Pastor ~vs~ Panther (Answering Questions)

Believe it or not, I really like fun questions. It's probably why I rushed this one out so quickly after the last Answering Question post. Hope it put merry in your heart. Yes, I said merry.

Q. Verzuz announced Patti Labelle ~vs~ Gladys Knight. And I saw that you're Team Gladys. What makes Gladys better that Patti to you?

A. Transparency Moment: I was having this conversation with a church bud & blog reader while loading a video. And they ask to include this question. Request Granted!

Patti Labelle ~vs~ Gladys Knight or Battle of the R&B/Soul Aunties for me is a decision of sound ~vs~ impact. Patti Labelle is good with the vocal acrobatics. When I was in the 8th grade, I did a research paper on her. I made a 98 (grammar errors). Her song, "You Are My Friend" makes my tear ducts leak. I played it a lot when Football Nerd passed away. But it's probably the only one that gives me feeling.

Then you look at the body of work for Gladys Knight. "You're Number One in My Book", "You Are the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me" (In which Reverend James Cleveland & The Clark Sisters remade into a  Gospel song), and "Midnight Train to Georgia" speak to my life. My family probably would send a cyborg to the 1990s and clamp my teenage lips shut when "If I Were Your Woman" came on if they could. I just love that slick line,

If you had the strength

To walk out that door

My love would overrule my sense

And I'd call you back for more.

Gladys could have my man if she could that. And my love-lorn self loved it. Basically, I just connect more to her music. Oh and Gladys Knight is an alto like me. But hey at the end of the day, the fans win. Like we usually do.

This Post's Video Q & A

Don't forget, if you have any questions, email them to C.OUT.SPOKEN.DIVA@gmail.com or leave them the comment section below or on the social media site where you see this post. I will answer them.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

Is Uncle Clifford Still Looking For a Cook at The Pynk?

*Spoiler Alert*
Playwrite Katori Hall created a nice gem for the small screen. I haven't reviewed a TV show after its first season in a long time. No show is exempt from ever getting the ax abruptly. So, I started to only review shows if they have a series finale. But P-Valley got me so hyped I just had to review its 1st season.  

If you are living under a rock without access to the Starz network, the show, P-Valley (based on a play named Pussy Valley) several people(including a non-binary owner, a daughter of an aspiring pastor, a real estate lawyer, an abuse victim, and a mysterious lady) who work at or around a popular but failing strip club in a small town in the Mississippi Delta called Chucalisa. I was a fan of the show after the 1st episode. And I think I should hand out some rewards and give my Season 2 suggestions to the creator & writers.

My Favorite Character:

Hailey Colton a*k*a Lakeisha Savage a*k*a Autumn Night a*k*a September October 

As a card-carrying member of this particular brigade, Stop Underestimating The Pretty Girls!!! Only one person heard what she said and that was Gidget. And I think she is scared her a little. Uncle Clifford & Andre didn't take her financial words seriously. Big L, Diamond, and Mercedes just thought she was doing the bare minimum in order to finesse. That mindset almost cost her. Mercedes does come around. Hopefully, the rest will. Because Pretty Girls Make the World Go Around!!!

Most Disliked:

3. Patrice Woodbine

2. Lil Murda

1. Mayor Tydell Ruffin 

I have one word to describe all three of them, Stereotypes. Patrice is a stereotype called Church Folks. Those are the misconstrued definitions of Christian. Lil Murda is the stereotype of trendy hip hop. Gold Grill, mumbled slanguage, and faking who he isn't and what he doesn't have is not hip hop. And the Mayor(I can't stand him the most. Hope he gets so upset about the casino deal, he has a heart attack and dies)is the stereotype of a flashy Southern politician that believes if you pull yourself up by your bootstraps you will succeed(or as I called them "bootstrappers").

Reason Why I Could Never be a Cougar:

LaMarques 

There is a difference between Lil Murda & him. He's immature. So immature that he didn't even know the dangers of living his truth. So, until LaMarques get a true knowledge of himself, Uncle Clifford & he will Never work. Maybe LaMarques will kill Lil Murda, one day. Then I will be a fan of them together. 

Most Shocking Storylines

Mercedes & Daquon a*k*a DJ Neva Scared

Episode 3 blew my hair up. Daquon is a high school student. I was hoping he was 18 and a senior. Nope, he's 15 years old.

The non-used mother hen in me started paying attention to that DJ Neva Scared doesn't see much passed the DJ booth. He's rarely seen in the office during payouts. Then we found out Mercedes is the birth mother of a pre-teen. Next season I need some backstory on the rapport between her, her child's father (who is deceased) & and his wife, who is the custodial parent to the daughter. Because right now, I see a sexual abuse/molestation situation that is trying to be normalized as adultery. Also, how did she lose custody of her daughter, Terricka?

My Favorite 'Ships:

Mercedes & Mane and Hailey & Andre

What? I like a nice hood love story. He likes her. She's attracted to him And they Respect one another's hustle. Now as for Andre & Hailey, I understand people realizing that they were with the wrong people and finding the right one. Even if it starts off very sketchy & scandalous. And I blame the casino deal for the sketchiness. And Andre, your wife saw the both of you.

Relationship That Made Me Proud:

Uncle Clifford, Big L, & Diamond

In a world where toxic masculinity runs rampant, it was refreshing to see a non-binary person have a healthy relationship with two heterosexual men. They don't mumble gay slurs under their breath. She doesn't push herself upon them in a flirtatious manner. It is a respectful boss-employee relationship.

Favorite Song on the Show Other Than the Theme:

*sigh* Blame my dislike of y'alls fave on Drunk Lauren for singing Fallin' to death in episode 5. And I'm not a major Trap Music fan. The tithe song Patrice sung in episode 1 was hilarious. It's definitely better than when preachers beg for the offering. But my favorite was Mount Everest by Labrinth that was playing at the end of episode 7. So much so I bought it from Amazon. And yes that mountain is not better than me at all. LoL Oh Profanity Warning!

Alright, let's talk about what I like to see in Season 2.

Again I want some backstory on how Mercedes became a mother.

More character development on Diamond and his attraction to Miss Mississippi & the character Gidget and she learning the truth about her romance.

A Battle of the Churches for the souls in sinful Chucalisa

I want a little exposition on Daquon a*k*a DJ Neva Scared. What does his schoolwork look like? How do his parents know Uncle Clifford?

Could there be local Delta Devoted gang members in Chucalisa? I am watching all rings & jewelry henceforth.

Can we get a Male Revue night? Corbin & Andre will need jobs after the first casino deal falls apart. An since they fail at their security jobs during Murda Night, Diamond & Big L owe Uncle Clifford for being distracted.

I want Uncle Clifford to learn financially from Autumn. I want The Pynk to prosper. I would hate for her to eff off the money that saved the club.

(Side Note: I will be diving into opinions about Mississippi aka Keyshawn and her abusive relationship in October. Blame your comments I see & hear.)

Well, let me as Uncle Clifford says, "pooch on" & gather recipes for Hailey & Uncle Clifford to try for when I interview for the cook position. I'm not pole ready, but still want to work at The Pynk. And I want them to enjoy everything they taste. If not, then I'll be the new life coach in Chucalisa. Lord knows the town needs one.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

Settling These Most Talked About Food Debates

We all Love our food opinions. I've said this before, but it bears to be repeated. I don't know if there is a week that I don't randomly hear or give a food opinion. Oh it is nothing for me to tell anybody

1. Mayonaise is a good condiment for sandwiches especially the ones with cheese on them.
2. I don't like Banana Pudding & Peach Cobbler.
3. I prefer box & stovetop mac & cheese over baked macaroni & cheese.
4. Sweet Tea is a glucose experiment. Put some lemons in that pitcher.
5. Ranch Dressing is Overrated. (I recently have ranch-flavored sunflower seeds. My taste buds want to windmill whoever created those.) 

And I stand firm on my statements. But they're not common. The common & most argued food opinions are the topics I laugh at sometimes. People really have continuing discussions on these. But I am here to settle them once and for all.

Exactly

Pancakes or Waffles Waffles & Little Smokies is my favorite breakfast. And that is how strong I feel about this pastry with syrup pockets. Now, I'm trying to remember the long time I had my favorite breakfast.

Coke vs Pepsi They are not alike. Coke is stronger. Pepsi is sweeter. I only like one flavor of Pepsi, Wild Cherry. But several flavors of Coke with my favorite being Vanilla. So, Coke it is. 

Dark vs White Meat Chicken I like white meat better because it isn't oily. If I must choose to eat dark meat, give me a leg and not a thigh.

Oh Probably a 4.5

Drums or Flats? One of the laughable food debates I see all the time. I prefer my wings whole. But if you ever want to gift me wing portions, give me drums with bleu cheese dipping sauce.

Oh let's talk Turkey...

Roasted, Smoked, or Deep Fried

In this order

1. Deep-Fried
2. Smoked
3. Roasted

What is the best flavor of Starburst? Pink, Red, Yellow, or Orange? Pink or Red

Does pineapple go on pizza? Nope! Stop ruing the ham & Canadian bacon.

Hot Dog...Sandwich? Yes! It is meat between two pieces of bread. That is a sandwich.

Corn or Flour Tortillas? There was a wise little lady that worked for Old El Paso who had the solution for soft vs hard. Both!!

Collard, Turnip, or Mustard Greens? *sigh* I prefer turnip or a Turnip-Mustard mix. I prefer the peppery taste over the bitter. Plus the only reason why collards are popular is because of the price comparison to the size of the leaf.

Salt or Sugar on Grits? I don't eat grits. I really don't like the taste of hominy. And guess what grits are made of...?

So, I let my social media followers decide. Though my family eats sugar, the majority of my Instagram & Twitter(a unanimous vote) voted for Salt. And I think that sugar vote was from my cousin. LoL

Mayonnaise or Mustard Potato Salad? I only know one restaurant that makes good mayonnaise potato salad and that's Baker's Ribs here in the DFW metroplex. So, that means I prefer mustard. Wait, have you guys mixed store-bought mustard & devil egg potato salads together. It's rather good.

Orange Juice Pulp or Pulp-Free? I am Team Pulp. Actually, I am probably the captain of that team. I want the glass version of an orange with a straw in it. Have you ever juiced oranges? So, freshly squeezed juice has pulp in it. Plus pulp helps regulates the blood sugar in the body.

There are other debates that I thought would be fun as memes. My answers are in each caption. 

Edge

So, what are your preferences? Answer in the comments below or on the social media site you see this on. I would like how wron... I mean how we may differ.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

Nice Inspirational Eye (Answering Questions)

Yeah, I have answers to your questions. Hopefully, my answers won't cause you to have more questions about those answers. And I think just confused myself.

Q: I love your eyes on photos at a recent graduation you attended. What products did you use?

A: Oh, this old look... LoL. Thank You! It's a simple drugstore(mostly) look from eyeshadow pencils. If you are new(ish), I use mostly pencils because I have a talc allergy. And guess what is in most eyeshadows.  I warmed my crease with NYX's Jumbo Pencil in Rust. Then used Wet n Wild's Color Icon Multistick in Burning Bridge & NYX's Jumbo Pencil in Strawberry Milk. Lastly, I lined my eyes with Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner in Blaquer. Ooh, my Strawberry Milk is getting low. Time for a new one. Oh and don't forget to blend & blend.

This Post's Video Q & A

Don't forget, if you have any questions, email them to C.OUT.SPOKEN.DIVA@gmail.com or leave them the comment section below or on the social media site where you see this post. I will answer them.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

Grief Lessons from Chadwick, In Sickness & Health

Between 9 and 9:30 pm August 28, 2020, I saw the post from the Boseman family that Chadwick, the beloved actor had passed away from Colon Cancer. I didn't speak to anyone for an hour. I was stunned. He had been battling cancer for 4 years. On Twitter & Instagram, I shared these thoughts.

It was surreal to see this news that Chadwick Boseman had left this world. I was legitimately sad. The song All the Stars from the Black Panther Soundtrack was making me cry. I was hanging onto his inspirational words. And of course, I was upset with the chatter about his weight loss & look in latter days. Maybe this should make people stop being so meanly mouthy about their speculations anyone's life.

Then I saw the first picture on this post on Instagram and my sadness came into focus to me.

• A Person in My Age Group Died From a Disease
• Representation Matters
• Cancer Sucks 

Chadwick Boseman was sick. And anyone of us could be. That's heartbreaking but earnest to realize

Colon or Colorectal cancer is thought to be an older person's illness. However, medical research tells us that age has been getting younger since the 1990s. People my age especially black men are getting this disease. Early detection is Very important. And though we were so happy to see Chadwick Boseman "play icons to become an icon himself" we now have to let him be an illustration of mortality. There is no purple heart shape herb to bring him back. Boseman is now with Jackie Robinson, James Brown, & Thurgood Marshall in New Life.

I wish he could have been open about his illness. I can imagine the awareness that could've been brought out. The work falls on us, now. As we remember Chadwick Boseman's legacy, let's let him energize us to be our healthiest. And finding out our own health status with physical & mental check-ups should help honor his memory. He left this world, knowing and working on his, It is Our Turn.

Rest in Peace Chadwick Boseman
Thank You for Everything You Gave to This World.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!!!

You're Absolutely Right to Use Yours

Alright, both Democrats & Republicans have had their conventions. They have laid their appeals at our feet to choose. And yes, it is time for that choice. It is time for Our Vote!!! It is time for us to vote for the President of the United States of America.

During one of the conventions, I read an article about a man who ended up paying $64 so he knew his 2020 Primary vote counted. Read about it HERE. Hey, sometimes it cost what it cost. Voting can cost time, money, and even life. It's a sacrifice many knew about. 

The political & civil rights worlds lost 3 men, Elijah Cummings, John Lewis, and Herman Cain(literally left this world because of his beliefs) in 2020. Yes, one was not on the same side of the aisle but all three worked hard to use their right to vote. They understood about the casualty all too well.

So, make sure you VOTE !!!

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms!!!

Well... Amen!!!

Amen is an expression of approval or permission. It means “it is so” or “so it is" in Hebrew.

They say representation matters. It does! And it is good to see your story even in the midst of chaos. As an 80s kid, I liked the comedy, Amen. I could identify a few people I saw at church (even my sarcastic grandfather) on-screen Saturday nights. Even now when I watch reruns of the show, I still see more people and situations I can relate to my life. Decades later, I did the same with the drama, Greenleaf...Saw Me. Most people watch Greenleaf on OWN and saw a story about a mega-church family. I saw it as a love letter to church kids. A little note to say...We See You, Too. Because trust me when you grow up in church, people assume your story. They never take a full gaze at it, not even other church kids. And even as Adults, Grace, Jacob, & Charity Greenleaf still needed to be seen.

I've always thought of church assignments or positions as titled crowns. Some fit and some don't. Some are earned & some are taken. Some fight for them. Some can be taken away. Some are wanted & some are needed, even if just for a moment.

Poor Charity! She was assigned a singing crown, wanted a preaching crown(since the 1st episode), took the one she wanted, got it snatched, and eventually properly offered the crown she wanted. Charity's issue was how she presented what she wanted. But Charity had to grow up & grow into a mature emotional vocabulary. Just annoyed me that it took the whole show for her to do so.

The ministry crown fit Jacob, nicely. The issue was he didn't want to wear it as others wanted him to. Ministry is not all about preaching. And Jacob knew that and wanted to explore & work in a more benevolent position. It was that simple. But sometimes society's definition of success causes a fight with the meaning of the easiest things to understand.

Grace rightly had a pastor's crown given to her by the Bishop(her dad) and the church. She could preach the house down and pastor the church properly. But how long was she needed in that position? That's a problem everywhere. Needs can have time limits. And it's for us to hear the alarms going off.

And that's why I appreciate the show, Greenleaf. It could've relied on the rape & molestation, possible murder, IRS corruption, & infidelity in the church storylines. But it didn't. It gave the characters complex lives. More than the stuff that many think the church is about.

Amen Greenleaf, Amen!

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!!!