The Deck at 260 Part 33

We're ending February on the Deck. One more day/week closer to Spring. Here's the lineup. 

50 cent v TI, SneakerBall Gala recap, Upper State v Lower State, Raising Canes, lambchops, Trouble in Mexico

Ok Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson is doing way too much with this TI beef. He's become like a middle school girl instead of a grown ssa man. TI is an adult and from Atlanta where beefs are handled like men: in the studio. I'm seeing more and more why someone would want to detach from 50 and even be mentally drawn to violence towards him. 50, history does repeat itself, just saying. 

The BruhMentor SneakerBall Gala was fun per always. There seemed to be a different crowd there though and the vibe wasn't off, just different. It's time to move it to a bigger venue. It's been time, Spartanburg/the Upstate expects the Gala and there's no good reason to keep it in that cramped cultural arts center. Also a big thumbs down to the aftermath at the nearby Flying Biscuit Cafe. I will continue to support this business but not the after party. It started 45 minutes late, waited outside for 30 minutes in the cold and it wasn't a brunch buffet. It was served (one serving per ticket) and the portions were tiny. It was NOT worth $20 and I'm glad I ate beforehand per my upbringing. 

The high school basketball playoffs continue tomorrow and Saturday. The Upper State has returned to neutral site venues that are actually neutral, in the evenings and appeal to fans, players and coaches. The Lower State still has all of its teams going to the Florence Civic Center. This seems to be due to lack of neutral site venues down there. However, there is an opportunity for some of the colleges down that way to capitalize. Otherwise, the run down Florence Civic Center will continue to make bank. 

Raising Canes opened in Rock Hill this week and has stayed packed. I've seen this effect in Gaffney and Spartanburg but not usually Rock Hill. I guess because it's been a while since a chain came to Rock Hill first. Either way it will cause more larger towns to bring Raising Canes, Whataburger, Shake Shack, etc in. I'm still all about supporting local businesses of course. 

Speaking of chain restaurants, Longhorn restaurant has their world famous lambchops returning to the menu next week. Longhorn has long been known for their inconsistency with keeping lambchops on their menu. It's like the McRib of the steakhouse world. Longhorn is already a family and national favorite so no need to ruin this. 

I won't be planning a trip to Mexico for a while. Now that this cartel has a stranglehold over the country, I'm good planning trips elsewhere. I do wonder how that will effect cruise ships that embark there. 

Next week we welcome March! 

The Deck at 260 Part 32

It's February 14th on the Deck (those that know me well know I feel the same way about Valentines Day as I do about deviled eggs). Here's this week's lineup post Super Bowl

Bad Bunny v Kid Rock, Valentine's Day, new Mexican spot in Blacksburg (growth or no growth), Confederate Flag being lowered. 

It seems every year for the past couple of years a certain group doesn't like the Super Bowl halftime show (or the messages conveyed/artists). I did a poll in September and it comes down to the current mainstream music. I feel this is similar to the "devil's music" crew. Turning Point USA literally turned a new one with their "alternate" halftime show. How bad do you dislike Bad Bunny or any other performer that you go and create another halftime show? To me this is the equivalent of not getting your way, and taking your ball and going home because you don't want to play anymore. Also Bad Bunny's show was all a message about love and Puerto Rican culture. You did not have to know Spanish to get the message. Heck an actual couple got married! It seems one of the biggest conflicts is simply having a diverse show without an overload of messages that is simply entertaining. Snoop Dogg's Christmas Day halftime show or the 2022 halftime show both fit these bills. 

Valentine's Day has no concrete origin and models as a day of love. It's more of a day of capitalism and commercialism. Please change my mind as I'm all about love and showing love. I just don't get why we need another day dedicated to doing this when every restaurant is packed, flowers and candy are both marked way up and it's an expectation to get your mate/partner something as if you don't already. When is the next holiday, please? 

You asked for it, they delivered. Blacksburg now has another small business: a Mexican restaurant! Another one is coming soon as the final details are completed with more businesses expected shortly. If you're my age or older and not only remember how downtown Blacksburg used to be, you look at other small towns and their progress and feel more defeated. The residents will have to continue to support these, bottom line. It's the same in any small town and it's simple. No support means these business cannot operate nor sustain. Then you can't complain (see what I did there?)

The Confederate Flag that is near I-85 exit 77-78 has asked to be lowered due to zoning restrictions. The owners of that property placed the flag up there and found a loophole and it appears SCDOT and Spartanburg County found another. I will just say there is a time and place for everything and your private thoughts and beliefs do not and should not leak out into the public area. 

Next week will be one week closer to Spring, beginning of Lent and the Bruh Mentor SneakerBall Gala! 

The Deck at 260 Part 31

We're back out on the deck with warmer weather and NO snow nor ice for the first weekend in weeks. Here's our lineup. 

Snow,  weather apps, Glo, ChatGPT trend, Obama meme

This snow was one for the ages. It was the most I've seen in 2004 and while it was glorious, literally shut down both Carolinas, I was ready for it to go. I can only sleep so much and eat so many unhealthy snacks. 

Also this begs the question of how many actually use weather apps or pay attention to the extended forecast? I don't expect everyone to be fiends nor as diligent as myself. I am not only appalled at how many people over 40 don't even look at the weekly forecast but don't have a weather app on their phone. The latter is concerning especially since I have both a Samsung and an iPhone and I thought this was the default. Oh well moving on like I hope this winter weather does. 

GloRilla is being hated on publicly again this time by her own family. One of her older sisters thinks each sibling (she has nine of them) should get $2500/each. Now let me educate you on some simple economics on when you "make it". Glo will receive royalties, endorsements and the like. She has given back to her high school, parents and I'm sure she has helped her siblings. However even if she were wealthy (which a hip hop/trap artist typically is not), she is NOT obligated to care for a grown adult. That's where people get it mixed up. I finally get why my mom would not ask certain people for financial favors including some of our well to do relatives. We have to help each other with boundaries and responsibilities. We only need to look at MC Hammer and countless celebrities that tried to help out their entire families and went flat broke. Please try to understand! 

I'm loving the ChatGPT/AI character trend as I'm trying to learn more for my #imjustdrew brand. The IT and even artist Karens cannot let folks have fun though.  RELAX!! No one is trying to take your jobs and honestly ChatGPT/Gemini nor the other AI based apps are asking for more information than they already have. When are people going to realize that not only is AI everywhere, there is no such thing as true privacy anymore? There are obviously certain things HIPPA/FERPA related and such that others will not know easily. This is what happens when people stop reading and deprioritizing education. 

The last topic came up just today: the disgusting, insulting meme of Barack and Michelle Obama's heads on apes bodies. This meme was created by someone from Donald Trump's camp. This is more human related moreso than political. There are certain things you do not do to a person or a group of people. Everything is not meant to be a joke and respectfuly anyone that thinks this is ok needs to stop talking to me until they get ahold of Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior. 

Next time will be the string of February holidays, real and fake.