Blog Related: October 2008 Archives

Yes ladies and gentlemen, from this day forward my blog will take on a new moniker. Adam's Web Log - The Official Blog Of Adam Benjamin Irby will also be known as "Turkey Chili For The Gay Soul".

I know it sounds crazy but, I had a conversation with Someone a few minutes ago via IM that inspired this new nickname. Here it goes:

Someone: ur a great writer sir, well actually a cut above decent.

Me: thanks

Someone: lol ur welcome

Me: what did u read?

Someone: i read alot. i read really fast. i can dig ya views on things and some shit is like (***squints eyes***" now adam"****)

Me: opinions are like assholes... lol

Someone: true, but its all entertaining and chicken soup for the black gay soul. shit that people don't want to hear that everyone knows is tru, so on that note i commend u

Me: it's more like chili for the black gay soul. i like chili better, more protein, turkey chili to be exact. it's low in fat too.

Someone: wat about the vegans

Me: fuck em

So there it is people, "Turkey Chili For The Black Gay Soul". I'm not changing the name or anything, it's just a pseudonym, a nickname if you will.

By the way, I actually enjoy that Hormel Turkey Chili pictured above. It's a staple in my pantry. It's great for those of us out there watching what we eat. It's meaty, satisfying and will warm you up inside, kinda like my... blog. But anyway, like I was saying. It's really low in fat, really high in protein and although a can is two servings I usually eat the whole thing as a meal. It's an especially good meal for those of us who are trying to work out and build muscle. The best thing about it is that you can eat it and not be hungry afterwards like most of the other stuff out here that's good for you and it's a quick meal. Just empty the can into a bowl and microwave it for two minutes.

Here's the nutritional breakdown courtesy of FakeOutTakeOut.com, a really good blog for those of us looking for healthier ways to enjoy our favorite foods. Check it out, they have great recipes there.

Hormel Turkey Chili:
Serving size: 1 cup (serves 2)
Calories: 210
Fat: 3g
Fiber: 6g
Protein 17g
Cholesterol 45mg
Weight Watchers Points: 3

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Playing In The Background...
"Keeps Gettin' Better"
by Christina Aguilera
from the album "Keeps Gettin' Better: A Decade Of Hits"
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Doing what it is I do here I get a good amount of correspondence from you all, letters, emails, comments and such. Although it can be overwhelming at times, I do read EVERYTHING, and I appreciate it so much, even if I don't always get a chance to respond.

I'm such an email pack rat that I don't even delete anything. I just let all the letters sit in my email box and let the server figure out what to do with them. The most touching letters though I save though. Looking through my letters last night I stumbled upon what has to be my new absolute favorite. This letter I received a little over three weeks ago. Here it is:

Dear Adam,

I certainly enjoy reading your blog. You are a scrupulously honest person and also an amazingly gifted writer. I am a 63 year old black gay male. I have lead a full life and identify with much that you write.

I enjoy the connection to my youth that having a window into yours provides me. The most salient fact that I have garnered from your writings is that when it comes to interpersonal relationships little has changed. Many of your battles have been my battles. The one enormous game changer has been HIV. Since its first appearance over 2 decades ago, I've lost more friends and acquaintances that were very dear to me.
Keep on writing and believing in yourself. You have a very special talent and your great personal charisma leaps of the pages of your blog. You are also one sexy little dude. forty years ago I could have taken you on. I was a hot number back then. LOL

Son, treasure every moment of your SWEET, young life. It goes by very fast. Carefully store and hone your memories. The day will come when they will be not only your best possessions but a major coping mechanism when your "Old and Gay". Don't fear the aging process. Do prepare for it.

I wish you the best in your precious life Keep on titillating and stimulating my ancient sensibilities.
-MH

I'm always honored to receive letters from older people, people who have already been where I am and have gone through what I'm going through. I try my best to be receptive to any precious kernels of advice they can offer. Like the Bible says "there's nothing new under the sun" and as I talk to more and more older gay people I realize that the interpersonal struggles that we go through today and the ones they went through are basically the same, except that we go through ours with BlackBerries and iPods.

Thanks so much MH, and everyone else for your letters. Keep 'em comin'.

If you ever wanna send me a letter or a message, ask me a question or just wanna say "Hi" click here.

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Playing In The Background...
"Beautiful, Dirty, Rich"
by Lady GaGa
from the album "The Fame"
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Remember that interview I did with my friend Carlos King and the Hot Boyz a while back about a new reality show that Carlos has put together, chronicling the Boyz, a group of black gay men and a woman (don't worry, if you didn't see you can it watch it here). Well a sneak preview of the show has hit the internet.

Check it out below:

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Playing In The Background....
"Hot Boy" feat. Dre
by Christina Milian
from the album "So Amazin'"
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Someone alerted me to this a few minutes ago. I totally forgot about this.

I did a second appearance on Nathan "Seven" Scott's "Vantage Point" show way back in June.

Check it out:

For more of Nathan's projects check out his YouTube channel.

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Playing In The Background...
"Hot N Cold"
by Katy Perry
from the album "One Of The Boys"
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Yes, I'm another one of those people all into their MySpace and FaceBook pages, checking messages and collecting friends along the way. So many of you have added me and message me on both sites I appreciate it. What I like the most about the whole thing is that I get to learn more about you for a change.

So here are my page links. If you haven't already, be sure to add me.

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Playing In The Background...
"Radio"
by Girlicious
from the album "Girlicious"
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A few days ago I put a call out to all the straight male readers of my gay ass blog to email me and let me know how they found my blog, why they continue to read it and what they get from it. I selected three of those letters and posted them here.

I came across your blog a long time ago when I was googleling something about police brutality and I came across [your] story. I read your blog because it lets me know how at least a few gay black people think or view certain things in society. I don't like being ignorant. So many times people form opinions about something before they get all the facts about it. I just really like getting things from all perspectives.

- Bran745

Hey Adam,
I'm a straight guy who reads your blog. Your blog is just entertaining my brother. I honestly don't come from reading it with a very positive opinion on you most times, but its just entertaining always. My wife actually has you favorited on her computer and she turned me on to your blog, been reading ever since. I liked the post about 'heterophobia', it was very interesting. As was the one about men being 'more attractive' than women, I even commented on that one. And for what its worth, I'll mention that I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters: ALL of whom are gay. Keep up the good work my brother,
- Hammer

Wattup Adam?
I'm a straight dude and i've been an avid reader of your blog for a few months now. I first came across your blog by way of a youtube video i saw...you and some guy named derrick acting like clowns...lol...anyway...I'm a music lover (I never leave home without my ipod..it's my baby...lol) and we have similar music tastes..but i can't get with that "Girls Aloud"..I can't give you cool points for them...lol...I'm also a homebody much like yourself and that's probably why i like reading your blog...our personalities are similar (from what i can tell)...plus I enjoy hearing people's point of views and like people who are real...and your story is one that I just find interesting...I enjoy good and honest writing...that's probably why I'm a fan of so many tv shows (i'm a tv whore btw..lol) ...I'm an observer..the proverbial "fly on the all" type of dude...atleast in my opinion anyway...lol...that's all I can conjure up right now..if I think of something else! I'll be sure to let u kno...so continue to write and live and I'll remain the fly on the wall.

- Molden1320