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the perfect man...
so, ive know rashid for...geez, i dunno...2 years? maybe?? seems like ive known him forever :-) point is...in that time it amazes me how the men in his life cant seem to get it right!! its not hard to love someone like rashid, i mean...look at him!! lol but seriously, he's a great guy and u couldnt possibly know him and not love him on some level...so ive come up with a list of qualities that i think the ideal man for rashid should have:
1. great sense of humor - u must be able to make rashid laugh, not that its a daunting task, but u cant be dull...cause thats just boring
2. great personality (see above)
3. attractive - shallow? no, not really. u aint gotta be a supermodel, but there has to be somethin about u that catches one's attention. it could be charisma or charm for all i care, but be attractive in some fashion.
4. sensitive - no, u aint gotta cry at the drop of a dime, but u need to be in tune with ur emotions and be able to express/explain them as needed. aint nobody around here a mind reader
5. sensitive - to rashid's needs. cause the man is busy...i dont know if u know this...but HE WRITES BOOKS BITCH! and so he might have days when hes stressed, so...u have to be able to empathize and make sure he's ok, cause he would definitely do the same for you
6. sensitive and understanding - to creative folk. sometimes that passion for the craft can turn us into a passionately pissed off or moody individual. we all have our bad days. understand that, accept that, and be able to help without offending or making matters worse.
7. affectionate - show love. sometimes sayin isnt enough. grand gestures are nice, but i think rashid would appreciate the lil stuff too.
8. communication - u have to be up on ur communication game. im sure uve noticed that rashid is more than capable of expressing his thoughts and feelings in a very honest manner. his perfect man must be able to do the same. if u cant handle that....go read a book...take a couple laps round the non-fiction section in the library...and maybe u can try again later.
9. strong - not physically, well i mean not jsut physically. but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. i think rashid's perfect man should be able to care for him when he's weak, and in that same tone, be strong enough to let rashid take care of him when he's weak.
10. intelligent - it really goes in tune with communication...u dont have to be an ivy league scholar to have intelligence, and with that intelligence comes the ability to carry on a good convo and stimulate rashid's mind. very important.
11. romantic - this also goes with being affectionate. rashid's man would need to be able to come off the cuff with some romantic stuff...just cause. everyone deserves to be loved like that.
12. patient - there was really only one perfect man, and he died on calvary...so the "perfect" man for rashid would need to be patient and realize that we all might make mistakes and be willing to work through things
but when u get right to it, i think that this is the most important quality for rashid's ideal man to have:
13. a friend - i think the best relationships occur when u have a strong friendship. so for rashid, i think his man would have to be able to be his friend. a shoulder to lean/cry on, an ear to listen, a comfort, a relief from the stress, someone u can rely on, someone who understands. thats really where it all begins
did i mention that he had to be sensitive? lol
-storme
Posted by Storme on March 30, 2006 at 9:25 PM | Comments (2)
explanation
to explain the previous post...and all behind it...requires an explanation of self. i am, by nature, a passionate individual and i possess a rather large heart. there are so many issues that have gone wrong within our community, and i feel as though nothing is being done. granted, we have a lot of work to do, and there is much to be accomplished still, for we have yet to reach the promised land.
but our leaders have been silenced and in the removal of their voices, so went our hope. where is that hope? that passion that i know runs through the blood of every black person? there are days where i believe we have given up on the dream...or have forgotten it completely. and...that is a thought that shakes me to my very core.
"strong men" by sterling brown is one of my favorite poems, and after reading, i hope u can see why. yet i am still not content with our position within this society. and i guess the poem i wrote was an outpouring of that frustration and angst and the feeling of unrest that i have felt for awhile now.
do i have an answer to the problem? not quite. but i know that if u want to see change, u have to be change. as Gandhi once said "be the change you wish to see in the world." we as a people have such a large task at hand, sometimes i wonder where to begin with it all...but ive wondered long enough i suppose. in order to take steps in the right direction, i - we - must first take one. i can, i am, and i must. i owe it to...us. we owe it to ourselves. there is no individual success lest we help others to succeed in the process. lift as you climb...it isnt just about you. it's about us.
-storme
Posted by Storme on March 29, 2006 at 6:00 PM | Comments (2)
a promise broken
to provide a sort of background for all im about to say, read this poem:
Strong Men
by Sterling Brown
They dragged you from homeland,
They chained you In coffles,
They huddled you spoon-fashion in filthy hatches,
They sold you to give a few gentlemen ease.
They broke you in like oxen, They scourged you,
They branded you,
They made your women breeders,
They swelled your numbers with bastards. . . .
They taught you the religion they disgraced.
You sang:
Keep a-inchin' along
Lak a po' inch worm. . . .
You sang:
Bye and bye
I'm gonna lay down dis heaby bad . . .
You sang:
Walk togedder, chillen,
Dontcha git weary. . . .
The strong men keep a-comin' on
The strong men git stronger.
They point with pride to the roads you built for them
They ride in comfort over the rails you laid for them
They put hammers in your hands
And said — Drive so much before sundown.
You sang:
Ain't no hammah
In dis lan',
Strikes lak mine, bebby,
Strikes lak mine.
They cooped you in their kitchens,
They penned you in their factories,
They gave you the jobs that they were too good for,
They tried to guarantee happiness to themselves
By shunting dirt and misery to you.
You sang:
Me an' muh baby gonna shine, shine
Me an' muh baby gonna shine.
The strong men keep a-comin' on
The strong men git stronger. . . .
They bought off some of your leaders
You stumbled, as blind men will. . . .
They coaxed you, unwontedly soft-voiced. . . .
You followed a way.
Then laughed as usual.
They heard the laugh and wondered;
Uncomfortable;
Unadmitting a deeper terror. . . .
The strong men keep a-comin' on
Gittin' stronger. . . .
What, from the slums
Where they have hemmed you
What, from the tiny huts
They could not keep from you —
What reaches them
Making them ill at ease, fearful?
Today they shout prohibition at you
"Thou shalt not this."
"Thou shalt not that."
"Reserved for whites only"
You laugh.
One thing they cannot prohibit —
The strong men . . . coming on
The strong' men gittin' stronger.
Strong men. . . .
Stronger. . . .
i love that poem and the message within it. yet these days i have been feeling a certain way about us and so...here is something i wrote..as a reply i suppose (to see the poem in it's true form, go to my site).
Stronger
by storme
u promised
promised that after
400+ years of
oppression
400+ years of
rape and injustice
400+ years of
lynchings and hatred
and being downtrodden...
you promised me
the strong men
those who'd rise from the ashes
like the phoenix to
liberate and
give us free
i believed in those men those
strong men
i heard their footsteps filled with
purpose filled with
determination filled with
love for us
long before i came to this earth
and as i look around
i wonder....where
have all the
strong
men
gone? have they forgotten
us? leaving us
in a land not our own
a land that hates the descendants
of the very hands
who built it up
a land that would rather
spit
us
out
than swallow the
bitter truth
of all the atrocities committed
against us
where have those men gone?
those
strong
men
its like they
faded…
to…
black…
and back into the
shadows they went
lying in wait
for what i dont know
in times when fathers
are no longer
part of the family
unit
and mothers raise
hurt and
angry babies
in a society designed for their
demise
why do the
strong
men
hesitate to action?
where is the
hope?
where are the
heroes?
where are the
leaders?
where?
and when will they return
to set things right?
to guide us
towards complete freedom
to guide us
out of the darkness
to lift from our eyes
the veil of complacency
that has kept many of us
at bay
for so long?
you promised me....
the
strong
men
would keep on a-commin'
that they would just keep
gettin stronger
but what good is
strength
unseen
unfelt
unheard?
ive
waited
and
waited
for these men
these
strong
men
one can only wait
for so long
the re volution was
never televised
because
the re volution
died with the birth of the
bling
now we sing
a song for massah
again
blackface
for the 21st century
welcome to the future in past
participle
i tried
tried to hold on
tried to stay strong
and wait for those
strong
men
waiting does nothing
as we continue
to die
as we continue
to stumble in darkness
blinded
by our false
sense of comfort
our false
sense of equality
this is not the land
this is not the world
that
malcolm
martin
angela
rosa and
medgar died for...
those were our
strong men
those were our
strong women now
silenced and seemingly
forgotten
expect for the
28 days
in which we celebrate our blackness
28 days
of celebration
isnt enough
28 days
of revisiting our history
isnt enough
the days of slavery
are not so far removed
that they should be forgotten
those marches made
and children slain
and shouts for freedom
are not so far removed
that they should be forgotten
there is strength
in this blood
there is history
in this blood
there is the desire to make a stand
in this blood
lest we not forget who we are
lest we not forget where from whence we came
lest we not forget those
strong
men
of the past
the time for
waiting is over
the time for
action is now
time to
arise and
take claim of what is ours
forget 40 acres
what was promised
long ago has been forgotten
not all things shall be given
it is time to
take it
by
any
means
necessary
the strong
woman
is comming
she just
keeps
getting
stronger
Posted by Storme on at 11:26 AM | Comments (0)
Intruder Alert!!!
hello to all the faithful fans and friends of oldgoldsoul.com. my name's storme and im a friend of rashid's who has the great honor of being his guest blogger for this week. meaning...u get to listen to my random thoughts about various things throughout this week. aren't u excited?!?! well...u should be. lol
so since u'll be subject to my multitude of musings as the week progresses, i thought it fair to give u a brief synopis of who i am.
name: storme
from: south jersey
sign: scorpio (think what u will...we're not all nuts)
occupation: college senior (may 14th 2006 @ 1pm...praise God!)
personality: im crazy, creative, and caring. passionate and driven. opinonated and stubborn. but overall, very loveable.
ok, i need to get back to doing work(thats another thing...i dont sleep), but i shall return soon. till then, goodnight!
Posted by Storme on March 28, 2006 at 12:40 AM | Comments (2)
The Cover
If you haven't noticed, the cover is here:
It is not finished. Sure, you might love it, but I know that there are improvements to be made.
That said, the release date for Covenant has been pushed back. The primary reason is the unfinished cover. The secondary reason is my overestimation of how many pre-orders I would receive.
I failed on that count. Far fewer people supported Covenant this time around, and that's cool. But it does have an impact on how quickly I can get this novel out.
I make very little money in my day job. I am not a teacher -- I am a teacher's aide. Big difference. Of course I have savings, but an aide's savings are far different from the savings of a teacher. When I have pre-order drives, it's not just to measure interest in the novel, but it's a partial fundraiser. I reward the people who really really want the book by making sure that they have the first shot at ordering it. I also make sure they receive the book first. That didn't work this time. Sure, people supported. But not in the numbers I imagined.
The book will not be ready in time for Book Expo America, which is my greatest disappointment.
Right now, I cannot say how soon it will be finished because the cover art still isn't ready. I want to state right here in the open that I love my cover designer and will continue my relationship with him. I am lucky to have such a talented artist in my corner. Blame the delay on both of us being perfectionists.
I say this not to gather sympathy -- this is my project, and therefore, my deal. But I ask everyone who did pre-order to bear with me as you have since I started this process. Covenant will come. Covenant will be hot. Covenant will be better than even Lazarus.
So, that's what's up with the book.
--RD
Posted by Rashid on March 26, 2006 at 4:12 PM
Bobby's World
Sometimes, somebody in this world says everything you want to say, but just a little bit better than how you've ever phrased it before.
I came across the following message in a yahoogroup that I participate in. I asked his permission to repost it, and he said yes.
Though it's part of a larger conversation, the message should still resonate.
--Rashid
Let's investigate "proclaim."
You say that you'll never understand those who wish to proclaim their sex and sexuality to the world. I assume that you mean homosexuals based on the "equal rights" comment, but I think that heterosexuals proclaim their sex and sexuality every moment of the day. They hold hands in public. They kiss in public. They have public weddings. They go out in public with their children (products of their sexual activity). While they aren't fucking in the streets (neither are most gay people I know), I think they are certainly proclaiming who they are sexually and with whom they are sexually involved by these arguably benign actions.
Why, then, is it a matter of "privacy" when it comes to homosexuality?
Why is it that when two men (or two women) hold hands in public, kiss in public, have their equivalent of public weddings, or go out in public with their children, it automatically becomes an issue of proclamation or flaunting or bringing "private issues" into the public discourse? When has heterosexuality (and everything it encompasses) ever been a private matter? Why, then, must homosexuality be one?
My guess is that heterosexuals and homosexuals alike have a deep-seated, socially-induced belief that homosexuality is wrong, shameful, abominable, ungodly, disgusting, despicable (no matter how natural it feels or how fulfilling it may be for the parties involved) and thus there is an (often unspoken) arrangement between homosexuals and society (and homosexuals and themselves)--if they must be gay, they should at the very least: keep it to themselves; not put their business in the street; not discuss something so unseemly; not expose their degeneracy to children; hide it so that they won't be the target of hatred and violence. And I think that very many homosexuals accept the arrangement because they feel it's the easiest thing to do. I can't blame them, but I also can't let them off the hook.
In my estimation, "I want to keep my sexuality private" is coded language for "I'm scared of people finding out that I'm gay." Overwhelming (and in my opinion, erroneous) religious dogma has convinced a sizeable number of people, certainly the majority of people, that homosexuality is deviant (with all the negative connotations that come along with that). That would explain why when "Nancy" in the office announces her engagement to "Dick" (puns intended), her friends throw her a wedding shower. But, when "Dais" announces his "engagement" to "Taquan," his co-workers wonder why he has to force his "lifestyle" on everyone.
While some homosexuals attempt to mask their fear of being discovered with "privacy" (i.e. DL, faux heterosexuality, homophobia and silence), others refuse to let society make them hate themselves to such a degree, and they PROCLAIM who they are come what may.
So, to answer an inquiry (that I'm almost certain was rhetorical) regarding why some gays feel obligated to proclaim their sexual identity to the world: one possible reason could be because they refuse to let the world trample over Who They Truly Are; they refuse to be beaten into submission by a largely misogynist, heterosexist, hyper-fanatical, pseudo-religious, homophobic global society.
Bobby
http://www.myspace.com/bob_eakanatturner
Posted by Rashid on March 23, 2006 at 7:18 AM | Comments (0)
46 Questions
1) When was the last time you went to the bathroom outside?
Wow..... not since I've been an adult.
2. Last time you saw your parents?: Last night.
3) Which family member do you most resemble?: Allegedly my father.
4.Do you own your own Bible?: Yes.
5) Do you wear deodorant?: Yes.
6) Do you clean up nice?: Hell yeah!
7) When was the last time you tripped and fell? I felt in my basement last year and sprained my ankle.
8) Where was the last place you slept besides your home?: The Georgetown Conference Center this past weekend.
9) What are you listening to right now?: A commercial on CNN
10) Have you ever started an uncontrollable fire?: No!
11) Ever run out of gas on the road?: No.
12) Would you rather cut the grass or rake the leaves?: Rake the leaves.
13) Your middle name spelled backwards: Name. (True!)
14) What is the last thing you downloaded onto your computer?: I hereby invoke my Fifth Amendment rights.
15) Last time you swam in a pool? Pools are for country bamas. (lol jk)
16) Have you ever been in a school play?: Yes.
17) How many kids do you want?: I don't know... at least one.
18) Type of music you dislike most?: Industrial.
19) You registered to vote?: Yup!
20) You have cable?: Yes.
21) Ever prank call anybody?: Just my friends.
23) Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving?: NO.
24) Do you have a garden?: No, but I once grew a sunflower.
25) What's your favorite comic?: The Boondocks
26) Bath or Shower: Shower
27) Best movie you've seen in the past two weeks? I re-watched the Color Purple this weekend.
28) Best pizza topping?: Pepperoni
29) Peanuts or popcorn?: Popcorn!
30) Have you ever smoked?: Never.
31) Orange Juice or apple juice?: Orange juice, although it makes me break out.
32) Chocolate Bar?: Three Musketeers
33) When was the last time you voted at the polls?: The presidential elections (we haven't had any in DC since then)
34) When was the last time you ate a homegrown tomato?: Not since I was a kid.
35) Are you a good kisser?: Yes. Ask around.
36) Ever order anything from an infomercial?: No
37) Sprite or 7-Up?: Sprite
38) Have you ever had to wear a uniform to work/school?: In elementary school. Oh yeah, the information desk had mandatory polo shirts. They were cute.
39) Ever thrown up in public?: No.
40) Would you prefer being a millionaire or find true love?: Wow..... I don't have an answer.
41) Do you believe in love at first sight?: No.
42) Who was the last person you visited in a hospital?: Probably Anwar
44) What do you think about most?: Career advancement
45) Favorite form of travel?: Although it scared the bejeezus out of me, I like the efficiency of air travel
46) If you could have one magical power what would it be?: Telepathy/Telekinesis, basically all of Professor Xavier's powers
Posted by Rashid on March 20, 2006 at 4:13 PM
Six Wierd Habits About Myself
I stole this from Pablo's MySpace blog....here are six wierd habits about myself.
1) I talk in my sleep. Apparently, I CRAZY talk in my sleep, as though I am having a conversation with a different person. I was told that I even use different voice inflections and everything.
2) It is physically impossible for me to hide my emotions. lol....it sucks, but people know it when I am displeased, annoyed, angry, etc. It's written all over my face.
3) I can't truly clean up until I have reorgnized my bookshelf first. No matter how clean my house is, if the books haven't been done, then it's not really clean to me.
4) I use self-hypnosis techniques to calm my fear of flying.
5) I look at my reflection at inappropriate times -- like walking down the street or at work. It's not because I am vain, but because I have had self-confidence issues.
6) I twist my hair when I am bored, but never have enough energy to twist my whole head.
Posted by Rashid on March 18, 2006 at 10:59 AM | Comments (0)
absolutely weird
This has been a special day.
And by special, I mean special education.
Unfortunately, since much of the specialness was work related, I can't get into it.
But I will say that I am DOG TIRED and that I am looking forward to this weekend, which will be the 50th Anniversary of the Elite Mu Alpha Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega, the international, coeducational service fraternity.
Of which I am a Brother. :-)
I hope to take PLENTY of pics....many of which I will post in the gallery of this site.
I hope to be able to show you the cover of Covenant before I die.
My chapter brother lost his father last weekend....it's been nearly overwhelming for everyone around me.
But luckily, it seems like death has slowed down a bit.
Posted by Rashid on March 15, 2006 at 10:39 PM | Comments (0)
And because I couldn't resist....
2006 USATF Indoor Championships
James Davis
Kibwe Johnson
Milton Campbell
Shawn Crawford
Tony Allmond
Tora Harris
Wallace Spearmon
Wallace Spearmon
Walter Davis
Posted by Rashid on March 14, 2006 at 8:18 AM | Comments (2)
It's the most wonderful time of year!
2006 Indoor Championships....HOLLA!
Walter Dix, Florida State
Xavier Carter, LSU
1600m relay action
Posted by Rashid on at 7:28 AM | Comments (0)
CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Churchgoers
Posted for a friend:
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Churchgoers
I am in the midst of a research project that asks how black LGBTQ (hereafter "queer") people construct, synthesize and/or resist black church theology of which they are a part/member. Because of this, I will be conducting interviews the summer of 2006 with approximately 15-20 black members of the queer community questioning their relationship to the church.
Interviewees will be granted anononymity and will NOT need worry regarding their name, church affiliation or any key identifier to be revealed. The purpose of the interviews will be to gather information of theological constructions, not personal data. I will be following the Emory University IRB standards for this work.
Identifiers will vary: ages 20-40, black, male or female, queer identified, from historically black denominational affiliations, etc.
Questions regarding identity formation, theological orientation, role within the church, social and theological view of sexuality will be the basis for the discussion/interview.
Some questions that will be explored:
Do you know of “radically inclusive” communities, which serve to give voice to the queer community?
Is black religious practice self-discipline or self-mortification? Is the church the “…place where [we seek] to prove [ourselves] worthy of this silent God’s love?”
How are black religious practices the locus of communal- and/or self-restriction?
Do you know anyone that may be interested in being interviewed? If so, please have them email me at atcrawley@theregen.net. Detailed information will be given out via email and most interviews will be completed via phone or face-to-face. If you have any questions, please email me.
Kind regards,
A Thomas Crawley
Posted by Rashid on March 13, 2006 at 10:44 PM
One thing.....
One thing I like about myself is my sincerity. I am not the type who will pee on your leg and tell you that it's raining.
I have tact, but I don't sugar coat unnecessarily.
As my workfriend says, I am a-okay until one crosses that line. Once it's crossed, there's no turning back. Which sorta goes to my shorter temper the older I get.....but I digress.
I think most of you who still read this blog read it because I am sincere. I share a lot of my personal feelings in it....sometimes it pulls at the heartstrings (awwwww) and sometimes it is funny. Sometimes it is angry, and even when it's angry, it's funny, because I am like that in real life.
That said...... ironically, I hate being "judged" for my honesty and sincerity. Sure, people will make judgments about me all the time....I am an artists, that's what artists get. :-)
But let me say this....the hottest issue in this blog is probably Adam4Adam. I get more negative comments directed toward me about Adam4Adam that it's crazy. I mean sheesh, all of a sudden, I can't have a dissenting opinion about a damn dating site.
I am not Keith Boykin. You will not find deep thoughts about the state of black gay america on this site.
I am not Rod. You will not find the best news on my site.
I am Rashid. I write books, ______. (You know the rest. lol) I write books and sometimes, if I'm lucky, I sell books.
THAT SAID.....(whoa, that was a long preface.)
Why did this bama ass motherfucker try to leave a comment in MY diary telling me to "get over myself?" FIRST of all, did you really think I would approve it? Second of all, did you really could leave a FAKE email address on my REAL diary with my REAL opinions on it?
It seems as though the bama in question took it kind of hard that I don't date older men. In fact, here is another part of his comments:
Plenty of young guys like old guys, and vice versa. It is not freaky, and "ewww" as you put it.
And if this person still reads my blog, please remember that in the same post you're criticizing, I also said:
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!
Now....specifically, NO, I am not interested in a 60 year old. Or 50 year old. I might kick it with someone who was in their early 40s, but I COULD NOT, under any circumstances, kick it with someone who looked like they could be my father. I CAN'T DO IT. IT IS EWWWWW TO ME.
Why should I have to get over myself? LOL
I just don't get it....and maybe I wasted too much time even thinking about this, since there's definitely no way in hell I would change my mind about this.
So, whatever..... since home skillet didn't leave a REAL email address, I will assume he is one of the 60 year olds on A4A who wants my hot bod. (LOLOL yeah right)
Shit, I need some levity here....a brother got back from a funeral and memorial service in the same damn day.....
Posted by Rashid on March 11, 2006 at 10:56 PM
Fred.....
Dear Fred,
I know you probably won't read this for some days, if not weeks, since you are away attending to your family matters.
I am so, so sorry that you lost your dad. I don't even know what to say. I kinda never had one of those, so I don't know what it's like to lose one, but I do know what it means to lose someone close to you.
There's nothing I can say that will make it feel better....oh yes, it's going to hurt. It's going to hurt for a while.
But somehow, we get used to it and it becomes part of us.
I think of Maya all the time. And from time to time, my eyes still mist over. But I know I am lucky for having known her, as you are blessed for knowing your father.
I love you very much and I am so sad that you lost him. But you are living proof of your dad's greatness. We live in an age where manhood isn't necessarily a condition of fatherhood. But it seems as though the Smith house had everything together.
I know we'll be in touch several times before you read this...but I still want you to know that I'll always be here for you.
Love,
Rashid
Posted by Rashid on March 10, 2006 at 1:25 AM
Fiona Zedde: A Taste of Sin
Let me find out Fiona has a new book out!!!
***
A TASTE OF SIN
By Fiona Zedde
Kensington Books
Desiree Nichols is no stranger to heartbreak, but when her hot, young boyfriend abandons her after two years of being together, Dez's foundations begin to crumble. To make matters worse, a family crisis is calling her home to face the people she left behind, the ones who never accepted her as anything but trouble. Fine. If that's how they see her, she'll rise to the occasion. Miami's hot, sultry nightlife offers plenty of opportunities for a girl to drown her disappointments, and Dez wastes no time hooking up with her old friends. Together, she and her girlfriends prowl the town, attending private parties where every fantasy can be fulfilled, every desire satisfied with no strings attached. The last thing on Dez's mind is finding bliss in the arms of a seductive new partner who couldn't be more different from her ex—and who awakens in her a hunger she tries to deny. But that's exactly what happens….
Now, in clandestine couplings at four-star restaurants, sizzling explorations in downtown sex clubs, and private romantic dinners where sensual boundaries are pushed and hearts are laid bare, two lovers will awaken in each other an intense, soul-deep passion that could change their lives forever….
Fiona Zedde’s work has been published to international acclaim in Best Lesbian Erotica 2004 (Cleis), Necrologue: The DIVA Book of the Dead and the Undead (DIVA), Va-Va-Voom: Red Hot Lesbian Erotica (DIVA), Wicked: Sexy Tales of Legendary Lovers (Cleis), Hot Lesbian Erotica (Cleis) as well as various lesbian and gay publications.
Fiona Zedde’s first novel, BLISS, was published to international acclaim in August of 2005.
***
I met Fiona last year at ATL Black Pride....in fact, we were on the literary panel together. She is on the same publishing house as Fred Smith, another good friend.
Check her books out....she a VERY nice person. And besides, you know you need some more Lesbian literature in your life. Why not start with Fiona Zedde?
Posted by Rashid on March 9, 2006 at 6:28 AM
This is crazy
Dana Reeve died, yo! Shit is crazy! If you don't know, she was Christopher Reeve's widow. Their 13 year old son is officially an orphan. Damn....can you imagine losing both your parents just as you hit puberty????
Octavia Butler's gone....Don Knotts is gone.... my APO brother Kelli.... my coworker's sister.... my other coworker's HUSBAND.... this is really overwhelming now.
Kirby Puckett.... Coretta Scott King, of course. Sad sad sad.
Posted by Rashid on March 7, 2006 at 8:33 PM | Comments (1)
Adam4Adam.... again
I must be giving Adam4Adam MAD business!
I would like to say, for the record, that there are some cool people on A4A. I don't think it's a bad site at all. I just happen to think that many people on the site are fucktards.
I met a really interesting cat on A4A earlier this year....things didn't work out romantically, but as a friend, dude gives great conversations and debates. Respect him a lot.
And there's always room for romance. Personally, because of alllll the other things going on in my life, romance is not NECESSARILY at the forefront, but it's not at the backburner either. It's not a race....I don't have to have a man.
That said, I still really do meet cool people on the site. Mad cool.
THIS PERSON, however, is not one of them:
wasup man brother right here tryin gto see wausp with you man,, i live in [deleted] and i would like to get to know you if you don't mind talking to a brother from georgia...so hit me up if you are interested.
I can deal with the slang, typos, and grammatical errors. But the fact is I wasn't interested -- the profile didn't do anything for me. I would have responded with a polite "Hi there!" and kept it moving, but noooooooo. I made the mistake of leaving A4A on all day, so it appeared as though I was logged in. This bama said:
danm you could have said something
Well I mean DAMN! Give a brother a chance to settle in good!
Since some of you schmucks must own stock in A4A and insist people who think like me need to get over ourselves, I am gonna close comments on this entry. Just add this to the list of reasons why I go to A4A to laugh.
Posted by Rashid on at 6:47 PM
here's hoping
Just a note to say that my server has been fucking tripping and I am really hating the dude who provides my server space right about now.
Posted by Rashid on at 7:19 AM | Comments (0)
...For that, I apologize
I realize that there haven't been any updates about Covenant lately, and I apologize for that. There really hasn't been anything to tell.
The art department will have a cover for me to show you next week. I really thought I'd have it by now to show you. But I do want to thank all of you who pre-ordered strictly on the strength of the excerpt and loving the first novel.
Next week, I will also have a firm date on when the books will be shipped.
People frequently ask me how pre-orders are going on Covenant. I'll just be honest: not good. The first week was WONDERFUL! I have a long list of fans of the first novel that just can't wait to read the continuing adventures. Those pre-orders are a very large part of what makes Old Gold Soul a successful small business. (And by successful I mean that we can at least make the product, lol)
But the challenge has been in reaching the many people who bought Lazarus at Pride events or on Amazon.com. I haven't been able to "convert" people who buy books when they see them to people who pre-order books they really want. (It doesn't help that my work life has been so hectic the past few months.)
So if you read this blog.....please pre-order Covenant. I really need your help now as much as I did last year at this time.
Just click on THE BOOK at the top of this page, then click on ORDER to use PayPal or to print out an order form.
Posted by Rashid on March 2, 2006 at 7:26 AM | Comments (0)