Father to Be

Who would've thunk it?

Fatdreek's going to be a daddy!

I vowed with Jack Lowder that I would never get married and I would never have children and that at 40, I was going to go out like George Clooney in "Perfect Storm" and the book called "Dreek" would be ended!

Jack Lowder, I want to apologize for every promise that I have ever broken!

So I'm going to be a daddy. My wife was only going to stay married to me for so long if she didn't bear my child. I mean who could blame her? To bear a future President of the U.S. (Barack made it reality) has to be exciting!

I came home one day from work, and my wife had a hamburger bun in the oven

I've never heard of a pregnant woman saying that she had a bun in the oven, so being the obese husband that I am, I assumed that we were having burgers for dinner, and I got angry because there was only one bun in the oven (I'm a 2 burger kind of guy!). Knowing her husband was a retard, my wife had a plan b, and she attached a note to my dog's collar, and the dog walked up to me, tail wagging, and I read the note and it said "Im Pregnant : )" and seeing that dog was a male, and I had just got him neutered, I was perplexed! OK, I'm not that stupid, I got the hint and said "Yeah?" about a 100 times, and I rubbed my wife's belly about 50 times!

As my wife's belly has grown, so has my worries! Will I have enough money for daycare? Will I be a good leader? Will he have his daddy's metabolism? Will he like Kobe or Lebron? I've never been more nervous in my life. Being the father to be is not as important as the pregnant mother, but I have a lot of responsibilities too! I do a lot more chores, and I gotta stay on my wife to make sure she's taking those vitamins and stuff. I've painted the nursery, and soon I'll be assembling my crib (because I'm too cheap to let Babies R Us do it).

I hope I'm a good dad to my boy! I want to be firm but cool at the same time.

Update :

So its been a while since I've posted a blog (my apologies) and a lot has went down since my last post! I started working on the above blog in February, and now its July and the baby has come (healthy and beautiful like his mother), and he just turned 12 weeks last Friday. Just to catch you up on him..

In The Oven

Fresh Out Of The Oven

1st Bath

Long Arms

@ His 2 Month Check Up

4th of July

Moral of the story is that my life will never be the same. The day he was born, I stayed up all night and just stared at him. 1 because I was just amazed at the process of birth and to think that this little man was in my wife's stomach, and 2 because I was so overjoyed. I have never been so happy in my life. The respect and love I had for my wife doubled, tripled, quadrupled during the whole process and I know she'll take care of my son from day in to day out. 

Just to give a quick shout out to Tomika James, Jillian Martin, Kioka Stanley, Javana Stanley, and my Grandma Lois for helping me and T out while at the hospital and being home for the 1st time with the baby. My job can't function without me, so I was happy, my wife's sisters were able to help her out around the house. 

& another shout out to Leah Peck, Linda and Jenna Lowder, for preparing meals when we got home from the hospital! & Alexandra for T's Chocolate Chips and my Fruit Snacks!

& a final shout out to everybody that gave us gifts, came to our baby showers, came to visit us at the hospital, and came to our home to witness the being named Andrew Xavier Giles.

I love yall, and I'm glad to be back on the Blogosphere!

Signing Out,

Fatdreek aka Poppa Bear

David Walker

You hear a lot of names when it comes to slavery in America. You have your Harriet Tubman's and your Frederick Douglas's who both were a vital part in the freeing of slaves, but I want to inform my blog readers on my unsung hero of slavery. His name is David Walker.


Last year, I watched a documentary called "Africans in America : America's Journey through Slavery". I love history, but no history I love more than my own. I learned a lot about the slave trade and the horrors that Africans faced traveling to a new land and being held in bondage. The story that stood out the most to me was the story of David Walker.


David Walker resided in Boston, MA (shout out to my homey, E! Massachusetts stand up). His father was enslaved, but his mother was free, so by law he was considered free. David Walker didn't just take his freedom, move up North (he was born in the Carolinas), and just lived his life. He determined to change the ways of the nation. He joined forces with other black activists and wrote for the Freedom's Journal, a weekly African-American newspaper out of NYC. He also authored Appeal...to the Colored Citizens of the World which is plainly known as David Walker's Appeal. In his "Appeal" he challenged his fellow brothers and sisters to fight for their freedom through faith, education, and if need be, violence.


A very religious man, David Walker compared the struggles of the slaves in America to the slaves of Egypt, and spoke against white people who would pervert the words of the Bible to justify slavery in America. Nothing like MLK, David Walker took the Malcolm X approach. He wrote ". . .they want us for their slaves, and think nothing of murdering us. . . therefore, if there is an attempt made by us, kill or be killed. . . and believe this, that it is no more harm for you to kill a man who is trying to kill you, than it is for you to take a drink of water when thirsty." An opponent to Thomas Jefferson, David Walker spoke out against the idea of colonization or sending the slaves back to Africa. He believed that without the slaves' hard work, America wouldn't have became the great country that it became so he was staying put! He also encouraged black men to value education and to promote education among their brothers. Walker told stories of him arguing with other black men about the education of their children, and how one must know more than just to read and write (scribble, he called it).


Some parts of David Walker's Appeal could still be applied today to the black community. The education system has suffered, and poverty runs rampant throughout the inner-cities. I believe blacks should not look to government for assistance but rebuild our communities from within.


Obviously a black man writing such literature would piss off white people in the south, so there were was a bounty put on his head ($3,000 dead / $10,000 alive). Mysteriously he was found dead the next year in his home. Some speculate that he was poisoned, but there was never any proof.


That's your Black History minute with ya boy Fatdreek! Tune in next year....


Signing Out,


Fatdreek

Fatdreek's 5 Greatest Love Songs of All Time

I'll admit, I hated lovey dovey music growing up. I always liked the old school 1950s - 1970s R&B, but all music back then was greater. Once I got married, love songs started to resonate with ya boy a lot more. This Valentine day, I want to countdown my top 5 love songs of all time. It's bigger than just R&B. I have white friends who have made me suffer through country music, and outward I may show disgust, but inward I think "that's some sweet stuff". Let's start out with #5 :

Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight" 

Every woman in the world wants to hear how beautiful and loving and caring she is from their man, and Eric Clapton perfects it while strumming the guitar like no other! Forgive the 9 minute video, but Eric Clapton sounds a lot better live then in the Studio! 

#4 : K-CI & Jo-Jo's "All My Life"

When you find a woman who's close to you like your mother, father, brother, and sister, you have to write a ballad such as this. I actually hate this song because I've heard it a billion times growing up. Still warrants a spot on the top 5!

#3 : Shania Twain's "From This Moment" 

I know my redneck homies are asking what I know about the Queen of Country, Shania Twain, and I would reply not much, but I DO know that this is a powerful song! This song came on every 2 hours when I worked at McDonalds, and my white sister, Victoria Lowder kept Shania Twain's c.d. in arm's reach. 

#2 : L L Cool J's "I Need Love" 

Before chasing bad guys on CSI, LL Cool J ruled the rap world, and no song was bigger than "I Need Love". He said he wants "Friendship, Trust, Honor, Respect, & Admiration" on the 3rd verse, and all I can say is don't we all LL, don't we all! (Check out the abusive father at the 1:20 mark)

#1 : Luther Vandross's "Here & Now"

It doesn't get better than this! I love the song so much, I sang it to my wife on our wedding day. The video is horrible, but the song is a classic. If you can't recite the lyrics to this song to your spouse on your wedding day and not truly mean them, then just call the thing off!

Honorable Mentions : 

Barry White's "My 1st, My Last, My Everything"

Beyonce's  "Halo" 

Celine Dion's  "Because You Loved Me"

Kem's "I Cant Stop Loving You"

Etta James "At Last"

& "Gangem Style"

Signing out,

Fatdreek

Hate

I have a resolution for all of my blog readers that is easily life-applicable!

Stop all of ya hating!!!

My Atlanta Falcons are 1 game away from going to the Super Bowl, and I can not believe all of the hate that I have to endure on a daily basis!

I post a picture on instagram of my falcons and followers just have to muster the energy to type negativity toward my falcons because their team is out of the playoffs!

I got calls before the playoffs started, stating that my team would lose in its 1st game like in previous years, and after they won that game, they rescind their 1st statement, but they are 100% positive that we are going to lose in the next game. All the while, their teams are sitting on the couch watching my falcons defy the odds! Every commentator on sports television or radio have the Falcons losing every week. All season, the Falcons were doubted against halfway decent teams (Dallas, Redskins, Denver, etc..) and we handled them all, but still we get doubted everyday, and I believe that fuels the fire!

I love my city, because at the Georgia Dome (where the Falcons play), it doesn't matter your race, it doesn't matter your political party or your socioeconomic makeup. Everybody is there with the same mind frame .. and that's supporting the home team! I've had to endure the smack talk from Patriot fans and Steeler fans, and Giant fans, but when its our time to shine, we get doubted and hated! CUT IT OUT!!!

When the Falcons got knocked out of the playoffs year after year, I didn't hate on the next team. I respected the teams that made it deep in the playoffs. I just ask for the same respect! If all you have is hate in your spirit on teams that have outlasted yours, stop watching football and go watch the OWN network or reruns of Paula Dean with your wives! As a matter of fact, if you got that much hate in your spirit, you probably can't find a woman to marry ya, and if you are married, I bet your wife isn't happy! (Sorry for getting too personal)

If you don't like the mess I talk about my Falcons winning, then just delete me on Facebook and stop reading my blog, because win or lose, its Falcon Nation!! RISE UP!!!

The only thing that I have hated on is Lebron James, and you can read my previous blog to find out why, but I have great reasoning! I do respect him though!

Now this Hate goes outside of sports. I know girls that hate on other girls because they're in a good relationship or they have a better hairstyle or they have a better job or they have more friends and get more attention than you! You're no better than a Falcon hater.

God doesn't make any mistakes! If your team isn't in the final 4 of the playoffs, or your breath smells bad, or your candidate wasn't elected, or your toes have mad fungus. These are no reasons to have spirits filled with hate. Some things in life you can't change, so just get over it. Don't hate on the next man because he's better off than you! Turn that hatred into motivation to better yourself.

2 things I hate! Haters & Tax Return Ballers!!

Signing Out,

Fatdreek

"Protect Ya Neck"

My father was not a consistent part in my life growing up.

But he gave me the single most important advice I have ever heard :

"If you ever pull a gun on someone, you better use it!"

 I remember staying at his and my great-grandma's house one weekend in high school, and I found a pistol in his bedroom (please keep weapons away from children). I stood in the mirror posing with the pistol like I was Al Capone.

After playing "Golden Eye" on my Nintendo 64 and watching countless action films, I thought I was an expert in using guns, so I didn't know the seriousness of me pulling the trigger and a bullet flying through the walls hitting one of my family members. When I told my dad about my encounter, he gave me the advice above. "A gun should always be your last resort" He told me. "1st you have to Knuckle Up, and if guns are drawn than you draw and don't ask any questions!"

I never got in many fights growing up. Nobody ever wanted to pick a fight with a guy twice their size, and plus I'm a teddy bear! Everybody loved Fatdreek. I remember beating up this kid with mono in middle school in which I got suspended from school and my grandma took me fishing (gotta love Grandma!). I beat up a homeless guy (I assumed he was homeless) when I lived in Atlanta walking to work one day. I'm a teddy bear, but sometimes I can get real grizzlyish when provoked! Moral of the story, I'm a good guy who doesn't look for trouble.

But Ah! What am I to do when trouble approaches? There is a lot of good on this planet, but for every good thing there is an equal evil thing on the other end. I know a lot of people just want to believe that everybody is good-natured and wishes the best for everybody on the planet but that's just not the case. With the economy low, people who are down on their luck either turn to religion or get to a desperate state and once desperation comes into play, a person who has nothing to lose will make decisions that could effect you (i.e. theft, armed robberies, death).

To Men : If you have a wife and kids, you have to arm yourself. Criminals are not walking around unarmed. I've never heard of a criminal kicking in your back door and tickling you until you faint and then stealing your possessions.They are kicking in your door to inflict harm on you and your loved ones and its your responsibility to protect your family to the best of your abilities.

To Women : Maybe you're single... (Don't worry, read some of my old blogs to learn how to scoop you a man!) Maybe your husband is always working and you're home alone a lot. You too, need to protect yourself and your possessions. Some women use pepper spray. Do whatever you have to do, to protect yourself. It's a dirty world out here!!

Now maybe you're new to this whole gun conversation. Maybe you're wondering where to purchase one. This isn't like the movies, where you go to the hood, and purchase firearms from someone's trunk. Unless you're a felon, you can go to gun shows (I know you see the billboards for them). You can go to pawn shops. They even have websites that you can purchase guns from. Google "Bud's Gun Shop" or something like that, and take a gander.

Now lets get into the whole law of firearms. I can only speak for the great state of GA. In Georgia, you are allowed to have a firearm in your home, workplace, or your automobile. You can't have the gun concealed unless you have a permit. (Concealed in your car means in the glove box or under the seat, but you can have your gun in your passenger seat). Otherwise, concealed means carrying on you like in your pockets or a holdster.

To get a permit to carry, you need to hit up the probate court and give your fingerprints to the courthouse and give them a few bucks. Just google everything, I don't have the information for everybody because every country in GA might be different.

Just within the last week, a Waffle House was robbed and employees were robbed walking out of a Rue 21 at 11:00 pm in Conyers. Streets ain't safe! Protect ya Neck!!!

Signing out,

Fatdreek

Screw Your Resolutions! But If I were to have them....

My New Year resolutions are obsolete this year! They typically don't last. Of course if I were to have resolutions they would deal with weight-loss and acquiring more riches, but my weight-loss struggles are just that STRUGGLES. I have to make resolutions everyday to make the right decisions regarding my weight. Acquiring riches is a mind frame I've been in since I was 13 years old. Im saying screw resolutions but if I were to have resolutions this is what they would be....

Be an excellent father come April 26th, 2013 when my son enters the Earth.....

Get my butt in church more often....

Read a lot more (including the Bible).....

Be more active (period).....

Make & Save more money....

That's about it, but like I said before, screw the resolutions. I should have posted this blog in the middle of the year, just to be a rebel.

I do want to blog more. I have a lot of ideas that have fell to the wayside, because Im not on my job like I should be, so expect more blogs in 2013.

To reflect on 2012,

I learned a lot about myself :

I learned that I love my wife and family more than anything...

I learned that I need to work on my patience (via my dog, Buddy)...

I learned that I actually do enjoy reading...

I also learned a lot of things from situations around me. I had a lot of friends go through heart-aches this past year, and I was happy to be there to lend an ear or a shoulder to lean on.

I visited Jamaica for my wife's birthday and Las Vegas for mine (2 more destinations off the Bucket List)

Don't think I'll be doing too much traveling this year (with Jr on the way), but hopefully I can squeeze one trip in toward the end of the year.

That's about it!!!

I hope everyone has a prosperous 2013, and stay tuned to this thing we call Fatdreek.Blogspot.Com

Signing out,

Fatdreek