The Deck at 260 Volume 20

Halloween is here in a week and we're enjoying this Fall weather out on the deck. Mosey has went back inside and Spud has now taken over. Here's what we're talking about: 

Ashanti body pics, Internet outage, SNAP benefits, Perfect Neighbor, NBA arrests. 

Ok Ashanti has had two babies in the past 3 years and is going through postpartum. Her body has changed but let's not rush to judgment. She has a lot of confidence and can bounce back to form. People are so quick to judge someone else's body when they don't have the entire story. These same critics have been on Serena Williams for years. 

We've have two huge Internet outages this week alone. Only thing I believe we need to know is not to be so independent on technology, ensure everything is backed up, and keep an ample supply of cash around. 

Speaking of being dependent, the government shutdown is getting real for those receiving SNAP/EBT benefits. Now listen, I've been here before as a child and an adult. There are folks gaming the system and there always will be. There are also good, honest, hardworking folks that NEED to have EBT. It's not a handout, it's part of what our country does for families in need. These past couple of months have made some of you so nasty and inconsiderate. 

Ok by now many of you have seen The Perfect Neighbor on Netflix. This woman is the epitome of Karen, douchecoffin and simply disturbed. It all happened in the state of Florida also where stand your ground laws are prevalent. I'm glad Susan Orincz is serving this time. I didn't like the preferential treatment she got mostly due to her skin color (argue with ya momma). The EBT pushback is coming from folks that claim they can't get any because they're "too white". Welp that is unfortunate; however despite what I said earlier, I would rather be too light to qualify for food stamps than to feel greater danger due to a crime. It isn't the same and I'm glad the entire world could see this sad, disturbed racist put on blast. #schoolsinsessiondrew74. 

Just a few days into the NBA season we have a coach and player arrested for cheating. I say often this isn't the first time this has happened nor are they the only ones. These got caught and yes in professional sports there is a lot of dirty business.  

Next week is Halloween on the deck! 

The Deck at 260 Volume 19

Fall is in full swing out on the deck! We have stew, football, baseball, even basketball going. It will be nice when these spiders are gone until April or May. 

Chris Brown forgiveness, D'Angelo death/neo-soul, MTV going, Angel Reese fashion, Gaffney v Wilson

Ok first of all we do our best when out on the deck to avoid what I call "Coke v Pepsi" or even "Michael Jackson v Prince" debates. To get everyone up to speed, these are topics that are very much similar and are almost siblings in the grand scheme of things. It all boils down to preference and even a sense of loyalty. 

Enter high school Homecomings. There were a few major ones in South Carolina this week (and still ongoing as there are church services/brunches on Sunday). Gaffney and Wilson out of Florence are the top two anywhere you're going to find. This is the first year I can recall in a long time that both were on the same weekend in October. Both are different from a nuance sense but are still great in their own right. I have personally been to many Gaffney Homecomings and will make it a mission to go to a Wilson Homecoming in the future. 

Chris Brown has had a great 2025 with his Breezy Bowl tour. There will be folks that refuse or cannot look past his 2009 mistakes. It's honestly easy not to since Chris Breezy has a history of violent offenses. However at the same token it's almost 2026, time has passed, new evidence has been presented. Why are we still talking about 2025? Are we not giving this man a second chance as a society? It appears millions of women (black women at that) nationwide, hundreds that I know, do forgive him. They also do not tolerate domestic violence. 

2025 has been sad for neo-soul as now D'Angelo has passed away. I felt like I was living under a rock because I did not know that he and Angie Ston even dated let alone had an adult son. I know how rough it is to lose one parent and this man has lost both parents in a 6 month time frame. I really hope (as I said about Angie Stone) that every major musical awards show and outlet properly celebrates these two icons. Neo-soul was indeed a popular and a pioneering era. 

Speaking of music, MTV is FINALLY going away for good.  I feel like MTV is like a hospice patient that fought the good fight but is done. It's truly time to acknowledge what has been and now is gone. I just mentioned the Neo-Soul era. 2025 has not been easy for GenXers like myself. We have lost Ananda Lewis, Theo Huxtable, Hulk Hogan, Ozzy Osbourne and now MTV. I am finally seeing what my elders have discussed for the longest. 

Angel Reese being on the big stage in the Victoria Secret fashion show is a game changer. Angel is doing so much to advance herself and the WNBA. She is a superstar and a brand. Angel has a natural model presence and this show fit her personally. I love seeing more representation in a predominantly white space. 

Next week is likely going to be discussing Halloween and some other deep topics heading in November/Christmas I

The Deck At 260 Volume 18

Ok in the midst of a remodel we're back on the deck with Spud joining us once again and we have one Heck of a bonfire. This week's discussions have stirred up on Heck of a fire also. 

Ayesha Curry, Lebron's 2nd decision , government shutdown , county v state fair, Arby's meat tenders. 

Ok no barbershop, water cooler and certainly no deck talk would be complete without the latest mess from Ayesha Curry. I think at this point Ayesha just wants attention amd should be talking with a therapist rather than the public. I do think her thoughts from 20 years ago are actually valid and obviously Steph Curry knows about them. I think also she continuously tries to outshine him. It's a marriage for a reason, she does want to have her own identity. She just cannot continue to embarrass herself nor her family in that fashion. 

LeBron James (not his wife Savannah) is seeking attention for weird reasons at this point. He did the 2nd decision just to promote another endorsement and for no pre retirement talk.  He does want that Kobe retirement tour possibly after or around the time his son Bryce is eligible for the draft. It's all of the entitlement and being self-absorbed for me.

Welp the government is shut down once again and this is resulting in layoffs and even folks having benefits revoked. I'm not sure aside from the latter it's the worse idea if the government stays shutdown. Playing devil's advocate it does seem the right is blaming the left for this shutdown. It seems unorthodox since the right is the majority power in the Senate and the House. I took government in high school and college and have read up other places so someone without bias can explain this to me more clearly. 

State fairs are back as some county fairs are also going. It boggles my mind how many people not only prefer the state fair over the county fair, some don't realize there's a difference between a carnival and an amusement park like Carowinds. I've narrowed it down to being whatever the person is most familiar with, myself included. I've been to the South Carolina State Fair in Columbia, SC and I prefer the Cleveland County Fair in Shelby, NC. For me, it's proximity, parking considerations and honestly having much of the same types of food. Yes the state fairs typically premiere new greasy types of obscene food. It typically makes it to a county fair within a year or two. As a foodie, it depends on how fast you want to taste that food and how far you're willing to drive. 

Now my folks out there since we're talking about food, did you think these Arby's meat tenders would be that great? I've seen all sorts of negative reviews and even one from a WU classmate with their entire spice rack out implying how unseasoned the meat is. Folks, this is Arby's. They have the meats but it's not like you're going to the meat market. I've gotten so much more conscious of my food as I've grown older. I'm not saying don't try it. What I'm saying is have your expectations set differently. 

Come out on the deck next week and bring some firewood! 

The Deck at 260 Part 17

Ok it's October and we're back on the deck after a week off. Lots to talk about also so hope you're ready 

Laura Loomer, baby boo challenge, county v state fair, Bad Bunny, Cardi B v Nicki, Tina Turner statue, class reunions

Ok with Laura Loomer why is it the ugliest people in looks and/or spirit have the most to say? She definitely played herself. 

We have yet another twerk challenge: the baby boo challenge, concocted by NBA Youngboy. It didnt seem like many of the top models on social media got involved with this one. I think these twerk challenges are getting stale. Unsure it's because women are twerking more and more for the free or cheap. Either way, twerking is everywhere. 

There's a silent debate that we will bring to the deck: the county fair v the state fair. This does not include carnivals by the way although there are some dope carnivals. It seems like it depends on where your parents took you growing up or where did you go with friends and such. For me it's the county fair due to the crowd and overall proximity. If you're me why travel to Raleigh or Columbia when I can get pretty much the same stuff in Shelby, NC? 

We have another controversial Super Bowl halftime performer in Bad Bunny. I did a poll and the responses were beyond interesting. Basically the general public that actually knew Bad Bunny want to see a different genre or a variety of genres represented. It does raise 2 questions: how long has it been since a country music star has performed? 2. Will Weird Al ever get a chance? 

The Cardi B v Nicki Minaj beef on X has been both entertaining and sad. Both rappers released albums within the past month. Cardi is pregnant, Nicki is on drugs really bad. Either way, both ladies should handle this in the booth like real rappers. I also don't see Nicki, straight or intoxicated, coming after someone like Remy Ma. Who besides Clarissa Shields wants that smoke? 

We have another degrading statue with the Tina Turner statue being unveiled in her hometown in Tennessee. I'm not sure who is sculpting these disgraceful statues (reminiscent of Dwayne Wade) but they need to go back to their day job. There are talented sculptors out there and we need them now! 

This is the season of high school Homecomings and class reunions. We will discuss college Homecomings next month (25th for me). I'm coming up on 30 for high school. Many schools combine reunions due to low class size and participation and I'm ok with that. I do admire and love the classes that are able to get together also. Either way, it's all fun remembering the good times. I pray that my high school class does something next year. The officers are basically MIA and haven't been saying much in my class. I hope that changes.  

See you next week on the deck!