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Welcome to THEJNSREPORT’S: Open Question.
Woke up today feeling a bit reflective on life and the world around us. This idea came to me while taking a much appreciated hot shower.
What are the top 5 things you would die for? Very much interested to hear the world’s responses.
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Welcome to THEJNSREPORT’S: Must Read 2014: The Seven Days
A novel by DC author, poet, playwright, and hip hop musician, R.Kayeen Thomas.
We are very blessed and fortunate enough to have a mother who loves reading. After having read R. Kayeen Thomas’ incredible storytelling she thought we’d appreciate it and see what our impression of it was.
One thing is for certain, after having read Antebellum, I knew I was in store for a great read and Thomas more than delivers in this its prequel. With his intricate storytelling and weaving of characters life experiences, The Seven Days grips the readers psyche and doesn’t let go.
Family, rage, racial tensions, socio-economic classism, the legal system and possession all unfold in a story that weaves from slave times to the present. R.Kayeen Thomas is a master story-teller and “The Seven Days” proves just that. We recommend this book as a must read an addition to any book library.
Our hope is that a daring, talented director and studio produce this as a feature-length film adaptation because the writing and story are that compelling. This could easily become a blockbuster trilogy if done and cast right. Do yourselves a favor folks read this book. Many professors could use this as part of discourse on the Theory of Human Freedom.
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Welcome to THEJNSREPORT’S: COSTANERA COCINA PERUANA RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE 2014!!!
Located in downtown Montclair, NJ.
I was invited to attend a dining experience of upscale Peruvian cuisine in this uniquely decorated Peruvian restaurant along with my significant other, my significant other’s sister and a friend. What a treat! We ended up eating something I never ate before. However, before I get to that allow me to introduce you to Costanera Cocina Peruana Restaurant.
When we arrived inside the entire restaurant was packed except for our reserved table.
We began our dining experience with our gracious hosts /owners Tatianna & Andre dining alongside us. We started off with a bottle of red wine, some toasted corn kernels and wasabi sauce. The menu at Costanera is extensive and we left our sampling choices up to our hosts.
What you see above is a shot of leche de tigre or “Tiger Milk” which tastes outstanding! We all took our shots of leche de tigre and toasted before tossing em back. Next we had two different ceviches( not pictured here) along with a plate of mussels & calamari in sauce. That was followed up by salmon on crustini, and chicharron de pescado which was insanely goood!!! Try Costanera’s chicharron de pescado against any cornmeal crusted catfish you’ve ever had and see if Costanera doesn’t come out the clear winner.
Over the course of the next several hours plus we enjoyed glasses of wine and shots of Hornitos Silver 100% Agave Tequila which we brought for our meal since in this area of Montclair most of the businesses don’t have liquor licenses. The staff of the restaurant was on point always ready to fill a glass that was low as our conversation about the decor & ambiance of Costanera turned our attention to the walls and bar of the establishment before our next course was presented.
Our gracious hosts told us that the previous owners of this space told them no matter what they did to the interior, they had to keep the bar. True to their word Costanera’s proprietors kept the bar intact while renovating the rest of the interior which was completely bare white walls. All the design and color scheme were completely those of the owners. And in case you’re wondering, yes that is real wood on the walls as well as the carved pieces across the room from where we sat.
Up next was what I alluded to earlier as having never eaten before. Anticucho (Beef Heart). The heart was cooked well and skewered on kebabs. Big kernels of corn and sauce adorned this dish and surprisingly it didn’t taste gamey or minerally at all. The consistency of the beef heart was close to that of hanger steak and yes I finished all of my Anticucho. 😉
Speaking of Hanger steak that’s what you see above. Again perfectly cooked steak served with fries, onions and red peppers garnished with a little cilantro if I’m not mistaken. Delish!!!
At the top of the pic above you see Causas (Classic mashed potato cakes with avocado, and lump crab meat) topped with drops of Huancaina sauce. Below the Causas are more Korn Kernels and roasted potatoes medley with crispy yucca also drizzled with Huancaina sauce. Uh Yassum!!! We liked our starches. The Huancaina sauce really brought everything together nicely.
Fried Sweet and Green Plantains followed. I’m a fan of both but the fried sweet plantain won out.
Another round of tequila shots with lime wedges helped cleanse our palletes before we perused the desert menu.
Naturally we chose the first three deserts on menu to share between us.
That there above is Costanera’s Mousse de Chocolate with a scoop of chocolate icecream accompanied by bananas, blueberries, and raspberries. Mmmm mmm Son!!! 😀
Next we had the Crema Volteada (Flan) that looked like a heavenly sliced piece of cheesecake topped in a rich caramel sauce. The Tres leches is obscurred by the chocolate mousse regrettably, but it too tasted out of this world amazing!!!
In all honesty everything we sampled was beyond reproach. I could find absolutely nothing that I didn’t like. The ceviche’s were incredible, all the meats, and sides more than satisfied. This truly was an experience to be had. Costanera gets 5 out of 5 dinner plates in every category, taste, presentation, price, service and food quality. OOOOO
This is a must try restaurant experience!!! Thank you again to Tatianna & Andre our gracious hosts of Costanera. Till next time this has been the Costanera Cocina Peruana Experience 2014 by THEJNSREPORT.
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Initially, the day began with Grey clouds, snow falling lightly, almost whimsical through a frost chilled air. I dragged myself from bed earlier than normal and embraced the dreary day ahead.
Checking my cell I saw I had a full hour of sleep to have before my alarm went off. I blinked several times at my flat screen still on but in sleep mode. My local cable provider’s logo bouncing from diagonal to diagonal.
I reached for my cell and texted my baby I’d be over soon. After breakfast and morning exercise, I was set on staying in all day. That all changed when the sun beamed into the room at high noon. We decided then and there to be adventurous and embrace the day and weather.
The snow-covered sidewalks yielded some melting and clear paths as the sun shone in its strength. Pausing to take in the glory of God, I snapped these shots.
To be able to actually capture these fleeting moments for posterity, I felt truly blessed to be alive. Best day had in a long time.
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While taking a walk to clear my mind after the verdict over the weekend, I took a few shots.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family & friends of Jordan Davis. R.I.P
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Welcome to THEJNSREPORT’S: Gay Athletes in Pro Sports 2014
Aloe Blacc’s “The Man” is the theme for this post. See the video on Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fm660vIn8Tg
Waking up to the news of Mizzou football player Michael Sam’s coming out this morning was a surreal trip in which we found ourselves asking the question much like in the Matrix, whether we were dreaming or not. Nope we’re not dreaming.
A proud Afro-American man (Michael Sam) stood up today and stole the thunder many would use against him in the media, or boardrooms, and various other “closets” and let everyone look, listen, and understand who he is.
Ultimately, Sam’s statement means that all of us not just in sports, or media but in everyday life to face the controversial if not taboo subject of sexual orientation, bullying, discrimination, and equal employment opportunities that would be denied to many people based on criteria that isn’t supposed to be part of the hiring process, but in reality plays a role in whether one finds employment in a certain industries or not.
Pro Football much like most male dominant sports and the military proves a formidable platform to take on the spectacle of gay athletes and whether openly gay athletes can coexist in the heterosexual male testosterone based concept of masculinity in team sports and the Locker Room in particular. Team unity/cohesion are often mentioned as issues as to whether an openly gay athlete can succeed at the pro level.
To that I think that if people didn’t know an athlete’s orientation before it was disclosed and rather focused on the skills and talents and work ethic of the athlete, letting the person’s performance speak rather than their prejudices or stereotypes this would be a non issue.
Much has been said of Vladimir Putin’s remarks in Russia yet the Winter Olympics still go on. Gay athletes have competed and won Gold medals already so what are we really talking about today? In the end I think personal projections of personal insecurity cause people to judge others based on their sexual orientation.
What does a man or woman have to fear from another man or woman if they are secure in their own sexuality? Performance in the work place is really all that should be discussed at this point. Is the potential employee capable of performing the job they are applying for?
If the answer is yes, there’s nothing left to say other than you’re hired. Michael Sam’s ethnicity is also worth mention in this subject because often in the black community it’s viewed as the lowest of the low for a black man to be gay let alone open about it. What’s the first insult one hears whether in jest or a rap lyric as one of the most disrespectful ways to address another male? Call him a faggot, punk bitch, or bitch N@(**@.
One things for sure the stereotype of gay athletes being mostly effeminate, weak, figure skaters, or queens is starkly if not immediately dispelled when looking at Michael Sam. Kudos to Mr. Sam and this monumental moment in history during Black History Month 2014.
THEJNSREPORT
THEJNSREPORT 