« October 2006 | Main | December 2006 »
Yes....the Award-Winning Author.
if you haven't heard by now....
I won!!!!
On Saturday, November 25 at the Fox Theater in Atlanta, Georgia, I, Rashid Darden, was part of the Class of '06 for Clik Magazine's Clik Honors: Elite 25!
But you know how I do..... I can't just tell a story nice and easy.... I gotta give you all the details....cuss words and all. So sit back, grab a juice, and read....
I flew out of DC via Delta Airlines. Honestly, it was a very smooth flight. And pretty quick, too. I always get nervous when I fly, but over the years I have learned some good techniques to calm myself. A mixture of reciting Invictus, prayer, and self-hypnosis never hurt anyone, lol.
I was escorted the whole weekend by my fraternity brother Matthew, who very graciously drove me wherever I needed to go. He also accompanied me to the event itself.
I don't know why, but Atlanta seemed smaller to me than it did when I was last there. We were in Downtown Atlanta in no time. And your bruh was HONGRY, too. I was like we need to get to a McDonald's post haste! So we checked in at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta and then walked up the block to McDonald's. Right as we crossed the first street, who should we see but....
Keith Boykin! It was so nice to see a familiar face so soon.
We turned into the Peachtree Center Mall and immediately found the food court and subsequently Chick-Fil-A! I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but I loooooves me some Chick-Fil-A!
Took it back to the hotel, ate it, watched the Jessie Spano drug freak-out episode of Saved By The Bell, got the 'itis, and fell asleep.
Woke up, changed into a loose button-down black shirt, jeans (I gained weight y'all, argh! lol), and my white Adidas with black stripes. My frat brother took me out to dinner at some Brazillian steak house caled Fogo Degaga. Sike, it was called Fogo de Chao. That food was sooooo good, and the style in which they served it was unique to me.... basically, you go to the salad bar first, fix your plate, and go sit down. Then all these servants with these gumboots come up to you with these huge skewers and offer you meat. I only ate the chicken and pork, and my frat didn't know I didn't eat beef, lol. But it was all good! Literally.
At some point, we went to the infamous Lenox Square mall. It was big. It was crowded. But it was, in all honesty, a really nice mall.
EXCEPT the glaring omission of a Borders Books & Music, which I was determined to find the next day.
There was a reception that night for the nominees held at a loft in midtown. I was thoroughly impressed with the place. I had never considered loft living until that moment.
Now, I am kind of a shy person.... in new places, I need a little time to observe, to get acclimated. Not a lot, but a little. I don't usually just butt my way into people's conversations, and I can't always just strike up a convo with an equally quiet person. So, I don't think a whole lot of people walked away "knowing" me after that evening....
BUT..... I did finally get to meet Jasmyne Cannick! If you are black and gay, then at some point you've probably received her emails. She is just as cool in real life as she seems through her writings. And beautiful, too!
Keith was there, as was Nathan. Wilson Cruz rolled through -- slim as my pinky. Heffa. LOL. But he looks good, though. H. Alexander Robinson from the National Black Justice COalition was also there.
Two other gentlemen were there who my fraternity brother hit it off with, but I was off talking to Merrick and Ron in the other room....Deondray Gossett and Quincy LeNear, creators of The DL Chronicles. I didn't know a whole lot about their project before this weekend, but I can tell why they've come so far. They are the most energetic and passionate people I've seen in this community in...well, ever. They just seem so genuinely friendly and kind.
Now.... you know how on The Wonder Years when every time Kevin Arnold would see Winnie Cooper, her little theme music would come on? You know it....da-dun-da-dun-dunnnn.... dah dah daaaaah dahhhhh.
That's how I felt when I met Dwight Powell, Editor-in-Chief of Clik Magazine. I was like "Are you fucking kidding me? How can one man be so...soo.... CUTE????"
lol
He was a great guy, too. He seemed very humble about the whole Clik Honors thing, which was good. I would have been really put off had he been all cocky about it. I really was glad to have the little bit of time chatting with him as I got.
THEN we went to Bulldog's. Yes, Bulldog's. I liken it to the Delta in DC. Not really much to look at as a venue, but great music and a pretty friendly atmosphere. Didn't drink, just danced. But the cigarette (and other) smoke got to me and my fragile respiratory system, so we went back to the hotel and crashed.
And so ended Friday.
Saturday:
Had breakfast at American Roadhouse with Matthew, his friend Bobby, and my friend Yarnell. Jokes and good times all around! I swear we had a poltergeist at the table. Food was flying everywhere, and it wasn't our fault! lol
Somehow we ended up back at Lenox Square. We also finally found a Borders where I spent some money.
Back to the hotel....short nap...long shower....black suit, red shirt, new red and black paisley tie. Fresh hair wash...and some hair grease to make sure my naps ack right, lol.
The Show:
When we got there, the Fox Theatre was swamped with a bunch of grungy white kids who all looked the same. I say that not because they were white, but they LITERALLY all had on dirty-looking clothes, dreadlocks, clogs, long gypsy dresses, etc. Apparently, there was a concert going on by a band called the String Cheese Incident. I was freaked the fuck out -- I was like oh hell no, this is entirely too many people acting all rowdy don't MAKE me have to be in Race War 2006 up and through here.
Finally, the gay black people line started moving, and we went to our venue. I got interviewed on the red carpet by Maurice Jamal like I was special, LOL.
Okay, so I am tired now, I'ma have to continue this in the morning. I know, I suck! LOL
Posted by Rashid on November 28, 2006 at 11:02 PM | Comments (8)
Kramer
This is how we at Old Gold Soul feel about Kramer's tirade:
Posted by Rashid on November 21, 2006 at 8:52 PM | Comments (0)
Why I Rejoined Adam4Adam
No good reason. LOL
When I left my job, I had lots more free time. So I rejoined, hoping to meet new people and continue to promote my work. Hey, that really worked the first time I was on A4A.
I have a really good profile, if I do say so myself.
But bamas still don't read. I put an age limit, and half the people who respond say dumb shit like "Well, I guess I am beyond your age limit..." Why why would you waste your time writing me, monkey?
Shaaah!
It doesn't annoy me as much as it once did, though. Everybody on A4A just wanna be loved, I guess, even the ones who say they just want sex. They want to be loved most of all.
Posted by Rashid on at 11:30 AM | Comments (1)
I haven't updated in sooooo long...
....because I was sick for the past two weeks with bronchitis. Didn't really have any news to report, so I took a break from blogging.
But I'm back, and here's a topic.....
So not even five minutes ago, I'm on a message board for fraternity and sorority members, which I do from time to time, and there is a thread about "famous" members. Actually, the topic was about whether Spike Lee is an Alpha or not (he's not). Then it went off on a tangent of other famous Alphas.
So this religious-type posted this:
I disagree with this famous alpha but at least he is Honest: http://rashid.oldgoldsoul.com/diary/
And his honesty is why men and women of God need to pray for our brothers and sisters now more than ever. Cover us in your Blood Jesus Christ that death may PASSOVER in Jesus name
First of all...... WHOA, I'M FAMOUS?????? That's news to me!
Secondly.....thanks for the free publicity!
Third.... yes, pray for me. I need prayer for my health, my success as a novelist, for safety when I fly to Atlanta on Friday.... but don't pray for me because you think I'm going to hell or because you feel bad for me because I'm gay AND PROUD.
Finally...... there is a sect of the anti-Greek religious people that have some sort of obsession with me and my work to "destroy all prejudices." I was on a anti-Greek yahoo group (snooping, lol), and right there listed on the site was a link to my yahoo group for LGBT fraternity and sorority members and aspirants.
WTF???? Why are they so worried about what we do? We're not gay because we're Greek..... it's a coincidence. And we've decided to support one another on our journeys.
I swear.....
But anyway, that was a happy thing..... I don't mind people with differing opinions viewing my site. But it's my site....I don't come here to debate. Just to state my truth and leave it there.
Posted by Rashid on November 20, 2006 at 12:49 PM | Comments (2)
Oh my stars....
So, as most of you all know by now, YES, I am one of the nominees for the Clik Honors: Elite 25 Awards! I am still tickled pink about that...but guess what else?
The Elite 25 Awards show is going to be in Atlanta, GA! If you will be in Atlanta on November 25, you should really consider attending the awards show. Not only would it be nice to have an Old Gold Soul cheering section (Lazarus, Lazarus -- Rah Rah Rah! Covenant, Covenant, Sis Boom Bah!) but it will be a golden opportunity to get to meet all the people who make Clik Magazine happen. Dwight Powell, Luis Medrano....all a dem.
Annnnnd......guess who is hosting the show? Rodney Chester from TV's Noah's Arc! When I found that out I immediately called my married couple friends who watch Noah's Arc with me. We are still sittin here cheesin'! I'm gonna meet Alex from Noah's Arc!!!!!
Now of course I don't know which of the nominees will actually be there, but check out this partial list: Patrick-Ian Polk and the cast of Noah's Arc, RuPaul, Keith Boykin, Karamo, and fellow authors Dayne Avery, Michael-Christopher, James Earl Hardy, E. Lynn Harris, Alphonso Morgan, Fred Smith, and many more!
Now, the venue itself will be the Fox Theatre -- it looks like a grand venue indeed. It's very posh...very 1930s in my opinion.
The program? Red carpet....meet & greet....the awards show proper....champagne toast....and an afterparty....
And yes.... I have a date, bitches. LOL
I really, strongly, sincerely encourage people to make this event an impromptu trip to Atlanta. Enjoy your Thanksgiving then fly down to ATL and help Clik Magazine honor their first Elite 25. Ticket information can be found at the Clik Honors website.
See you in Atlanta!
Posted by Rashid on November 6, 2006 at 8:37 PM | Comments (5)
The Crush Makes Everything Alright
As you read this entry, listen to "Crush" by Zhane. It helps!
I have two things to say tonight....one specific, one broad.
Specifically, my whole life was made tonight....why? Because I got to see my Crush.
*sigh*
*swoon*
It's Homecoming Weekend for the Hoyas, and I went to this happy hour thing at the Black House. I really enjoyed it this year, maybe even a little better than previous years. There were so many people there I knew by face, but not necessarily by name. And I liked that because it's like wow, all these Black Hoyas in one room...college educated....I love it!
But the icing on the cake was within one minute of me coming in the house....around the corner came my Crush.
*sigh* and *swoon*
*cheese*
I've known this guy since I started college....1997.... and during my Sophomore year was when I was like wow, I am really crushing on this dude. But he was straight, and to my knowledge still is, lol. But I used to love just sitting on the bench and talking to him. He was so complex to me...not at all what people categorized him as.
The cadence of his voice....his hands....his eyes....his genuine concern for my welfare....his tacit support of me, all that I was and am.
And I've always been a sucker for anyone I had to look up to -- literally. I love tall men.
Yet, he was just a crush, because he was straight. And is.
The crush I had on him was not painful -- it wasn't like how, this year, I became attracted to a man who already had a boyfriend. It was those moments where you and he stare at each other, then look away, then stare again.
No, this was a cold, hard crush. Liking somebody so hard that just seeing him makes your day go better.
Now, more broadly:
I think every gay man I know is feeling me when I say that crushes are especially hard on us. See, I don't know about everyone, but for ME, I crush on the one hundred percent inaccessible dudes. Those dudes that are so unabashedly straight. So masculine, sometime even macho....
Dudes I can't possibly have.
Dudes with families..... hey, there is nothing more attractive than seeing a single father handling his business!
Straight dudes.....I love them so.
On one hand, they are the best dudes to crush on, because you can crush on them from afar in perpetuity.
But on the other hand, gosh it fuckin sucks to like straight dudes because it messes up your personal barometer for relationships with gay men. I was discussing this with a friend this weekend, as a matter of fact. We asked each other damn....are we chronically single because in essence, we WANT a straight man?
What is it about a straight man that is so appealing to me?
Part of it is masculinity. I personally don't want to date a man who is more femme than I am. And I'm not femme really..... sure, I might say "gert" or "chile" every now and then, but I think I'm pretty "normal" on the gay spectrum of feminine to masculine tendencies and affectations.
Part of it is an orientation toward family life.... straight men are sorta bred to be fathers....part of a unit.... straight men are expected to become part of a duo, and eventually a trio or more, depending on how many kids they have. I LOVE THAT because I want a family myself. It's almost like once a man commits to a gay lifestyle, it becomes harder and harder to find relationship role models who match the paradigm of the nuclear family, especially among black gays.
Straight men satisfy the need I have to be protected...to have someone who says "Naw....I got this." And it also goes back to my preference for tall men. Tall men make me feel safe and secure.
I guess part of my life as a writer is so independent....I have to wear so many hats on my own behalf. And sometimes I'm just like GOSH can't I get a break? No, I don't necessarily want someone who is gonna get me foot massages, get me the evening paper, and fix dinner..... I want that manly man who is gonna go out and KILL dinner for that night. LOL!
This entry is rife with generalizations....so forgive me. I know not all straight men meet these criteria, and many gay men do. I'm just trying to get to the heart of the matter.....
Don't worry..... I'm not chasing pipe dreams....and I generally accept people as they are.
But as the guy with the boyfriend told me.... I have pretty high standards. Realistic? For the patient, yes. I do think there is a guy out there for me who is everything I'm looking for and more. He's going to give me those butterflies that my straight crushes give me.
I'm open for it....not rushing it....
I just better not be damn 85 years old when it happens!
Posted by Rashid on November 4, 2006 at 9:08 PM
Doogie's on the Team!!!!
Neil Patrick Harris is gay!
YES, TV's "Doogie Howser, MD!"
Gay like me!
Gay like Bert and Ernie!
SCORE ONE FOR THE GAYS!!!!
Posted by Rashid on November 3, 2006 at 8:48 PM | Comments (0)