Author: imjustdrew

I was writing my employee bio for work plus I am currently trying to get a young lady’s attention. Therefore I am trying to narrow down what I am interested in. It turns out a lot of things.

Here are some of the most major ones:

Reading, writing, watching TV, aquariums, painting minis, technology, social media, animals, hanging with friends and family, the coffee shop, mountains, the gym, eating good food, sports (especially football, basketball, baseball and NASCAR), my cup collection, traveling, driving, eating inside Mexican and Asian restaurants, going to movies, cake, caring for my beard, children, comedy and laughing, swimming, grilling out, cooking, sleeping in, good vibes, hugs, my birthday, Fall, my college (#wuforever), great music, slushies, and comfortable clothes like my AND1 shorts.

Speaking of shorts, this may be my short list. Also, as you were,…

#imjustdrew #fromdarktosunshine #scaredeyes

I use many different housewares and accessories when cooking. A visit to my home will display the area where my Ninja Foodi, crockpot, waffle iron and other such accessories are. I also have an Instapot and air fryer but both are in my utility building.

I use many regularly and do own an oven and a traditional grill that I utilize. However there are a few devices that I see no use for.

1. Egg boiler. Umm, excuse me? How crowded is your stove or hot plate that you don’t have space or time to boil a few eggs. I have to question many aspects of your culinary skillset if you cannot boil an egg in the era of YouTube and TikTok.

2. Milkshake machine. Unless you have carpal tunnel and somehow not a blender, there is no real usage for this. I posted in the laniera74 blog last year how to make a milkshake from scratch. I think many folks have gotten spoiled by the ice cream parlor or fast food industry that they cannot make their own milkshakes. This was a skill I’m glad I took to college with me as many ironically didn’t know how to use.

3. Large scale griddle. I say this only because I mostly cook for myself and my mom and we don’t need that much food. I have a small electrical griddle that does the job and is portable. Having something big takes up too much space and is expensive with gas.

4. Deep fryer. I have an air fryer, a Ninja Foodi and an electrical turkey fryer. Plus I can fry things the old fashioned way. This would be a redundant waste for me.

5. Sandwich or quesadilla maker. Ok now we get to the point of if you really need an oven or not. I have so many other resources for making or grilling a sandwich.

I always welcome feedback and do not judge others. Heck some of the housewares I use or can use are already in question. They’re honestly just nice to have. You have to really think if you’re going to need something or just want it because everyone else has it.

#imjustdrew

It’s another graduation season, one of my favorite of the year. It’s also a greater sense of normalcy since 2019. This also means more traveling for graduates and even young newlyweds.

Since I’ve traveled often, I feel I have tips to offer the younger generation here.

Know the climate where you are going. Dress for there and not for here. Always carry a jacket regardless.

Adjust for time changes and jet lags. They are for real! Give yourself an extra recovery day following a huge trip. If you’re going international, I recommend a week if possible. That’s an entirely different time zone and change.

For my Southerners traveling north of Virginia, bring your own sugar and sweet tea and grits ingredients. You’re not going to find that easily in the North and Midwest.

Don’t feel like you have to go 5 star yet in eating and housing. Your generation had Airbnbs and explore the local favorites. Stay away from chains if you can since you are traveling and can get McDonald’s and BK almost anytime.

Have your carry-on (if flying) packed with airport regulated essentials, some extra clothes and some cash. This is where I recommend banking or having a national credit union to avoid fees.

Have fun! This is the best time in your life to travel and see our wonderful world. You will definitely have more opportunities but now you have more freedom and less responsibilities. Soak it in!

Congrats to the class of 2022 and may you continue to dream and excel!

#imjustdrew #fromdarktosunshine

I think many go daily just through the motions. They definitely aren’t doing what they really want or what they’re destined to do.

It’s obvious when someone isn’t in their happy place. They can only put on “airs” for so long. Many folks are quitting their jobs for more peace. Others are holding onto their jobs due to fear of recession with so much nationwide inflation.

There is still hope. Make time every week to do what you love. Whether it’s collecting vinyl records to gardening or reading, don’t deprive yourself of that in which you deserve. Get that in so that your peace is protected and you recharge well.

Continue to see me for more happiness and good vibes.

#imjustdrew #fromdarktosunshine

I have a pet peeve where when someone tells me something is too much or I’m not good enough, I feel the need to prove them wrong. You can call it an inferiority complex. To me, I’m just really competitive, have a huge heart and hate hearing the word no from folks that don’t know me well.

I will briefly educate anyone on my past experiences of 44 years in case you think I haven’t experienced enough or I can’t handle “too much.”

I maintained good grades all through school, undergrad and grad school. This includes As and Bs in a tough computer science program and a 3.9 GPA in an MBA program. I did much of this without advanced grooming, help and oftentimes very little money. I grinded, studied hard, and simply wanted it.

Physically, I worked my way up the depth chart in football and started my senior at offensive line over folks more talented and athletic than myself. I ran competitively for 4 years and won 2 age groups, ran 9 half marathon and 3 full marathons, one of those being the brutal and hilly Kings Mountain marathon. I have lost and maintained weight many times in my life, losing 100 pounds in my early 30s and 50 in my mid 30s.

I have been involved in trivia, competitive eating, I have successfully climbed the ladder for a major company, all while battling mental illness, obesity, grief, socioeconomic and racists and caring for a physically and mentally ill mother.

I have managed time well enough to excel in school, hold down a job and side hustles consistently for 27 years, be involved in the community, go to social events, handle multiple bank accounts, and train and tutor others. I also have written a book and have two active blogs. I always find ways to succeed and I’m not afraid to ask for help or questions if I’m in a bind.

Basically much of this is how #imjustdrew was created in 2016. Facebook is about to limit my blogs so YouTube and TikTok will be my focus. Obstacles breed creativity and I continue to stay encouraged and know the best is yet to come.

Therefore, before you think something is too much, read this blog first and learn my story!

#imjustdrew #fromdarktosunshine #scaredeyes

I saw this on a FB post the other day. The intent was to gripe about something that wasn’t political, Roe V Wade, gas prices, or Russia/Ukraine. Therefore, here are mine from my latest weekend.

Why in the world didn’t Gray Collegiate have a concession stand at their playoff baseball game the other day?

Why is my uncle so obsessed with baseball? He’s incarcerated and wants all the details, even inning by inning. He will have to be more clear with me when he calls on Sunday.

How can a 14 year old fall through a 50 foot well with concrete? Better yet, why isn’t that well insulated?

What is up with all of the local deaths and earthquakes near Elgin? Mercury being in retrograde does not help.

Why do people STILL not stay through the credits of a Marvel movie. Overall it was better when I saw the new Doctor Strange but you still had some rushing out. SMH 14 years of the MCU and still this nonsense.

When are folks gonna realize UFC is a better product than boxing? Only time I like to watch is connect with some of my circle (non UFC fans, pray for them saints).

It’s not hard right now to get a job or a pet. Problem is neither may not be the one you want.

The days truly fly by as you get older. I swear 12 hours are just gone. Too bad it doesn’t work the same at the JOB.

FB is trying to limit #imjustdrew. I was already ahead of it, learning Tik Tok and focusing on my YouTube channel. Summer is coming (another shout out to David Fink).

Now I’m gonna blog on my original page and get ready for my work week to begin!

#imjustdrew #fromdarktosunshine

This isn’t just because as my former trainer David Fink used to say “summer’s coming” or “the beach going to get whatever body I give them.” Now that is the case as it’s harder to camouflage your body for the next few months.

Many folks simply are not honest with themselves or are constantly trying to cover up and hide things. Well let me tell you this. There are instances, such as in business and when building relationships where you need to be genuine and forthcoming regarding shortcomings and things you have and don’t. The truth does come out eventually.

I’m a firm believer of being honest and knowing the rules of any game and engagement. You cannot let others drag you into their mess either. Cover yourself, protect yourself, respect yourself. You have to have integrity at some point or it will cost you.

Also if you can’t be honest and forthright with someone, perhaps you shouldn’t be around them. These aren’t family secrets; it’s common knowledge and need to know stuff. Your word is your bond and building trust is so important in many aspects.

Realize that this may not be the season that you can wear a two piece or get back onto the Fury at Carowinds. Find out where you need to improve, get better and work from there. Please stop cutting corners and rubber stamping your life. Mother’s Day is coming and you want to be prepared there also. Just be you!

#imjustdrew #fromdarktosunshine

The Beatles mentioned the word “love” a total of 613 times in their songs. We have an entire holiday dedicated to celebrating love. The word is thrown around like a football. It is a positive, uplifting feeling.

Yet many of us find ourselves in toxic, joyless situations.

One of the solutions is love. We need to cover ourselves with it. Seek out the ones that truly love us and not just like us and tolerate our being. Oh no you need to feel love.

I see many troubled folks on a daily basis. Some simply weren’t shown love enough or at all at key points in their life. They are dismissive, divisive and confrontational. I have found that expressing your love language and showing them that you do care goes a long way.

We can get caught up in the day to day grind and be ruled by routine, numbers and the almighty dollar. What needs to be realized is if we showed love and love more often, more of the stuff we desire will fall into place.

It is about how you feel. I know if I feel I’m in a positive environment where I can relax, smile and have fun, I am an overall better person. Many of us are.

Therefore let’s not complete the process; rather let’s trust it. Show more love to each other. I am going to practice just that in my next #imjustdrew blog.

#imjustdrew #fromdarktosunshine

I have read the stories, seen the live and unedited videos and of course the memes. Chris Rock make jokes towards Jada Pinkett Smith and her condition, alopecia. Will Smith storms the Oscar stage and slaps the taste out of his mouth and then shouts obscenities at Chris from the audience.

The media, especially social, has blown up since. Little to no talk of COVID, high gas prices, Biden, Russia v Ukraine, the Final Four or any other hot topic. This brings up some questions of course.

Was this staged as the Oscars is known for the dramatics and needed ratings? Was Will holding in aggression from past Rock comments or Jada’s indiscretions? Would Will had tried that with a bigger, more physical person? Did anyone see Will laughing and smiling at the joke initially? Why (yes I’m asking this) are folks making this racial? Will Chris Rock be invited back to the Oscars after all of his past controversy? Will security finally beef off?

Either way, the Oscars has the publicity they needed. We also see what many have seen for years: Will has to resolve his inner demons and really talk to his wife. He can still be in the public light but he HAS to keep his private life as such. Also if he wants his marriage to work and be monogamous, he has to take it more seriously and not involve others.

The latter is my biggest take. Will should definitely defend and protect his wife. Just because he’s a celebrity and cameras are rolling doesn’t mean he needs to do it in public. He needs to handle it behind closed doors and to avoid a charge. Also, get on August or any other person that has disrespected Jada. That’s my take.

I welcome any and all feedback.

#imjustdrew #fromdarktosunshine

One of the latest memes to go viral is “Addiction Is A Choice.” Of course I have thoughts on this.

First off, it’s so easy to get addicted to anything, from alcohol to food to that hot show on Netflix. Getting relieved or rehabilitated is another battle. Many do not realize this until it happens to them and/or someone close to them.

Now if you have an addictive personality and you know something could be harmful to you, it likely is a choice. Once you’re addicted, that’s another battle that the individual has to win. They have to win this an an individual. That’s when it’s pretty much not a choice.

I have not only experienced this myself but have watched several succumb to this, my brother included. My brother technically had a choice. He also had peer pressure and wasn’t thinking about anything long term. He wanted to fit in. Psychologically, the average person doesn’t have a choice and may not know they’re getting addicted. Becoming an addict is basically a lifelong fight. That person cannot even be around it and it’s a process to return them to become fully functional.

I ask that you do not pass judgment unless you or a loved one have been succumbed to the dangers of addiction. It’s not always something you choose to do or be. Ignorance isn’t always bliss. Be kind and not so judgmental.

#imjustdrew #fromdarktosunshine #scaredeyes