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Continued...
So Sunday morning, I was a wreck. My boxes of books fell off the dolly outside the house and I was like FUCK! Somehow, we got there -- stressed as hell, but there in one piece.
Nikki and Dwayne met me there, and we were joined by Perquita -- my HEROES!!!! They helped me sell books all day, but most importantly, they kept me sane.
Okay, so let's talk about the Writer's Island, henceforth and forevermore known as THE LEPER COLONY. That's the area of the exhibit hall that was reserved for the writers. Well, I can't even remember who said it now, but it was something like "Y'all were so far from the action, the Writer's Island must have been from LOST."
Yes, they kind of screwed us over. And yes, I, Rashid Darden, had the WORST booth at Pride, LOL. I was sorta kinda late. Like, we could set up anytime between 8am (yeah right) and 11:45am. Since I THOUGHT that each table would be reserved, I didn't have to rush. I got there at around 11:50am and Pride began at Noon. My booth had no table and chairs, so I waited for them and they arrived shortly. Once we got seated and set up the books and whatnot, I realized that our view was of about a hundred feet of EMPTY SPACE and the bathrooms at the far end of that. Yes, Old Gold Soul had the worst booth at Pride ladies and gentlemen, but we worked it out.
The other authors at Pride were Brent Dorian Carpenter, Alphonso Morgan, Yvette Michelle Hall, Eustace Bellille, Michael Christopher, Walter Wright, and Shawna Grundy. Oh yeah, Steven G. Fullwood was also there as was Conscious, but for various reasons, they were not on the Leper Colony.
I know I am forgetting a few writers, but I didn't get their information somehow...
Anyway...
I did pretty well when it came to sales. Not super duper fantastic, but really well none the less. I was told (repeatedly) that I would have done better if the Leper Colony had been located in the same location it was the previous year. But once again, this entire Pride was just my practice test. I wasn't mad at Pride -- just had to figure out different ways to adapt to the situation.
This would be a good time to note that I saw one of my other girls from Georgetown there. I told my Nikki she was there, and Nikki was like "I KNEW IT!!!!!" See, Pride is the place for revelations. If you're bold enough to come to Pride, please believe that somebody somewhere is going to recognize you. Hell, it costs 12 bucks to get in, so of course you WANT to be there. You didn't just wander in because you had to use the restroom.
I bought lots of t-shirts from a place called UniTees. They were really nice! Support them...it seems like they design the official Pride shirts, too.
I honestly didn't see a whole lot of other stuff that I wanted to purchase -- that was definitely different from the last time I went to a Pride. I sorta wanted some Pride jewelry, but there just wasn't any. The day before, someone did get me a few Pride bracelets. God bless frat.
BUT.....I DID get me two, count them, two calendars. Okay, so they were 2005 calendars. Which were half over. BUT, I got pictures with the model NGO. I don't know if he was gay or not, but he sure was attractive. AND humble and gracious. Not your average Igbo, eh?
I also got the City Gym Boys calendar. They were okay. I liked NGO better though.
Tweet performed. Wasn't really feeling it, mostly because the acoustics were some garbage. And she really could have sang "Oops (Oh My)" for way longer. She did sing "Sports, Sex, and Food" which is one of my favorites from the new album. Next year though, can we get Amerie?
I neglected to mention in my prior entry that I got to meet the man known as Audacity during Pride. That was great! He is a really nice guy. Looked nothing at all how I imagined. But then again, no one ever does.
Other performers....we had some African drummers at one point, but that was so random. They were good though. But my favorite part was when Running Water (the stage name of a drag queen -- are they still called drag queens?) performed "Jesus Can Work it Out." Anybody who listens to the Russ Parr Morning Show knows that song. The audience seemed somewhat receptive to it (from my vantage point) but I was REALLY feeling it. We needed some gospel up in that piece.
A lot of cool people visited my table. Some bought books. Others signed the guestbook. And others just took a flyer or card with them. One of my favorite moments was when I gave this Omega (with a brand) a post card as he and his friends were just kinda chillin' near my table. Me and Dwayne watched the expression on he and his friends' faces change from curiosity to familiarity with these big ass grins. It was GREAT!
Oh yeah, the Greeks were definitely in the house....Alphas, Ques, Kappas, Sigmas, AKAs, Deltas, SGRhos, and even a Chi Upsilon Sigma! It was hot, for real. Next year, man.....just you wait and see.
I feel like I must be forgetting a whole lot....I reckon the gaps will be filled in if you check out my Gallery. I have added pictures from Pride!!!!
Enjoy!!!
Posted by Rashid on June 1, 2005 4:40 PM
Comments
LOL @ Leper Colony but it did take me two go-rounds to find your booth. but i found it! yo man i am loving your book. we must talk - im - something. i make myself put your book down. i hate finishing a book so i am taking my time. just know it is great.
Commented by No 4real4real on June 2, 2005 1:57 AM
Rashid, this was a great post man! I felt like I was in D.C.! Good to see that you are networking like hell. Keep up the good work pa.
-f.leon
Commented by frank leon roberts on June 2, 2005 11:47 PM