People generally undervalue the need for some good old rest & respite. In a world that’s aways on “GO,” you’re looked at like an anomaly when you make a concerted effort & conscious choice to pause, slow down, and own your thoughts, mind, & time. But regardless of other people’s opinions on the matter, it is what must be done. How can I operate fully if I’m constantly consuming & always in a reactive state? How can I be my best self if I continually I allow myself to burnout? As your Darling American Sweetheart, I hate to burst our own bubble, but we Americans really are the worst at this. It’s quite terrible really.

Other civilized societies have a much better understanding of the concept of rest, not as a reward, but as a requirement for functioning at maximum capacity. Or, as it’s called en Italiano, dolce farniente—the sweetness of doing nothing. So, taking a page from our cousins, we rest before our body & mind & spirit tell us to. We do the work, then we pause to reflect on it, & then we begin again. And so it goes…

I only missed My Pretties just a little bit. I found myself quite enjoying my solitude & leisure this go round, so much so that I thought, Should I even come back? But as this remarkable, world-renowned Queen once said, “A goat keep climbin’ baby! Yea. I want it all.”

So let’s start with where we left off, shall we? I know EveryBuddy was eagerly awaiting the Eid ul-Adha photo dump that never came, so WAIT. NO. MORE.

*Pre-prayer fit check. Scarves & bag placard de Arlyne*

*Swing batter, batter, batter, batter, batter, sawinngggg*

*Kick em all straight to the curb like Beckhammmm*

We’ll get back to football in just a moment, but post prayer & park photo shoot, it is tradition to get some food, so I grabbed a cuppuh and a croissant, and wandered this gorgeous, humongous, Bass Pro Shop.

I had never been to one before and it was right there so I had to check it out. I spent about an hour wandering and exploring. They have everything in this place! As if the name isn’t a dead giveaway, you will obviously find anything related to the old hook, line, & sinker, but beyond that they have practically everything pertaining to the great outdoors; camping, biking, guns & hunting, archery, boating—I spent most of my time in this section. Well, that and the firearms—clothing for all your outdoor occasions, 4-wheelers, ATVs & the like, as well as just some really cool swag.

*This hunting game was disabled but it was still pretty rad! Share this post to tell them to bring it back 😉*

This place is massive. No exaggeration necessary. Go get lost!

Not something many people know about me is that I used to be an avid marksmen back in my heyday. Prior to my advanced pursuit of the performing arts, I was studying & pursuing law enforcement—administration of justice to be more specific—and frequented one of the ranges just outside of Pittsburgh. I was obsessed and a natural. But then of course life happened and my career path shifted and I left Pittsburgh for New Jersey and, as fate would have it, I wouldn’t step foot into a shooting range again for 15 years. That’s a long time! So every time I would drive past one in Nevada, my palm would start itching until finally the day came when I was finished with my appointment & errands a lot earlier than anticipated and I had an extra almost 2 hours to spare, so I said, Fluff it! and hit the armory. And boy am I glad I did. Ugh. Stress. Relieved.

You guys & doll faces already saw the reel of me loading my first clip and shooting off some rounds, so I won’t post it again here, but I believe I had about 50 rounds total to play with. I was a bit rusty to start, naturally, but once I got the hang of it and remembered who tf I was, it all came rushing back. As you’ll see in the next clip, there was one spot on the target I was particularly partial to and looks like I hit it about, idk, maybe 15 times. I definitely was starting to loosen up and hit a good stride. I mean, when you’ve done something long enough and then take a break, regardless of how long, when you get back to it, it’s all muscle memory. Like riding a bike. You never really forget. Sometimes you just need to be reminded. Anywho, take a look for yourself and be the judge.

What say you? Not to shabby if you ask me.

Special thanks to Precision Armory & Range for accommodating the Queen.

‘Twas a happy accident in my journeying when my GPS took me the wrong way and we ended up passing the Las Vegas Mini Grand Prix. I actually had no idea it was even a thing that existed until that very moment. So you know the kid had to pop a u-turn with the quickness!

Like, now I get it. I mean I watch F1, but now I know, you know? That need for speed. That thrill of the chase, of the fight. The pure fluffing (I’m trying not to cuss anymore, see? Sike, bih!) adrenaline. I haven’t had such a thrill in a lonnggg time. This obvi was not the same day as the shooting range, but that feeling of unadulterated joy was the same. A reminder to be in the moment & enjoy it. I put that pedal to the metal baby, and vroom! Zoom! Give the girl some room! And I didn’t even crash out like the losers behind me did far too soon. Twice! Amateurs. Sayanara suckerssss! ✌🏾

I didn’t have my tripod with me to film myself speed racing, but here’s a look at the track. This was literally unplanned, spur of the moment, unabashed side questing. But some of the best, most life-changing, adventures always are, aren’t they?

So many outings and excursions since we last spoke, My Lovely Ones. It is going to be impossible to catch up in just go. But speaking of adventures, I know you are all watching the World Cup, aren’t you? These guys have me streessseedd. Like, how do y’all do it? The athleticism, the fluffing power, the accuracy, the spin & curved kicks! How do you do iitttttt???? Honestly. I’m impressed. Not that you should care what I think. I’m just a little old royal NoBuddy that somehow everyone wants to be like. But seriously & truly, you all are incredible. I’m so happy for you! I hope, win, lose, or draw, you realize how much joy you are bringing to the people. And we all need a little joy de vivre, don’t we, My Sweets?

But before I bid you adieu for the nuit, check out my top 2 favorite fashion arrivals from the teams.

*Coming in hot are my Léopards from the DR Congo. Rawr 🫡*

*And then the Vikings came and took the frickin’ cake! ©️David Yarrow Photography*

I mean, how iconic! Like this… THIS! I’m obsessed with this representation of heritage, history, & identity. And to go off on a tangent real quick—cuz you know I have to—I think if more white people had held onto their culture like this, instead of just all lumping together into one homogeneous group with no ties to, well, anything, we would have a lot less problems in the world, and particularly in America when it comes to “race” relations. I will harp on this until the cows come home; people who do not know themselves will always create friction with people who do. And, generally speaking, white people have forgotten their identities and therefore latch on to this feeling of supremacy & superiority in order to feel something when the very cause of their feelings of inadequacy is their own self erasure. Fin.

Now back to the Vikings, they definitely came to play based on their current standings, but they also said, let me show you how we slay the Norway…

And with that, My Gorgeous Pretty Ones, tis all she wrote for the night. But we have much to discuss to our heart’s delight. Ok, maybe I missed you a little more than a little, but I won’t say more than that because you know my feelings are fickle 😏

Anywho, à tout à l’heure! Have a wonderful rest of your week. You could be anywhere in the world, but here you are with me. I’m beginning to think you like me. You really, really like me!! I love that for you and I love that for me. Stay blessed out there, EveryBuddy, & God speed.

Love Always (and besitos!),

Illuminating Light (Muneerah)

The return

Hello, (Dear friend) Kent