. They have to play smart and precise football. That means less mistakes and far less penalties! Gawd those damn mutha fuckin penalties are just a thorn in our side. If we can cut down on the team penalties and force the our opponents to make more mistakes, we’d be golden. Sigh yeah we’ll see how that goes next week.

May the odds forever be in Baylor’s favor. May they forever be in our favor.

Thanks for reading….

The Southern Yankee

Travel Day

Today, Boo and I drove up to the Dallas/Fort Worth area to see our homegurl from Baylor and go to the Baylor/Texas Tech game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Yes folks we’re going to the house Jerry Jones built. I’m a little weary about going into Cowgirl Central but hey I get to see my Baylor Bears play live and in living color.

While seeing Baylor play is exciting, lemme just tell you guys how incredibly arduous driving from Houston to Dallas!!! Lawd have mercy on my legs and my truck cuz that drive was a mutha fucka!!! Not only is the drive long, it was especially long today because it was über windy. The wind was blowing so hard my truck felt like it was going to blow off the road. It also felt like we were driving into the wind. Ugh what a pain in the ass. There were a couple of accidents too. Um I would like to state that an accident along a two lane major highway is the worst thing ever. You ain’t got nowhere to go! The shoulders are fairly non existent.

Pain. In. Da. Ass.

Anyway we hur bitches. The hotel room is pretty wicked tho.

It’s a loft style hotel room!! For the price, I’m very impressed with the room. The hotel looks very schwanky and modern. Very very schwanky!!

It’s been a while okay only since March since the last time Boo and I made a road trip anywhere. The last time we hit the road was to visit my sister for her birthday/going away weekend which was absolutely the best time ever. How I wish she was still in Texas but she’s doing great and wonderful things in Cali at the moment. So I’m not too sad about her not being here.

This weekend is mildly bittersweet because it’s been YEARS since we’ve seen our friend as well as a Baylor football game. My years at Baylor were not as great as I had hoped they would be. Murphy’s Law was in full affect from freshman year to the day I graduated in 2002. I could’ve done better in school and focused more than I did but I was young and away from everything remotely Podunkville, USA related. I didn’t have to worry about anything or anyone except me. Yeah well that sorta backfired on me and is for another more depressing post.

Sorry no more Debbie downer for me!!

This weekend should be fun. You best believe ima be dancing my ass off when BUGWB plays. And screaming obscenities with da homie. Hopefully we’re not sitting near any old holier than thou bitties. That would be unfortunate… for them! I’ll never see them again so I don’t cur one bit. We leave Sunday to go home and to visit the Baylor campus. Lawd that’s gonna be trippy. So many areas on and around campus have changed since I graduated and the last time I visited which was in 2007.

I can’t wait until tomorrow. I hope to have pictures for you guys. Hope you all are enjoying your Thanksgiving long weekend. If you have to work, I’m sorry! I’ll have fun for you. =)

Thanks for reading…

The Southern Yankee

Mmmmm Piiiiiiiiiie

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Thanksgiving is possibly my second most favorite holiday. Yeah I said it! Second!!!! Anyone who knows me well knows my birthday is my absolute favorite holiday of the year!! Don’t judge me!!!

Anyway where was I?! Oh yes! Thanksgiving!

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always looked forward to the Thanksgiving holiday and break. I get to sleep in late on a weekday! Watch football and basketball as well as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. And I get to stuff my face with yummy make ya fall asleep food.

There’s nothing like warm juicy turkey and a slice of sweet potato pie. Yep sweet potato pie!! If you’ve near tried this delectable pie you’re missing out on something great. There’s no holiday meal without a slice of sweet potato pie. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!!

My maternal grandmother would make one just for me. Partially because it’s my favorite. Partially because she knew I could eat a whole pie by my damn self. Again don’t judge me cuz y’all know you got favorite foods you can eat in large quantities by yourself.

Unfortunately, I haven’t had a good sweet potato pie since I was 19 years old. Yep it’s been that long since I’ve had sweet potato pie. No one I encounter outside black folks seems to know anything about sweet potato pie. Boo’s brother in law likes pumpkin pie and makes one every Thanksgiving. He and boo’s sister think it’s the bees knew but uhhhh lemme just say they don’t know nada about making good pies. No flavor. No substance. And waaaaay too thin!! Shake my head I be so disappointed every Thanksgiving.

Well this year, I plan on making Granny’s, my paternal grandmother, sweet potato pie recipe. I’ve attempted to make her recipe before but uhhhh it just didn’t come out right. Something was missing but I’m not sure what!

After I made it that year, I misplaced the recipe. I spent years looking for it but it was no where to be found. I spent years I tell you years. My heart broke because getting the recipe was part of one of the last phone conversations I had with Granny before she passed away in August 2005.

And I misplaced it. I felt like ass. I felt like as the only grandchild not in California, the recipe was one of the few things I had left of my Granny.

Yaaaaaaaas I’m getting to end of my story.

A few months ago, Boo found Granny’s sweet potato pie recipe while cleaning up the office. Surprised me the fuck outta me because I never expected to ever find it again. I was so consumed with emotion that all I could do was cry. You see my Granny always knew when I needed her or when I was going through a rough patch. Don’t ask how she knew. She just did. And perhaps Boo finding her recipe was Granny’s way of telling me I’ll be okay. I believe wholeheartedly our loved ones can communicate with us from beyond the grave.

Anyway… I was supposed to make it today but the stove was full to the brim with yummy turkey, dressing and rolls. Plus Boo used all the fresh nutmeg sooooo I guess I’ll have wait until Sunday when we come back from our mini vacation to have my pie. If I’m not too knee deep in pie, I’ll post a picture of my pie!

Happy Thanksgiving! Gobble gobble!!

Thanks for reading…

The Southern Yankee

Untitled

I’ve been trying to write this post for a few months now. Every time I’d sit down at my computer or take out my iDevice, the words would suddenly leave me. As if something was preventing me from speaking my mind. which as you all know is not hard for me to do

Of course at the same time, this particular post is soooooo much more than me speaking my mind. Sooooo much more than using my voice to influence change in a positive non violent nature. It’s about a parent losing his or her baby. It’s about young black and/or Hispanic males being able to exist without having to fear for their lives. Let’s just face the hard nose truth people. Driving or walking while black or Hispanic will unfortunately get you arrested, jailed or worse shot and left in the middle of the street for hours as if you’re road kill. I know that’s harsh to say but I feel like that’s how the Ferguson Police Department treated Michael Brown’s body after Darren Wilson shot him on August 9th.

What makes matters worse at least in my eyes is the fact that Michael Brown’s name is being drug through the mud as if to overshadow the fact Darren Wilson shot and killed him. He robbed a convenience store. He attacked the store owner. He attacked Darren Wilson. He’s the criminal. He’s the bad guy. But my question is why do that? What is the point is making Michael Brown a villain when he isn’t here to defend himself or his name?

What I also don’t understand is how can Darren Wilson is not affected by the events that transpired on August 9th. To me, this would be something that would rock every fiber of my being. I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night because all I would be able to think about would be that day and how it could I have done something different. But maybe that’s me. Maybe I actually have a heart.

The death of Michael Brown raises more than enough questions about how public servants treat private citizens. Michael Brown did not deserve to die on that day in August. His parents should not be without their child this holiday season. They shouldn’t have to endure the pain that this tragedy has caused them and their family. My heart breaks every time I think about them and every other parent who has lost a child at the hand of someone else.

I’m not going to pretend I know the facts of this case. Nor will I pretend that I was there as a first person account witness. I’m just a relatively young black female trying to make it in a world that views me as a threat because I’m not a part of the majority. I have two brothers, a step-brother and a cousin who are strong intelligent black men who try daily to be something more than a stereotype or a statistic.

I firmly believe everyone deserves to be treated equally no matter a person’s ethnicity, sexual orientation, nationality, gender, religion or financial background. We should be able to live our lives peacefully without fear of being targeted because of who or what we are or what part of the city we may live in. There is a reason why people, in particularly blacks and Hispanics, do not trust or have faith in their local police departments.

There. Is. A. Reason.

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If you’re protesting the grand jury decision, please be peaceful. Please do not venture outside of letting others know that change is needed in our world and that we deserve to be treated as we would treat someone else. Rioting and destroying public property that is used BY EVERYONE is not the answer because in the end you’re only hurting you and yours. Please be safe. Please know your rights when it comes to your freedom to peacefully assemble. Please uplift Michael Brown’s family and friends in prayer.

Thanks for reading…

The Southern Yankee