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

Thanksgiving 2012

"Why do I have so much and other people so little?"

This is the question, Reverend Marlin Harris asked at New Life Church this past Sunday. 

He had just returned from a missions trip to Africa, and saw poverty all around him. He mentioned looking at their praise for the little they had, you would think they were millionaires. While people, here in the United States complain and gripe about the inconveniences in their life. 

I can vouch for the reverend. My wife and I went to Jamaica for her birthday this year, and instead of staying on the resort in Montego Bay the whole time, we decided to catch a very expensive cab ride to Kingston which is on the other side of the island. There were beautiful moments as we saw the ocean and the beaches of Jamaica...

Our cab driver

Beautiful Ocean

Roadside

As we got closer to Kingston, you could tell the conditions of the roads were getting rougher and the smog from the city life polluted the blue skies. The cab driver told us stories of how small things like air freshener and washing detergent were so expensive over there. We drove through slums, and I don't mean the section 8 apartments that my dad and I lived in during my summer vacations from college, I mean actual slums. The houses couldn't have been any bigger than a bedroom here. 

Seeing different cultures like that, opens you eyes to true poverty, and makes you thankful for the simplest things like running water and air conditioners. These are things that are so common to us, but people in Jamaica and Africa and other poor countries would kill for those things, and yet they find it in their heart to be thankful. 

This Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for the small things.....

Signing out,

Fatdreek

Marital Warfare

My 3 Year Wedding Anniversary was a month ago. 3 years of wedding bliss means that I don't really know a whole lot about marriage. We are still technically wet behind the ears, but I do know from 7 years of dating  the same woman and witnessing good and bad marriages around me, what it takes to have a long fulfilling union. I want to dedicate this blog to all of my married friends and my friends who are inching towards marriage with their "boo thang" (as I like to call them), I call this blog, "Marital Warfare".

In the world of Kim Kardashians and Kris Humphries, marriage may seem like just something to do.

"Oh, we've been on a couple of dates, and I think we are cute together so lets get married, not knowing anything about each other, but just because it seems like the cool thing to do" OR

"Well, we've had sex a couple of times or I've gotten pregnant, and just to right the situation, I think I will marry this person" OR

"Even though I don't love him or her, I could change him or her and grow to love them"

Basing a marriage on theses foundations will leave you on the next edition of "Best of Divorce Court"

I dont believe in divorce in most instances (I'll get back to that later). I also dont believe in ignorant marrying either! Ignorant marrying are the examples I gave you above. Marrying somebody because it's cool. Marrying someone because you're having sex with them. Marrying someone because you think that they will change after time. Marrying someone because all of your friends and family have gotten married, and you don't want to be the odd ball out.

Now to avoid the "ignorant marrying", you have to do some ground work. When you're dating a person, you really need to learn about a person. If your boyfriend/girlfriend just wants to hang out in big groups or go to a movie, where no communication is happening, you may need to reconsider the whole marriage thing. Find out what kind of family they come from. Divorce maybe something that is common to them. Maybe they come from a family where they say "I love you" all of the time, and they are all touchy and feely, and you come from a family where the only time your parents touched you, was when you were getting your backside lit up. This could be a conflict of interest. I recommend the following book...

"Before the Ring" By William L. Coleman

http://www.amazon.com/Before-Ring-Questions-Revised-Expanded/dp/1572931337

This book has questions that will help you get to know your potential spouse. 

 I felt like I did enough research on my wife, to determine that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. We dated from 03' - 08'. Was engaged for a year and some change. We saw each other's bad side and good side, we knew that there were going to be some conflicts with our marrying each other, but it was all good for us. 

I know people who are miserable in their marriages. Happy in every aspect of their life, but when they get home to their spouse, it turns into marital warfare. Why put yourself through the torture? I tell my boys that I would rather my wife cheat on me with 1,000,000 men (without me finding out) then to go home to a wife who nags and argues non-stop! I believe in peace and tranquility when I get home from work. Of course, my wife and I will argue (who doesn't), but if you implement this next word, arguments will not last long and your commitment will be more fulfilling.....

RESPECT        

Aretha Frankin wasn't lying when she sang that she wanted respect when her man came home. She cooked, cleaned, took care of the kids, and the least her man could do was show her some R-E-S-P-E-C-T. But this respect thing is something that has to be shown by both parties. You may have a man come home to an Aretha Franklin who is disrespectful. When arguments lack respect, you have more hurtful things that are said. When respect is shown, parties usually come to an agreement a lot faster. Just think of it as a math formula (sorry Im an accountant)

Disagreement - Respect = Heated Argument

Disagreement + Respect = Disagreement

You and your spouse may never come to an agreement but love will not be lost. When respect is lacking, words are said that may just sting the 1st time, but after a while, its going to have you considering divorce court. Sometimes throwing a 3rd party in the mix like a counselor or shrink could make you or your spouse see the argument from a different view. 

Above I said, I don't believe in divorce. I don't believe in waking up one morning, and saying "I've had enough, see ya later" or "We've grown apart over the years" or "the kids have graduated high school, and I don't want you anymore". I'm just speaking about myself now. I'm not the type to judge any situation. I've explained to my wife that when adultery gets involved, she or I will have to go. The bible says forgive, but forgetting would be the hard part. It would be days of worrying where your spouse is. Checking phone messages. Questioning their coming and going. I can't live that life! Once the trust is gone, love will soon follow. So as long as my wife and I stay faithful to each other, its going to be a long long marriage. 

Every marriage is different, but if you take the time and put the groundwork in during the dating years, the marriage will be very fulfilling or you could be dodging a bullet  People change over the years, and sometimes you have to adapt. There are tons of topics that I will delve into in future blogs, so stay tuned...

Signing out,

Fatdreek

                                             

Cover of A Book

Fake is the new real.

Gone are the days of honesty and truthfulness.

People you have known all of your life, have you fooled.

It's hard to keep it real! I know! The fear of rejection or ridicule will force you to lie to people you have known all of your life.

Your friends. Your family. Your significant other. Your co-workers. Your Self.

It takes a lot of energy to keep up a facade.

Maybe you keep it real with some people and fake with others. How do you differentiate? I can't imagine the trauma.

I must admit. I've been a faker in numerous instances. I hold my tongue when I should speak. I put on a smile when life couldn't be worse. I have a problem with a person, but I pose as everything is OK.

I've learned that just keeping it real gets you a long way in life.

My 10 year high school reunion was a few months ago. It would've been easy for me to say, I'm a CFO of a billion dollar multi-national corporation, but I'm just a staff accountant for a small construction company. I could have rented a Range Rover and perpetrated that I was "The Man", but I didn't. I am not "The Man". I showed up to the high school reunion just an obese black guy with an Impala and a hot wife!

I've seen girls that wear fake coach and gucci bags. What's the point? Its gonna rip to pieces after 3-4 uses anyways? And please tell me a dude didn't buy that for you. Oy Vey like my Jewish homies say! Just save up and buy you something nice that isn't named brand, but has quality. Keeping up with the Joneses will keep you in the poor house.

I dont mean to sound like a trailer for a horror movie but these fakers are taking over the country, people! They're usually easy to spot! There is nothing more that I hate than a fake smile! If you're angry, be angry! Turn into the Incredible Hulk or something! If you're sad, then cry like Chris Bosh!

We're human-beings! We have a range of emotions. Why portray happiness when you aren't happy. You have those who turn with the tide. They roll with republicans, and they turn conservative. They kick it with democrats, and they turn liberal. They kick it with me, and they say screw the government!

Keeping it real isn't difficult. You may not be as popular, or as cool as the next fella if you keep it real and they keep it fake, but just know that you don't have to look over your shoulder to see who's watching. You won't have to switch personas when certain people come around. You won't have to look yourself in the mirror and be ashamed at the facade that you portray. If people don't like you for you, then so be it.

The moral of the story, is never trust the cover of a book. Smiles may equal disappointment and frowns may equal joy. The person portraying the most religious person ever may be a perverted freak (Eddie Long)! The man that seems to be trustworthy and respected by everyone in the community, may be the sickest individual on the planet (Sandusky).

Only the Lord can judge you, and remembering that will make life easier!

Signing Out,

Fatdreek

Politics As Usual Pt. 2

I really hate politics! I hate the Republicans and I hate the Democrats. I want to chop the left and right wing off and leave the bird flightless!

You have Republicans who complain about the deficit but want to continue tax cuts that could put a dent into it. You have Democrats who instead of working toward the deficit, want to add to it by spending money.

You have a government who spends money on NASA explorations, when they should be investing in our future.

You have a Democratic mayor who wants to put a limit on the size slurpee that you can buy in New York. .

Are you kidding me??

I understand. The country is heading toward Obeseville, and I maybe the mayor of Obeseville, but that's no reason to limit the Slurpeeness of America. If the Government can tell me what size Slurpees I can buy, what's to stop them from telling me what kind of gas I can buy or what kind of blogs I can write, or what to believe in. I think Government is necessary, but let's not push it, Bloomberg!!!

Then you have the whole "Obamacare" issue. I don't really care about it. I haven't read the literature line by line, all I know is that a lot of people have their panties in a wad, and I dont understand the tangled undergarments. People without healthcare have been getting "free" healthcare through emergency rooms across the country for years, so to me nothing's going to change. If things change, then things are going to change. Whining about a new law, isn't going to get that law overturned. Now if you oppose Obamacare that much, then you have the opportunity to vote for Romney in November and he'll probably repeal Obamacare, unless the Powers That Be keep his pockets fat (Romneycare).

Now when it comes to the election in November. I don't know who I'm voting for. I'm not too impressed with Mr. Obama. The gas price and unemployment rate are way too high. I know he's done a lot. I saw those Obama road signs near construction zones all over the southeast. I know the auto industry needed a bailing and now the auto industry is doing well. I know the healthcare overhaul will benefit a lot of people. Some who genuinely need the help and not just looking for another hand out, and for that I am thankful.  Hats off to the President for those accomplishments. I wish Obama would've focused on improving the unemployment rate and these rising gas prices, but hey that's just me! When you have an opposing party who made it their goal to keep the president from being re-elected, you can expect some plans to be halted!! Which brings me back to my 1st post on this "Politics As Usual" series!

THE BI-PARTISANSHIP IN THIS COUNTRY IS BEYOND BELIEF!! 

Parties only want things that benefit them, even if that means destroying the country! Enough is Enough! I feel like the white guy in Network!!

Signing out,

Fatdreek