The Deck at 260 Halloween edition volume 21

We're out here on the deck before we go enjoy Halloween. My sleep schedule has already been altered but we're getting this solidified before I head out. 

Meg new vid, Versuz winner, Halloween, running the heat, 6/7

Halloween of course is on a Friday this year. It's the best time to have one of my favorite holidays. I used to love it as a child on these days as we didn't have to rush off from trick or treating and my mom would actually let us eat our candy in real time. Being an adult means the actual holiday is celebrated on the day or the Saturday afterwards. I always love the creativity and of course the sexiness by the females. 

 Meg Thee Stallion couldn't be left out of the female rapper triumph in 2025. She posted her "My Man" video and at 30 years old shows she still has it and is happily in love. GloRilla also has a new boo that also plays in the NBA but we can perhaps dive into that on another week. 

The No Limit v Cash Money Versuz was so epic especially if you're in my age group. It would have been better with Lil Wayne and no Silk the Shocker though. Mia X came through at the end and shined. We've been waiting on this for years and glad both camps made it happen. 

I did a poll online as this was the first really cold week of the Fall season. I was appalled how many are STILL not running their heat. I'm aware of more people using their space heaters, people being broke and just more frugal than I. However if you (and especially a partner) are both gainfully employed, what's the deal? I honestly don't like getting into grown folks financial business but dang. Why are you all sitting around freezing when you don't have to? Your electric and gas company are about to overcharge everyone for winter so why not run that heat?

The 6-7 trend continues! If you still do not know, it of course is a Tik Tok trend. Tik Tok is such a force on our youth that I haven't seen perhaps ever. I won't lie I get on there in spurts. 90% of youth trends come from that platform and I don't know if it's truly all good. 

SNAP benefits (food stamps) are being paused for November amidst the government shutdown. I will only be positive here. I did not think our government would let this happen. However here we are and the government may not be done. It's both sides also and it's sad. Beware as Medicaid/Medicare, housing and healthcare could all be next. Eithe way, we need to pray and come together. 

Happy Halloween and let's welcome November!

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!

The Deck at 260 Part 16

We're on the last week of summer on the Deck. Mosey and Spud decided to join in! Here's the rundown as it consistently ramps up as the weekend nears. 

Charlie Kirk, whoopty doo, Jimmy Kimmel, Gilmore transfer, Dame Dash, young man hanging at Delta State University. 

Charlie Kirk being murdered has really caused division across not only political and racial lines but HR departments also. We'll talk more in depth with Jimmy Kimmel's show being canceled. I will limit and be reserved in what I say. It is indeed sad when a tragedy such as this brings out negative vibes and feelings. I may be disconnecting from social media until October aside from certain matters and content. 

Ok many folks have lost their jobs due to comments being made against Charlie Kirk and even Donald Trump. Comedian Jimmy Kimmel is the latest and perhaps most visible. All I will say is pick your battles carefully when regarding social media and public comments regarding this matter. 

Whoopty Doo is the latest phrase to go viral this past week. I wasn't sure what it meant until I finally Googled it.  Rapper Young Thug said it during an interview and it's caught everyone by storm. It's something how the most unexpected of phrases can be famous when said properly. 

The high school transfer portal in South Carolina is lighting up. First South Pointe High School in Rock Hill's quarterback has transferred and is now at another school. Now at Gaffney, the local powerhouse, Jayvon Gilmore has not only left the school, he's enrolled at another high school in the Midlands region of South Carolina. Gilmore is expected to start for the school on Friday night and has decommitted from Arkansas. That's a lot of drama in just two weeks. Basically Gaffney had a quarterback controversy due to the high school transfer portal and it was seemingly resolved via the transfer portal. I expect this to be very common until the SCHSL gets a handle on this. 

Hip hop mogul Dame Dash is the latest to come onto The Breakfast Club and read Charlemagne Da God a new one. Dame definitely had an agenda by agreeing to the interview and showing out like he did on the air. History will tell us Dame has did this for years and he is definitely salty with Jay-Z and others in the industry. I watched the interview and I thought Charlemagne handled it very professionally. He's had a lot of growth mentally and isn't quite the "shock jock" he used to be. 

There was a possible modern day lynching at Delta State University in Mississippi. A young black man was found hanging in a park nearby the university. Now while mental illness is alive and well everywhere, there is too much suspect about this situation. The law enforcement down there hasn't conducted enough of an investigation just to rule this as a suicide and say there is no foul play. I'm also into forensics and I am curious how does anyone determine whether it is a clear suicide? 

Let's see what next week brings as both summertime and September come to a close!

The Deck at 260 Part 15

September is in full swing on the deck, even got a good bonfire going. Like the fire, we got a heckuva discussion happening out here with the topics you expected and more (no Dad joke intended on Maya Moore)

Charlie Kirk, Maya Moore, Phillies Karen, the NFL being back, the new cellphone rule is here in SC. 

OK we will kick this topic off with the current most intense discussion. To start off with it will be a great day when racism no longer exists. It may not happen in my lifestyle but it will be glorious. That is of course the murder of Charlie Kirk (sorry assassination is a reach). 

I refuse to go with the waves, be an Uncle Tom and I ALWAYS stand on business. See my efforts lifetime and since COVID alone with the ##schoolsinsessiondrew74. We obviously need a handle on both gun violence and having these key conversations. 

Charlie Kirk was not a Christian (I said it). He spewed hate, racism, sexism and tried to insult the intelligence of the inferior. Never mind he was one of Trump's biggest supporters and a staunch right winger since 2012. This stems far beyond politics. He was a manipulator and influencer that should be compared more to Adolf Hitler than MLK or Malcolm. He used and abused free speech albeit being non-violent in the physical sense. 

I say this also: he didn't deserve to be killed at the hands of another person. Shot in broad daylight. My prayers and sympathy are with his community and children. If yours aren't, that's fine. So many across racial and political lines have shown their hate and internal feelings in less than 48 hours. How can you be happy that someone is dead from gun violence that only ran his mouth? Two points of order in this entire situation: 1. There was a school shooting in Colorado and a senator in Minnesota murdered. Remember the media stays busy even when things make sense and 2. If you think Charlie Kirk's murder was justified, why are you moving to have more people like him slain? We need to continue the conversations. This is honestly one reason I founded both #schoolsinsessiondrew74 and the discussions out on the Deck at 260. Full post for this and the Phillies Karen coming on the #imjustdrew blog. 

I watched the video of the "Phillies Karen" from the Phillies/Marlins from three different angles several times. She did not catch the ball and that's besides the point. There's an unwritten rule in sports that says regardless of who caught the ball, a nearby child should be offered the ball at least. This lady has a known history of this behavior at other games and even concerts. I stand by the decisions of ballpark and venues to ban her from entry. However we've had enough time pass and are clearly focused on other issues. It's time to stop bullying and harassing this woman. We've made our point, the child in question has been compensated by the Phillies despite any other damage being done. I will elaborate in a separate post; it seems like we as humans have started dehumanizing others and it's not cool. 

WNBA legend Maya Moore was inducted into the league's Hall of Fame late last week. A phot of her with all of her championship rings with the Minnesota Lynx, UCONN Huskies and high school I believe that mirrored the Michael Jordan photo from the 90s went viral. It ignited the GOAT debate that I refuse to talk about out on the Deck and NBA fans being upset. First upset for what? Maya is one of the sports greatest and most accomplished athletes. She achieved these heights in a world without A'ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. What she has accomplished outside of and post basketball is just as great if not better. It seems these topics this week have a recurring theme: worrying about the wrong things. 

The NFL is back and that helps so much and honestly drives so many of these topics. The media has the biggest distraction other than 9/11 and wants to keep the news well rounded for 24/7. 16 Black QBs started Week 1. Who spat first in the Eagles/Cowboys game? Should there be a Friday game to open the season. Do the Chiefs look that bad? How did the Ravens blow that lead? I'm so happy football is back and the fair is now in 2 weeks!

Okay South Carolina how are we coping with the new cellphone rule? It's honestly one that should have already been around especially since NC has had a similar rule for years. Texting and driving are dangerous and I see all of these pics and videos while even on a motorcycle. It had to stop somewhere as common sense is no longer the common person's guide. 

After this week, we may need a week off from the Deck. No worries, only one more full week until Fall is officially here!