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Hi
1* First grade teacher's name: Ms. Farrell
2* Last words you said: Okay, bye.
3* Last song you sang: Baby Mama
4* Last person you hugged: Jimi
5* Last thing you laughed at: Asian girls watching The Ring
6* Last time you said I don’t remember: Yesterday, maybe to Bobby
7* Last time you cried: When don't I?
9* What color socks are you wearing: Not wearing any.
10* what’s under your bed: Drawers. (Literally, not underwear)
11* what time did you wake up today: 3:30am, then again a little after 8am
12* Current taste: I just ate cookies, so I don't have a taste for anything
13* Current hair: Still in dreads
15* Current annoyance: ankle pain and knee pain (from overcompensating)
16* Current longing: To be loved...FOR REAL
17* Current desktop background: The Georgetown Seal, as shown on the Walsh building
18* Current worry: If my novel will be ready in time for my event on April 21
19* Current hate: Ankle pain, I guess
20* Current favorite article of clothing: The jeans I have left that fit me.
21* Favorite physical feature of the preferred sex: I don't even know if I prefer my preferred sex....or sex at all.
22* Last CD that you listened to: Mariah Carey's latest
23* Favorite place to be: at home
24* Least favorite place: at work (unless I have first graders!)
25* Time you wake up in the morning; When I work, 6am
26* If you could play an instrument, what would you play: piano
27* Favorite color: blue and gray
28* Do you believe in an afterlife: yes
29* How tall are you: just barely 5'9"
30* Current favorite word/saying: "Oh...HELL....no."
31* Favorite book: The White Boy Shuffle by Paul Beatty
32* Favorite season: Fall
33* One person from your past you wish you could go back and talk to': A few friends from high school.
*FUTURE*
5* Where do you want to go for college? Been there, done that, got the t-shirt
36* what is your career going to be like? Gonna be rich, bitch~
37* how many kids do you want: As many as it takes to run a sweatshop
*HAVE YOU EVER...*
39* said "I love you" and meant it: I mean it every time I say it.
40* Gotten in a fight with your animal: Yes, and Laila has beat my ass.
41* been to New York: Yes.
42* been to Florida: No.
43* been to California: No.
44* been to Hawaii: No.
45* been to Mexico: No.
46* been to China: No.
48* Dreamed something really crazy and then it happened: Kinda.
*RANDOM*
52* Do you have a crush on someone: No.
53* what book are you reading now? I was reading There Was a Spirit by Kimberly Noelle
54* Worst feeling in the world: A broken heart.
55* what is the first thing you think when you wake in the morning? I try to remember the dream I may have just had.
56* How many rings before you answer: One.
57* Future daughter's name: Maya
58* Future son's name: Malik
59* Do you sleep with a stuffed animal: no
60* If you could have any job you wanted: Famous novelist
61* Wish were here: Nobody right now.
62* College plans: Been there, done that, got the sweatshirt AND keychain in addition to the t-shirt.
63* Piercings: none
*THE EXTRA STUFF*
64* Do you do drugs: never
65* Do you drink: seldom
67* What kind of Shampoo and Conditioner do you use: T-Gel
68* What are you most scared of: Having to work a real 9-5 job that I hate because my writing career bombed.
69* What clothes do you sleep in: draws and t-shirt
70* Who is the last person that called you: Merry at Central Plains Book Mfg.
71* Where do you want to get married: a park
72* If you could change anything about yourself what would that be: lose weight and tone up
73* Who do you really hate: Your mother.
74* Been In Love: Yes.
75* Are you timely or always late: Always early.
76* Do you have a job: Yes
77* Do you like being around people: Sometimes
78* Best feeling in the world: Writing a novel to completion
79* are you for world peace: Yes.
80* Are you a health freak: no
81* Do you have a "Type" of person you always go after: no
82* Do you want someone you don't have? I don't think so....I kinda don't understand the question
83* Are you lonely right now: I guess.
84* Ever afraid you'll never get married: Yes.
85* Do you want to get married: Whether the law allows it or not, yes.
86* Do you want kids? Yes. Remember the sweatshop?
*IN THE LAST 48 HOURS, HAVE YOU...*
87* Cried: Not really.
88* Bought Something: Yep, a video on ebay.
89* Gotten Sick: Just a snotty nose this morning.
90* Sang: A little
91* Said I Love You: No
92* Wanted To Tell Someone You Loved them: Yes.
93* Met Someone: No.
94* Moved On: Ehh....no
95* Talked to someone: Yes.
96* had a Serious Talk: With my printer, yes.
97* Missed Someone: kinda
98* Hugged Someone: no
99* Yelled at someone: no
100* Dreamed about Someone You Can’t Be With: No
Posted by Rashid on March 31, 2005 at 2:04 PM | Comments (1)
March 31 Round-Up
Anttonieo Madison, a senior theater major, jumps over Bobby Massengill, a senior construction management major during the Phi Beta Sigma step practice Tuesday evening in Sandison Hall.
The Zeta Phi chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. has a rich history of stepping.In 1998, Cedric Jones and Robert Willis had a vision to bring Greek life to another level at ISU. They brought the Indiana Statewide Stepshow from Ball State to ISU for the first time. Phi Beta Sigma competes each year to keep the stepshow at ISU.
Beta Theta Pi, Omega Phi Alpha and Alpha Phi Omega Plan Poker Night at Ole Miss
Students will have the chance to play Texas Hold ‘Em to benefit victims of the Tsunami in Southeast Asia this past December.Omega Phi Alpha and Alpha Phi Omega both service organizations on campus will be holding “Poker Night” tonight and tomorrow night from 7 to 11:30 at the Beta Theta Pi fraternity house. Beta Theta Pi will is also sponsoring the event. There will also be taco plates sold at the house from 4 to 6 p.m. for $5.
Southern: Hazing Continues to Bruise Organizations
Seemingly an unauthorized rite of passage for some fraternal organizations, hazing has long been an issue that Greek letter organizations have dealt with.Hazing is defined as someone being persecuted or harassed with meaningless, difficult or humiliating tasks. Some individuals still believe that hazing is just a simple, humorous prank performed on prospects of college fraternities and sororities.
Wayne State Ques Explain Why Men and Women Cheat
From smashing windows to slashing tires, a group of Wayne State University students met yesterday for a discussion called “Why Men and Women Cheat” to discuss how being “cheated on” affected them.“Everyone was surprised to hear I did,” said Candice Torres, a freshman majoring in pediatric nursing. “I told what happened. I told what the guy did and what I did in retaliation.”
Torres story was one of many at the event, which was sponsored by the Nu Sigma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., as part of their Omega Psi Phi Week of events. It was held in room Hilberry C of the Student Center Building.
Sigma Gamma Rho Panel at Eastern Michigan Discusses Minority Issues
Earnest Coverson, the youth and college regional director of the NCAAP, offered advice about being a member of a high profile group.“People are going to label you if you are part of an organization,” he said. “Once you join, you’re in the spotlight.”
Coverson, along with members of several African American campus organizations conferred Wednesday in the Bovee University Center Lake Michigan Room as part of the “That’s What it’s Made 4” forum hosted by the Sigma Gamma Rho sorority.
Alpha Week at Marshall University
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. is offering students a chance to get involved in its nationally recognized week.Events are planned daily on campus to promote Alpha Week.
Ryan Banks, Alpha Phi Alpha president, said he feels the timing of the week is perfect.
"This week is going to be a great opportunity for students to get involved," he said. "With the week being right after Spring Break, this is giving everyone a fresh start and something different to do."
Banks said he is excited the local chapter will be participating in the week for the first time since they were re-activated in April 2004.
Alpha is the first National Pan-Hellenic Council to sponsor Alpha Week this semester. Each NPHC organization has its own week to promote their chapter both locally and nationally.
Other NPHC organizations joined Alpha Phi Alpha Monday night in a Yard Step Show in the Memorial Student Center to kick off the rest of the week.
"People came out and supported us," Banks said. "I think it really got them interested in the rest of the week."
The fraternity also sponsored a bowling tournament last night at Imperial Lanes.
Other events during the week include a movie night tonight in the Don Morris Room of the MSC at 7 p.m., a Black Party tomorrow in Marcos Lounge in the MSC at 8 p.m. where all are asked to wear black attire, an Alpha display in the MSC lobby Friday during the day and an Ice Cold Cophee House in Marcos Lounge at 7:30 p.m., and a Ms. Black and Gold Pageant in the Don Morris Room Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Banks said the use of a different spelling for the word coffee in the Ice Cold Cophee House is to stress the name of the fraternity, Alpha "Phi" Alpha. This event will consist of people singing and poetry readings.
All events, except the Ms. Black and Gold Pageant, are free to the public. Pageant tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. Advanced tickets can be purchased by contacting members of the fraternity through the Greek Affairs office.
Rashad Sanders, Alpha Phi Alpha member, said the pageant is the big event the fraternity planned for the week.
"We [the fraternity] have 14 contestants in the pageant who are competing for scholarship money as well as for a position to represent Marshall's chapter in the West Virginia regional conference," he said. " This is definitely a big deal for our fraternity."
The contestants include 13 Marshall students and one West Virginia State student. Contestants will compete in formal wear, swim wear and a talent portion.
Delta Sigma Theta Oxford Alumnae Community Day
Civic activism and awareness are two of the things that will be promoted Saturday at the third annual Community Day at the Stone Center on Washington Avenue in Oxford.Hosted by the Oxford Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Community Day will include informational sessions with various local agencies, entertainment provided by a church praise team and games for children.
Jennifer Bobo-Milliner, chairperson of Community Day, said the purpose is to heighten community awareness of the plethora of non-profit local resources available to residents of Oxford and Lafayette County.
“The Community Day is a great success to let the citizens of Oxford and Lafayette County know about the agencies and what they provide and to take advantage of all that they offer,” Bobo-Milliner said.
Southern Methodist University AKAs Raise AIDS Awareness
On the second day of Alpha Kappa Alpha Week, all the students in Hughes-Trigg Commons directed their full attention toward HIV/AIDS prevention speakers from Mosaic Family Services, Inc.While students munched on pizza provided by AKA, speakers provided proactive HIV/AIDS prevention tips, statistics and safe sex material in an effort to inform students on how to better protect themselves.
Mosaic speakers spoke with sincerity, awknowledging sex as a part of most college students’ lifestyles and encouraged those students to adopt safe sex practices. The group provided tips such as asking partners for regular test results, how to discuss sex before hand, how to use condoms and contraceptives properly and encouraged students to contact agencies for factual information regarding STDs.
Mosaic is a non-profit group that seeks out low-income communities reflecting evidence of excessive drug use and illegal activity. It offers the public safe sex materials and street HIV tests by method of Ora-Sure.
Natchez, MS Kappas Draw Hundreds for Province Meeting....
NATCHEZ -Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity members will hold its Province Council, an annual business meeting and celebration that will bring about 700 people from five states to the area today through Sunday.But Darryl Grennell - the polemarch, or president, of the fraternity's local chapter - said that for years, he lobbied for the convention to be held in Natchez, but few listened.
"It was difficult to get it here Š because (fraternity higher-ups) said we needed a place with an airport with commuter flights," Grennell said. "People said, 'Give up. It'll never happen.'"
But explaining that it can take almost as much time to drive across a larger city as it takes to drive from the Baton Rouge airport to Natchez helped persuade the fraternity brass to make hold the council here, he said.
...And UGA Draws Hundreds More!
University students will get to see what diversity looks like this week -- albeit only for a few days.More than 1,500 members of Kappa Alpha Psi, a national black fraternity with a chapter on campus, will come to the University for the 54th Southeastern Province Council Meeting, which begins Thursday and ends Sunday.
There are little more than 1,000 black undergraduates currently enrolled at the University.
The fraternity members and guests from Georgia and South Carolina will come to campus to talk about issues in their chapters and strengthen chapter "cohesiveness," Chapter President Kevin Wilson said.
"We're going to take over the campus," said Nicholas Bedford, keeper of the records for the chapter.
Flawlessness is key to success: Kappa Alpha Psi and Alpha Delta Pi at Southern Cal
Personally, I don't really think of it in those terms," said Melvin Felton, the president of Kappa Alpha Psi and a senior majoring in print journalism, referring to how he feels about being the only black fraternity in Songfest this year. "We're students who participate in events just like every other student organization."
Posted by Rashid on at 8:45 AM | Comments (0)
Sprain
I sprained my ankle yesterday....I swear it's ALWAYS something!
So I'm walking down the stairs and I reach the floor. Somehow I stepped wrong on my ankle, felt it twist and could feel too much weight being lowered on it. I felt pain, and I drew my leg up immediately, but it was too late.
The pain was out of this world.
I had some chips in my hand -- Fritos twists to be exact -- and they flew EVERYWHERE. I was kinda yelling like oh my GOD this hurts and Maxwell, who was resting on my bed, looked up like "What the hell is wrong with you?" Then he saw the Fritos flying toward him and he ran away.
I knew it was sprained immediately -- it's happened before, but not for a while. It hurt SO BADLY I felt like I was going to throw up.
I iced it, elevated it, and went to sleep.
It still hurts but not nearly as much as it did yesterday.
Ugh.
Posted by Rashid on March 29, 2005 at 10:50 AM | Comments (2)
Ooh La La II
Have I told you lately how much I love basketball???
Posted by Rashid on March 28, 2005 at 9:54 AM | Comments (1)
Am I the only person that didn't know Toure' was straight?
Rita Nakouzi and Touré
By JUDY CANTOR NAVAS
S the sun started to set over Miami Beach on March 19, Rita Nakouzi, a consultant on fashion and lifestyle trends, and Touré, a writer and pop culture commentator, were married on the sand behind the Raleigh Hotel in the South Beach area.
"O.K., who's got the bling?" asked the Rev. Joseph Simmons, a Pentecostal minister, who was looking for the couple's wedding bands. Also called Reverend Run, he is best known as a member of the pioneering rap group Run-DMC. The crowd of 120 included his brother, the hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons; the CNN anchor Soledad O'Brien; and members of Miss Nakouzi's family, who had flown in from Beirut, Lebanon, where the bride was born.
Cultures melded as the couple jumped over a broomstick, an African-American tradition symbolizing the leap into a new life, then walked off to their reception where the sequined bra of a belly dancer sparkled as she performed with a sword. The guests ate tabbouleh and lobster. Gift bags contained a CD, heavy on Nina Simone and Stevie Wonder, and a T-shirt printed with the Arabic word for love.
"We fit very well together," said Touré, a correspondent for CNN and a contributing editor to Rolling Stone magazine. "She's somebody who can go with me from a 50 Cent concert to a Toni Morrison reading and be equally comfortable in both places."
The couple met more than four years ago at the Limelight, the former Chelsea nightclub, where Lenny Kravitz was shooting a music video. "I don't even like Lenny Kravitz," said Touré, 34, who uses only one name. "I don't know what I was doing there." But soon he spotted Miss Nakouzi, whom he assumed was Indian.
He introduced himself and told her, "It's funny I'm meeting you now because I'm reading 'Midnight's Children,' " the Salman Rushdie book.
"That's great," she replied. "But I'm not Indian."
Miss Nakouzi, now 29, said she was not turned off. "Here was a guy who was trying to tell me he was intelligent," she said. "Most men aren't trying to prove to you they're smart in their first comment." Touré was embarrassed but undaunted. He circled around for another attempt.
"I want your cellphone number, your work number, your address, your e-mail," he said.
Miss Nakouzi was impressed by his audacity, she recalled. "I thought he had the most beautiful eyes. And then I thought, 'He looks like he's 17. I'm not interested, but he's cute.' " Nevertheless, she wrote her number down. He called a few days later.
He earned more points on their first date when instead of arranging to meet her somewhere, he made the effort to come by to pick her up. "If you've dated enough in New York you become jaded, and you don't expect much from men," said Miss Nakouzi, who at 11 moved with her mother from Beirut to Connecticut and who now works in Manhattan for PromoStyl, a Paris-based fashion, design and lifestyle forecasting agency.
"Rita's very calm most of the time," Touré said. "She has standards; she wouldn't just go for anything, she demands integrity from me. And she 'gets' me, for the most part."
Touré grew up in Boston, attending Milton Academy and playing at what he described as a "ghetto tennis club." He left Emory University in his junior year for New York, having decided to become a writer "determined to expand the complexity of the discussion of black people." He refers to his novel "Soul City" (Little, Brown, 2004) as a kind of African-American magical realism.
"I don't really view the world with race in mind," Miss Nakouzi said. "When I first saw him I wasn't like 'That's a cute black guy.' That was a huge discussion between us in the way we viewed the world." She added, "I think we've both opened our eyes to different ways of looking at things."
They also began traveling the world together, something they both enjoy. After a vacation in Brazil in 2002 they started living together in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. Later, at a writers' conference in Jamaica, he introduced her to the crowd as the woman he was going to marry.
After the couple became engaged in September 2003, Miss Nakouzi said she and Touré had "an interesting conversation" about having children. "Touré said, 'You really need to know African-American culture because your kids will be black.' I said, 'Well, you should know about Lebanese culture because your kids will be Lebanese.' "
They took a trip to Beirut.
"It's different dating someone from another country until you go there and feel their country and their air," Touré said. "I saw people who meant a lot to her, saw the city she was born in, learned about customs she grew up valuing. I understood more about her and about true hospitality." He even impressed her family by learning some Arabic phrases.
At the wedding Miss Nakouzi wore a goddess-style gown from Carolina Herrera's spring collection. With flowers in her dark hair, the bride reminded one of Maria Callas.
Afterward, at the outdoor reception, which was lighted by tiki torches and blanketed in music by the New York D.J. Mark Ronson, the just-married couple hit the floor to the song "Milkshake," by the hip-hop artist Kelis. Later, the bride and bridegroom took turns shimmying with the belly dancer.
The couple's wedding program featured a page titled "Tomayto. Tomahto," on which the couple had listed some of their defining characteristics.
On the bride's side of the ledger were Blahniks, Real Madrid football, vegetarian. The bridegroom listed Nikes, Da Yankees, carnivore.
"They are different," said the writer and filmmaker Nelson George, Touré's best man. "That's why it's going to work."
(from the New York Times, apparently)
Posted by Rashid on at 9:52 AM | Comments (1)
Galleys, Bluelines, whatever they're called....
Well....here's the latest with the book.
On Wednesday, my book manufacturer sent me the "blueline proofs" of my novel. They're actually NOT blue. Yes, I am that ignorant, lol. I don't know why they're called bluelines. At any rate, it came in this unassuming FedEx envelope, and when I opened it, I saw a 356-page replica of how the novel is supposed to look on the inside. It looked great! Honestly, since I was responsible for the typesetting, there were no surprises. But I was surprised at how professional it looked. I mean.... I MADE IT! That's crazy. Something I did looks professional. Crazy.
The cover -- phenomenal. I've got to really give it up for my boy Neil Wade. He really came through for me. I think we were both worried about how it was going to come out, though. What you see on the screen always looks a little different than how it might look when it comes off the printer. But Mr. Wade showed off with that cover, front and back. I am so happy to know Neil, to be Neil's friend, and to now always have this bond with him because of this cover. My first novel, his first cover. Wow.
Even the bar code was on the cover, and it was perfect.
I'm an author, y'all. That shit is crazy.
I sent the proofs and corrections back via express mail. Yeah, I did have about 13 very small corrections that were completely my fault. You THINK you've done a good job with proofreading, and then you notice even more corrections that need to be made. But hey, at least I found them!
I'm excited. The only down side is that there's no way that the novel will be ready by March 31. I should know by Monday or Tuesday what the precise date will be that I get the novels from the book manufacturer. Once that happens, I will update the website and send out emails notifying everyone.
Special thanks to everyone who pre-ordered! Without your support, I wouldn't even have a novel to begin with.
That's all for now!
Posted by Rashid on March 26, 2005 at 6:22 PM | Comments (1)
Ooh La La
Posted by Rashid on at 12:51 PM | Comments (0)
Which Horror Movie Character Are You?
Posted by Rashid on March 25, 2005 at 4:04 PM | Comments (0)
Thursday, March 24 Round-Up
At UNC, Deltas and Zetas lead in service
The University’s Greek community continues to grow in scholarship, service and number, according to the fraternity and sorority report published Monday.The report, compiled every semester by the Office of Greek Affairs, documents grade point averages, service hours and levels of campus involvement among members of Greek organizations.
“As far as overall progress with Greek organizations goes, I’d say we’re definitely moving in the right direction,” said Jay Anhorn, director of Greek affairs.
Traditionally, he added, members of the Greek community have earned higher GPAs than non- Greek students.
Mr. and Ms Blue & White competition at Central Michigan
Detroit senior James Cooper and Belleville junior LaKishia Smith win the Mr. and Ms. Blue and White competition Friday evening in the Bovee University Center Rotunda. The competition, put on by Zeta Phi Beta and Phi Beta Sigma, was intended to celebrate the bond shared between two people.
Arkansas: Alpha Phi Alpha recognizes outstanding students, professionals
The Omicron Zeta Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. hosted its second annual Black and Gold Scholarship Ball on March 12 at the Clarion Inn in Fayetteville. The evening began with a cocktail hour followed by dinner and an awards presentation. Several local high school and college students were presented with Rodney Momon Scholarships, and Manuel Stuart Jr. received the Alpha Phi Alpha/Wal-Mart Information Systems Division’s $1,000 scholarship. Five local professionals were recognized with the Alpha Phi Alpha Torchbearer Award for their efforts to uplift the Northwest Arkansas community. They are Charlyn Jarrells Porter, Sheree Miller, Angela Monts, Gordan Morgan and Jeff Schomburger.
Murray State Alphas Host Non-Traditional Step Show
From blue men to Napoleon Dynamite, 10 teams participating in Alpha Step Show 2005 showcased their skills Wednesday in Lovett Auditorium.This year's Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity-sponsored show included the three traditional divisions: fraternities, sororities and independent teams.
In the sorority division, the members of Alpha Omicron Pi took first place, beating last year's champions and the 2005 second place winner, Alpha Sigma
Alpha. Phi Mu Alpha and Sigma Alpha Iota, the only two groups to enter the independent category, placed first and second, respectively.
Members of Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity placed first in the fraternity division, and Lambda Chi Alpha came in second.
"The competition was more competitive this year." John Jenkins, sophomore Alpha Sigma Phi stepper from Dixon, said. "There were much more difficult steps."
This is the third consecutive year Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity has won the event.
"It's like our dynasty." Jenkins said, acknowledging the contribution of all his fraternity brothers.
Dancing to songs like "Lean Back," "Da Dip," "One Two Step" and the "Macarena", each group performed its routine to the four judges and the audience, which nearly packed the auditorium.
The teams started preparing their routines for the annual event early in the semester, some cutting their winter breaks short to begin practicing.
Mandy Laszewski, freshman from Nashville, said the Alpha Sigma Alpha members had to go through an audition process, and practices started nearly two months prior to the show.
The step show is always well attended, and some students were standing outside Lovett two hours before the show began hoping to get a good seat in the auditorium, Laszewski said.
Although the crowd loved the routines, many members did not agree with the judges' decisions. As the winners were announced, many fans booed and walked out.
"Where I was sitting, everyone around seemed to have the same feelings as me because everyone was shocked about the winners, there were a lot of people cheering for (Alpha Gamma Delta)," Kyle Hoffman, freshman from Evansville, Ind., said.
Alpha Phi Alpha will donate the proceeds of the step show to the March of Dimes and some other charities.
Shreveport AKAs Host Cotillion
Classical English ivy and roses set the scene for the Sigma Rho Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Debutante Cotillion on Saturday at Scottish Rite Temple.Twenty-two debutantes made formal bows to society at the affair.
The theme "Cultural Pearls Precious and Rare."
Each debutante wore white, formal-length gowns, 16-button gloves and carried a nosegay of pink roses entwined with baby's breath and English ivy. Each received a gift of pearls from her sponsor.
As part of the cotillion festivities, the debutantes did the minuet with their fathers and escorts, a section choreographed by Luther Cox.
The evening was the culmination of months of dedication from the young women. They participated in sessions focused on education, culture, social etiquette, volunteerism and leadership.
Warner Robins, GA, AKAs help students improve reading skills
WARNER ROBINS - He leans over the story titled "Dino chick luck" that he just finished writing."It has duck feet, a chick body and a dinosaur head," said Parkwood Elementary School third-grader Daimonian Seburn, of the main character in his short story where "Dino chick luck" is chastised for being different, but in the end, saves all the farm animals. "I just thought of it."
Getting practice reading and writing should help this 9-year-old prepare for life skills and the upcoming Criterion Referenced Competency Tests, a state test to measure academic performance given to all students in mid-April.
If third-graders don't pass the reading section, they don't get promoted to fourth grade.
This concern had the Warner Robins chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha volunteering each week to help some at-risk students at Parkwood become more fluent readers.
Each Tuesday, after this group of about 10 women get off their day jobs - some as teachers and others as Robins Air Force Base workers - they head to Parkwood.
Central Michigan Sigma Gamma Rhos Host Money Management Seminar
Dr. George Ross, vice president of Finance and Administrative Services, speaks to students and members of Sigma Gamma Rho about money management Tuesday evening.
Vacaville, CA Deltas Teach Teens About HIV/AIDS
The prescription for success often includes a dose of reality. And about 75 young students got just that Saturday at the HIV/AIDS Awareness Teen Forum at Solano Community College.A personal appearance by an AIDS sufferer, a video of a 15-year-old who is HIV-positive, and several workshops brought the facts and figures of the diseases closer to home.
"If we reach one person today, it was valuable," said volunteer Denise Johnson.
The five-hour forum was all about education, said Eva Coley, president of the local Delta Sigma Theta, one of the event sponsors.
"We feel we can make people more aware of what's going on by helping the young people make proper decisions," Coley said.
HIV/AIDS is typically a topic students won't discuss with parents, she added.
"It's not an easy subject to talk about," Coley said.
Students needed to realize they aren't immune, added Renee Smith, health educator for Solano County Health and Social Services.
"Young people don't ever feel like they are at risk for anything," Smith said. "And it's important that they're not walking around in an 'I don't know world' today. They have no excuse not to have the information. In order for them to make better choices, they have to be informed and it's our responsibility to give them that."
"They think it's OK to have unprotected sex, that they'll live forever," Johnson added. "That nothing is going to harm them."
It helped having AIDS victim Deborah McCartney speak Saturday, said Coley. McCartney caught AIDS from her ex-husband, and speaks openly to adults and youth.
"I think it helps to hear it from someone who has the disease," Coley said. "I would hear kids going up to her and saying, 'Your story was awesome.' They pay attention."
The students came from throughout the county, said volunteer Valerie Roberts-Gray, who sent announcements to various middle and high schools and churches.
Donneisha Menisee, 13, learned that AIDS "doesn't discriminate. It doesn't care if you're black, white, fat or skinny. It doesn't matter."
Chris Efe, 16, walked away with a better understanding of the disease.
"I learned that you can get it no matter what sex, color or weight you are and that the best way to avoid it is abstinence and using proper judgment," Efe said.
Posted by Rashid on March 24, 2005 at 5:55 AM | Comments (0)
*smh*
Posted by Rashid on March 23, 2005 at 9:38 AM | Comments (4)
Georgetown Hunger Strike
Below are some articles about a hunger strike which is in its EIGHTH DAY at Georgetown.
Georgetown Living Wage Coalition Website: http://studentorgs.georgetown.edu/solidarity/lw/main.html
Hunger Strike at Georgetown in Eighth Day
Updated: Tuesday, Mar. 22, 2005 - 2:42 PM
WASHINGTON - A hunger strike is in its eighth day at Georgetown University, as students continue to demand a living wage for university workers.
Students reaffirmed their intention at a noontime rally Tuesday to shun food until cafeteria, custodial and security workers are paid a living wage of about $14 an hour. The range now is from about $7 to just over $11 an hour.
Students say they don't buy the university's contention that little can be done.
Students began Tuesday's rally with a weigh in. Rally organizers say total weight loss has been 270 pounds. One student has been hospitalized since the hunger strike began, but organizers say the student is fine.
A university spokeswoman says Georgetown plans to increase wages to $14 an hour by July 2007, but can't do it immediately because it's not budgeted, and to do so could negatively impact services.
D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton expressed solidarity with students, and told them she was proud of the stand they were taking. Norton, who teaches at Georgetown, promised to talk with the school president.
(Copyright 2005 by WTOP Radio and The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Washington (AP) - Some students at Georgetown University have been on a hunger strike the past eight days demanding a living wage for university workers.
At a noontime rally, students reaffirmed their intention to shun food until cafeteria, custodial and security workers are paid a living wage of about $14 an hour. The range now is from about $7 to just over $11.
Students say they don't buy the university's contention that little can be done about the salary range.
Students began Tuesday's rally with a weigh-in. Rally organizers say total weight loss has been 270 pounds. One student has been hospitalized since the hunger strike began - but organizers say the student is fine.
D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton is among those attending the rally in an area known as Red Square. Norton, who teaches at Georgetown, told a noon-time rally that she was proud of the students taking a stand. She promised to talk with the president of Georgetown.
TM & ©2005 WJLA/NewsChannel 8, a division of Allbritton Communications Company
March 22
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2005/03/22/hunger
Going Hungry at Georgetown
A showdown appears to be looming in a weeklong standoff at Georgetown University over wages for janitors and other contracted workers.
About 25 members of a student group known as the Georgetown Living Wage Coalition raised the stakes a week ago in the lengthy dispute with university administrators by beginning a hunger strike. The students acted after a university committee let pass a March 14 deadline the coalition had imposed for Georgetown to commit to paying a “living wage” to campus workers.
The coalition had proposed that Georgetown approve a plan to raise the wage it pays janitors and other contract workers to $14.93 an hour (from the current $11.33) by July. But on March 14, Spiros Dimolitsas, a senior vice president at the university, proposed instead that Georgetown raise the wage to $13 an hour by this July and increase it each year through 2008, to an eventual total of $14 an hour. Students rejected the university’s proposal; based on the cost of living in Washington, the students wrote in a response to Dimolitsas’s proposal, “$14 an hour is not a living wage now and it will not be a living wage in 2008.”
That evening, 25 members of the group vowed that they would “not consume food again until this university has accepted all of our demands by adopting a Living Wage policy based firmly on costs of living in DC.” When not in class or working, the protesting students and their supporters gather in several tents set up on a campus square, and they have received significant attention from the news media.
Liam Stack, a junior who is a spokesman for the student group, says that one of the students gave up his hunger strike after he was hospitalized because of a loss of vision. “He doesn’t have health insurance, so he couldn’t afford to continue,” says Stack, who adds that the protester was replaced by another student.
A spokeswoman for Georgetown, Julie Green Bataille, said the university is “committed to providing a fair and competitive compensation system for all workers,” including those, like janitors, who work on contracts. But she said raising the wage abruptly as the students wish would result in “wage compression” that could force layoffs of the “very contract workers” the students are trying to help.
Bataille said a university committee that is due to meet today is likely to recommend that administrators adopt the plan to raise the wage to $14 by 2008. Bataille said Georgetown officials could adopt the wage increase by as soon as the middle of next week.
Leaders of the protest say the university’s adoption of its plan will not end the hunger strike.
But Georgetown may turn up the heat on Tuesday, Bataille suggested. She noted that the university had sent the students e-mails on Monday explaining the health risks of a water-only diet, and urging them at least to drink juice.
The e-mail message from James Welch, a student health administrator, asked them to visit Welsh Monday afternoon to assure him that they were ingesting more than water. “If I do not hear from you,” Welch wrote, “I will assume that you are participating in the hunger strike and ingesting only water, and I will make recommendations to the vice president of student affairs to address my concerns about your dangerous activities.”
Bataille said that the university officials have the authority, in those rare instances when they believe students may be putting themselves in danger, “to put them on leave as students and encourage them to seek medical attention.” She said she did not believe that action would be necessary, because “most of the students are telling us that they’re taking juice.”
— Doug Lederman
washingtonpost.com
GU Activists Go Hungry To Help Janitors
By Sudarsan Raghavan
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, March 21, 2005; Page B01
Inside a white bubble tent, in the heart of Georgetown University, Diane Foglizzo, a brown-haired, strong-willed senior, is on the sixth day of her hunger strike. She said she's lost 10 pounds on a meager diet of water and orange juice. Another student activist, weakened by hunger, was rushed to the hospital Saturday.
But Foglizzo looked neither exhausted nor worried yesterday. She and her comrades were making buttons and preparing protest plays, their bodies seemingly nourished by their cause.
It's a cause unlike those of previous generations of campus activists, who've protested against the Vietnam War, apartheid in South Africa, Asian sweatshops and the war in Iraq. Foglizzo is starving herself for those closer to home: Georgetown University's janitors.
"These are people we see everyday, who make it possible for us to go to class," said Foglizzo, 21, who is majoring in culture and politics. "We can affect their lives directly now."
She and 24 other Georgetown students participating in the hunger strike want to boost hourly salaries and job and wage security for the university's 450 contract employees, mostly custodial, food service and security workers.
The workers receive on average $11.33 an hour, which includes wages and health benefits, a Georgetown spokeswoman said.
The activists said that is not enough. They want the university to put in place a plan that will pay workers "a living wage" of $13.95 to $14.93 an hour by July.
"The main demand is that Georgetown commit to paying its workers a wage that allows them to support their families with one fulltime job," said Liam Stack, a senior majoring in Muslim-Christian relationships.
Stack added that 143 workers at the university hired by contractors are paid less than the living wage, along with 25 hired directly by the university.
Georgetown officials said they are committed to fairly compensating the university's workers. An advisory committee is weighing a proposal by Georgetown Senior Vice President Spiros Dimolitsas to phase in wage increases to a minimum of $14 an hour by summer 2007.
After that, wages would increase annually, taking into account inflation. In all, it would cost the university nearly $550,000 over the next two years.
If $14.93 was set as the minimum hourly wage right away for all its workers, including its 4,500 direct employees, it would add $1.8 million annually to the university budget, said Julie Green Bataille, a university spokeswoman.
Student activists said money should not be an issue. The university, they noted, raised $15 million for a new boathouse on the Potomac and is seeking $120 million for a business school.
"When we want to build a boathouse, we find the money," said Mike Wilson, a hunger striker who was taken to the hospital with vision problems. "This is enough of a priority to find the money."
Started by two students three years ago, the campaign has grown into Georgetown Living Wage Coalition. Its Web site is studentorgs.georgetown.edu/solidarity/lw/.
In addition to those on hunger strike, about 15 students keep the tent tidy, provide medical support and try to attract media attention.
Some have campaigned for global causes but said they feel more fulfillment fighting for the rights of those in their immediate community.
"It's almost hypocritical to be helping other people around the world and turn a blind eye to the problems of people here on campus," said Gladys Cisneros, 22, a graduate student in Latin American studies.
For the past five months, Jonathan Garcia, 20, has worked as a janitor on the night shift. His brother and mother work there, too. He said he receives $9.05 an hour, excluding benefits, which is not enough for him to quit his second job. "I appreciate what they are doing," said Garcia, who is from El Salvador. "They're trying to help us get paid a bit more. They are nice students."
The activists also teach English to the janitors during lunch breaks. They've organized picnics for the workers and their families. The workers, in turn, have brought water with vitamins for the hunger strikers and have attended protest rallies.
"We're getting to see the full impact of the work we are doing," said Janessa Landeck, 22, a senior. "We're helping them organize themselves."
Cisneros said she's noticed a difference in the workers.
"They feel empowered and emboldened," she said. "They are no longer looking behind their backs to see if the manager is looking."
In recent days, the activists have attracted support from some influential corners. Last week, AFL-CIO President John J. Sweeney released a statement applauding the hunger strike campaign. And some faculty members have shown support.
So have students at other universities. Stack said their peers at Swarthmore, Cornell, University of Wisconsin at Madison and American University, as well as some Georgetown students and alumni overseas, have gone on "solidarity fasts" to support the effort.
University officials, however, said they are concerned about the students. They've sent letters to the parents of the activists urging them to persuade their children to start eating.
It hasn't worked. "My mother told me the letter was outrageous and out of line," Foglizzo said.
When asked how long she plans to starve herself, she replied:
"Until we have a living wage."
Staff writers Maureen Fan and Susan Kinzie contributed to this report.
Posted by Rashid on March 22, 2005 at 5:45 PM | Comments (2)
Line 99: Vidal Perez
I just wanted to announce (for those of you who didn’t know) that Pledgeline 99 of the Mu Alpha Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega was initiated at Georgetown University this past Saturday night. It was my honor to welcome these fourteen new Brothers into our beloved fraternity.
This line was dedicated to our fallen Brother Vidal Perez. Many alumni came back to Mu Alpha Weekend to teach the new brothers about the life and legacy of Vidal. Because this line was dedicated to Vidal, not only will he live on in the hearts of those who knew him, but now those who didn’t know him.
As Mu Alpha Chapter approaches our 50th Anniversary in Spring 2006, I am pleased to report that even after all these years, APO remains one of the most diverse and inclusive organizations at Georgetown. Without APO, I would have never known Vidal – and probably wouldn’t be as comfortable with myself as I am now.
Posted by Rashid on at 10:59 AM | Comments (1)
Still sore.
Well, I got up Saturday morning and finally started packing. I think I was more motivated to pack because I had less to try and stuff into my bag. (Mental note: I really need to get one of those suitcases on wheels.) Got me a cab, and I was on my way to Georgetown to help celebrate the transition of pledgeline 99 to LINE 99 of the Elite Mu Alpha Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega.
Why did my cab driver want to talk my ear off? He was some West African chap who wanted to start venting about how other cab drivers don't know those standard rules about cab stands any more and how unfair it is that cabs don't stop for black men. I am like dude -- this is a reality for me and I'd rather not get riled up about it. But he wouldn't stop yapping, so at least I was able to guide the coversation to a different topic -- gentrification. He was just as riled up about that, but at least he wasn't pissin' me off.
I got to Georgetown and was able to immediately speak to the pledges (God bless deference). I think I did an okay job. Most of the Brothers there seemed happy to see me, which was nice, and the majority of the undergrads knew and were excited about LAZARUS. I found out that a few more of them attended the event at AU that I was too sick to go to myself, so I felt so bad, but then they told me they didn't want me to feel bad since it was beyond my control. I passed out a few postcards to anybody who asked about the novel, but I didn't want to seem like a shameless self-promoter. I DID forget to leave a bunch of postcards in the APO office though. But word of mouth is amazing.
After the pledges...well, after they stopped being pledges, me and Jimi (who I had met up with by then) went to the Leavey Center for a meeting with the alums who were working on the chapter history book. I signed up for research because it is way easier for me to devote a day in the library ahead of time and know exactly what to look for than to be responsible for writing a chapter and being subject to deadlines and revisions and what not. Research is tough, but I like it, and that way I can learn without hazing to write. You'd think I'd really WANT to write, but this coming year is going to be hellish -- I'd rather not let the chapter suffer because I'm too busy.
After the meeting, me and Jimi went to Wisey's, but first stopped at the Black House to say what's up to our girl Erin. She was doing well, of course. While there, I got a phone call from one of my old school APO Brothers from Howard. He pledged in the early 60's and we've been phone/email friends since I was the sponsor of the group that rechartered his chapter. So I am like OH LAWD this man has read the ebook and hates it!
Of course, the opposite was true! HE LOVED IT! I was so happy that he did. We chatted for a bit about some elements of the plot. Surprisingly (to me) he was able to relate to the Greekness of it. I really thought that perhaps the pledging aspects of the novel were too "new school" for someone of his era to identify with, but clearly I was wrong. That really brightened my weekend to know that he enjoyed it so much. And he thought it was funny, too!
So we went to Wisey's then came back so I could get some sushi from the Leavey Center. We also did some shopping in the bookstore and I bought me a nice oversized Georgetown Alumni sweatshirt. THEN we finally went back to the hotel, ate, talked, laughed, and watched wrestling.
Sidebar: Why da hell is wrestling so gay? Like, that sport is GAY! And it ain't just the uniforms, man. It's the grabbing and groping and humping.
A few hours later, we had changed into our grown up clothes and headed back to campus for the initiation. We had a slight mix-up with one of the visiting brothers who looked strangely like one of Jimi's line mates. Also, me and Jimi both forgot our life member pins. :-( That's probably the first time I've forgotten to wear my pin to an initiation since I've become an alum.
So the 14 members of Line 99 crossed and then we partied. I got to see a lot of people I hadn't seen in a long time! Pontip, Carmen, GLoria, Corrine, Elena, and three of my line mates AND my old pledgemaster and many more -- it was so good seeing them all.
This line was dedicated to Vidal Perez, who was murdered in New York. He was a Brother on Line 81. I think all the neos really have a good sense of who he was due to so many alums coming back to talk about him.
After the party began the search for a hip-hop party (read: Black People Party). Well, our capable undergraduate, Rashad, was absolutely no help. LOL jk....it's just that none of the parties he helped us find weren't really satisfying our needs. So he went home and we (Jimi, Kendall, Pontip, and I) moseyed back to the main gates (stopping at the Black House again, at which everyone was asleep or gone). We said farewell to Kendall and Pontip and then went to the APO afterparty, which was at the pledgemaster's house. SURPRISINGLY, the music was hot, way better than at the actual formal. So I was happy. I got my dance on and chilled on the couch with Sal, Juan, Marco(s?), and a few others. It was cool seeing everybody -- hadn't seen Sal and Juan in years!
Juan gave me and Jimi a ride back to the hotel and we soon fell asleep. Next morning, I was the first one up as usual, and by quarter to eleven, I was on my way back home. Now, had I gone STRAIGHT HOME I wouldn't have spent more money than I wanted to. But noooooo I had to stop at Borders Books and Music and pick up a book and some DVDs. But I guess I deserve to treat myself....I don't really get the chance to go out too often (too busy, too tired) so I've got to plan for my entertainment somehow. I'll talk about what I bought in a future entry.
But then I went and picked up more sushi for lunch (I still had a craving for it). I got California Rolls and something called a Rainbow Roll, which was pretty good. But really, if you dip it in the soy sauce, it all tastes the same, LOL. Except Philadelphia Rolls, which I also like.
Then I came home and was still busy with some other things! Sheesh! I barely got a chance to talk to my friend...uh...dang, no code name as of yet. He actually text messaged me on Saturday night, which I thought was sweet. We played phone tag after that. Sunday, we spoke, and I think I said something to him that came out more harshly that I meant it to....we were talking about something that I can't even remember presently, and he was giving me all sorts of ideas, suggestions, advice...and I just said "I'm not looking for advice, I'm just telling you how I think my week will go." Which was true, but I know he was only trying to be helpful because he cared. And let's be honest -- I only got irritated because I can't take what I dish. I am ALWAYS trying to be helpful to somebody else, but when the shoe is on the other foot, I'd rather work out my own problems.
I need to work on that. Not only can I not do it all by myself, I've got to let other people provide me their perspectives sometimes. ESPECIALLY people that care about me.
And now, today, I will be at home. I've got a lot domestic things to do today and I also STILL have yet to return a lot of emails...sheesh!
I hope everyone else had a great weekend. Enjoy the week ahead!
Posted by Rashid on March 21, 2005 at 7:29 AM | Comments (0)
Up and At 'Em
I don't know if my depression was acting up yesterday or what, but I woke up SO not feeling like doing anything. My plan was to go out and do some things and begin a semi-long weekend on yesterday. But I just didn't feel up to it.
Today, though, I am reinvigorated (though it seems like my allergies are acting up -- it's always something, right?) I am looking forward to seeing the folks I want to see, taking plenty of pictures, promoting LAZARUS, and maybe even scoring a few sales.
I still haven't packed yet though, LOL
Posted by Rashid on March 19, 2005 at 8:19 AM | Comments (1)
Death of a True Idol (By Meghan Barr, Cornell Daily Sun)
Sometimes, somebody else's words more than suffice. Thanks for letting me repost this, Meghan!
Death of a True Idol
No Holds Barred
March 17, 2005
Meghan Barr
The world stopped spinning on Monday when I logged onto CNN.com and discovered that Mario Vasquez, my curly-haired favorite contender on American Idol, had left the show due to "personal reasons." There it was, breaking news, right next to a report about the Iraq National Assembly. I couldn't believe it.
With the exception of the snow, my life since February has largely been defined by episodes of American Idol. I spend the vacuous stretches of time between episodes eating, sleeping and discussing the previous night's performances. But mostly I'm just waiting for the next show to begin.
I discovered Mario way back when nobody knew him. I mean nobody. Before fans like me, he was nothing but a Justin Guarini clone from the Bronx. So perhaps Mario should have considered the "personal" feelings of his legions of devoted fans when he abruptly skipped out of the competition without so much as a goodbye kiss.
I have compiled a list of important Mario stats for the idiots who never got to know him the way I did. Full name: Mario Vasquez. Age: 27. Audition city: Las Vegas. Nickname: Poopie. The neighborhood friends who came up with that nickname must have known instinctively that Mario was destined for greatness.
False rumors have swirled about his unexpected departure all week. I, along with fellow members of the Mario Vasquez LiveJournal team, have carefully employed scientific methods in order to disprove each theory.
Rumor #1: Mario has family problems. Anyone who watched the show would know that Mario and his mom, Ada, are really, really close. She made him sing when he was really little, even when he didn't feel like it, because she knew that he was talented. She even drove him to the audition in Las Vegas, which is a really long drive from New York. When the New York Post asked her about Mario's decision to quit, she admitted that she didn't even know the real reason. "I don't know. This is all news to me. He's a beautiful kid, he's very humble. I hope he has much success and much health."
Rumor #2: Mario will testify in the Michael Jackson case. Okay, people are only saying this because they're jealous. Mario displays the same type of raw talent that Michael Jackson had before all the plastic surgery. So he sang backup on a couple of Jacko's songs. That makes him 90 percent cooler and NOT a child molester.
Rumor #3: Mario is featured in a gay porn magazine. Just because Mario wears fedora hats and jean suits does not mean that he's gay. What about Justin Timberlake? Is he gay too? To the great relief of the online Mario community, our hero appeared on Tuesday's episode of Live With Regis and Kelly and cleared the air about the rumors. "I felt the competition wasn't right for me, and it's like ... you fall in love, and just for some reason after a while you don't understand why you're falling out of love," he explained.
The poetic nature of his answer really showcases Mario's artistic soul. Of course he couldn't give a literal answer: he lives according to the impulses of his heart. The only antidote to my grief, however, arrived in the form of Mario's fan websites. My compatriots expressed their angst much better than I could have:
"Mario is gone! I hate American Idol Season 4! I am soooo glad Nikko is back but I wonder what happened to make Mario drop out! He knew he won! Hehehe! Why not someone who sucked??? I feel horrible!!!!! I seriously don't know how much I want to watch the rest of the season anymore!!!!!!!"
Mario had a coalition of dedicated voters ready to fight till the death to make him the next American Idol. We shared a common cause. We fought bravely, side by side, regardless of race or gender. We voted together and cried together. Just before Mario left the competition forever, I discovered a heartbreaking online posting from a true believer:
"We are voting A TON ... but like in the Constantine community there is a crapload of members and they are voting like crazy. You know what I mean? We gotta keep the pride up guys! Let's get more members and post more often and VOTE TONS! I'm going to be making some banners and more icons soon that I will post! Keep the faith!!!!!!!"
Spoken too soon, my friend. She kept the porch light burning, but for what? Rejection by her idol?
Anyway, all I'm saying is that Mario totally would have won the competition, no doubt about it. That's all I've got right now. After Spring Break I might have a new favorite Idol, but the forecast does not look good.
Meghan Barr is a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences. She can be contacted at mtb28@cornell.edu. No Holds Barred appears Thursdays.
Posted by Rashid on March 17, 2005 at 11:57 AM | Comments (0)
And now for something completely different:
Ladies and Gentlemen, a Monchhichi:
And another:
Thank you. That is all.
Posted by Rashid on at 7:25 AM | Comments (6)
A much needed novel update
Well.....I can tell you now, the book is undoubtedly a few weeks behind schedule.
Before I offer the explanation, I want to extend my apologies FIRST. I apologize that we will likely not be able to make the March 31 deadline. I will widely distribute the new print date as soon as I speak with my printer today.
March 31 was the day I estimated that the novel would be ready from the printer based on a lot of factors, including finances, internal design, and cover design. Surprisingly enough, the finances were there! Although the pre-order sale was not nearly as successful as I wanted it to be, I got enough pre-orders to fund part of the production costs of the novel. One hundred percent of the pre-orders went to paying the printer. No profit so far. But it's all good, because that's the point of self-publishing (for me) -- I'm not trying to get rich, I am trying to start a career.
The internal design took a weeeee bit longer than I had hoped, mostly because I was typesetting it myself and at the last minute, realized that I didn't have all of the necessary software. I obtained it though, and that maybe only put me a few days behind schedule.
The big problem was cover design. Neil, my cover designer, whom I love and is a great friend, is a first-time cover designer. And that's fine, because I am a first time novelist. We had some major problems with the cover, y'all. If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't have cut it so close to the deadline -- there were times that I wasn't putting pressure on Neil like I should have -- time where it would have helped if he knew what kind of pressure I was under, but because I was so busy, I just let things be. Another thing that hurt us was Neil's travel schedule -- I'd asked me before to let me know when he would be out of town, or else I would assume he was available. So, sometimes when I needed him, he'd be away for days and days and I'd just be stuck. And the man is in Japan, so we're already on a huge time difference.
BUT, everything is done now. The cover is done (unless the printer tells me otherwise), the ISBN number is ready, the bar code is ready, all the internal info is ready, it just needs to be physically printed, and that takes time. I do have a few concerns with the current levels of communication with my printer, but I am confident in them. They've really been working with me.
Again, once I have a firm date from the printer today, I will widely distribute the final date.
Just wanted to give you all an update! LAZARUS will still happen!
Posted by Rashid on at 7:07 AM | Comments (0)
As usual...
As usual, my day wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be.
I wish I wasn't so....wound up sometimes. I need a valium or something every now and then.
So I went to work (after calling Shari to vent, lol). I was like oh hell no, I can't believe they bamboozled me into this gig. I saw a few of my homies and they were like oh lawd, not Miss _____'s class, but they thought I would be fine.
Went to the playground to pick them up and I had the ill ice grill on. I was also wearing my blue army fatigue jacket. I only wear it because I think it's cute, but recently I began to think that the kids found it a little irreverent and menacing at the same time.
I brought the kids to the room and sat them down in their little sharing circle and said "Listen up. All I have to say is that I am NOT Miss _____ and I wil fuck you up." Sike, LOLOLOL I ain't say that. But I did tell them that I wasn't Miss _____ and they wouldn't be getting away with the things she might let them get away with. And oh yeah, I never smiled. Never smiling REALLY works.
Amazingly -- there were nearly silent for the whole first hour! I had some issues with one little annoying prick all day, but it wasn't as bad as the two boys who were conspicuously absent. Turns out that one was on In School Suspension and the other was transferred, so I was like HOLLA!!! We got through the first three hours of school without incident and then we made it to lunch.
During my lunch time, I planned on making some calls to my printer, who I haven't heard from since last week, but I got hung up with the first graders. The first grade teachers sorta made me choreograph part of their performance for next month's PTA meeting. They are gonna recite some poems, sing a song, and they really want to step a little bit. I was like cool, I can help with that. Shooooot, these MY babies, they already know a few chants! lol
After lunch, the kids had music, so I had even more time. I ended writing some notes on a future novel I am in the process of outlining. Then, I went back to first grade -- they are so calming, yo. And one of my little favorites is STILL adorable and I STILL want to adopt him, lol.
I was kinda mad at the kids during the last hour of school -- it's really a pet peeve when kids can't just FUCKING SHUT UP AND MAKE A STRAIGHT LINE in the hallway. So I had to send one to another classroom because a few of the kids were identifying him as a trouble maker. It's possible the kids were just picking on him, but hey, three kids against one -- as a teacher, I have to go with the credible reports, not the lone denial. And by sending him to another class, even if he wasn't in the wrong (unlikely) at least he gets a break.
I think I messed up, though. I gave that same kid's mother (who picked him up from the classroom after school) one of the spare Robery Dension/Sunpiper reviews that I had on me. I left my LAZARUS postcards at home, so I didn't have anything else to give her. I dunno....I mentioned that I was coming out with a novel, she said she was an avid reader, so it couldn't hurt to promote myself, right? On one hand, that's another potential sale, but on another, that's a parent (another one) who has the potential to lead a witch hunt against me.
Oh well, it's done now.
So all in all, work was good, and I wouldn't mind going back in today, although I haven't gotten the call yet. On the other hand, I still have lots to do and a hair appointment this afternoon. Which reminds me, I really also need to get a shave from the barber next door to the salon. DAMN it be some fine dudes in the barbershop.
And tomorrow, I go away for a few nights. Because of potential stalkers, I won't tell y'all where til I get back, LOL. Don't worry, it's not a book signing or anything!
Posted by Rashid on at 6:47 AM | Comments (0)
St. Patrick's Day Round-Up
Tech students are reflecting on the life of deceased student Jamal Duke. Duke passed away shortly before spring break. He was a member of the fraternity Phi Beta Sigma.
ASA was at the stroll, bitch! (See March 10 Round-Up for related story)
When reading Monday's article on the lack of a crowd at the stroll-off I was a little upset. Two members of Alpha Sigma Alpha- the only two who signed up for the event- Shovonne Woods and myself, were there and on time.In fact, we were one of the first people through the doors. I did not spend my time doing this for nothing, I had planned on strolling that Friday evening, so I went to the union, while there I saw no Daily Eastern News writer, and she obviously did not see me.
After arriving at the stroll-off, just goofing around, I strolled with a member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. I could roll off a list of names as to who was there and who wasn't there, but I won't.
Woods and myself were the only people there representing any PanHellenic Council sorority on this campus and there were no Inter-fraternity Council Fraternities scheduled to be there. Alpha Sigma Alpha may not have the largest sorority on campus, but we promote unity like no one else.
I can honestly say that we have had at least one member at almost every National PanHellenic Council sponsored event this year, no matter what it was. Alpha Sigma Alpha was in attendance of the stroll off, and will proudly support every NPHC event now and forever.
Attorney Downs empowers students during program (Southern Deltas)
"My job is to help the defendant understand his or her options," said Attorney Beverly Robinson-Downs at the "Women in Public Service" program, held at Southern University for Black History Month.The program was hosted by the Association of Women Students and the Motivational speaker Series Committee and included Downs as well as Senator Sharon Weston-Broome, D-Baton Rouge, Judge Yvette Alexander and Baton Rouge Councilwoman Lorri Burgess.
Downs is an Assistant Public Defender for the East Baton Rouge Parish. She is a graduate of the Southern University Laboratory School, Newcomb College, Tulane University and the Southern University Law Center. She is a Golden Life Member Of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and presently serves as Second Vice President of the Baton Rouge Delta chapter.
She is also a member of the LaCapitale chapter of the Links, Inc., Flower Lover's Garden Guild and the Baton Rouge Association of Women Attorneys. Downs has no problem relinquishing her services to all SU students.
"If you're downtown and I hope your not, pull my coattail and let me know your are a Southern University student."
AWS Vice President, Tuere Davis found Downs and the other speakers to be very inspirational.
"They spoke about perseverance and their strength in God. It's good to know you have strong black leaders to look to as role models."
Posted by Rashid on at 6:22 AM | Comments (0)
damn them
This one bitch that calls from my school NEVER tells me what class they need me for until after I confirm that I am available. I should have known when the broad called that she was going to shaft me with a bad class AND SHE DID. UGH!!!! I usually ask HER which class I'm subbing for before I confirm because honestly, when it comes to a day's pay, I'd much rather lose out than be stressed out. And that's the God's honest truth.
But I didn't ask her which class because I was sort of "on call" for another teacher there who was supposed to be out either today or tomorrow. So I just KNEW that was the teacher I'd be in for.
These motherfuckers have placed me with one of the few classes worse than the one I left! UGGGHHH!!!!! UGH UGH UGH!
Fuck three strikes....these little bastards will get one strike before I send them out. I am not dealing with any bullshit today. I already fell asleep in a bad mood and I wake up to this same shifty bitch calling my house and (as usual) not being upfront about where they need me. The other lady that calls knows that my preference is with primary grades and sixth grade.
I KNOW it seems like I am just being picky, but god dammit I am sick of trying to teach these little hellions who only get half raised by their parents.
It's not because this is an urban school -- it's because I KNOW THEM.
Posted by Rashid on March 16, 2005 at 7:12 AM | Comments (1)
damn
so sensitive......
damn it
Posted by Rashid on March 15, 2005 at 10:39 PM
ho...hum...
Well, I got a good night's sleep, I guess. I'm pretty sure I got eight hours. Maybe a little less because I woke up at 3am and took a pee and checked email.
I work today. I haven't worked in a minute! I've been taking time to SERIOUSLY work on LAZARUS to ensure that it comes out on time. We've had a few snags with the cover design but nothing that my highly capable designer couldn't handle.
I'm not really looking forward to work, though. I mean, I am, but I'm not. I am because I'll get to see a few co-worker/friends that I miss. And I'll probably be entertained by the sixth graders. It's funny how the fourth and fifth graders SUCK but the sixth graders this year are pretty mellow. But I'm NOT looking forward to it because I am soooooo used to doing my own thing now. Working on LAZARUS during the day, I can take me a nice nap at around 2 or 3, make phone calls, work in absolute silence if I want. At work, I will immediately have three solid hours to fill. God willing, they will have a special class in the morning, but you know it rarely works out that way. I will probably also have to do recess duty. I hope not! But it's a possibility.
I will do my best to stop bitching and just do it, though. I can be a little....bitchy at times, I guess. Maybe not bitchy, but I use this diary to vent somewhat. So maybe I come off as a complainer.
Oh, who am I kidding, I complain like shit. But I like to think maybe I am a little more gracious in real life.
Instant connections....developing connections....yeah, all of that. It's nice to feel at ease with someone, doesn't it? The only thing that would feel better would be proximity.
I got an email from Maya's mom on Saturday night....whoa, I wasn't expecting that. This is a really strong, really phenomenal lady, as are her daughters.
I also get emails from Vidal's friends, too. Maya and Vidal were so loved...so loved.
This weekend, many of Vidal's Alpha Phi Omega Brothers will converge upon Georgetown in celebration of the 99th pledgeline of Mu Alpha chapter. (Technically the 97th line to actually cross.) This line was dedicated to Vidal, so I am really excited to see them "shine" this weekend -- they they BETTER shine! "Miss Thang" would have nothing less!
Okay, time to shower. Have a great week everyone!
Posted by Rashid on March 14, 2005 at 6:41 AM | Comments (0)
I'm Jay-Z!
JAY-Z: H to the IZZO, V to the IZZAY. You are most
definitely doin' your thang, whatever it may
be. You stay at the top of your game, are
number one at what you do, and get respect for
that. You are a hard worker, but can set your
priorities straight, leavin' a little chill
time for yourself, your girl/boy, or your
people. People find you attractive because of
your mindset and how you carry yourself. But
watch that mouth. You might find yourself in
one or more feuds because of it.
Which member of the Roc-A-Fella family are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
Posted by Rashid on March 12, 2005 at 9:17 PM | Comments (0)
Ridiculous
So yes, I have an ad on Adam4Adam. I thought it would be fun....might even help promote my novel. So far, it's kinda working. Most people usually ask me about it and I direct them to the site. Those people are cool.
Then there are the people who post nekkid pics of their weiners and buns. I don't respond to those guys.
THEN there are the people who send me smutty messages and expect me to respond!!!! This post is dedicated to the most ridiculous messages I've gotten through these sites.
43 in Motgomery County: dam and your cute everyday smile would love to see u naked
40 in DC: I am new to DC and interested in connecting with another brotha. I am masc and college educated working towards a PhD degree...I am interested. Get back with me.
This could have been a winner had his schlong not been prominently displayed in his profile!
32 in Takoma Park: wassup baby boi
What the hell??? That had no punctuation AND his profile showed his schlong. Gross!
45 in Philadelphia: wassup man im an attractive inshape professional brother with many talents.. glad to send u pics drop me an email address
You are 45. You could be my dad. Perv!
21 in PG County: Sup From Oxon Hill MD 21 Yrs Old 5'10 145 Brownskin Light To Dark Browneyes Bi On DL Vers. Hit Me Up On Yahoo Messenger At *****@yahoo.com AIM *****@aol.com Or MSN Messenger *****@hotmail.com
It wouldn't be so bad if he hadn't just copied and pasted his profile into a message. Some originality, please? Don't be lazy.
42 in Raleigh: YOU ARE A VERY NICE LOOKING MAN WISH U THE BEST IN WHA EVERE U WANT
A nice message but sheesh....at 42 can we add some punctuation and release the CapsLock key?
24 in DC: Sup man? This your boi "D" hitting u up. This aint my page this is my best friends page. But anyway you are the kind of shawty a nigga would like to chill with from time to time. Stats: Light complexion, 32w, regular cut, average body build, 145lbs. Official nigga for sure. Get back at your boi when you get this. O yeah, I have pic(s) to send email me at *****@yahoo.com
Extra line breaks were removed. Okay, first of all, Adam4Adam is free, why do you have you use the account of your "best friend?" And who has best friends anymore? That quite middle schoolish. And why do I have to be a shawty? What is this, B-Boy Blues? And finally...what in the hell is an "official nigga??????"
60 in DC: I guess I am not the guy for you.
Hell naw, nigga! You 60!!!!!!
I'm definitely not trying to be a snob by posting these....but jeez Louise, why are folks so desparate in 2005??? What is the hell does a 60 year old want with a 25 year old? Okay, well I know WHAT, but ewwwww!!! I just want folks to remember that they are a PERSON behind their screen names. They are thinking, rational, compassionate people, attempting to interact with others who are thinking, rational, and compassionate. Let's put some more thought into our first impressions, folks!
Posted by Rashid on at 10:35 AM | Comments (2)
Which of the Greek Gods Are You?
Morpheus
?? Which Of The Greek Gods Are You ??
brought to you by Quizilla
Posted by Rashid on March 11, 2005 at 11:33 AM | Comments (0)
50 Cent Makes Out w/The Game!!!!
Ladies and Gentlemen.....THIS is why I love hip-hop!!!!
Posted by Rashid on March 10, 2005 at 4:09 PM | Comments (2)
Greek Round-Up for Thursday, March 10
Please click on the titles to read the entire articles.
Eight Greek organizations at Western Kentucky University took part in the third annual Unity Step-off on Thursday night at Van Meter Auditorium.This year’s show was organized by Alpha Phi Alpha, as always, but with a twist. Members from traditionally black fraternities and sororities decided to coach members of traditionally white fraternities and sororities for this year’s routines.
Murray State Zetas Hold Finer Womanhood Week
The sisters of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. hosted Finer Womanhood Week on campus. Proceeds from events will go to the March of Dimes.Nisha Ganster, senior from Hopkinsville and president of Zeta Phi Beta, said the sorority offered programs this week that benefit women and raise awareness about women's issues.
One of the programs Zeta Phi Beta participated in was "Mirrorless Monday," sponsored by the Women's Center.
"We go into a building and cover all the mirrors and write positive messages for women and men to look at instead of looking at themselves," Ganster said.
Indiana State Deltas Host Faculty Mixer
Nephthys Lands, a senior communications studies major, shakes hands with Charlie Brown, director of the African American Cultural Center.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. hosted a black faculty mixer Tuesday in the African American Cultural Center that allowed students to mingle and get to know black faculty members.LaToya Torrence, a sophomore pharmacy major, said she is new to campus and was glad to have the opportunity to get to know faculty on a more personal level.
Torrence said she wanted the opportunity to "get acquainted with the black teachers."
After talking with professors, Torrence said she realized how friendly professors are.
"They are more down to earth than people would imagine," she said.
What a Rush! Non-traditional Sorority Women in Chicago
Checklist for the campus sorority service project: Banner? Check. Food dish? Check. Clothing item for the homeless? Check. Hubby? Kids? Check. And check. The latter items on the list may seem a little odd for a sorority woman to worry about. But that's not out of the ordinary for women like Chicago State University student Nadia Herbert when she's preparing to participate in activities with the Delta Sigma Theta sorority.The psychology major joined the sorority's undergraduate Lambda chapter in 2000, when she was 24 and married with two small children. She was determined to have the traditional collegiate sorority experience, with its cheering and chanting and step team performances, partying and service initiatives. And she's not alone.
Student suing University of Toledo and Sigma Gamma Rho over hazing
A University of Toledo student is suing the school and the president of a sorority for injuries she said were caused in a hazing incident last year.Jonetta Reed filed the lawsuit last week in Lucas County Common Pleas Court. She said she was paddled on the buttocks and thighs and subjected to other incidents as part of the initiation into the Xi Beta Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority.
Marshall Ques Sell Women for Money
The selling of women at Marshall will help raise money for scholarships.Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated is hosting a female auction March 11 from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. in Marco's. Proceeds will go toward high school students' college scholarships.
Jeremy Ashe, Omega Psi Phi president, said the national chapter has been going to high schools for a few years and offering students a chance to earn money toward college by entering an essay contest. Higher education is one of Omega Psi Phi's mandated programs, Ashe said.
By offering an essay contest to high school seniors, the fraternity is fulfilling its requirement, as well as helping students pay for college.
Ashe said Omega Psi Phi has used auctions to raise money before, however this is the first time he has coordinated the event. He said he hopes it is successful this time because the proceeds are going to a good cause.
"Omega Psi Phi just got done having a male auction that went well," Ashe said. "We had positive feedback so we decided to try it with the other sex to raise more money."
There is no set amount of money people has to bid, Steve Robinson, Omega Psi Phi graduate adviser, said.
People who want to bid will need to exchange their money for Omega bucks when they arrive at the event, he said.
"We [the fraternity] will probably start the bidding at $100 in Omega bucks, which is equivalent to $1," Robinson said. "There is no limit to the amount of money someone can bid so we hope to raise a lot."
Ashe said the fraternity has 10 women already signed up to participate in the auction, but it is looking for more females interested in helping.
"Right now we have 10 girls participating, some from Marshall, some AKA's [Alpha Kappa Alpha] from Kent State and some from West Virginia State," he said. "We [the fraternity] are still looking for other women; the more we have the better."
Robinson said the fraternity has not decided what the highest bidder will receive, whether it is a date or possibly a cleaning service for the men. However, a dinner for two is the fraternity's desired prize.
Ashe said there will be a small reception after the auction for the participants and bidders.
Andy Hermansdorfer, Marshall's director of student activities and Greek affairs, said Omega Psi Phi is a provisional Greek organization, which means it has the same opportunity to do fund-raisers on campus while trying to recruit new members.
Robinson said the fraternity has three members but hopes the auction is something that will give it recognition on campus.
Anyone interested in participating in Omega Psi Phi's auction or for more information about the fraternity contact Robinson at Robins12@marshall.edu.
BALTIMORE – The Rho Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority has contributed $10,000 in its ongoing support of a scholarship endowment at Baltimore City Community College. The gift will provide financial resources to BCCC students and complement Rho Xi Omega’s many contributions as a partner mentoring BCCC students.“This directly supports our shared vision, to add value to the lives and community of Baltimore,” said Donna Stevenson, BCCC Foundation board chair and member of Rho Xi Omega.
Pi Gamma Chapter, APhiA, Loses Charter
The local chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Pi Gamma, was closed by the national fraternity with an official vote of its board of directors Jan. 7, prohibiting the fraternity to return to Sacramento State.Lou Camera, director of Student Activities, was notified of the decision last week by mail.
Paul Cody, the Greek liaison in the UC Davis student programs and activities center, was also notified that the Davis chapter had lost its charter.
Luke Wood, Associated Students Inc. vice president of student affairs, was a member of the Pi Gamma chapter and said that the fraternity plans to appeal the board's decision and regain the charter.
"The chapter can appeal the decision at the general convention in August, but if they have been asked to be removed by the campus then nothing can be done," said William Lyle, director of communications for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
Camera said the fraternity will not be able to appeal its status at Sac State at this time. "Possibly in a couple of years, but not at this time," he said.
The fraternity was suspended by Sac State last fall because of outstanding debts and, Camera said, he thinks the hazing allegations are what caused the national association to pull the Sacramento charter.
The letter Camera received from Alpha Phi Alpha Executive Director Gregory Phillips said the chapter cannot be involved in any activity held in the name of the fraternity and that it is illegal for the chapter to participate in any local and campus fraternity activities.
A spokesman from the Alpha Phi Alpha executive office said the charter was removed "due to inactivity within the chapter for a number of years."
The national organization requires that a minimum of eight students be active in the organization to keep the charter.
Camera said the Pi Gamma chapter only had three members at the most.
"The members falsified information, claiming eight members, but the national headquarters had no record of the people they were claiming as pledges," Camera said.
Members of the Pi Gamma chapter will no longer be able to attend social functions, business sessions or recruitment activities in any form, the letter said, and if the members are caught doing so they can be prosecuted.
Tom Carroll, Student Activities program adviser, said members will be held personally accountable for any criminal charges brought against them and that members should look to Chico as an example of what can happen when a fraternity begins acting without the proper authority.
"This is particularly relevant to what happened in Chico with the Chi Tau fraternity," he said. "A rogue group was conducting business and now four individuals are being charged with hazing crimes and manslaughter."
The Chi Tau fraternity was removed from the Chico State campus but was still conducting business and accepting new members. Recently a prospective member died from a hazing incident.
Camera said members of the Pi Gamma chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha have already tried to form a new group on campus called Men of Distinction.
They were denied the application because it looked like they might be a shadow organization for their fraternity, and because campus clubs, besides non-departmental fraternities and sports clubs, cannot discriminate based on gender.
Carroll and Camera said they do not want to see the members of the fraternity prosecuted for conducting business or activities in the name of the fraternity.
Camera said initiated members will be considered alumni of the fraternity and will still be able to wear their letters to school because it's considered freedom of expression.
"I would hope that if someone knows of them conducting business on campus that they would let me know," Camera said.
Rebecca Adler can be reached at news@statehornet.com
Lack of Crowd at Eastern Illinois University's Stroll Show
In order to wrap up the National PanHellenic Council Rush week, a party "stroll-off" competition was held on Friday night in the University Ballroom in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.A party stroll is similar to line dances, only strolls are in a circle formation. This dance is typically done by African American greek members to "represent your organization," said Orlando Drummond, president of Eastern's NPHC chapter.
Drummond said the idea of the event was to have fun and join together the Interfraternity Council, PanHellenic Council and NPHC to teach each other how to stroll. All of the organizations had met together a week before to practice for Friday's event.
On the day of the performance, the scheduled Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority and Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity both hadn't shown up.
"Our continuous goal is to promote unity among different nationalities on campus and between the greeks to show that we all could work cohesively," Drummond said.
Drummond said he was personally let down by the poor attendance and lack of support from the campus and greek community. He said even though this event was not a success, he looks forward to more opportunities for more functions like this in the future.
Monique Cook-Bey, adviser of the NPHC, said one of the most likely reasons for the low turnout was because, "(we) just came off a busy weekend," referring to the Miss Black EIU pageant held the week before. Drummond also said there were many contributing factors including midterms.
Phi Beta Sigma fraternity member and participant Michael Curtis Jr., a sophomore computer information systems major, came to support the event and said he was disappointed.
"When we were closing the doors (early because no one came) that's when people were coming," Curtis said. "They just came too late,"
The event, which was open to anyone, was $4 per person to help raise money for the Nate Anderson Scholarship and Johnetta Jones Scholarship.
Cook-Bey said the NPHC had already donated $750, a portion of the proceeds from the "Step-Show" held Homecoming weekend.
"(The) ultimate goal is to raise $100,000 with anybody involved with minority affairs to recruit more minority students and retain them here," Cook-Bey said.
Posted by Rashid on at 8:01 AM | Comments (0)
For My Boy, Jon, when he was Jean-Ton
On Friendship
Kahlil Gibran
And a youth said, Speak to us of
Friendship.
And he answered, saying:
Your friend is your needs answered.
He is your field which you sow with love and reap
with thanksgiving.
And he is your board and your fireside.
For you come to him with your hunger, and you
seek him for peace.
When your friend speaks his rnind you fear not the
'nay' in your own mind, nor do you withhold the
'ay'.
And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen
to his heart;
For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all
desires, all expectations are born and shared, with
joy that is unacclaimed.
When you part from your friend, you grieve not;
For that which you love most in him may be clearer
in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is
clearer from the plain.
And let there be no purpose in friendship save the
deepening of the spirit.
For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its
own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and
only the unprofitable is caught.
And let your best be for your friend.
If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know
its flood also.
For what is your friend that you should seek him
with hours to kill?
Seek him always with hours to live.
For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness.
And in the sweetness of friendship let there be
laughter, and sharing of pleasures.
For in the dew of little things the heart finds its
morning and is refreshed.
I never thought that one day, you would be my oldest friend. Maybe you'll never read this -- maybe you'll never know just what kind of effect you have on my life. You're a man, dude -- a grown man. You look good. I can't believe we've come this far.
You know I'm proud of you. You didn't take the path I wanted you to take, but you made your own way. Thank you for showing me that there is more than one way to acheive a goal. You keep my head small when I'm in danger of becoming a snob.
You're like my younger big brother -- in so many ways, you're beyond me. But in age, I've still got you by a few months.
I am so glad you are still part of my life after all these years, man.
Posted by Rashid on March 9, 2005 at 10:15 PM | Comments (1)
Dwayne Wayne
I am like...I dunno....
So many people love me. Friends. Great friends. I love them, too. It's great. They send me these great emails and call me when they know I'm down. I am so thankful for that.
And, as I said a few entries ago, I have friends who are slipping away. They know they're slipping away. They know it's not the same. And at the same time, I haven't changed. So it sucks to know that you've done all that you can do and it's not enough.
And then you have Dwayne Wayne. Dwayne Wayne is the friend who told you from the outset that they didn't care WHO this nigga was and he'd just better understand that me and Dwayne Wayne had *something* that wasn't going to go ANYWHERE.
*scuuurrrrrrt*
Yeah.....y'all weren't ready for that one, were you?
Dwayne Wayne (not his real name) is just my friend. We've been friends for a while, and we'll always be friends. We don't really want there to be more than that to each other because we're both at vastly different stages in life....and pretty much always will be. But there is still an attraction...
I told Dwayne Wayne a long time ago about him and he was cool with it...curious, but cool. It's funny that it took a conversation about him for me and Dwayne Wayne to really see what we were to each other.
Dwayne Wayne knows I love him. He loves me. We say it to each other and mean it. But it's not off the "ohmygodiloveyouandiwanttobewithyou" kick....it's off the "Wow man, you're like...awesome" kick.
I don't want to "be" with him....I couldn't handle all that he is in large doses. He's not into the quiet life and he's not out. I'm a big gay author writing big gay books -- why do I keep attracting guys who aren't out, lol??? That's just not gonna work. But I do understand his whole rationale for not being out. It would be professional suicide, and I really respect that choice...for now.
But I swear to you....I call him "Dwayne Wayne" because I kinda see myself as the male Whitley Gilbert. No, I'm not a southern priss. No, I'm not femme. It's because I've done so much growing over the years. One day, I do hope to find a great man....like Whitley found Byron. And I want to have the wedding with all my friends there and I want to settle into my life with a handsome, accomplished, progressive man. (Marrying into wealth wouldn't hurt.) But just when I imagine having ALL THAT, just when I am ready to say I DO....who should come to the church but motherfuckin Dwayne Wayne? The one who will mess up ALL the god damn plans, break up the wedding, and ask me "Do you, Rashid? Do you promise to love, cherish....please, please baby please!" And then I look at Byron and look at Dwayne Wayne and I don't know what tha FUCK to say!
...just as he would want it.
Now, I don't think Dwayne Wayne would intentionally mess up my relationship (were I to have one). He has always been respectful of my love life, in spite of our mutual attraction. It's so weird that he and I can acknowledge this attraction and still have other pursuits.
But Dwayne.....he's always going to be there. He's loved me on days that I wasn't quite sure anyone else did. I knew I could count on him emotionally when I really needed it. And we've had our rough patches, too, but we got over them. He's never had a problem apologizing to me -- even when he knew it wasn't all his fault.
And yet I know all the reasons that he and I wouldn't work out. Those reasons are definitely good enough to leave things as they are.
But still....I know he is the one, the only one that could come out of the woodwork and wreck my happy home if I let him.
Which is a good reason to be single....
At any rate, it was good seeing him on Saturday.
Posted by Rashid on March 8, 2005 at 11:16 PM
Mini-Round Up
This Michael Jackson stuff is making me sick to my stomach. For real. If he did those things to that boy, God help him.
And I think he did it. The stuff that is being described seems.....I dunno....not quite as over-the-top as I might expect, making it seem more authentic.
*eww*
*****
Is it just me, or does The Pacifier just REALLY seem like it's a bad movie? Vin Diesel, I love you man, but...no.
*****
Oh, I watched School of Rock this weekend! It was way better than I thought it would be, PLUS Joan Cusack was in it! I LOVE HER!
Incidentally, I just don't think Jack Black is all that funny.
Posted by Rashid on March 7, 2005 at 11:42 PM | Comments (0)
Exorcist Bunnies
Awwww wasn't that a lovely entry by my friend Liz? LOVE HER!
And now, The Exorcist in 30 Seconds with bunnies, presented by Angry Alien Productions.
Posted by Rashid on at 6:55 PM | Comments (1)
F*ck Me Pumps
Hey guess what everybody? IT'S GUEST BLOGGER TIME!!!
*cheers from the audience*
Hi, my name is Liz and Mr. Rah-Rah (that's Rashid Darden to you) asked me to do a guest entry on his blog. I don't really know where he is right now (probably asleep)....but I broke into his Movable Type and created an author so here I'm is.
Anyway, lak I sed my name is Liz and I am Rashid's friend. An internet friend. Oooh, I know crazy right? Rashid has so many friends (no lie--did you SEE the photo gallery? gotdamn!), his friendships overflow to the innanet. I've known Rashid for--Rah has it been THREE YEARS--damn, almost three years! I'm feelin old. We met on this now-defunct Greek message board (that's right I'm an AKA, skee-wee, skee-phi, blah blah blah!). Rashid used to post his poetry all the time on the board and I absolutely LOVED his poetry. Being the uncultured heffa I am, I don't really like poetry....but I loved Rashid's. Back then, I'd sent Rah a message about his poems and then we hit it off.
I am supposed to be on here writing about why Rashid is the bestest person in the whole wide world... but I am sure all of you who know and have been reading him for a while already know that. Rah is really a good friend. I swear he is THE most levelheaded person I know. Like, I could be ready to slap a hoe and Rashid always has the best advice on how to proceed on a particular situation. Don't get me wrong, he'll wanna slap a hoe too, but in giving advice you can use he will steer you in the right direction. And while he is alwways in your corner, he has no problem politely and objectively callin you out if you are basically in the wrong. I have never seen the high levels of levelheadedness from anyone else in my life.
I really don't know why Rashid don't have a man. In his defense, it ain't his fault. Clearly he has everything going for him. He's smart, cute, a writer, cute, sincere, cute, nice, cute, DECENT, cute, he got nice locs, cute, and did I mention cute???? I was sad the day I found out he was GAY. I'm still trying to come to terms with it today, ya'll, no lie. Anyway, all the nice gay men are sleeping on Rah for real (notice I said NICE gay men cuz some of ya'll suck, and yall can keep it movin). Anyhoo, one day I know Rah will find the perfect man and they shall live happily ever after.
Well, I think my job here is done. I had fun while it lasted. I miss blogging, so this was fun.
Shout out section:
**I'd like to give a shoutout to me and Rah's long lost sonn LilTude! We comin for ya one day baby!
**If any of you want a site designed you can visit my portfolio at OldGoldSoul.com cuz this is the only site I've done that is up and running! LOL. Naw freal, I do a tiny bit of web design freelance work here and there. My personal/portfolio site is/will be over here. I know it's not up and running yet, but I am doing work.
**this entry is named after this HILARIOUS and great song I heard today called "F*ck Me Pumps" by some brit artist Amy Winehouse. It's my song of the day.
**If you haven't BOUGHT RASHID'S BOOK, LAZARUS then YOU NEED TO! It's the bomb diggity!! Buy your copy today! I already got mines! Keep a lookout for the sequel! It's even better!!
Okay, enough of the plugs.
I'll holla.
Posted by Liz on March 6, 2005 at 2:39 PM | Comments (3)
Saturday
I knew a girl named nikki
I guess u could say she was a sex fiend
I met her in a hotel lobby
Masturbating with a magazine
She said how’d u like 2 waste some time
And I could not resist when I saw little nikki grind
She took me 2 her castle
And I just couldn’t believe my eyes
She had so many devices
Everything that money could buy
She said sign your name on the dotted line
The lights went out
And nikki started 2 grind
Nikki
The castle started spinning
Or maybe it was my brain
I can’t tell u what she did 2 me
But my body will never be the same
Her lovin’ will kick your behind
Oh, she’ll show u no mercy
But she’ll sho’nuff sho’nuff show u how 2 grind
Darlin’ nikki
Woke up the next morning
Nikki wasn’t there
I looked all over and all I found
Was a phone unmber on the stairs
It said thank u 4 a funky time
Call me up whenever u want 2 grind
Oh, nikki, ohhhh
Come back nikki, come back
Your dirty little prince
Wanna grind grind grind grind grind grind grind grind grind
Posted by Rashid on at 10:49 AM
People I'd Like to Hear From
Mustafa Ahmed (Coolidge, Class of '94)
Jennifer Ali (Wilson, Class of '95)
Chanell Arrington (Coolidge, Class of '95)
Ilich Briones (Coolidge, Class of '95)
Lauren Arrington (Sidwell Friends, Class of '97)
Ezenwayni Ahaghotu (Coolidge, Class of '97)
Asia Davison (Last known whereabouts: Newark and Lodi, CA)
Jibreel Dawkins (Possibly Eastern, Class of '97)
Matt Dobson (HOBY Seminar Director in 96 or 97 -- moved away, forgot where)
Derold Carr (Coolidge, Class of '96 -- Probably in the area, just not looking that hard)
Kenneth Greeley (Dunbar '97, attended GWU)
Socrates Morilla (DePauw, probably class of 2000)
Sara Jane Jenkins (Huron, OH; went to Bowling Green State and got married!)
Lakisha Owens (Coolidge, 97)
Patricia Romanoski (Teacher at Rabaut)
Ryan Richmond (NYU '01)
Vanessa Salcedo (St. Agnes, '96)
Courtney Snowden (School Without Walls, '97)
Jennise Wood (Coolidge, '99)
Jennifer Yeager (Coolidge, '97)
Posted by Rashid on March 5, 2005 at 4:22 PM | Comments (2)
Always the afterthought, never the bride
I apologized to a friend that I had a falling out with and hadn't spoken to since 2003. Didn't do any good though -- she didn't accept my apology or even really say anything in response other than "What prompted that?" I am like damn bitch, does anything "prompt" an apology other than the fact you feel sorry?
But whatever....I did all I could do to rectify the situation. I guess that's what I get for not really believing in my heart that I was wrong.
What actually happened....she and I had a falling out over some of our responsibilities for Maya's memorial service that we had at Homecoming '03. (A prime example of why you don't work with your friends.) It's pretty sad that we fell out over something positive we were trying to do to remember a friend, but at the time I was like fuck this, I can't believe she's.....etc, etc.
I didn't rally hold a grudge against this chick, but I also never really felt any good reason to be her friend again. I still don't, really -- there were plenty other reasons she annoyed me. But I have this habit of not wanting people to think I hate them if I actually don't. I guess it's a bit arrogant of me, but whatever...it's important that people I care or once cared about know how I feel about them.
I don't hate her and I felt bad about the way we separated. That's all. I didn't expect anything to come of the apology -- but I also didn't expect "nothing."
*****
He wrote in his blog about having instant connections with other people. I imagined that this may have been what he felt when he met me, but I knew the blog entry wasn't about me.
It's tough when you know someone is slipping away and there's nothing you can do about it. Some people have the ability to sense instant connections with people they know they will grow to love in some way.....for me, along with this gift comes the inevitability of separation.
Nothing lasts in my world.
Don't be sad for me, you jerks. Just buy the book. If you bought one, buy another.
This is my reality, though. I'm destined to have lots of friends, but when it comes to more, there just isn't anyone out there who is really the one for me -- no one who encompasses all that I need. And when you think you've found it, it gets fucked up.
Inevitably.
Yes I'm depressed you fuckers, lol. Sometimes I get tired of having friends. I want someone in my life who will say "Yes, Rashid, I want to be with you -- wholeheartedly and unequivocally."
I can only take so much of being the afterthought.
Posted by Rashid on March 4, 2005 at 6:53 AM
March 3 Greek Round-Up
The Beta Sigma chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., was accused of hazing and the accuser is offended by the actions that members of this organization are saying took place.Dean of Student Life, Robert Bennett reviewed all of the information concerning this case and the "not guilty verdict" given by the Southern University Pan Hellenic Council Judicial Committee and made the decision to place the Beta Sigma chapter on a three-year suspension.
The chapter has recently appealed this verdict, which according to Melvin Robinson, chapter adviser, the appeal was not granted and they are still facing the punishment set by Bennett.
The accuser said the incident began when he was contacted by telephone by an Omega to meet at a specific location and park his vehicle. He got in another vehicle in which he was then blindfolded and taken with two other people to another location. Once he got to the location, his blindfold was taken off and excessive beating then began to take place. He said a similar situation took place the next night also.
"Saturday night I went to the doctor's office, by the time I parked my truck and walked up to the double doors, blood just started coming out," he said. "The doctors came down from upstairs and cut open my shirt. They had to stick tubes down my throat."
According to the accuser, after the Feb. 18 issue of The Southern DIGEST, he began receiving phone calls from the Omega's involved petitioning for a deal. With the help of an SU faculty member they agreed to pay his rent for six months along with all accumulated doctor bills to persuade him to drop the charges he said.
He agreed to the alleged deal and told Deion Dorsett (chapter Basileus and friend) and the Pan Hellenic Judiciary Committee on Feb.14 that the charges were dropped.
"The day that the meeting (Pan Hellenic Judiciary Committee) took place; no calls, no show," he said referring to the deal. "So I felt like a fool because I was trying to help the fraternity and a friend, which I have known since '96-97.'"
The accuser said that Dorsett did not acknowledge their friendship at the hearing.
"So the charges are not dropped, I have brought no legal form from downtown saying that those charges were dropped," he said. "Deion Dorsett is one of my best friends and Deion did not say anything about us being best friends. That really hurt me to see how he is trying to protect his fraternity. And that really bothered me. Deion Dorsett that's my friend; I'm going to love him for life. But something's got to be done."
The accuser said that what he did not mention at the hearing is that due to the alleged beating, he almost died.
"I was throwing up blood and the doctor told me that if I didn't come in on Saturday that I would have went home and died because I was bleeding so much internally."
In the Feb. 22 issue of The Southern DIGEST, Dorsett said, "I, in no way deny that this man was hazed-the pictures of his bruises prove that. However, it was not my chapter that did it."
Along with the unfortunate physical harm that the accuser endured, he is also hurt by the friendship that was lost because of it.
"Me and him (Dorsett) have been through a lot," he said. "For him to try and protect his fraternity knowing that I almost died I have lost all respect for Deion. I knew who called me that night; it was my friend Deion Dorsett. And because I knew this was coming from him, I didn't know that they were going to do what they did that night. That was a real shock to me. Deion was the one that blindfo