This is how I go off on the kids:
Posted on March 15, 2007 at 7:00 AM
YES! This site is worth something! lol
Posted on March 7, 2007 at 6:52 PM
This blog is dedicated to -- ME!
Thanks Wise and Young for hooking me up with this -- sho nuff gave me some things to think about!!!!
Posted on January 12, 2007 at 11:03 PM | Comments (0)
Florida/Ohio State Game
What was the name of that black guy sitting to the right of Emmit Smith on last night's Florida/Ohio State pre-game show?
He was Pretty Hot And Tempting, yo!
Posted on January 9, 2007 at 9:55 AM | Comments (0)
This week in The Washington Blade
Without fanfare, Council approves tax filing bill
D.C. gay couples now have ‘civil unions in all but name’
In a little-noticed action, the D.C. Council on Dec. 19 approved a bill that would allow registered domestic partners in the city to file joint returns for their District of Columbia income taxes beginning in the 2007 tax year.
The legislation, the Domestic Partnership Joint Filing Act of 2006, is the latest in a series of far-reaching domestic partner laws the Council has adopted over the past three years. Gay activists and city officials say the laws collectively provide same-sex couples with nearly all the local rights and benefits enjoyed by married couples.
Posted on January 6, 2007 at 9:22 AM | Comments (0)
Remember the Past, Look to the Future
Rest in Peace:
Shelly Winters
Wilson Pickett
Gene McFadden (of McFadden & Whitehead)
Coretta Scott King
Al Lewis (Grandpa from The Munsters)
Betty Friedan
Peter Benchley (wrote Jaws and other novels)
Dennis Weaver
Octavia Butler
Don Knotts
Darren McGavin
Kirby Puckett
Dana Reeve (widow of Christopher Reeve)
Gordon Parks
Megan Van Peebles (Sister of Mario, daughter of Melvin)
Dan Curtis (Producer of Dark Shadows, original and 1991 revival)
Proof from D12
June Pointer
Katherine Dunham
E. Pierce Marshall (Anna Nicole Smith's stepson)
Aaron Spelling
June Allyson
Red Buttons
Mickey Spillane
Willi Ninja
Daniel Smith (Anna Nicole Smith's son)
Ann Richards
Mickey Hargitay (Mariska's father)
Frances Bergen
Ed Bradley
Gerald Levert
Jack Palance
Ruth Brown
Robert McFerrin (father of Bobby)
James Brown
Posted on December 25, 2006 at 2:53 PM | Comments (0)
Black God!
Posted on December 18, 2006 at 12:57 AM | Comments (1)
Clik Awards - Part II
I left y'all hanging for a while....
So I got interviewed on the red carpet, and that was cute. Went up these huge marble stairs (they seemed marble, maybe they weren't) to the salon where the awards would be held. There were appetizers and whatnot. I didn't have any though because I was so nervous.
My "date" was just my frat brother -- nothing special, you nosy rosies. And truth be told, he was about to get his head bit off because I was already on edge and he was finding new and inventive ways to piss me off, LOL.
I saw a lot of people I had seen around before, like Dwayne from Brothers United. Familiar faces are such a good thing in places like that. Of course, Dwight Powell was there --
*da-dun-da-da-dun......da da daaaaaah da daaaa*
As was Keith and Nathan and Jasmyne and a bunch of other people who were nominees but whose faces I didn't know yet.
Billy Porter sang...I had actually received a complimentary copy of his CD from SMYAL a few months ago. He can sing pretty good, too.
The ceremony itself was not without it's bumps -- it was a little disappointing that some presenters weren't briefed on the winners, so certain awardees didn't get what I felt was an appropriate intro.
But, the hosts, Rodney Chester from Noah's Arc and Harmonica Sunbeam were awesome. Rodney seems like somebody I'd have fun hanging out with.
The complete list of winners is as follows:
BUSINESS
John Campbell (New Jersey)
COMMUNITY ADVOCACY
Jasmyne CannicK (Los Angeles)
Rudolph Carns (Atlanta)
Joe Hawkins (Oakland)
Phill Wilson (Los Angeles)
Rev. Antonio Jones (Atlanta)
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Patrik-Ian Polk (Los Angeles)
Wilson Cruz (Los Angeles)
Rodney Chester (Los Angeles)
Maurice Jamal (New York)
Quincy LeNear & Deondray Gossett (Los Angeles)
Rashid Darden (Washington D.C.)
E. Lynn Harris (Little Rock)
Kevin Aviance (New York)
Billy Porter (New York)
Raquel Lord (Atlanta)
Sophia McIntosh (Atlanta)
MEDIA
Ramon Johnson (New York)
Lisa C. Moore (Washington D.C.)
Dwight Powell (Atlanta)
Duane Cramer (San Francisco)
Ric Rollins (Tampa)
POLITICS
Keith Boykin (New York)
Hon. Ken Reeves (Cambridge)
Alexander Robinson (Washington D.C.)
Dr. David Malebranche (Atlanta)
ICON HONOREES
Archbishop Carl Bean - Founder of Unity Fellowship Church Movement (Los Angeles)
Alan Bell - Publishing Pioneer (Los Angeles)
Traxx Atlanta - Nightclub Promoter (Atlanta)
So I was winner #24..... I was exhausted by the time they got to the category, and honestly it was so late in the evening and we had passed all the other artsy categories, I was like wow, maybe I didn't win shit! But then Wilson Cruz announced my name (Rashad?) and I went to the stage.
Those lights were halla bright, yo.
So I said thanks to God (had anybody else thanked God that evening?), my mother, and Clik Magazine. Honestly, I kinda blacked out and I can't remember exactly what I said, but judging by the pictures, it looked like I was feeling it, LOL.
I did take the opportunity to tell everyone in the audience that E. Lynn Harris paved the way for someone like me to be unafraid to wear a pride necklace to a fraternity event, and have no shame in wearing my fraternity pin to a gay pride event.
Then I left the stage and got interviewed by Maurice Jamal again. I think he asked what's next....maybe I said world domination? If the awards get broadcast, maybe my memory will be jogged, lol.
After the awards, I got to grip E. Lynn (woo hoo!) and chatted up some other Brothers who were in the audience, as well as some friends, blog readers, and even some Sigmas! Let me tell you, these two guys were the cutest couple EVER. Both happened to be Sigmas, one was wearing his pin, and they were just as cordial as they wanted to be. I got to email them.
Oh, and I met Darion Tariq! I was so...I dunno, kinda shocked to finally meet him. I hope I didn't seem like aloof or anything.... I guess I was like wow, it's him, lol.
Here are some links to pictures of the event:
Official Clik Honors Site
Dwight's Pics
Jasmyne's Pics and Personal Account
LT's Pics and Personal Account
Keith's Personal Account
AND NOW....for my personal thank yous.....
Guys, seriously, this was one of the greatest moments of my career so far. When I posted on my blog that I was interested in being nominated, you all really came through for me. None of us knew that this event would be as big as what it was.... but thanks to all of you who nominated me, I got to meet so many visionary leaders in the black LGBT/SGL communities. I mean, come on....freakin' E. Lynn Harris!
You all recognized my talents and shared that with Clik Magazine -- THANK YOU! Because of you, big things have happened and doors are being opened to even bigger things. I can't say enough how much I thank you and how much this honor means to me.
I especially thank everyone on facebook who took time out to send in a nomination. Look what we can do when we work together?
I am looking forward to next year's Clik Awards so we can expand this phenomenal feeling to even more talented people in our community.
SEE YA NEXT YEAR!!!!
Posted on December 3, 2006 at 1:23 PM | Comments (3)
Enough "And I Am Telling You" until you vomit on the floor!
Original Jennifer Holliday Version:
Jennifer Hudson Version:
Frenchie Davis Version:
Von Version:
Tamyra Gray Version (Romeo & Juliet Short film):
Biance Ryan Version:
Natalie from Penn State Version:
Marty Thomas Version:
Mau Marcelo Version (Phillipine Idol):
Rowetta Version (Dance Version):
Posted on December 1, 2006 at 9:15 PM | Comments (2)
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 on November 28, 2006 at 11:02 PM | Comments (8)
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 on November 6, 2006 at 8:37 PM | Comments (5)
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 on November 3, 2006 at 8:48 PM | Comments (0)
Muppets Parodies on YouTube
Today's Washington Post, Style Section, has an article all about Muppets inspired parodies. For kicks, I looked up some of the very same parodies they mentioned on YouTube. HILARIOUS!
Martin Scorsese Presents Sesame Streets
The Muppet Matrix
The Bear Wit Project
F*ck the Police
C for Cookie (V for Vendetta Spoof)
Posted on October 31, 2006 at 10:33 AM | Comments (0)
Clik Honors: Elite 25
So I've been making people aware of the opportunity to submit nominations for the Clik Magazine Elite 25. If you're interested in nominating me, you can:
1) Visit clikhonors.com/html/clik_honors.html
2) Click on Nominations on the left hand side of the screen.
3) Go to category #6, Books/Literature.
4) Type my name and anything else you'd like to say about me.
Some of you might want to write about my career in education and youth development, and that's fine -- that's part of me. So is writing my novels and poetry, speaking on various college campuses, working with APO and Alpha Phi Alpha, blogging about the minutia (sp?) that is my life....if you feel like I make a difference in some way, send Clik Magazine a few sentences. And it's done. Just like that.
They will announce the finalists in a few days. I'm not campaigning! Just making y'all aware of the opportunity. It's not too often that black gay folks honor other black gay folks like this!
Posted on October 23, 2006 at 8:11 AM | Comments (2)
Hot like FIYAH!!!!
So, I am not someone who generally likes spicy foods. I used to, but then I got it in my head that my sometimes-frequent upper respiratory infections weren't exactly helped by hot sauce.
But every now and then, I like a little spice in my life. And not just from the menfolk -- HAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Oh shut up, y'all know that was funny.
So one Friday afternoon I was leaving my old job -- yes, I recently resigned from my job with the after school program -- and I heard the sound of drumming. I worked cat-a-corner to Hine Junior High so I assumed their band was practicing. I decided to walk down the street to check out the band before I went home.
Well, on the way to the school yard, I noticed a row of row houses that had been converted to stores. One was a toy store, one was a frame shop, and one was this hot sauce store.
A hot sauce store? What sort of madness is this? I went inside and realized that this was Uncle Brutha's place!
Uncle Brutha's is the black owned hot sauce....I used to see their van in upper ward 4 in DC.
So of course I bought some of their sauces and some other things like spicy chutney and pocorn and whatnot. But the best part of the store was meeting Uncle Brutha himself (Brennan G. Proctor) and his very beautiful momma! It was so nice to support a black owned business right there on Capitol Hill, in Eastern Market.
And of course, the hot sauce is great. That's not even a question.
So check out their website: www.unclebrutha.com and visit their store at 323 7th Street, SE. It's right by Eastern Market (the place) and less than half a block from the Eastern Market Metro Station on the Blue line.
Check em out!
Posted on October 19, 2006 at 5:12 PM | Comments (1)
Blackout!
Hey everybody! If you're in Charlotte, please support my frat brother in his role as Bruce Nugent in BLACKOUT 2006!
Posted on October 16, 2006 at 4:22 PM | Comments (0)
Brave Soul Collective -- The Message Board
Gay peeps..... I want you to check out this message board, Brave Soul Collective.
It is a positive message board for black gay, bisexual, same gender-loving people. I try to post there every once in a while. But since I can't post every day, I want YOU to go there and enjoy it like I do.
Posted on October 1, 2006 at 3:52 PM | Comments (3)
Back to U Street
After a rough day at work, I went to Borders to pick up some DVDs as a super-belated birthday gift for a friend. So who should be there but motherfuckin AL FRANKEN.
At first I was like wow, it's Al Franken from Saturday Night Live! (Because I could care less about the political commentating he does.)
Then I was like oh HELL naw, he is in the music and DVD section all in my way!
But I was able to shop while he talked. So that was my celebrity sighting.
Then I called my frat Kwame and was like yo, where you at? Let's get wasted, it's been that kind of day. (I didn't mean it literally, that's just how we joke.)
Se we met up at Cafe Nema on U Street. Although there were some mix-ups with the order (I ordered a chicken kabob entree, and they gave me a chicken kabob sandwich, which I ate half of, then they came back and MADE me take the entree, lol) I really enjoyed it! The food was good, the music was nice, and the ambiance was good -- kinda like Takoma Station.
I had an amaretto sour which was tasty, thanks.
Then we walked a few doors down to Creme Cafe Lounge.... that was a little more upscale. Though I didn't eat there, I definitely would.
The drinks, however, were ON POINT. Try their Pink Lemonade....by the time I got to the bottom, I was like whoooooa.
I came home after that and had some moments that were reminiscent of my late grandfather Gus. I will leave it at that.
All in all, U Street is the spot.
And it was great to hang with my frat last night.
Today I'm meeting with a potential photographer for Old Gold Soul and I think giving a tour of Georgetown for some black folks.
Have a great Saturday!
Posted on September 30, 2006 at 11:51 AM | Comments (3)
In the news...
Did y'all hear about the recent tragedy in the Simmon's house? It seems as though there were complications during the birth of Victoria Anne Simmons, the daughter of Reverend Run and his wife Justine...she passed away shortly after birth. I was really hoping that the story was just a hoax, but the family issues a press release. So terribly sad. More information here.
Do you believe T.O.? Not that it matters, but I don't think I do. His story (and he's sticking to it) is here, but the Smoking Gun has the real tea.
Car bombs, little girls dying from the dentist, and school shootings..... you see why I typically focus on entertainment in my blog? The real world is TOUGH.
Enjoy the weekend!
Posted on September 29, 2006 at 8:43 AM | Comments (2)
On Noah's Arc
Last year I became part of a large crop of gay black male writers who had debut novels. It was me, Alphonso Morgan, Fred Smith, Dayne Avery, Trent Jackson, and Eric Ware. Of these, I became closest to Fred and along the way got (re)acquainted with Brent Dorian Carpenter. If I could describe how it felt to be surrounded by all these men and so many others who were part of the gay black literary explosion, I could only use one word: renaissance.
Black gay blogging reached epic proportions and the accompanying drama was legendary. We had infiltrated the internet in a major way.
And yes, we even had The Ski Trip so we could see ourselves on screen, albeit in independent movie houses and film festivals.
When I peruse the emails from my readers, I become keenly aware of what my work has meant to other gay black men, young and old. It means something to be able to pick up a book and see yourself in it. Yourself -- not a white character, not a straight character, but actually you.
I didn't have digital cable, so I wasn't exactly excited about the Logo network, just happy that an alternative venue for entertainment was available. Maurice Jamal could show The Ski Trip, for example. But I was still skeptical because it's an MTV network.
Then Noah's Arc premiered. I thought to myself, gee, that's great for Patrick-Ian Polk. I've never met him, but I did see him when he presented a sneak preview of the pilot for Noah's Arc back in....wow, it must have been 2004. I thought it was very sexy. But I never really thought there would be a venue that would welcome it. I thought at best maybe I could buy it on DVD.
But, as I said, Noah's Arc did finally make it on TV, though Logo. But damn, did it have to be digital cable? I couldn't see myself plopping down the extra money for what would amount to Noah's Arc, Degrassi, and Sesame Unpaved, the only three shows on digital cable that I would really watch. Well, and the day's rerun of Days of Our Lives.
Then the DVDs of the first season came out. I was like man, if people don't stop asking me if I've seen Noah's Arc..... plus, hell, I owe it to a fellow black artist to purchase the work.
So I bought it from Lambda Rising here in DC. I watched it.
And I loved it.
Sure, there are things about Noah's Arc that are worthy of a critique, but that's not what I am here for. I am here to let you know:
1) You need to buy Noah's Arc on DVD and watch the new episodes on Logo if you have it.
2) Noah's Arc has solidified the culutral renaissance among gay black men.
When I see Noah's Arc, I see myself.
In Noah I see the writer in me.... I see a young man who is struggling to find his big break in the world while maintaining his identity. I see someone who is unafraid to be himself. And most importantly, I see a man who only wants to love and be loved.
In Chance I see the nerd in me -- the little angel on everyone's shoulder who tells them to do the right thing. I see the scholar side of me...the person who absorbs knowledge like it's going out of style. And even in Eddie, I see the faces of men I have loved.
In Alex I see my inner queen -- I crack up EVERY time he says "girt." I see a man who has character traits that not everyone understands that sometimes leave him out of the loop. And I see creativity and passion. In his man Trey, I see everything that balances out those qualities -- someone who is as level headed as I am passionate. The type of man I need.
In Ricky I see my inner slut -- he and Noah are on opposite sides of the same coin. Both just want to love and be loved. Ricky is the version of myself without a strong moral compass....I have been Ricky and I might be him again. He is deeply scarred and I am eager to see the further development of his character.
In Wade.....oh lord, that Wade. Wade is the type of guy that has so much love to give he doesn't even know how to use it. I've been there before, too.
Noah's Arc brings together all types of men, all gay. One might not see themselves precisely in a character -- for example, Noah is way more "fabulous" than I'll ever be, and none of the male leads are as.... how can one say it... "down to earth" as most of my gay male friends are. And yes, for me, having nothing but gay friends isn't realistic or necessarily desired.
But I still see myself in the show. More importantly, I see everyone else. I see men who I would have shied away from ten years ago because they were flamboyant or even drag queens. ow...who cares? I love me a man in drag, especially if he's fabulous!
Noah's Arc has some solid actors and some pretty faces. Followers of the show might be surprised to learn that Baby Gat is my new favorite supporting character. He is charismatic, dynamic, and flamboyant, but in a heterocentric way. Plus, he's British. How can I not love a black British character?
Noah's Arc also seems to be that show that black actors want to be on. Last season they had Renaldo Rey and Garrett Morris, for example. This season so far they've had Victoria Rowell (in a deliciously melodramatic role as the Lesbian wife of Eddie's boss), Keith Hamilton Cobb (who portrays a progessive blogger and media pundit), and Raz B, as a patient in Alex's clinic.
And let's not forget Wilson Cruz, who has shown off his chops as Dr. Junito Vargas. Let me just say that if you boo-hooed during the Christmas episode of My So-Called Life (remember when he was in that?) then you will be pleased at the dramatic evolution of Mr. Cruz.
The the brave soldiers who portray these characters, I salute you. Regardless of your sexuality, it is important that gay black men, especially the youth, see images of themselves. You have taken on the challenge of playing a role that could mean career suicide -- fight the good fight, for the sake of the craft as well as the people who look to your images for affirmation.
I especially salute you, Doug Spearman. You are an out gay black actor. Is there anything more to say?
To Patrick-Ian Polk....a man of my generation (and if not, you sure look like it to me).... life takes us in strange directions. In 2004, Punks was out but you were on your grind trying to make Noah's Arc a reality. I probably got no more than 20 feet away from you, but I admired your tenacity. Now your dream has been realized. You inspire black gay men (hell, all men and women) with every new episode of Noah's Arc, and every public appearance you make.
You have solidified the black gay renaissance through your efforts. Because of you, and all the other soldiers out there, you have put faces to our stories. You have transmitted our lives to the homes of people in the 'hood and in the cornfields.
I hope you're proud of yourself, because I sure am proud of you.
Posted on September 24, 2006 at 2:29 PM | Comments (3)
Blogger updates and work reminiscences
So as you all know, I don't blog nearly as much as I once did when I was but a poor boy struggling to get by as a teacher in the DC Public Schools. I miss those days to an extent..... working daily with kids who were happy to see you just because you were a sub. I mean come on....everybody loves the sub!
I would roll out of bed at 7:30, shower, grab a snack, and walk the two blocks to work. If I got there early enough, I might grab some breakfast in the cafeteria, put up my daily agenda if I was subbing, or just chill if I was functioning as an aide.
I worked nearly three full years at that school! That's the longest I ever worked in one place, second only to my high school and college job at NIH, which was five years. It was sad to leave, but I know I moved on to something even greater.
My current job gives me supervisory experience, a chance to work directly with community members, opportunities for professional development, and probably the thing I like the most is working on college campuses again. It helps that I still look like a collegiate -- please believe that I remain flattered every time someone asks "What year I you?" and I say "Class of 2001."
Love that! I still got it! *bumps afro*
But one major drawback to this job is one that I anticipated: time.
I frequently work ten hour days, sometimes twelve. This has severely hampered my efforts to get Covenant out on time. In addition to that, I don't have the energy to blog every day anymore. That, my friends, will change. I am currently crafting a plan that will get me blogging on a regular basis again, at least four days a week. Work with me.... Old Gold Soul is coming back.
But, that said.... I had even less time to read my favorite blogs....in some cases, even months. So as I went down the list, I discovered some things....
Felecia Pride and The BackList is still up and running, with brand new colors. (New to me.)
Bernie is still blogging every few days.... I love his entries. I'd like to meet him some day.
malik hasn't updated since early august. But I talk to him via email sometimes, so I'm not worried.
Butta done got herself a gig writing at Vibe Confidential!
More later....
Posted on September 17, 2006 at 10:57 AM | Comments (1)
Lovers and Players by Jackie Collins: A Review
So you know how I never get a chance to read anymore? Well, I made time to read a trashy Jackie Collins novel. Woo hoo!
I haven't read one since Rock Star, which I read at WAY too young an age! I remember that Rock Star was obviously "about" real people, or at least inspired by them. Lovers and Players was no different.
There is a primary story and a secondary story here, and my only major complaint about the novel is that although it takes the reader about five seconds to figure out how the storylines are related, it takes Jackie Collins the majority of the novel to finally tell us.
So the primary story is that an old and cruel billionaire named Red Diamond has summoned his three sons to New York for some stunning revelations. Each son had a different mother, and each mother was dead, except for one who is a drunk and doesn't appear much in the story.
Max, the eldest son, is a businessman who reminds me of a young Donald Trump. Not as wealthy, but just as ambitious. He has an ex-wife, Mariska, and a little brat of a daughter named Lulu, whose ass I wanted to whup for the entirety of the novel. He also has a new, virginal fiance named Amy who has money's grandmother -- literally.
Chris is the middle son who has a gambling and sex addiction. He is also a lawyer to the stars. I felt like I wanted to know the most about this character but it never quite happened.
Jett is the baby of the family and the biggest fuck-up. Big time alcoholic and a model. Has a girlfriend named Gianna who reminds me of all the fabulous European/South American Georgetown girls I went to school with.
So......somebody gets killed, somebody has an affair, everybody kinda wants Red's money, but nobody really WANTS his money.
The second story is about Red Diamond's housekeeper's estranged daughter, named Liberty. She's a light-skinned waitress at a coffee shop and an aspiring singer.....hmmmmm, who dat sound like?
Yup, sounds like an Alicia Keys video to me, too.
So she's an aspiring singer and links up with a very Diddy-inspired music mogul. He's married but seems to be Fallin' for her.
I'm loathe to say much more about the plot, but overall it was a great read! Long as hell, but that's Jackie Collins for you. It satisfied my need for a light read with fantastic storylines that could never happen to little old me. Don't you just love characters with unlimited money?
I liked that Jackie attempted to give an authentic voice to her black characters. In terms of dialect, I probably wouldn't have used all the same grammar/spelling choices, but I give her points for trying.
It was a great novel and I recommend it.
Posted on September 9, 2006 at 7:26 AM | Comments (0)
Gay, Black, Crippled, Fat!
From Gay, Black, Crippled, Fat! by Adarro Minton
It’s Just a Dream
I have this recurring dream where I am confined to a wheelchair for the rest of my life because the chair fell in love with me. Every morning when I wake up, it’s there by the side of my bed waiting, genuflecting, demanding I join with it just once more. Then it will leave me alone. But it lies, and the next day it is there again feigning compassion. While clandestinely leaving it’s accessories around the house. When I confront it, it threatens to leave, rolling to the door, leaving me and my lifeless legs on the floor. Only after I beg does it return, daring me to ever again rebuke it.
End.
A look at the base, vile, twisted, deviant world of, GAY MARRIAGE!
James didn’t smell food or hear pork chops frying in the kitchen. Mike, even though he had the whole day off, didn’t find it necessary to carry his lazy black ass into the kitchen to cook something for dinner. James, pissed off now, began pulling take-out menus from the junk drawer, and slamming them, one by one, onto the counter. Trying his best to intentionally disrupt Mike from The Oprah Show, and the simultaneous phone conversation he was casually having with his best friend Rita.
He didn’t want Chinese, SLAM, not tonight. He didn’t have a taste for Indian or Thai either; SLAM; SLAM. Mike heard and slid into the kitchen, his normally smoldering curly hair all fucked up and pushed grotesquely to one side, crusty boogers dried in the corners of his eyes, still dressed in the same drawers he slept in and asked James, “Hun, can you run back out to McDonald’s?”
James, awake since 5:00 a.m., two and a half hours commuting, eight hours at work kissing white mother fuckers ass, and then commuting three more hours to get home, picked up his briefcase, walked past Mike to the front door, and tossed it out onto their manicured White Plains lawn.
Mexican landscapers had carefully clipped crisp lines where the grass met the sidewalk, perfectly rounded hedges, and small happy pink, red, and yellow flora that only the crazy old “cat lady” at the end of the block knew the name of. James clapped his hands together and declared:
“THAT’S IT, I’m gonna take two years off and go back to school!”
“And work free-lance from home like your lazy ass.”
“I’d sure like to sit on my ass for awhile.”
“Maybe when we go broke I can get a decent meal on a fuckin’ soup line!”
Mike stood, repentant. His head down, appropriately soundless. James brushed by him, thumped the drawer closed, and slapped the menus off the counter. Mike flinched as their bedroom door slammed shut.
Vexed for letting the day get away from him, Mike grabbed a pair of shorts from the hamper in their downstairs bathroom, and went outside to retrieve James’ attaché. As he headed back into the house, Harriet Ludwig, from across the street, gave him a “toot-toot” on the horn, and a smiling wave as she passed him in her mini-van; on her way to get her daughter from ballet class.
Mike picked up his car keys as he passed through the living room up the stairs and stopped halfway and said:
“James I’m going to Boston Market!” James didn’t answer.
Mike tried again, “James, you want Mac and cheese or rice with your dinner?”
James answered, “I don’t care.”
“James, do you want food from Boston Market or not?” Again, there was no answer.
James, hoping to parlay this minor/major transgression, into some GOOD oral later on, was trying on the ginger and black suede shoes he’d bought a few weeks earlier at Bijan, and planned to wear to a party at Rita’s house on Saturday night.
“J-a-m-e-s”, Mike sung, pleading. “Do you want Boston Market or not”.
“no.”
“You want me to go to Manarola, get that pasta you like,” willing to pay any reparation even REALLY GOOD oral, after dinner.
“Do you, J-a-m-e-s?”
“yes”.
“Okay, I’ll be right back”.
As Mike made his way back down the stairs he heard the bedroom door open,
“Don’t forget the,” Mike cut him off,
“I know, extra garlic bread, and marinara on the side.”
“I don’t know why you brought my briefcase in, I’m not going back to work.”
“I know baby, we’ll talk about it when I get back.”
Mike walked out the door, jumped into the car and went to Manarola. James, already undressed, took a shower and put on his spaghetti sauce shirt, an old t-shirt he could eat in comfortably without fear of staining it with this sauce or that, and a pair of sweats with pockets, he would control the remote tonight.
End.
Posted on September 3, 2006 at 11:05 AM | Comments (0)
YES!
THANK YOU, Days of Our Lives!
I just read that you're now getting rid of the actors who played Frankie and Patrick.
Let me say that I really do like the both of them as actors, but.....it just never really worked for me.
Frankie would be so much better with Eve (not Eve the cop, but Eve Donovan). I remember their chemistry before they left the show before.
And Patrick....I mean, they never really gave him a history. He never seemed like a Lockhart to me. He wasn't a very believable big brother to Mimi....he didn't seem to like his on-screen mother....I dunno, I liked the fact that nobody knew whether he was good or evil.
As usual, Days didn't know what to with all the actors they hired.
In sadder news, they recasted Shawn-Douglas. :-( I SO wanted them to get rid of Shawn, Belle, Mimi, and Phillip all at once.
I reckon I should get a TiVo or something soon so I can watch the madness unfold again!
Posted on September 2, 2006 at 3:24 PM | Comments (0)
I'm sorry, but....
I'm sorry, but...I still don't like Madea movies. I tried....they're just not funny to me.
I'm sorry, but....Kristoff St. John could get it.
I'm sorry, but....I like Da Backwudz.
I'm sorry, but....Terrell Owens' body makes me forget that he is supposed to be a jerk.
I'm sorry, but...I'm glad Days of Our Lives is axing so many actors. Sorry Jack and Jennifer, but I'll get over you.
I'm sorry, but...I HAD to get The Wire (Season Three) on DVD this week. Yes, I used my Borders personal shopping day AND a coupon.
I'm sorry, but...I just don't really use my blog for social justice. It's more of a personal outlet.
I'm sorry, but....Adrian Fenty is gonna win the mayoral election whether you like it or not. Marie Johns should run for Congress.
I'm sorry, but.... I love my A Phi.
I'm sorry, but...yes, I do google people I meet for the first time.
I'm sorry, but....reruns of MadTV make me laugh out loud.
I'm sorry, but...this damn Jackie Collins novel is way too long. But I'm still reading it.
I'm sorry, but... if you're expecting me to mention your novel in my blog because the black gay community shows you no love....well...don't hold your breath.
I'm sorry, but that doesn't mean I can't be bought, LOL.
I'm sorry, but even though I don't have a truck, I strongly recommend you get your hitch covers from www.coverthehitch.com
I'm sorry. lol
Posted on August 20, 2006 at 11:05 AM | Comments (3)
Marlena's Possession
Fred...thank you SO MUCH for showing me these clips! The one above was the start of the infamous possession storyline on Days of Our Lives. LOVED IT!!!!!
Posted on August 16, 2006 at 7:13 PM
Random 12
Haven't done one of these in a while....these are 12 songs that randomly are playing in my Windows Media Player when I click the "shuffle" button. These are the ACTUAL songs -- I have not altered their order or deleted any songs because they are embarassing.
Song, Artist:
Backstabber, Eminem
El Tejano, Cowboy Troy
Frankenstein, Richard Pryor
Can't Keep a Good Man Down (Track 17 from a random reggae playlist from Brod)
Bang Your Head, Quiet Riot
Independent School Women, Busted vs Destiny's Child
Rock Box, Run-DMC
Y-nots Losing, Madaline Bell
Can'tneverdidnothin', Nikka Costa
Cry For You, Jodeci
Milkshake (Remix), Kelis
Kronik, Lil Kim ft Snoop Dogg
Posted on August 15, 2006 at 9:01 PM
It's Peanut Butter Jelly Time!
Posted on August 9, 2006 at 7:12 AM | Comments (1)
My Hitman Name
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Posted on July 22, 2006 at 6:18 AM | Comments (0)
Saved by the Bell: The Addict Years
Posted on July 17, 2006 at 6:35 AM | Comments (3)
The Gay Man's Survey (from KOBY on MySpace)
the Gay Man's Survey
Welcome to the first ever gay male oriented MySpace Quiz!!!
Get ready, get set...answer, copy, paste and repost!!!
**************************************
1. What is the first thing you notice about the same sex?
If from far away, the whole body, if up close, the eyes.
2. Which male celebrity would you want as a love slave?
First inclination is to say Lenny Kravitz, but I want him more as a husband. As a love slave, Robert Ri'chard.
3. Gift card winner at work!...which store do you reach for?
Borders!
4. Admit it, are you a size queen?
No
5. What store do you base your fashion sense on?
Any average urban store.
6. If you could improve gay pride, what would you improve?
More understanding for the need to have Black Gay Prides.
7. Have you marched in a gay pride parade?
No.
8. Honestly, how many times do you go to the gym?
Two times past never.
9. Honestly, how many nights do you go out with the boys?
I don't often go out with the boys.
10. How long was your last relationship?
What's that?
11. What would you do the moment gay marriage is approved by voters?
I would be happy....but I still wouldn't have a fiance, lol
13. Where would you want to have your gay wedding?
Outdoors at Meridian Hill Park, reception at Meridian House (Josephine Butler Parks Center)
14. Who do you want to be there?
Everyone! Literally.
15. What kind of food/ who would cater your gay wedding ?
Indian
16. Who is your diva?
David Bowie, lol
17. Which type of gay man do you avoid?
Dishonest ones. DL ones.
18. What qualities do you look for in a man?
Loyalty, consistency, someone who can and does love me the way I need to be loved.
19. What exotic gay locale would you travel to?
Can a locale be gay? TRINIDAD
20. What song are you tired of hearing?
Bossy
21. Which club/bar in your gay neighborhood do you wish would just close down because its so tired?
I would shut down the Delta for renovations
22. Admit it, have you gone thru a vegetarian/vegan phase?
Very very briefly. Kinda like a five day fast a long time ago.
23. Which restaurant/type of restaurant would you take a date?
Doesn't matter too much as long as the conversation is good.
24. How much can you bench?
Don't know.
25. What one part of the male anatomy always get your attention?
The male hourglass: broad shoulders and chest, slim waist, a badunkadunk, and big thighs.
26. Whole Foods or Bristol Farms??
Whole Foods
27. Do you donate clothes you dont use anymore?
Everything except fraternity and school paraphernalia
28. What do you think of Paris Hilton's new singing career?
OVERRATED
29. Did you know Godiva Chocolates contain preservatives?
I think Godiva Chocolate is also overrated.
30. What would you rather watch, hot boys laying out, hot boys playing volleyball or hot boys washing cars?
Hot boys washing cars -- I'm somewhat of a voyeur.
31. Do you go return to work late from your 10 minute break?
No comment.
32. Where do you want to have your dream house?
Right here in DC in a neighborhood like Kalorama.
33. Whats your favorite cologne?
Cool Water
34. Whats your favorite cologne on him?
Doesn't matter
35. Have you worn red to a gay day at an amusement park?
Believe it or not, I'm not a huge fan of amusement parks.
36. What are your favorite TV shows?
The Wire, SVU, Days of Our Lives, etc
37. Admit it, which TV DVD collection do you own?
Monty Python's Flying Circus, The Wire, Punky Brewster
39. Admit it, did you ever have a sugar daddy?
Nope.
40. What is the drink you always order at the club/bar?
Anything sweet. The standby is the fuzzy navel.
41. Finish the sentence...when I go to a house party, I avoid....
The kitchen because the floor always ends up sticky.
42. What embarassing moment are you constantly reminded of?
None really.... I have embarrassing moments, but my friends aren't jerks like that.
43. What does your last text message say?
"No! Can you believe I went back to sleep and got up at 7?"
44. Admit it, which fast food restaurant lures you each and every time?
McDonald's
45. Your date just scored tickets...which singer/performer do you hope they are?
D'Angelo (I'm holding out for the comeback)
46. Admit it, do you lie about your age?
Nope.
47. What is your favorite sex position?
No comment
48. What movie, in theatres right now, would you take a date?
Superman
49. What movie, in theatres now, would you NOT take a date?
I dunno.
50. You're the tour guide...where would you take an out-of-towner who is unfamiliar with your city?
I like taking people on the "Upper Northwest tour so they can see the nice houses and upscale places to shop.
*Redo and Repost as 'the Gay Man's Survey'*
Posted on July 13, 2006 at 6:01 AM | Comments (0)
What's Your Sexy Brazilian Name?
| Your Sexy Brazilian Name is: |
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Posted on July 9, 2006 at 2:09 PM | Comments (1)
Say Somethin'
This is my JAM! YES!
And you know what else is my jam? Don't Cha by the Pussycat Dolls.
I so wish I could make this into a stroll song. lol, could you imagine the horror of my bros seeing me stroll to Don't Cha?
Posted on July 5, 2006 at 7:51 AM | Comments (1)
If you missed my birthday....
If you missed my birthday, I am really feelin' these t-shirts from Ratha Unique, a t-shirt company I only recently became acquainted with.
Check them out at http://www.rathaunique.com/
(I prefer an XXL but can comfortably wear an XL, LOL)
Posted on July 1, 2006 at 4:32 PM | Comments (0)
How can I not love this?
Aesthetically a woman...athletically a man.
Yeah....I might not understand it....but the shit is dope! It's like gay capoeira!
Posted on June 27, 2006 at 9:44 PM | Comments (6)
She busted her ass!!!!
Happy birthday to me! Thanks for the clip, Antonio!!!!
Posted on June 25, 2006 at 9:06 AM | Comments (1)
Two Things (From 5-MB-05)
Two Names You Go By:
1. Rashid
2. Mr. Darden
Two Parts of Your Heritage:
1. African American
2. White
Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now:
1. t-shirt
2. cut off sweatpants
Two Things You Would Want in a Relationship:
1. Loyalty
2. Security
Two of Your Favorite Hobbies:
1. Reading
2. Writing
Two Things You Want Really Badly At The Moment:
1. Love
2. Mo Money
Two pets you had/have:
1. Maxwell the cat
2. Laila the cat
Two people who will fill this out:
1. Valerie
2. I dunno
Two things you did last night:
1. Worked late
2. Showed off my camera
Two People that live in your house:
1. Maxwell
2. Laila
Two things you ate today:
1. Nothing yet, I just woke up
2.
Two people you Last Talked To:
1. Mom
2. Stepfather
Two Things You're doing tomorrow:
1. Birthday dinner!
2. Hopefully getting my hair did
Two longest car rides:
1. South Carolina
2. Pennsylvania (All other times I bussed, trained, or flew)
Two Favorite Holidays:
1. Halloween
2. Christmas
Two Things You Can't Live Without:
1. My computer
2. Pen and paper
Two Things You Hate:
1. Men LOL
2. Bronchitis
Two Things You Love/Like:
1. History
2. Romance
Two Favorite Seasons:
1. Winter
2. Fall
Posted on June 23, 2006 at 6:18 AM | Comments (0)
Good or Bad Hair
Posted on June 21, 2006 at 2:14 PM | Comments (0)
Random 12
Once again, 12 songs that came up on my media player when I hit "Shuffle." I have taken out no songs to protect my rep, lol -- these are what would have normally played anyway.
Without You, Kelly Clarkson (live American Idol performance)
Purple Rain (live cover), Ween
Winelight, Grover Washington, Jr.
Mo Money Mo Problems, Biggie
He Was a Friend of Mine, Brokeback Mountain Soundtrack
Get Busy (funkymix), Sean Paul
Misty, Chuck Brown
Natural Woman, Aretha Franklin
Best of House 5, some sort of track I got from Frat that includes "Finally it has happened to me" and "Everybody Everybody"
Black and White Life Styles, Richard Pryor
Take the Whole World With Me, Eminem ft Bizarre & Pacewon
Posted on June 15, 2006 at 9:38 PM | Comments (0)
The One
"He has the most cash on hand -- over a million dollars, and he's turned in the most signatures, and he has the most lawn signs. With three months to go, he is in very strong shape. I think it's fair to call him the front runner," Plotkin says. --Mark Seagraves, WTOP Radio
Who is he?
My next new Mayor, Adrian Fenty. (Pictured with my next first lady, Michelle Fenty. Check him out at www.fenty06.com/
And if you're a DC resident -- vote!
Posted on June 14, 2006 at 5:35 AM | Comments (0)
this is hot
so I am blogging from my phone. wow. just standing here, waiting for my ride to work, chillin like a mug.
omg I can't believe these reprobates on the road are passing the school bus. you can't do that shit! I mean, the bus had all the flashing lights and the stop sign out and everything. shit like that makes me mad.
at any rate....work is going really well. its a lot of...work... but it suits me well. I get to work with kids as well as college students. what freaks me out.... of the 16 college students I supervise, only ONE is 21! that shit is insane. they are really cool though, and generally about business.
aight...time to be cordial...enjoy the day!
Posted on June 13, 2006 at 7:23 AM
50 Questions (From Erika)
1. Where were you 3 hours ago?
At home eating dinner.
2. Who are you in love with?
I'm not in love right now but I would love to be.
3. Have you ever eaten a crayon?
Eeeeewwwww never.
4. Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you?
I looked....no.
5. When is the last time you went to the mall?
Hmmmm.... it's been a long time since I was in an actual mall.
7. Do you have a car worth over $2,000?
No.
8. When was the last time you drove out of town?
Wow.....I've taken the train or flown the past few years, lol.
9. Have you been to the movies in the last 5 days?
No.
10. Are you hot?
You be the judge.
11. What was the last thing you had to drink?
One of those flavored seltzer water things.
12. What are you wearing right now?
A t-shirt and my red draws.
13. Do you wash your car or let the car wash do it?
What car?
14. Last food that you ate?
Peanut Brittle (just a little!)
15. Where were you last week at this time?
I was asleep in my bed.
16. Have you bought any clothing items in the last week?
I bought a long sleeved t-shirt today!
17. When is the last time you ran?
I've probably run at site a few times this week.
18. What's the last sporting event you watched?
I feel like I watched a smidge of track and field last week?
19. What is your favorite animal?
Domestic cats.
20. Your dream vacation?
Anywhere with the man I love and unlimited cash, lol.
21. Last person's house you were in?
Before the one I'm currently in, I think I was last in my grandmother's house.
22. How old are your parents?
mid fifties
23. Have you been in love?
Yes.
24. Do you miss anyone right now?
I miss my new friend.....
25. Last play you saw?
Damn....a play, eh? Been a LONG time.
27.What are your plans for tonight?
Sleep....very very soon.
28. Who is the last person you sent a myspace message or comment to?
Delishia.
29. Next trip you are going to take?
Most likely Atlanta for Labor Day weekend.
30. Ever go camping?
Hell no...not my thing.
31. Were you an honor roll student in school?
Yeah, off and on.
32. What do you want to know about the future?
If I'll become a father.
33. Are you wearing any perfume or cologne?
Not right now.
34. Are you due sometime this year for a doctor's visit?
Yeah.
35. Where is your best friend(s)?
I don't have a single best frien....but all my close friends are accounted for.
36. who is your best friend?
Several....
37. Do you have a tan?
Yeah, a genetic one.
38. What are you listening to right now?
Local news on TV.
39. Do you collect anything?
Yeah. LOL
40. Who is the biggest gossiper you know?
Everybody I know is "newsy."
41. Last time you got stopped by a cop or pulled over?
Never.
42. Have you ever drank your soda from a straw?
I use straws all the time.
43. What does your last text message say?
"lol"
44. Do you like hot sauce?
It's aight.
45. Last time you took a shower?
This morning.
46. Do you need to do laundry?
Yes.
47. What is your heritage?
Except for the one eighth "other" I am black.
48. Are you someone's best friend?
Perhaps.
49. Are you rich?
Hardly.
50. What do you think of the person who took this survey before you? Erika is cool as hell. Wish she was in DC!
Posted on June 9, 2006 at 11:43 PM | Comments (0)
Fonzie The Clown Charged With Sex Abuse!!!!!!!!!!
OMG!!!! This is for the Uptown DC heads!
The report comes from WUSA, Channel 9 in DC:
Fonzie the Clown has been charged with sexually abusing an employee. The well-known kids' character, whose real name is Alphonso Pittman, was arrested at his clown offices in Northwest Washington.
According to 9 News reporter Bruce Leshan, the charge is a misdemeanor and the allegation is that Pittman, 44, inappropriately touched an employe, who is an adult. Court records show that Pittman has been charged several times child sex abuse and sexual assault, but he’s been acquitted each time.
On his website, Pittman says he’s been clowning professionally since 1980 and trained with Ringling Brothers and Barnum, Bailey Circus in 1981.
He says he holds bachelors and master’s degrees in mental health and counseling and is currently studying child psychology at George Washington University. He also taught in DC public schools from 1983 to 1989.
Ironically, he writes that he’s been called to lecture about motivation and positive work relationships.
****
I am sitting here like WHOA.
Posted on June 1, 2006 at 11:10 PM | Comments (0)
What's my name, fool???
What's my name?
1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet and street name)
Stripes Tuckerman
2. YOUR MOVIE STAR NAME: (grandfather/grandmother on mother's side first name, favorite candy)
William Henry Peach Rings
3. YOUR "FLY GIRL/GUY" NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)
R. Dar
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite animal, name of high school mascot)
Cat Colt
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)
Eman Washington
6. YOUR OPPOSITE SEX NAME: (name of dad/mom, cell phone Company you use)
Carolyn Mobile
7. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (first 3 letters of your last name, last 3 letters of mother's maiden name, first 3 letters of your pet's name)
"Dar Dar Max" or "Dar Dar Lai"
This shit had me ROLLING!
Posted on May 29, 2006 at 7:29 PM | Comments (0)
Throwback Thursday
Posted on May 25, 2006 at 8:43 PM | Comments (1)
What's on my TV?
It's Friday.
Praise.
The.
Lord.
Let me give my brief thoughts on some entertainment stuff....
Lost is becoming slightly more entertaining. It was good to see Walt, if only for a little while. I fell asleep on the last ten minutes, though, so I really don't know if there were any twists.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit was superb as usual. It only gets better with age. Who knew that rape stories could be told over and over again and still be original. I STILL think Benson and Stabler are in love, though. And I'll be glad when Mariska Hargitay has that damn baby, I am tired of seeing her in that big ass winter coat in the spring time. Lookin like Clair Huxtable when she was carrying Condola.
Saw Days of Our Lives this week on the day I took off. It's still not getting any better. Will someone please put this creature out of its misery?
I bought the Van Hunt CD....listened to some of it, and it's good. But it's the type of CD I want to listen to with someone. Maybe have a glass of sparkling cider, lol.
Life is good. It has been hectic, but I am somehow maintaining. Good friends help.
Posted on May 19, 2006 at 7:24 AM | Comments (0)
Throwback Thursday
Posted on May 16, 2006 at 11:30 PM | Comments (0)
How old was I when... (From Arnold)
How old were you when you first...
FELL IN LOVE:
21
KISS:
18
GOT IN A FIST FIGHT:
9
LOST SOMEONE CLOSE TO YOU:
7
DRANK ALCOHOL:
As an adult, I was 19. As a child, I drank champagne at New Year's
SMOKED WEED:
Never
GOT STUNG BY A BEE:
Very young.....maybe 4 or 5
WENT TO THE HOSPITAL:
Birth. HA!
GOT YOUR HEART BROKEN:
Every year, lol
LOST A PET:
9 or 10
GOT ARRESTED:
Never.
SMOKED A CIGARETE:
Never.
BROKE A BONE:
Never.
GOT JUMPED:
Never ever.
GOT A JOB:
15
RODE THE CITY BUS BY MYSELF:
9
WENT TO A CONCERT:
20
GOT IN A CAR CRASH:
Never, praise the lord.
DYED YOUR HAIR:
I used temporary color when I was 16.
RODE AN AIRPLANE:
5
MOVED TO ANOTHER STATE:
Never.
GOT YOUR FIRST CAVITY:
15
FLEW OVER THE OCEAN:
16!
LOST YOUR VIRGINITY:
18
Posted on at 10:29 PM
Throwback Thursday
Posted on May 13, 2006 at 6:27 AM
Throwback Thursday
Posted on May 4, 2006 at 9:17 PM | Comments (1)
Van Hunt and my Borders Addiction
If there's one thing that son of a bitch did for me, he introduced me to the music of Van Hunt. I picked up his CD -- and so much more stuff -- at Borders today. I made the mistake of going down to the one on 18th and L, which is the FAR superior one in this city. I like the proximity of the one in Friendship Heights, but I was raised at the West End one. *sigh*
God bless Borders Rewards.
Posted on May 1, 2006 at 9:13 PM | Comments (0)
Damn!
Posted on April 26, 2006 at 7:41 AM | Comments (3)
Alan Sharpe
Check out the trailer for the new Alan Sharpe production Chump ChangeS on MySpace: www.myspace.com/asharpebgm. It looks really interesting -- I like those DC-based indie flicks.
Also check out his website www.alansharpe.org.
Posted on April 16, 2006 at 10:24 AM | Comments (0)
The Easter Bunny Hates You!
Posted on at 9:35 AM | Comments (0)
Wikiquote is tha shit!
Plans are pointless. Staying alive is as good as it gets. -- Selena in 28 Days Later
I win! I always win. Is there no one on this planet to even challenge me?! General Zod in Superman II
Oh, let me guess. You've picked out yet another colorful box with a crank that I'm expected to turn, and turn, until... ooh! Big shock, a jack pops out. And, you laugh, and the kids laugh, and the dog laughs, and I die a little inside. Stewie Griffin in Family Guy
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Main_Page
Posted on April 15, 2006 at 9:07 PM | Comments (0)
Whitney Houston Screws Up the Classics
Posted on April 13, 2006 at 7:09 PM | Comments (2)
What's on TV?
As things have settled down from my EXTENSIVE and EXHAUSTING interview process for the job I recently got, I've been able to watch a little more TV without falling asleep.
Let's start with Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. It seems like nobody in my daily life watches this! And it just so happens that this past week's episode was fuckin' awesome. My only complaint was that Lou Diamond Phillips could have been given a meatier role. I really didn't feel like the character was important enough to be given to an actor like LDP. But hey, I guess that was draw for the bigger story, which I believe is that Detectives Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler have slowly been falling in love.
I know... I know...nothing like that was explicitly stated. But rather than give away what happened in the show (which was really amazing) I will just ask that you look at the ACTING in conjunction with the words that were said.
***
Lost was good the past few weeks, as well. One thing that bothers me with network shows is that they are frequently interrupted by sports, news, or other bullshit that I don't care about. So Lost would be back one week, then gone the next. How amazing would it be if our shows came on for 22 weeks in a row?
Anyway, I can't really describe what's been going on with Lost because, well, I don't know. LOL. It's just that weird and complicated. But I will say that Jin is a fuckin' hottie, as is Mr. Eko, but we already knew that from when he was Adebisi.
I am hoping that some of the major issues in Lost are resolved soon, though -- where's Walt?!?!?!
***
I have been watching Saturday Night Live, and it's been pretty funny. Mad TV has jumped the shark, HOWEVA, I watch it just for this man:
Keegan-Michael Key. Not only is he hot (and by now, you know how much I appreciate a hottie) but he is funny as hell. One of my favorite characters of his is the "Broke THAT Hex" guy. It involves steppin'..... long story.
***
I haven't been watching America's Next Top Model.... it's too soon. Nor have I been watching The Real World. Totally turned off by the first episode of the new season -- haven't we beaten this dead horse to a pulp? I haven't enjoyed an episode of Days of Our Lives in months.
Oh yeah.... the recent episodes of ER have been pretty good. And yes, I like new ER better than old ER. Hands down.
I am probably most entertained by my DVDs and reruns of Special Victims Unit.
Anyway...happy viewing!
Posted on April 8, 2006 at 9:00 PM | Comments (1)
I got tagged!
If you were to be the opposite sex for one day, what would you do?
Get an egg harvested and then get Lenny Kravitz's sperm and make a baby.
If you had to name the most difficult thing about being a teenager today, what would you say?
Today's teens have it rough...everyone around them is superficial and nihilistic. The most difficult thing is rising above that nihilism.
If you had to name the most embarrassing moment of your life, when was it?
I don't get embarrassed too easily....maybe farting in the fourth grade. But only one person heard me. And now I fart all the time, so screw it.
If you had to name the most overrated actor in Hollywood, who would it be?
Denzel Washington
If you had to name the one personality trait that you have tried the hardest to change in yourself, what would you say?
Too romantic.
If you could go back for one minute to the Garden of Eden and give Adam advice, what would you say?
Stay with Lilith....
If you were to name the best “I told you so” you ever got to deliver, what was it?
I don't want to give specifics..... but someone who once outed me (before I was ready) had a very public embarrassment. I felt bad for the person, but I also thought "serves you right." I guess that's not an "I told you so" but it's the closest I have.
If you were Madonna, what would you do for your next publicity stunt?
Marry a black gay boy named Rashid, label him her spiritual advisor, and fund the remainder of his career.
If you could have a lifetime 50 percent discount in any single store at your local mall, which store would it be in?
Borders Books & Music!
If you could have one more pet, what kind would you get, and what would you name it?
A third housecat..... I'd have to meet it first before I named it.
If you could have God perform one miracle today, what would you want it to be?
Cure cancer
If you could spend next New Year’s Eve doing anything, what would you do, and with whom?
I would love to find myself alone in front of the television with the man I am to spend the rest of my life with.
If you were to set your country’s immigration policy, what would it be?
Open borders.... I mean come on, America might be fucked up, but we have it better than everyone else. I wouldn't restrict immigration.
If you were given the power to settle the issue of gays in the military, what policy would you set?
Equality for all.
If you could have one person you have lost touch with call you up tonight and invite you to dinner, who would you want it to be?
Jennifer Yeager
If you could change on thing about your love life, what would it be?
Have the ability to see someone's aura and know what's in their heart.
If you could have prevented one book from ever having been written, which book would it be?
I would never prevent a book from being written....free speech!
If you have to name the best music album ever recorded, which would you select?
Purple Rain
If you could have one thing made out of pure gold, what would you choose?
Something REALLY big so I can sell it, LOL
If God were to whisper one thing in your ear, what would you like Him to say?
"Hey, Frat!"
Posted on April 5, 2006 at 7:23 PM | Comments (1)
Mrs. Benny Hinn
What more is there to say?
Posted on April 1, 2006 at 9:18 PM | Comments (0)
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 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 on March 20, 2006 at 4:13 PM
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 on March 9, 2006 at 6:28 AM
Rest in Peace, Coretta
Coretta Scott King is dead.
Heaven help us all.
Posted on January 31, 2006 at 7:12 AM | Comments (0)
I am so mad at Keith Boykin!!!!!
How DARE he post a Year in Pictures entry to his blog without the single most important picture of 2005! He and I are gonna have words!
Do you want to see the MOST important picture of 2005?
Read on.
HA!
You know you love it!
Posted on December 31, 2005 at 7:20 AM | Comments (4)
Facebook Me!
Posted on December 30, 2005 at 3:32 PM | Comments (0)
Rest in Peace: 2005
Shirley Chisolm
Rosemary Kennedy
Badja Djola
Ruth Warrick
Virginia Mayo
Lamont Bentley
Johnny Carson
Ossie Davis
Hunter S. Thompson
Sandra Dee
Lyn Collins
Bobby Short
Mitch Hedberg
Pope John Paul II
Prince Rainier of Monaco
William J. Bell
Eddie Albert
Anne Bancroft
Luther Vandross
James Doohan
Peter Jennings
Barbara Bel Geddes
John H. Johnson
Bob Denver
Chief Justice William Rehnquist
Don Adams
Jerry Juhl
Nipsey Russell
August Wilson
Judge Constance Baker Motley
C. Delores Tucker
Rosa Parks
Pat Morita
Richard Pryor
John Spencer
Vincent Schiavelli
Michael Vale
Posted on December 28, 2005 at 1:15 PM | Comments (1)
Observations on Good Times
Why was Florida Evans' voice so low, yet so high?
How come the "Damn, Damn, Damn!" scene is so fun to act out, but isn't funny at all when you see it?
Whatever happened to Moses Gunn's character? Did Florida bury ANOTHER husband?
Did anybody know that John Witherspoon was one of the police officers in the episode where Penny's mother tried to frame Wilona?
And how come Wilona couldn't keep a man?
Remember when Debbie Allen played JJ's strung-out on heroin girlfriend?
How long did he and Michael share that sofa-bed, anyway?
Wasn't Penny just really annoying when she wasn't being abused?
Why was JJ so skinny he only existed in two dimensions?
How come Bernadette Stanis hasn't aged a bit?
Posted on December 26, 2005 at 10:56 PM | Comments (0)
www.sglproducts.com
I know, I should have posted this before Christmas, but check out a website that features black gay/same gender loving products, including movies, television shows, books, and greeting cards!
Check out www.sglproducts.com
Posted on at 5:14 PM | Comments (0)
Yay Randal!!!
If you didn't see The Apprentice last night, long story short: Randal won, Trump asked him if he should hire the loser as well, and Randal said NO. The sentiment was that there is to be ONE winner.
Of course, the next morning, white America has turned the once coolblackguy ((c) Paul Beatty) into the horrible, arrogant, ungracious sonofabitch.
I posted the following comment on a message board this morning and thought it was good enough to make it in the blog.
***
I have a quick anecdote.....
This year, I was asked to speak on a panel about gay/lesbian/bisexual issues at my alma mater. I was chosen as the Alumni speaker. The other speakers represented single entities, such as the LGBT club on campus, another campus club that was specifically about coming out, the Women's Center, a Dean, a lesbian prof, and a gay male prof.
I sent out an email to my gay alumni group saying I was picked to be the alumni speaker. Well, one of the group moderators said "That's great, but did they contact so-and-so or so-and-so? I think YOU should contact them and see if they want to participate."
I completely ignored the email. Why should I need a sidekick in order to discuss the experiences of gay alums? Am I not a gay alum? I happened to know who both of the suggested speakers were, and they were both white.
So when I spoke about gay issues at Georgetown, I also spoke about how being a black gay man was not much different from just being a black man. There is still racism, there is still prejudice, there is still a notion that a black man, no matter how talented, cannot accurately represent a group that is majority white.
When trump asked Randal if he should hire Rebecca, I was so glad he said "Hell to the naw!" Because he was saying it, in my opinion, for every person of color who has been viewed as "good" but "not enough" to go it alone.
Trump really thought he was going to hire two people that night, and I'm so glad he didn't.
Yeah, Randal was a dick in the end, but so is Trump. If there was still a chance that Trump would pick Rebecca, Randal had to show that he's not a pushover. He wanted to win and did what he needed to do -- underscore why Rebecca would be the wrong choice.
For what it's worth, the organizer of the panel said that she, too, got an email implying that I wouldn't be "enough" -- she ignored it too.
Posted on December 16, 2005 at 6:25 AM | Comments (6)
Rest In Peace, Richard Pryor
Richard Pryor died today and I nearly broke down while watching CNN.
I wasn't born into the most conservative of families, so instead of reciting bible verses on Sunday nights, it was more common to hear the grown-ups retelling Richard Pryor jokes.
"And it's deep, too...."
(Took me years to understand what that one meant. Hey, whaddya want? I was like five when I first heard the joke.)
I am pretty sure that my first memory of Richard Pryor was when he was in Bustin' Loose with Cicely Tyson. I liked it because it was kids. Sure, they all has issues with a capital ISH, but at that age, I don't think I knew what it meant to be emotionally disturbed.
Basically, Richard Pryor drives Cicely Tyson and the ED kids across country on a broke-down school bus. There is more to the plot, but basically it's one of my favorite movies of all time. I don't know if it's a good movie. All I know is you'll probably never see anything so touching as Richard Pryor touching these kids' lives.
AND Roberta Flack did the soundtrack.
Now, I also remember a movie called The Toy
So....I admit. This movie sucks. And it's disturbing on a certain level that a black man can be "bought" and used as someone's toy. It's like he became a mammy for the 1980's. It wasn't cool. Somehow, it is rationalized when Pryor teaches the white boy character and values....but...eh...
But as a kid, I still loved the movie. I don't watch it all the time as an adult, but it did highlight Richard Pryor's more slapstick abilities.
Then of course there's no forgetting his role in Superman III
He came out with lots of other movies in the 80s, and while some interested me, others didn't. What I did get turned on to in the interim was the comedy of Eddie Murphy. Yes, I watched Raw at too young an age as well. But watching Raw set into motion an interest in Richard Pryor as a comedian.
By the time Harlem Nights
Wait...rewind....how could I have forgotten this relic....
Pryor's Place!
It was only on for a season and I don't remember a single episode, but I do remember part of the theme song, sung by none other than Ray Parker, Jr. The show featured Richard Pryor telling stories about his childhood to the neighborhood kids and the various themes that were raised. A typical kids' show formula, but with more of an edge than Fat Albert or the few other ethnic shows that were out for kids. I think that Pryor's Place was probably more in line with Vegetable Soup.
So anyway, I recognized Pryor's genius at a young age and came to appreciate him when I saw Harlem Nights. Unfortunately, that was around the same time that Multiple Sclerosis started changing Pryor's timing and ability to spit those rapid-fire jokes and stories.
As I got older, I started really listening to the man and understanding how his own life was the canvas. It was almost scary how he could make a joke out of setting himself on fire while freebasing. But he was brave like that. I try to live my life the same way, kinda, through this blog. I don't want to hold anything back really because hell, maybe somebody out there is learning from my mistakes, as I learned from Pryor's.
I listened to And It's Deep Too: The Complete Warner Bros. Recordings
I'm sad. Not just the fact that another one of our legends is dead, but because for the last 20 or so years of his life, he wasn't able to live up to his full storytelling potential. That damn disease Multiple Sclerosis all but silenced him. Sure, he still acted a bit, earning an Emmy nomination for his guest appearance on Chicago Hope.
But it's not the same....America needed Richard Pryor, and we got Chris Rock. No offense to Chris, but we needed them both. When Eddie Murphy turned all "family man" on us, we needed Richard Pryor. When other great comics faded into the background to be replaced by these foul-mouth-with-no-purpose BET comedians, we needed Richard Pryor.
And now he's gone.
I hope that America understands exactly what it is that we lost on yesterday. He wasn't just a comedian or an actor or a writer.
He was, in fact, the greatest.
Rest in peace.
Posted on December 10, 2005 at 8:25 PM | Comments (2)
63 More Questions
1. Do you still talk to the person you had your first kiss with?
No. There's no animosity or anything, though.
2. What would you do with 1,000 plastic spoons?
Give them to my mom most likely.
3. What kind of music did you listen to in elementary school?
Almost exclusively David Bowie, Prince, George Michael, and Sheena Easton
4. What is the best thing about your job?
The kids are hilarious.
5. Do you wish cell phone etiquette was required in class?
Well, I'm not in school anymore and when I was, we kept our phones on vibrate or turned them off.
6. Are you against same sex marriage?
Absolutely not. I want a legal wedding, dammit!
7. Question missing. Insert your own.
Do you read your horoscope? Not every day, but I swear by the one in the Washington Post. (Holiday Mathis)
8. Where are you going on your next vacation?
Maybe Martha's Vineyard next summer
9. Quote a song lyric?
If you want a do right all day woman/you gotta be a do right all night man.
10. Are most of the friends in your life new or old?
Hmmm....most are new. (Met them in 97 or later)
11. Do you own any furniture from Ikea?
Nope.
13. If you could be an animal what would you be?
A house cat.
14. What state/country are you from?
Washington, DC
15. Tell us about the last conversation/s you had:
Talking about rectors with Harley
16. Where do you see yourself in one month?
With a balanced budget for COVENANT and my summer tour.
17. What is your favorite smell?
Budussy. Sike, LOL. Cool Water
18. What is your favorite sight?
A smile on the face of someone I love.
19. Do you consider yourself bi-polar?
Not clinically, but I can flip it in an instant.
21. Have you ever done anything vindictive to your coworker?
No comment.
22. Have you ever gone to therapy?
Yep.
23. Have you ever Played Spin the bottle?
Yep.
24. Have you ever Toilet papered someone's house?
Naw.
25. Have you ever liked someone but never told them?
Kinda.... I think anyone I like, even if they're straight, knows it in some way.
26. Have you ever gone camping?
Hell to the naw.
27. Have you ever had a crush on your brother's friend?
Um.....I don't have any blood brothers...
28. Have you ever been to a nude beach?
Ewwwww no.
29. Have you ever had sex on the beach?
No.
30. Have you ever had a stalker?
This dude from BlackPlanet came to my school looking for me! And the damn nice ass black people of Georgetown told him where I lived on campus!
31. Have you ever gone skinny dipping?
Naw.
32. Have you ever laughed so hard you cried?
YES. LOL
33. Have you ever gone to a party where you were the only sober person?
Nah....
34. Have you ever been cheated on?
No.
35. Have you ever felt betrayed by your best friend?
I don't have a best friend. I have felt betrayed by some close friends.
36. Have you ever lied to your parents?
Who doesn't?
37. Have you ever been out of the US?
Yes! Russia and the UK
38. Have you ever thrown up from working out?
No, but if I ever do, I will know that I have made it, LOL.
39. Have you ever gotten a haircut so bad that you wore a hat for a month straight?
Naw.
40. Have you ever eaten 3 meals from 3 different fast food places in 1 day?
I don't think so. If I did, it may have been while in Russia or the UK.
41. Have you ever gotten so wasted you cant remember the nite before?
No....not a big drinker.
42. Have you ever spied on someone you had a crush on?
Define "spy." I mean, sure, I've sorta made myself be in the same place at the same time of somebody I wanted to get to know better.
43. Have you ever slept with one of your coworkers?
Nope, but I sure would!
44. Have you ever seen your best friend naked?
I don't have a best friend, and I have seen no close friends nekkid.
45. What's the longest relationship u've been in?
Never really been in one.
46. Are you single, married, or taken?
Single.
47. Are you in love at the moment?
Really digging someone.
48. With?
49. Have you ever had a bad relationship?
I've known som fucked up people in my day and gotten myself into bad situations, but none were technically relationships.
50. How old were you when you started dating?
Um....dating? LOL. College, I guess.
51. Are you unpredictable?
No.
52. Do you like surprises?
God no. Not big ones, at least.
53. You think friends can become lovers?
They probably shouldn't. Lovers can be friends, though.
54. You think lovers can become friends?
Oops, I should have read ahead, lol.
55. Have you ever had an ex you wanted to kill?
Kill is such a strong word.
56. How is she/he now?
n/a
57. Have you ever been hurt?
Hell to the motherfuckin yeah.
58. Have you ever hurt anyone?
Probably so.
59. Do you forgive and forget?
It's very hard for me to do and it takes a long time, but eventually, I forget.
60. Is love love-ly the second time around?
I don't even know what this means.
61. Fling or long term relationships?
Long term relationship, thanks.
62. Ever been cheated on?
No.
63. Ever cheat on someone?
Nope.
Posted on at 12:53 PM | Comments (1)
Christmas Carols for the Psych Ward
(Borrowed from a message board I visit.)
SCHIZOPHRENIA: Do You Hear What I Hear?
MULTIPLE PERSONALITY DISORDER: We Three Kings Disoriented Are
AMNESIA: I Don't Know if I'll be Home for Christmas
NARCISSISTIC: Hark the Herald Angels Sing About Me
MANIC: Deck the Halls and Walls and House and Lawn and Streets and Stores and Office and Town and Cars and Buses and Trucks and Trees and Fire Hydrants and...
PARANOID: Santa Claus is Coming to Get Me
BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER: Thoughts of Roasting on an Open Fire
PERSONALITY DISORDER: You Better Watch Out, I'm Gonna Cry, I'm Gonna Pout, Maybe I'll tell You Why
OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER: Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells...
AGORAPHOBIA: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day But Wouldn't Leave My House
AUTISTIC: Jingle Bell Rock and Rock and Rock and Rock ...
SENILE DEMENTIA: Walking in a Winter Wonderland Miles From My House In My Slippers and Robe
OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER: I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus So I Burned Down the House
SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas While I Sit Here and Hyperventilate
Posted on December 7, 2005 at 7:22 AM | Comments (3)
I am the Apple Tree
| You Are An Apple Tree |
You are quite attractive: your pleasant attitude, flirtatious smile, and adventurous spirit draw people in. Sensitive and loyal in love, you want to love and be loved. You are a faithful and tender partner - who is generous in sharing your many talents. You love children, and you need an affectionate partner. |
Posted on November 19, 2005 at 10:51 AM | Comments (1)
Play Count
Instead of telling you 12 random songs I'm listening to, here are the top 12 songs that I have ever listened to on my computer:
One Mo 'Gin, D'Angelo. 48 times.
Sons of the Silent Age, David Bowie. 28 times.
Milk Shake, Kelis. 28 times.
Moments in Your House, Alanis Morisette vs Art of Noise (mashed by bittersoundfoundation). 27 times. (You must listen to this.)
Sweetheart of APhiA. 22 times.
Darling Nikki, Rebecca Romjin Stamos. 20 times.
Belly Dancer, Kardinal Offishall ft Neptunes. 19 times.
As the World Falls Down, David Bowie. 17 times.
Not Me, from the Aida soundtrack. 17 times.
Afraid, David Bowie. 17 times.
Slip Away, David Bowie. 17 times.
You Can't Turn Me Away, Sylvia Striplin. 16 times.
Posted on November 7, 2005 at 6:24 PM | Comments (4)
The Boondocks -- Brilliant!
Well, I taped The Boondocks and watched it this morning. Absolutely fantastic. Although it comes on way too late for an old man like me, I can see why. The language and situations were strong -- this definitely isn't for children. (Or some adults.)
I can tell that Aaron McGruder has his hands (and put his foot) in this. The art is beatiful -- definitely a western interpretation of his treasured anime.
Content-wise, it's the perfect companion to the strip. We can read the strip for more timely satire related to current events. We can rely on the cartoon to discuss ideas of race and class. (And age, as evidenced by Mr. Freeman's naked tae-bo sessions.)
At first, I didn't think I would like Regina King as the voice of Huey and Riley, but she actually does a great job. John Witherspoon does a wonderful turn as Mr. Freeman, and even Ed Asner made a guest voice appearance!
My favorite part of the episode was.... well, all I'm gonna say is laser beam. HILARIOUS.
I hope you all watch, tivo, tape, whatever.... The Boondocks is what we need right now. Laugh at it -- and ourselves.
Posted on at 6:23 AM | Comments (1)
YahooGroups
Here are some YahooGroups (email discussion groups) that I am part of that I think you would enjoy. Click on the link to go to that group's page:
RashidDarden: The latest updates about LAZARUS and COVENANT.
LGBT NPHC: For gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and same gender loving members and aspirants of National Pan-Hellenic Council Organizations. (And their allies.)
BlackMOB - Black Male Outercourse Brotherhood: BlackMOB is a forum for men of African descent who seek to connect with other men of color who do not engage in penetrative sexual behavior.
Fire and Ink: Discussion list for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender writers of color to exchange skills and information to mutually support the development of our craft and community.
Grimy: An ADULT group. Think of it as Playboy for gay men of color. Lots of pictures, but GREAT articles. LOTS of discussion.
Writers RX: Petinent information for mainstream and self0published authors. Discussion based, so be prepared for lots of emails or turn on your daily digest!
Posted on November 5, 2005 at 6:32 AM | Comments (1)
Oh My Gosh
Al B Sure, K-Ci, and Tevin Campbell?
Posted on October 31, 2005 at 10:29 PM | Comments (12)
Too Tired to be Entertained
So....I have been sleeping through my shows. Luckily, some have been repeats.
I haven't been taping Days of Our Lives or The Young & The Restless at all. Days just sucks....still and again. And Y&R just moves so fast for me.
Lost is not quite what I expected. I mean, it's not bad at all. Part of the problem is that I ALWAYS fall asleep during the last 15 minutes, wake up for the last 2, and totally don't understand what's happening.
I keep missing Commander-in-Chief, but it is easily my favorite new show! Every show has been a winner.
I haven't been watching Martha's version of The Apprentice because I'll be damned if I miss Lost! But when I catch the repeats, I still like it better than Trump's version.
In terms of music, I am only really feeling the new Sean Paul track as well as the Twista/Trey Songz joint, "Girl Tonight." I get sooooo happy when I hear it on the radio before work!
I bought a few DVDs when I was out with Neil this week....only one was something I didn't currently own on VHS (The Little Prince). The rest I already owned on tape, or were new editions: Candyman, The Warriors, and An American Werewolf in London.
That's about it...it's a slow entertainment week for me...
Oh...
Except for finding out that GEORGE TAKEI IS GAY!!!!
WHAAAAAAAAT??????
Posted on October 28, 2005 at 8:15 AM | Comments (4)
Those shirts...
So what's the deal with those t-shirts with the snowmen on them? I saw a black shirt with a gold snowman at the store last week, and I almost got it, but then i forgot by the time i made it to the register.
Posted on October 24, 2005 at 8:32 PM | Comments (2)
I am Gay Bear!
Gay Bear
Which Dysfunctional Care Bear Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
Posted on October 5, 2005 at 7:32 AM | Comments (0)
August Wilson Dies (Washington Post Article)
Provocative Playwright Chronicled Black America
By Adam Bernstein
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, October 3, 2005; A01
August Wilson, 60, whose plays about 20th-century black life were among the most celebrated of modern dramas, died yesterday at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, his city of residence. He disclosed in August that he had inoperable liver cancer.
Starting with "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" (1984), a story of perseverance among exploited black jazz musicians in the 1920s, Wilson gained attention as one of the most vital and provocative literary voices of his generation.
He received two Pulitzer Prizes: for "Fences" (1987), about a ballplayer-turned-trash-collector who comes into conflict with his family; and "The Piano Lesson" (1990), about a struggle over the fate of a symbolic heirloom. "Fences" also won a Tony Award for Best Play.
On stage, Wilson created a succession of characters -- musicians, aging athletes from the Negro Leagues, cabdrivers, ex-cons, matriarchs and spirits -- who were proud yet angry about their circumstances. With poignant soliloquies that were his hallmark, he brought their oversized passions to often sad, rage-filled climaxes that were commentaries on their life choices and the legacy of slavery.
Wilson set each of the 10 plays, which formed a cycle, in a different decade of the 20th century, illuminating what he saw as a perpetual struggle for virtually all African Americans.
Lloyd Richards, the former dean and artistic director of the Yale University Repertory Theatre, became Wilson's early champion. "He has created a body of material for black actors and black theater people to look to," Richards told an interviewer. "There has been a lack of material on the library shelves on black theater and a lack of theater by blacks. . . . Having August's body of work in there leads people to an examination of theater and an examination of themselves in theater."
Neither Wilson nor his work was universally beloved. Some critics were repelled by what they called the monotony of his themes and the plays' unrestrained dialogue. He replied: "My plays are talky; I say shut up and listen. They are about black men talking, and in American society you don't too often have that because the feeling is: 'What do black men have to say?' "
Wilson had sharp exchanges with his detractors. The most notable was with Robert Brustein, a former drama critic and director of the Yale Repertory and American Repertory theaters.
After a year of jousting in print, they met at New York's Town Hall in 1997 for a debate titled "On Cultural Power." The most contentious issue was colorblind casting, which Brustein advocated on the grounds that anything else was racial separatism. Wilson disagreed.
He told the London Guardian in 2002: "Take an all-black 'Death of a Salesman' -- that's not the way black folks deal with their problems, it's not their language, it's not their relationship from father to son. We have a different history, different necessities. A guy can't go round and be a traveling salesman in the 1940s and be black. He'd get lynched. What is the point of putting black folks on stage as if they didn't have any stories of their own to tell?"
Wilson was born Frederick August Kittel on April 27, 1945. He was the fourth of six children and was raised in the black Hill district of Pittsburgh. His father, a white German immigrant baker, was an angry and sporadic presence.
His mother, who was black, supported the children with janitorial jobs and welfare. She divorced Wilson's father to marry David Bedford, who served as a template for many Wilson patriarchs: a former athlete who serves a jail sentence and becomes a community figure while working as a menial laborer.
At school, Wilson had little break from the miseries of home. Racist slurs were left on his desk at a Catholic school; he grew bored when he transferred to a vocational school; and in what he regarded as the final humiliation, a black teacher in ninth grade accused him of plagiarism for his paper about Napoleon.
"The fact that he was a self-made man, that he was a lieutenant in the army and became the emperor, I liked that," Wilson told the New Yorker magazine in 2001.
At 15, Wilson quit high school and sought his own education at the local library's "Negro" section, where he devoured books by Ralph Ellison, Richard Wright and Langston Hughes. Those authors and the emerging Black Power movement of the 1960s were "the kiln in which I was fired," he later said.
After leaving school, Wilson joined the Army but left after being irritated by its regulations.
He worked as a short-order cook and dishwasher while trying to write poems, usually with little success. His first published poem, an ode to boxer Muhammad Ali, ran in Black World magazine in 1969. With friends, he started a theater group that mostly consisted of poetry readings to the beat of conga and bongo drums.
He was seen as an eccentric around the Hill, wearing a coat and tie, smoking a pipe and affecting an accent in honor of Dylan Thomas, the Welsh poet he admired. He found other heroes over the years, including Bessie Smith, whose blues records he called "the best literature we have," and painter Romare Bearden, whose work presented black life "on its own terms" and "ennobled it, affirmed its value and exalted its presence," Wilson said.
On the page, those goals failed him at first. He tried writing a play, getting so far as the first line: "Hey man, what's happening?" The second line was, "Nothing."
In 1978, he moved to St. Paul on the advice of a theater friend. To be away from Pittsburgh's black neighborhoods gave him the clarity of distance to hear the cadences of his home town. He wrote what would become the first play in his cycle, "Jitney," about gypsy cabdrivers in the Hill neighborhood. The work was produced in Pittsburgh.
Seeking wider recognition, he submitted works to the National Playwrights Conference at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center in Waterford, Conn. Lloyd Richards, then artistic director of the conference, singled out Wilson's draft of "Ma Rainey" in 1982 and they worked together to refine the play. Richards directed his subsequent plays at Yale and on Broadway up through "Seven Guitars" (1996), a tragedy about a dead blues guitarist and his mourning friends.
Wilson's other plays included "Joe Turner's Come and Gone" (1988), about a boardinghouse and its ghosts; "Two Trains Running" (1992), about a historic neighborhood diner that faces redevelopment; "King Hedley II" (2001), about an ex-con who tries to find work under unforgiving circumstances; and "Gem of the Ocean" (2004), set at the turn of the last century, about a mystical and ancient woman named Aunt Esther who can wash souls.
Shortly before his death, he completed a play called "Radio Golf," set in the Hill district in 1997.
Wilson's works were popular and regularly produced in Washington. In the past five years, "Two Trains Running" and "King Hedley II" were staged at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and "Ma Rainey'' was performed at Arena Stage. Each play drew unusually high numbers of African Americans to those venues, observers said.
Regarded as the most prominent black playwright on Broadway since Lorraine Hansberry, author of "A Raisin in the Sun" (1959), Wilson was more often compared to Eugene O'Neill or Shakespeare for his scope. Later in his career, he told a reporter that his play cycle was coincidental until one day in the mid-1980s, when he asked himself, "Why don't I just continue to do that?"
His marriages to Brenda Burton and Judy Oliver ended in divorce.
Survivors include his third wife, costume designer Constanza Romero, whom he married in 1994; a daughter from his first marriage; and a daughter from his third marriage.
Wilson considered most activities other than playwriting a waste of time, including studying or watching other plays. "I haven't read many plays," he once said. "I don't go to many plays, so I don't have all that in my head about what does or doesn't make a play. I come up with my own idea of what it is, since I'm not sure even what the definitions mean."
Posted on October 3, 2005 at 6:58 AM | Comments (1)
It's Stewie!
Posted on September 28, 2005 at 6:08 PM | Comments (1)
The Black Weblog Awards -- I Lost!
LOL
So I lost the fucking Black Weblog Awards. BOOOOOOO!!!!!
I do want to thank everyone who voted for me, though. I realllllly do appreciate your support. It makes me happy to know that so many of you do think I am the best LGBT Blog, have the best writing in a blog, Blog of the Year, and whatever else you all may have voted for me for. :-D
Have a good week!
Posted on September 5, 2005 at 10:20 PM | Comments (2)
Names
I stole this from Fred Smith's blog. Have I told you how wonderful he is?
Very few men in the US are named Rashid.
Be proud of your unique name!
source namestatistics.com
RASHID
Gender: Masculine
Usage: Arabic
Means "rightly guided" in Arabic.
"Ethnic" hurricane names are cool with me, including Arabic, Swahili, and just plain made-up names.
I DO believe that there is corporate racism, so until people with "ethnic" names have equality, they need to be mindful of that while on job searches.
Ten random names:
1. Isabel Dugmore
2. Sherman Moore
3. Marcus Shallenberger
4. Benita Mildred
5. Sherry Kuster
6. Nick Swabey
7. Justy Bryan
8. Elsie Bratton
9. Roy Burney
10. Georgina Keener
Posted on August 25, 2005 at 5:39 PM | Comments (3)
Six Feet Under
Six Feet Under was so good last night.
I won't ruin it in case you missed it, but the ending was so unexpected to me. I just sat there with my mouth wide open for the last ten minutes.
Posted on August 22, 2005 at 10:27 AM | Comments (4)
My Legends Ball
Yesterday, me and Fred Smith were discussing Oprah's Legends Ball, and he asked me if the event were all men, who would I invite? Well, I told him I would put my answers in a blog, and here they are, in alphabetical order.
Babyface
Ernie Barnes
Paul Beatty
Tyson Beckford
Julian Bond
Cory Booker
Keith Boykin
LeVar Burton
Ed Bradley
Dave Chappelle
Don Cheadle
Kenneth Chenault
Kevin Clash
Sean Combs
John Conyers Jr.
Percival Everett
Louis Farrakhan
Harold E. Ford, Jr.
Jamie Foxx
Lawrence Fishburne
John Hope Franklin
Henry Louis Gates
Berry Gordy
Al Green
Dick Gregory
Robert Guillaume
Hill Harper
E. Lynn Harris
Rich Harrison
Jay-Z
Jesse Jackson, Jr.
Jesse Jackson, Sr.
Samuel L. Jackson
Michael Johnson
Edward P. Jones
James Earl Jones
Quincy Jones
Michael Jordan
Vernon Jordan
Lenny Kravitz
LL Cool J
Spike Lee
Carl Lewis
Joseph Lowery
Aaron McGruder
Kwesi Mfume
E. Ethelbert Miller
Paul Mooney
Marc Morial
Imam Warith Deen Muhammad
Mos Def
Eddie Murphy
Barack Obama
Stanley O’Neal
Richard Parsons
Sidney Poitier
Colin Powell
Prince
Richard Pryor
Charles Rangel
Antonio “L.A.” Reid
Tim Reid
Eddie Robinson
Chris Rock
Reverend Run
Robert C. Scott
Al Sharpton
Russell Simmons
Denzel Washington
Cornel West
Emil Wilbekin
Pharrell Williams
August Wilson
Stevie Wonder
Tiger Woods
Add your own! The invitees must all be living. In the spirit of Oprah's Legends Ball, my invitees are all African American. In a slight departure, I have included a list that in not only entertainers and civic leaders, but also a few athletes and businessmen and faith leaders.
Posted on August 19, 2005 at 9:37 AM | Comments (6)
How Come: Blunt Blog Honesty
How come I read some blogs every day because they're like road kill to me. You know it's nothing but a dead animal, but you keep on looking like all of a sudden it's not going to be a dead animal anymore. No surprises. Same old shit.
How come I be thinking some folks just straight up LIE in their blogs??? Like off the "Blair Witch" docu-drama tip.
How come I think that's sad? :-(
How come blogging is a serious addiction for me?
How come I think blogging is secretly narcissistic but none of us want to admit it?
How come sometimes I have a really strong desire to help folks edit their blogs?
(How come I used to have an editing/proofreading business on the side? Did y'all know that?)
How come I really, really enjoy the blogs of brothers over 40-45?
How come there is so much wisdom there that we can all learn from?
How come people go through some real life shit in their blogs?
How come that's sad, too?
How come I want to give them a hug?
How come y'all are still sleeping on the Salvador Gabor Project?
How come I really want Black Martha to really win something on the Black Weblog Awards?
How come her blog recently taught me how high quality bootleg DVDs hit the streets so soon after movies are released in the theaters?
How come leave it to black blogs...lol
How come Steven Fullwood and Larry Lyons MAKE ME SICK!!! LOL
But how come black gay love is a beautiful thing and their love makes me happy?
How come.....y'all, how come? :-)
Posted on August 16, 2005 at 8:16 AM | Comments (5)
Prince...what happened, man?
Dearly beloved
We are gathered here today
2 get through this thing called life
Maybe it is because I listened to certain Prince songs at a certain period of my life that some of his music so deeply resonates with me. And maybe because my musical interests expanded during the period in which Prince was doing different things....well, maybe that's when I outgrew Prince.
To me, Prince will always (and only) be the time from Purple Rain to The Hits/The B Sides.
Apollonia was the epitome of womanhood to me....thick, light-skinned, long hair, bustier, and a cape. I mean, can it get much better than a cape? I was five for Christ's sake!
When my uncle drove me around town, he always had the window all the way down. I closed my eyes and looked at the way the sunlight lit up my eyelids. Everything was crimson. The wind whipped around my face, and I imagined I was Apollonia or Prince riding on the back of that motorcylce through Minnesota.
For years I didn't know what "master baiting" was and how you could do it with a magazine. Thanks, "Darling Nikki."
I wonder if listening to Prince albums at a young age turned me gay?
Even though there were three albums after Purple Rain, the next one I have vivid memories of was the fourth one, Lovesexy. Remember the cover? Was he a man? Was he a woman? What the hell was he? And what does Hundalasiliah! mean? Is it like hallelujiah on crack?
"Alphabet Street" reminds me of Nickelodeon. Grandma and Pa-Pa finally decided to pay for cable and I used to RUN to their house after school until my mom picked me up at around 4:15 or later if I was lucky! Nick used to play videos sometimes and Alphabet Street was one of the most popular ones.
But my favorite one was "I Wish U Heaven"....the video was mesmerizing. Prince was...Prince...hypnotic falsetto...doves...apples...
Then Batman came out. It was bad/good enough that the movie itself was coming out and would be GREAT (we all knew it) but when it was announced that Prince would do the soundtrack....oh. My. God.
I guess I was in the fifth grade when I really got into the soundtrack...and the video for Batdance was off the hook. Budget -- but off the hook. I liked the fact that it had elements of a lot of the rest of the songs on the soundtrack.
"Stop the press, who is that?"
"Vicki Vale."
I consider Graffiti Bridge to be the last album of my childhood...it was innocent, playful, but deep...the movie SUCKED, but the album was classic. I liked it because it wasn't just Prince. It was Morris Day, Tevin Campbell, and Mavis Staples...I mean come on! Legends! Well, Lil Tevin wasn't a legend yet, but who didn't love "Round & Round"? That song reminds me of the Brooks family that lived across the street. (If anybody knows what happened to Mary, Freda, Gus, Laura, and Sarah, please let me know.) It reminds me of the summer time and a whole lot of other songs that were out. It reminds me of ending elemntary school and being afraid to start Junior High because of gym class and showers and bigger kids.
Some of those songs....man, they still move me. They move me.
Diamonds and Pearls came before this album, but it just didn't move me the same way. I guess we'll have to call this one the "symbol" album. This is the one...this is how I knew I was a man. And this was the beginning of the end of my love affait with Prince.
He had a new woman -- Mayte. Was she really his girlfriend or was it just a Blair Witch-type of publicity stunt?
He was hip-hop..... my name is Prince...and I am funky!
He gave me hard-ons with "I Wanna Melt With You" and "The Continental":
Baby, how u wanna how u wanna be done
Just say the word and we can start from number 1
And go the distance baby, until u tell me stop
I'll lose myself inside u till u get all I got
Talk 2 me baby, tell me how u wanna be done
And he even had Kirstie Alley on there....man, this album was everything to me. I came...of age...to this album.
And there I was in Junior High School....not really a man. But a man.
In 1993, The Hits/The B-Sides came out. That's how I caught up with all his early stuff, songs I missed on Sign O The Times, and fell in love with some B sides. I wore those tapes out until I finally had to get the CDs years later. I ushered in my high school years with Prince's finest moments.
I had a friend, Liana Jones. When I connected with her, I knew what it meant to be a Prince fan. She and I used to bug out listening to all of his more obscure work, like Come. I miss Liana. Last I heard she went to Parris Island. This was in 1997.
I grew. I started listening to all kinds of other music, even outside of David Bowie. (My pretend-father, in case you didn't know.) Listened to go-go...a little Biggie, a little Tupac. Puffy, Lil Kim, Foxy Brown. Anything that was on VH1, anything that was on MTV, and anything that the Russ Parr Morning Show played.
Now, I can't even listen to Prince. I just don't get him anymore. Yeah, Emancipation wasn't bad. Crystal Ball had its moments. But it just wasn't the same. I had already come of age....his music just wasn't forbidden anymore, not in the age of nasty rap from Luke, Lil Kim, etc.
I don't really have a profound statement to wrap this thing up. I used to really like Prince's music, and from time to time I still listen to some old songs to remember what it felt like to be seven, eight, nine, or ten, or just hittin puberty. Those memories are still vivid to me. Sometimes I remember things I planned on forgetting, and other times I remember things I am sorry I had forgotten.
Maybe Prince and I just grew apart. I'm thankful for the music he did give me while we were together though -- I wouldn't be the person I am without it.
Posted on August 14, 2005 at 12:19 AM | Comments (7)
N.O.I. -- You want some of this???
From Jasmyne Cannick:
On Friday evening, during the shooting of Noah’s Arc, America’s First Black Gay Television Series (MTV Logo), the Nation of Islam, led by Minister Tony Muhammad, led a protest against the show resulting in the show having to stop production. Approximately 150 Black Muslims along with Muhammad protested against the show near the intersection of Rodeo and 6th Avenue in Los Angeles.This is very serious and could happen again. Bigotry and intolerance cannot be ignored and accepted in our community any longer.
We cannot depend on the gay community at-large to take up our battles in our own community. We need to lead that fight. The Black community needs to see us.
If a community response if mobilized on behalf of Noah’s Arc and the community at-large, would you participate?
Because we are dealing with the Nation of Islam, it would be a disservice to organize a counter-protest to only have it attended by a handful of people or people that are not African American given the Nation’s history with people who are Black. I know it’s not pretty, but the facts are the facts. And this is not to exclude anyone from participating, but to make it clear that if this is going to work in favor of our community, then the Black LGBT community is going to be instrumental in making that happen.
Please post your response. If the community isn’t in support of such an effort then we will not move forward.
If the Nation of Islam can get 150 people out in 15 minutes, we should be able to do that plus more.
As Maya Wilkes from Girlfriends would say...
"Oh...HAYLE no!"
In this country, people have the right to protest. You know, freedom of speech and all that. But you know what? I have a REALLY big problem with mofos infringing on my right to create art, no matter how controversial that art is.
I mean, what if the Nation decided to come to my house and cut the power off?
What if the Pope ran a magnet over my hard drive?
What if a gang of Hassidic Jews came to Riggs Park and trashed my little "home office?"
Or worse yet, what if Rev. Daly Barnes (my former pastor once upon a time) just stood over my shoulder as I wrote and just told me how wrong, wrong, wrong I was and how I'm going to hell?
That would suck and it's not fair! You can't just do that to artists.
Now, I've only seen one trailer for Noah's Arc, and that was a year ago. Was I impressed by the acting? Eh, not so much. But I was impressed by what it was -- the first. Star Trek is not impressive, but we can appreciate it for what it is and what it means. In the long run, I don't think Lazarus will be my most impressive work, but I had to get my start somewhere, eh?
It's not cool to force this show to stop production through protests. Just don't watch it.
Ugh, now I'm pissed off.
Update: It is possible that this wasn't an anti-gay incident. Read Keith Boykin's blog for more reporting.
PS - This is my 400th post!
Posted on August 10, 2005 at 8:33 AM | Comments (1)
The Salvador Gabor Project
Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to The Salvador Gabor Project.
I am not kidding when I say that this guy is one of the funniest, most humorous, and wittiest satirists that I know. Okay, so he's the only one I know, but he is also the most gifted of the ones I don't know.
Here are a few snippets from recent entries that had me ROLLING out loud.
From Folks to Stay Away from in the Fall of 2005:
* LADIES WEARING PONCHOS - YEAH........I KNOW I MENTIONED THIS ONE MANY TIMES BEFORE.........SO WHAT! IM SAYING IT AGAIN, AND WHAT? Im not gonna stop till the people making these dont make NO MO MONEY. Im tired of yall women and this hairy sheets yall wear over yall. And the attitude yall attain once you put them on. You can't say nothing to a woman with a PONCHO on. It must be the material. Like my mother always says "Im a FIX you". Im a start cutting up rugs and putting holes in em and selling em. If I gotta deal wit yall women this fall and these ponchos, Im gonna at least make some money off them
From Washington, DC: The Name Game:
2) DREAM (NIGHTCLUB) - *DEEP BREATH*........stop saying "DREAMS". Its DREAM. Why the unneeded "S"? Like for real!!!!! You can tell folk that dont get out much. They might hit the town ONCE a year cause they finally found a babysitter for ONE night to watch all 7 of their kids. "Girl we going down DREAMS tonight, celebrating my girl Gina's 43rd Birthday". First of all, yall need to be somewhere besides the club at 43. How bout brunch, a boat ride or a restaurant on the harbor. But no..........Earnestine and Gina going down "DREAMS" tonight. I've driven passed New York Avenue many-a-days and Ive never seen an Apostophe and a "S" on that sign. Its ONLY D R E A M. No "S".
And from I'm Over It (Subsection United Nation of Thug Niggas):
* Under no circumstances should a Thug Nigga eat Yogurt. Not even during a tonsil infection. Thug Niggas dont even have their Tonsils taken out!
I hope I don't jinx him by saying this, but I really do believe that my boy is a Toure' or Paul Beatty in training. Look to hear more from him -- big things!
And check out his blog at The Salvador Gabor Project!
And you should vote for him at the Black Weblog Awards for Best Humor Blog. I know I did!
Posted on August 9, 2005 at 11:45 AM | Comments (1)
RIP
We'll miss you, Mr. Jennings.
Posted on August 8, 2005 at 12:12 AM | Comments (0)
My Personality Defect
| Schoolyard Bully You are 14% Rational, 57% Extroverted, 57% Brutal, and 42% Arrogant. |
You are the Schoolyard Bully! You focus more on feelings than rationality, and thus tend to be driven by your emotions. You are probably easy to anger or annoy, for instance. You are also an extrovert who wouldn't mind having a lot of attention, although you may not always get it. Another character trait you possess is your brutality, manifested by the fact that you tend to be aggressive and do not care about the well-being of others. Also, you exhibit signs of humility, leading one to conlude that you are actually insecure, because very few people are truly humble AND brutal. Thus, like any schoolyard bully, you seek constant attention for yourself and have no issues with administering beatings because you are quite emotional and easy to upset. Not only that, but your insecurity may be a prime motivation for your brutality. As psychologists have noted, most schoolyard bullies only pick on others because they have a negative self-image. This could possibly be true of you. In short, your personality defects are your brutality, extroversion, irrationality, and your possible insecurity. Go pick on someone your own size!
1. You are more INTUITIVE than rational. 2. You are more EXTROVERTED than introverted. 3. You are more BRUTAL than gentle. 4. You are more HUMBLE than arrogant.
Compatibility:
The Emo Kid: Intuitive, Introverted, Gentle, Humble. The Starving Artist: Intuitive, Introverted, Gentle, Arrogant. The Bitch-Slap: Intuitive, Introverted, Brutal, Humble. The Brute: Intuitive, Introverted, Brutal, Arrogant. The Hippie: Intuitive, Extroverted, Gentle, Humble. The Televangelist: Intuitive, Extroverted, Gentle, Arrogant. The Schoolyard Bully: Intuitive, Extroverted, Brutal, Humble. The Class Clown: Intuitive, Extroverted, Brutal, Arrogant. The Robot: Rational, Introverted, Gentle, Humble. The Haughty Intellectual: Rational, Introverted, Gentle, Arrogant. The Spiteful Loner: Rational, Introverted, Brutal, Humble. The Sociopath: Rational, Introverted, Brutal, Arrogant. The Hand-Raiser: Rational, Extroverted, Gentle, Humble. The Braggart: Rational, Extroverted, Gentle, Arrogant. The Capitalist Pig: Rational, Extroverted, Brutal, Humble. The Smartass: Rational, Extroverted, Brutal, Arrogant. |
 |
My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:
|
| Link: The Personality Defect Test written by saint_gasoline on OkCupid Free Online Dating |
Posted on August 5, 2005 at 12:28 PM | Comments (0)
Looking for Nell Carter
White boys are so pretty
Skin as smooth as milk
White boys are so pretty
Hair like Chinese silk
So last night, I was watching/listening to one of my favorite musicals of all time, Hair. I used to have a VHS tape of Hair from when it was on the A&E channel this one time. I swear I wore that tape out from fast forwarding through the commercials and watching it over and over again.
Luckily, I got a DVD player and sometime last year finally got Hair on DVD. It’s one of the DVDs I will pop in and listen to while I am trying to get other work done. You know…for noise effect, as they say.
But this time was a little different. It felt like the movie was speeding along. Next thing I knew we were at the scene at the draft board and the musical number “Black Boys.” Intercut with scenes of the naked white boy and the black members of the draft board were shots of three black women in central park, ogling and cat-calling the white boys there. One of those three black women was a slimmer (but still thick) Nell Carter. I couldn’t turn my head as she sang the opening lines of the song:
White boys are so sexy
Legs so long and lean
At this point she grabs her thigh and looks at the white boys like “oops!” It is one of the best moments in the entire movie for me.
Love those sprayed-on trousers
Love the love machine
And she does this bump and it’s just like ahhhhh man, that is one sexy woman. She owned her sexuality – I don’t think I knew what it meant to own your sexuality until that moment. No, she wasn’t perfect – she was short and always had a weight problem, but in 1979, this was just a little thick woman who was so confident, so beautiful…
Most people from my generation know Nell Carter from the show Gimme a Break! And that’s cool, Gimme a Break! was a great show. At the time, I think black folks may have been up in arms about this fantabulous Broadway actress with the full, rich voice portraying, of all things, a maid. I’m sure people were like damn…again? Why must we always be servants to white folks, even when we’re the star of the show?
But to me, a kid in Kindergarten, I didn’t see race. In fact, when my mom asked me “What color is your teacher?” I said “Oh, she’s about your color.” So I didn’t see a modern-day “Mammy.” I saw a lady who took care of her friend’s husband and children after she died. (Sidebar: People were sho nuff dying all the time in 80’s sitcoms, weren’t they?)
Though the “sassy housekeeper with a heart of gold” archetype had been done before (and still is done), Nell Carter brought to the role confidence and sexuality. Maybe I am remembering this wrong, but didn’t she always have a thing for Billie Dee Williams on the show? She was never androgynized or desexualized like Paula Kelly or Marsha Warfield on Night Court, nor was she made into a vamp like Jackee’ on 227. She was in many ways just an average single woman.
Almost all of my favorite moments from Gimme a Break! involved her singing. Damn, her voice was beautiful – is there a Nell Carter album somewhere? Gotta be. Anyway, I remember this one time that she sat in front of the piano and started singing “Memory” from Cats.
Memory…
All alone in the moonlight
I remember the old days
I was beauuuutiful thennnnn….
She was such a ham – I loved it!
Then of course the men who were always trying to marry her. Remember: “This is the church, this is the steeple, open it up and here are all the people waiting for us to get married, Nell!”
And how about when Nell and Addie (Telma Hopkins) went to Mississippi (or Alabama?) to visit Nell’s sister (played by the late, great Lynne Thigpen), who for some reason, always had beef with her. What finally brought them together was when they played some old records and started singing along. It seemed so natural, like they were really all best friends.
Then of course the show jumped the shark when they went to New York. It was still good to me (I mean hey, I was in elementary school, nothing really sucked about television). But it was eventually cancelled.
Nell Carter also appeared on Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper and Reba after Gimme a Break! went off the air. Before that, she appeared in Hair, Ain’t Misbehavin’ (on and off-Broadway as well as a television version), and later as Miss Hannigan in a 20th Anniversary revival of Annie.
On Thursday, January 23, 2003, we got the news:
BEVERLY HILLS, California (CNN) -- Actress and singer Nell Carter, best known for her role as the housekeeper in the TV sitcom "Gimme a Break!", died Thursday. She was 54.Carter's publicist Roger Lane said Carter collapsed and died of natural causes in her Beverly Hills home.
She had suffered from diabetes and had recovered from a near-deadly bout with a brain aneurysm in the 1990s. Lane said he did not know if her diabetes contributed to her death.
I think I was pretty hurt by it, as much as I would be by any actor dying before their prime, but especially one I had grown up watching nearly every day in syndication.
I didn’t find out until months later that Nell Carter loved women the same way that I love men. Damn you, E! True Hollywood Stories.
I remember watching it with my mom and in the very last thirty seconds of the program, they said almost verbatim what you can find on the internet now:
When she died, friends and family were surprised to discover barely $200 in her bank account. They were further startled to discover that Carter had been living as a closeted lesbian, and that custody of her children had been left to her domestic partner.
My mouth fell open and my mom said “Uh-huh! Betcha didn’t know THAT one, didya!” (She had only found out a week before, I was watching the re-run.)
I wish that I had always known that Nell Carter loved women. Yes, she had been married to a man at one point. (Which is when she converted to Judaism, but that’s another story.) But I don’t know…did she really ever love men? Did she always love women? Was she on the “DL?”
I hate that I’ll never know the answers to these questions.
It’s like maybe in my subconscious mind, I always knew that she was one of us, no matter how many men proposed to the Gimme a Break! Nell, no matter how many white men she cat-called in Hair. She owned her sexuality on stage and in private. She lived with her woman at the end of her life. The custody of her children went to her partner. That’s love…
I want to meet Nell Carter. I want to know if she identified as a black Lesbian. I want to give her a hug. I want to help her manage her money better and get good health insurance and help her keep her weight off. I would stop her from eating those “funeral foods” that are killing black folks.
But she’s gone, and been gone.
I don’t want to lose any more of my heroes and sheroes. I want all gay black people to live to be a hundred, or however long it takes for them to come out. I don’t want one of my heroes to be outed by E!. I want them to come out on their own terms, to be the role models, to be proactive. I want them to stand with me for equal marriage rights. I want them to fight AIDS with me.
I want them to stand up as proud men who love men, women who love women, and whoever loving whomever. I don’t want Keith Boykin to do this alone. We need our activists, yes, but we need our actors, lawyers, doctors, singers, writers, filmmakers, rappers (yes, rappers), teachers, politicians – we need you out here. Not in the closet.
Some pebbles in the pond cause ripples. Some cause tidal waves. Imagine what this world would be like if people could really be themselves? We would actually see the diversity that exists among all people, straight or gay.
And maybe one day, nobody will care anymore.
And then we will have won.
See you on the other side, Ms. Carter.
Posted on August 3, 2005 at 9:56 AM | Comments (13)
Oh. My. Damn.
I was not ready for Six Feet Under tonight. Wow. I don't want to spoil it for those of you who missed it. But yeah....the kid cried.
I'm going to miss this once it goes off the air.
...
I'm looking forward to Adewale coming back to TV. He's going to be on Lost this fall. Last I saw him, he was Adebisi on Oz.
...
The 4400 is still good! Hill Harper was on tonight...yeah, he's still hot.
...
I'm still mad that they cancelled Law & Order: Trial by Jury. Seems like they could have just had it be a straight to USA Network kind of show. It wasn't bad! It just never got a chance. :-(
...
Reality show that should never have been made: Kill Reality.
Reality show that I thought I would like, but got too busy to watch: Strip Search.
Reality show that at least had good eye candy: Kept.
...
I know I have a LOT more visitors nowadays thanks to some links on some popular blogs. I want to say welcome to folks who are new to the Old Gold Soul experience! Stay for a while, look around at some of the old posts, and hell, why not buy a book while you're here. ;-)
Posted on August 1, 2005 at 12:45 AM | Comments (3)
OMG this was so bizarre and hilarious to me
http://media.ebaumsworld.com/gijoe-reggae.mov
Posted on July 21, 2005 at 7:26 PM | Comments (3)
About the Random 12
The rules for "Random 12" are simple: list the 12 songs that play when you hit random or shuffle on your favorite MP3 player.
That's all.
Posted on July 19, 2005 at 10:19 AM
Random 12
Rebel Yell, Billy Idol
Track 49, Superman II Soundtrack
It's Just a Matter of Time, Sonny James
Danger! Ignotion!, R. Kelly vs Electric 6
Warszawa, David Bowie
ABC I Want You Back (Ultimix Remix), Jackson Five
Paradise, Nelly
Jump They Say, David Bowie
Wonkamobile/Wonkavision, Willy Wonka Soundtrack
If You Don't Know Me By Now, Simply Red
Helden, David Bowie
Siamese Candy, 50 Cent vs Lady & The Tramp Soundtrack
Posted on July 18, 2005 at 10:10 AM | Comments (2)
Which Batman Character Are You?
Posted on July 17, 2005 at 3:49 PM | Comments (1)
Just me flexing my jaws on random entertainment topics
Random...
It's about Damian Marley aka Jr. Gong being SO HOT, yet looking SO DIRTY at the same time. I mean, I'm sure the man showers and washes his hair, but he just don't look like it. [Note to Diddy: I don't think he smells like incense. My guess is pee.] BUT, "Welcome to JamRock" is not only a hot to death song, it is a PHAT video. It's very 1980's in its feel...not complicated, yet very political in its portrayal of life in Jamaica.
The 70s House is a new unscripted game show on MTV. They picked something like 12 contestants who didn't know what they were signing up for exactly and sent them to this extra-gaudy house that Mike Brady would have designed back in the 70s. They have to eat, drink, speak, and think like someone from the 70s. It's actually a genuinely fun show -- corny, but purposefully so. If you like watching reality shows to peep the new hotties, then you need to check out Peter and Andrew. Couldn't get any pictures, sorry!
Before I hit my most recent bout with depression, I had a gay day. I damn near ODed on everything gay. I went to Lambda Rising Books in Dupont Circle and got three books: Infants of the Spring by Wallace Thurman, Time on Two Crosses: The Collected Writings of Bayard Rustin, and Freedom in this Village: Twenty-Five Years of Black Gay Men's Writing (Edited by E. Lynn Harris). From the music and movie place next door, I bought the movie Brother to Brother, which I had seen on PBS but wanted to own for myself. THEN I messed around and went to a used bookstore in Takoma Park and found In the Life (Edited by Joseph Beam) and Brother to Brother (edited by Essex Hemphill). I've been familiar with the last two works for years but had never really found my own copy. It wasn't imperative that I own them until now.
I really feel as though if you are a black gay writer, you need to love black gay writers. Not just your peers, but your ancestors. Not just the people in your own gender, but the other one, too. Please do not step to my craft -- my livelihood -- and not know your history. And please believe that my little "timeline" of black gay literature that I did in college -- that was just the tip of the iceberg. I had no idea back then; indeed, nowhere to start.
To say that contemporary black gay literature began with E. Lynn Harris is like saying black history begins with slavery. It's convenient to believe, but it's just not true.
[/rant]
What happened to BET Uncut? I've been staying up REALLY late these past few days and been thinking I'm going to catch some boobies and cooter on my favorite blaxploitation network. Alas, no boobies! What the deal, BET?
There is a new documentary out called The Life of Rayful Edmond. I heard about it on WHUR, I believe the morning show. It wasn't bad. Actually, if you grew up in DC in the 80s and 90s, this will help piece together a lot of things we heard about as we grew up. See, the Rayful Edmond drug kingpin trial was this horrible circus that lasted FOREVER. Witnesses were being murdered and intimidated. But this Rayful Edmond guy....we are talking a street millionaire. I kinda hate him for what he and others like him did to DC during the crack epidemic. And we were most definitely in an epidemic. Crazy times back then.
I have two main complaints with the documentary. Well, maybe three or four:
1. I didn't like the narrator at all. Osei Kweku seemed like he was trying too hard to be dramatic at times. At other times, the cadence of his voice didn't seem to match the scene he was narrating. This film would have been much better with minimal narrating. In fact, the strongest parts of the movie where the parts where the reporters from the time period were speaking.
2. I believe that the role of Alta Rae Zanville was horribly miscast. Don't get me wrong -- Erica Terpstra is a beautiful young lady. But Alta Rae was a middle aged white woman! Erica CAN'T be more than 30, and is probably much much younger.
3. Naked cocaine lady. That's all I have to say.
As independent films go, I think that Kirk Fraser does an excellent job bringing this story to light. I'd like to meet him one day and talk more about the project.
But I also have to say, one of the low lights of the documentary was the commentary of Curtis Chambers, aka "Curtbone" or something like that. I really, REALLY feel like he was glorifying his life back in those days. It made me uncomfortable. But, in all fairness, Kirk Fraser did a good job at being fair and balanced. He interviewed several cops in addition to friends and the former attorney of Rayful Edmond.
I'd recommend this to DC folks in their late 20s or older. People younger than this really won't feel as invested in the story and just might take the wrong message away.
I am reading a novel called The Era of My Youthful Ways (did I mention this in an earlier blog?) and it is pretty damn funny so far. It's a "college novel" if there is to be such a genre. Lori V. Lincoln is funny as hell, too. Her main character is sassy and bright and in several ways reminds me of Nina Bradley in Lazarus -- if Nina had pledged. I'll let y'all know how it turns out.
Later this week, I want to tell you all about the Deadly Viper Literary Squad (DeViLS), of which I am a member. It's a super secret group of gay black authors, but I'm gonna have to reveal myself soon....
Posted on July 13, 2005 at 9:59 PM | Comments (7)
And another...
Posted on July 12, 2005 at 8:59 AM | Comments (0)
Wiggy Houston....Bobby Sha-brown
Posted on July 11, 2005 at 10:17 AM | Comments (1)
Seeing this turned me straight a little bit.
Posted on June 29, 2005 at 4:26 PM | Comments (5)
Interesting things about my birthday
You said your birthday is 6 / 25 / 1979
which means you are 26 years old and about:
62 years 8 months younger than Walter Cronkite, age 88
58 years 0 months younger than Nancy Reagan, age 83
55 years 0 months younger than George Herbert Bush, age 81
47 years 9 months younger than Barbara Walters, age 73
45 years 7 months younger than Larry King, age 71
39 years 5 months younger than Ted Koppel, age 65
36 years 0 months younger than Geraldo Rivera, age 61
33 years 0 months younger than George W. Bush, age 58
27 years 11 months younger than Jesse Ventura, age 53
23 years 8 months younger than Bill Gates, age 49
18 years 10 months younger than Cal Ripken Jr., age 44
13 years 0 months younger than Mike Tyson, age 38
8 years 11 months younger than Jennifer Lopez, age 34
3 years 6 months younger than Tiger Woods, age 29
3 years 0 months older than Prince William, age 23
and that you were:
22 years old at the time of the 9-11 attack on America
20 years old on the first day of Y2K
18 years old when Princess Diana was killed in a car crash
15 years old at the time of Oklahoma City bombing
14 years old when O. J. Simpson was charged with murder
13 years old at the time of the 93 bombing of the World Trade Center
11 years old when Operation Desert Storm began
10 years old during the fall of the Berlin Wall
6 years old when the space shuttle Challenger exploded
4 years old when Apple introduced the Macintosh
3 years old during Sally Ride's travel in space
a 1 year old when Pres. Reagan was shot by John Hinckley, Jr.
not yet 1 year old at the time the Iran hostage crisis began
Posted on June 27, 2005 at 1:32 PM | Comments (2)
Random 12
Lucas With the Lid Off, Lucas
I Care 4 U, Aaliyah
Track 28, Superman II Soundtrack
Hypothetically, Lyfe Jennigs ft Erin
Let's Dance (Live at the Beeb), David Bowie
Push It (Speed Garage Mix), Salt N Pepa
Summertime Frontin', Beyonce vs Pharrell vs. Wu-Tang, Mashed by DJ Crook Air
Murda Music, Krayzie Bone
No Call U, Prince
Fill Me In, Craig David
Sorrow, David Bowie
Thoia Thoing, R. Kelly
Posted on June 23, 2005 at 8:27 PM | Comments (1)
I Belong in London
You Belong in LondonA little old fashioned, and a little modern.A little traditional, and a little bit punk rock. A unique woman (well, that's what the Quiz said) like you needs a city that offers everything. No wonder you and London will get along so well. |  |
Posted on June 13, 2005 at 7:30 PM | Comments (2)
Strip Search and Kept
VH1 now has two competition-style reality shows.
One is called Strip Search.
The other is called Kept.
Hotties abound.
Okay, what's a word that means abound but to a lesser degree? Like maybe two hot ones on each show?
Somebody gay made these shows. Must have. Do straight women watch these things? Let me know.
At any rate.... Strip Search is about some guys who aspire to be dancers or something? It doesn't seem like they are training to be real deal strippers. Shoot... you ain't gotta do much to be MY stripper. Well, a body would help. But just shimmy a little then take it off. Why does there need to be a show about it? Just shimmy and strip.
Mmmmm....shimmy....I might have to ask a few of my favorite Kappas to hook me up.... ;-)
Here is some of the talent from Strip Search:
David is a bartender from Dallas. I really can't tell what his ethnicity is. Not that it matters; hot knows no color.
Marco is probably my favorite -- didja peep the Cancer tatoo? There's something about his lips that are like DANG to me. I've always been a mouth/lips/teeth person. Anyway, he is a hospital staff assistant in New Jersey. Is that the new term for orderly? Or is he an admin?
Tony is creepin up right behind Marco in terms of my favorites. He is a personal trainer and bartender in Chicago. The pictures don't do him justive -- he looks very intense and exotic on the show.
As far as Kept, that's basically a favor somebody owed Jerry Hall, cuz I swear she ain't done nothing since Batman. Apparently, these guys are competing to be her "kept" man. It makes no sense...I mean, who is Jerry Hall? Like, I know who she WAS, but who is she now? I am trying so hard not to call the poor woman a has-been. Luckily, the men of color on her show are kinda cute! Here they go:
I don't have any names or background info on the guys, but I hope they do well.
Check these shows out so I can have somebody to talk about them with!
Posted on June 11, 2005 at 9:05 PM | Comments (5)
Random 12
Let's Get Physical, Olivia Newton John
Sexuality, Beyonce
Sahotas Boliyan, The Sahotas
Take Me With U (Unreleased Version), Prince
Freestyle (Hate Me Now), Eminem
The Cobbler's Song, Paul Robeson
Africa, D'Angelo
Breakdown, Luke
Urban Aire, Afro Celt Sound System
Limelight, T.I.
Foot Stomping, Flares
Dude Looks Like a Lady, Aerosmith
Posted on June 9, 2005 at 7:10 PM | Comments (1)
The 4400
This was my SHIT last year!
Posted on June 4, 2005 at 1:39 AM | Comments (1)
What's the Verdict?
Singing in the shower? Guilty
Left the stove on? Not Guilty
Ate stale food? Guilty
Spit in someone's Drink? Not Guilty
Stole Something from a friend? Not Guilty
Bossed your friends around? Guilty
Played with Barbies? Guilty
Left a hicky on your past or present BF/GF? Not Guilty
Sang the wrong words to your favorite song? Guilty
Lit candles & let wax run all down your desk? Not Guilty
Made a Sex tape? Not Guilty
Kissed your posters of your favorite stars? Guilty
Played Air guitar? Not Guilty
Listened to stupid music and said you like it? Guilty
Had sex with a stranger? No contest.
Did a Wrestling move on someone? Guilty
Had a Lite Brite? Guilty
Threw a surprise party for someone or yourself? Not Guilty
Made someone cry? Guilty
Had the balls to ask someone out? Guilty
Opened your Xmas presents early? Not guilty
Ever been caught doing something "dirty"? Not guilty
Did the time-warp? What's that?
Found money, and didn't turn it in? Guilty
Gave money to a homeless person? Guilty
Sang cheesy 80's songs? Guilty
Dug for buried treasure? Not guilty
Thought Star Wars was cool? Guilty
Pretended to be a South Park cartoon? Guilty
Had a super-hero costume? Not guilty
Still sleep with your baby blanket? Not guilty
Told a family member to Fuck off? Not guilty
Lied to protect a friend? Guilty
Broke a bone? Not guilty
Played D&D? Not guilty
Got lost in your own little world? Guilty
Seen "the goonies" more than 10 times? Guilty
Played a Video game for more than 5 hours? Guilty
Watched "Scream" and actually Screamed? Not guilty
Dyed your hair a color from the rainbow? Not guilty
Hugged your mom in the past 24 hours? Not guilty
Drank until you passed out? Not guilty
Fought over a girl/boy? Not guilty
Posted on June 2, 2005 at 1:57 PM | Comments (1)
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 on June 1, 2005 at 4:40 PM | Comments (2)
The COMPLETE DC Black Pride Manifesto
Okay, here are my complete thoughts on DC Black Pride aka DC Black Lesbian and Gay Pride Day.
Day One: Friday
I worked in the morning with my Kindergarteners, then got off for half a day due to staff development. (Subs don't generally go unless they are long-term.)
My online friend Ralph came down from New York with his two friends Curtis and Morgan. They were all very nice men who supported LAZARUS! I was so happy -- that really kicked off my evening the right way. We hung out in their room for a while before we headed downstairs to hang out in the lobby.
In the lobby, I saw Brent Dorian Carpenter, who inspired me to take my life and my art by the horns and self-publish my novel. And I told him so! He was really touched by that, and it felt good to give him LAZARUS directly from my hands. Brent Dorian Carpenter is the author of The 21st Century Chronicles of Thugg The Barbarian King , Bald Ambition, This Time Around, and Man of the Cloth. I got them all this weekend -- so should you!
At nearly the same time, I met Alphonso Morgan. I have already mentioned his hotness -- I think everyone at Pride felt that way. But did you also know that Alphonso Morgan is fuckin' brilliant? He and his cousin (I feel like her name was Ashley?)were really cool. Pick up his debut novel Sons available from his website. The cover on the site is different from the one that is currently on sale. So if you got the old one, get the new one too!
Ralph, Curtis, Morgan, and I went down to the opening reception, which was scheduled to start at 8pm and end at 11pm. EVERYTHING prior to this night said it would end at 11pm. Why did it end at 10pm? It is my understanding that the food was really good, but all that was left was cheese by the time I got there. There was some music and dancing, too. It would have been a NICE alternative to the club had it been open another hour and had some good hip-hop. But alas, it ended early, and back upstairs I went.
I am not sure how it happened, but I found myself in the lobby with this cat from NY. He was really cool! He seemed to know everyone. We saw Alphonso Morgan and his dog again. I'm sorry, I ain't like that dog. Lil bug eyed fucker. LOL. I'm a cat person. Laila would take him out!
It was also at that time that I also saw:
Maurice Jamal
and some of the cast of The Ski Trip, including Nathan Hale,
and Daren Fleming:
All of them were very fun, charming, and good guys. I remembered most of them from the year before, when they were promoting The Ski Trip. I won't lie. I was thinking damn, this is gonna be corny. In 04, all the cast and the filmmaker were wearing pink. I was like ewwwwww this is so corny. And maybe this was my own inadequacies, but I thought maybe they seemed cliquish? I dunno. Anyway, I wasn't as enthused about the flick as I have been about other gay films.
More on that later....
So it seems as though the Nathan guy also does some promoting or something? I don't really remember. All I remember is that Nathan was tall as hell and could probably beat my ass. Don't sleep on gay folks, y'all. We be in the gym pumping iron.
One thing I noticed about Maurice Jamal was his eyes. They were really dark but piercing kinda. Daren Fleming is also a drag queen. Now, forgive me if that's not the proper term anymore. But he was impersonating Miss Diana Ross at the reception and he was HILARIOUS! At one point in the performance, he ran around the room with this long flowing fabric. A mess!!! It was great.
So, back to the New Yorker....with him was Miss Z. (Zee?) Miss Z really looked like a chick I went to undergrad with. She was really sassy but sweet, and earlier in this diary, I said she reminded me of Nina from LAZARUS. More on Miss Z later...
There was also a cat from Rhode Island. I know right, gay black people in Rhode Island? Crazy. He was cool and really reminded me of one of my APO bros named JR.
I feel like there were other people there too, but everything is a blur. I didn't go out that night because I had to be up early the next day to attend workshops. Plus, I'm not much of a club goer anyway.
Day Two: Saturday
Got up early and went to the hotel. Came down the escalator and saw one of my frat brothers! It turned out that he was volunteering with Pride this year. I almost didn't recognize him because he was shaved bald. It was great seeing him -- I hadn't seen him since Spring 03, although I had spoken to him online since then.
We went to a workshop called Safe Sex Sells: HIV/AIDS Prevention Messages in Social Marketing. Which was cancelled. Because only a handful of us showed up, and I was pretty much the only one who stayed. (Not counting my frat, who was a volunteer.) Sooo...it kind of sucked, but the presenter purchased a book from me, so that was cool. (I had been carrying extra books in my bag in case it came up in conversation.)
Frat and I went to breakfast at Shula's. It was so nice having one on one time with him, just to catch up on things. We talked a lot about the direction in which black fraternities were heading. Then we were rudely interrupted by some jerk. LOL, no seriously, this polite gentleman from Philadelphia asked us what was there to do while he was here. So we talked and talked and finally invited him to join us to eat. It turns out he was Stepp Stewart, who is the National Director of Dynamite National Talent Competitions & Conventions. He was a really cool guy who was extraordinarily excited for Pride. It was a great way to start my morning!
We were at breakfast for a long time and ended up being late to the
Black and Out at HBCUs discussion. However, we still went and it was really great! There were four panelists and it was really cool hearing their perspectives. Although there is a lot of work to be done, gay folks at black colleges are holding it down! There were enough Greeks in the audience to take a pan hell picture, too! I won't post it though, since I am not one hundred percent sure they want their pics on the net. :-)
After that workshop, I ran into my girl Courtney, who knows everyone in the universe. Courtney and I go way back to when neither of us was out! We sat next to each other in the town hall meeting -- Being Black and Gay in America: Speaking Out in Our Own Voice. I have plenty of pictures from that, which I will post on the gallery side very soon. Since this narrative is getting no shorter, I will just say that I enjoyed the panelists, but I felt that the moderating could have been....I dunno...better somehow. Oh yeah, I also sat next to my New York homie from the night before. I found out later that he is in the process of adopting kids -- my dream! I need to contact him about that soon.
Well, not SOON for me, but I don't want to forget about it.
Spent more time in the lobby....all my lobby time runs together.
I already mentioned that I saw The Ski Trip and loved it. It was really really really good. I guess I know how people felt reading LAZARUS for the first time...ya go in there with an open mind and no expectations and you get surprised and really thrilled that it's so good! It really touched me when Maurice Jamal got sorta choked up when he introduced his cast to the audience. I could really tell this was a crowning acheivement for him. I don't know nothin' bout birthin no movies, but if producing an indie flick is ANYTHING like self-publishing a novel, then I can empathize with Maurice one hundred percent. It's the hardest thing in the world...and for that reason it's most fulfilling.
After the movie, I gave Maurice a copy of LAZARUS. I know, just giving them out like candy, right? But that's what you do -- you can't expect to make money on all of them, some people need to just have them. I felt like he shared his baby with me, now I wanted to share mine with him. He told me when he would start reading it, and I was like hey man, don't just say that, I know how it is. And he was like naw, I'm really gonna read it. So I was like cool. Jasmine (I guess I am spelling this right) who I met earlier in the day, took these pictures of us:
Handsome, isn't he?
Now, after all this, and having run into several people who I either knew in some way or had purchased my book (much love to you all!) found my way back up to that pesky lobby. This time, I was with another frat brother of mine who I have been cool with online for a while now, just never really hung out. We were supposed to go down to the poetry slam together, but I ran into Brent Dorian Carpenter again and was sucked into the vortex that is the lobby. At least my frat got to go to the poetry.
In the lobby, why did I run into some Gamma Sigs? LOL, that was hilarious. I was like what da hell? But it was good seeing more familiar faces. I was with Courtney again, too. As well as Alphonso Morgan's dog.
Me and Brent went to dinner at Lulu's. We briefly had the idea that we would eat dinner at Shula's. HA! What the hell was I smoking? Needless to say, Lulu's got our money that night. The chicken tenders were good. Brent is cool peeps. It's hard to really get a grasp on all the things he likes and dislikes....but then I guess I am the same way. People make the world go 'round and all that.
Came back to the hotel and I ended up chillin with Wade again, who is New York homie, Shawn/Sean who is Rhode Island homie, and a few new faces, including Yarde' (who graduated from Duke Ellington the same year I graduated from Coolidge), Drew from NY, and a few others. Bryan (who I met at American a few years ago) was also there. We were basically playing the old bar debate game. Pitting certain singers and actors and tv shows against each other. I was in the minority when it came to Tyra Banks versus Naomi Campbell, lol. (I was for Tyra.) We ended up continuing the debates all night long.
That's the kind of shit Pride is all about. Strangers coming in, sitting down, finding commonalities, and leaving old friends.
(Why did that sound like the remix of the House of Alpha?)
I fell asleep mad late that night, but full of memories.
Day Three: Sunday
I was a nervous wreck.
No, really.
And you know what? It's really after ten o'clock now and I am too tired to keep writing. I will finish writing and editing this in the morning.
Posted on May 31, 2005 at 7:37 PM | Comments (4)
The Ultimate Star Wars Personality Test
Posted on at 6:31 PM | Comments (0)
Which American Cities Best Fit You?
American Cities That Best Fit You: |
| 65% Philadelphia |
| 60% Chicago |
| 55% New York City |
| 50% Atlanta |
| 50% San Francisco |
Posted on at 1:17 AM | Comments (3)
Pride Teaser
Yes, it's blurry. You'll be okay.
At some point, I will recover enough from Pride to tell you all about it. In great detail. But for now, just enjoy the pic.
Hmmm...could it be Adrian and Savion?
Posted on May 30, 2005 at 5:31 PM | Comments (1)
Pride II (Highlights)
Went to a workshop that was cancelled...but sold a book!
Breakfast with Frat! Joined by another very pleasant dude from Philly. Sold a book!
Came late to another workshop about Out and Gay at HBCUs. Sold a book and gave some to the panelists.
Went to the Town Hall Meeting about Black and Gay in America. Didn't sell a book but got CRAZY free promotion when one of the panelists (who I had just given a book to previously) said my name and held my book up as an example of novels to support! I was like DAMN, you can't buy publicity like that!
Sat with my girl Courtney and had jokes.
Hung out in the lobby for a while.
Saw THE SKI TRIP. Review forthcoming. Bottom line -- I LIKED IT A LOT!!!!! I was like damn, did someone steal my life?
Gave a copy of the book to Maurice Jamal, the man who made THE SKI TRIP. So like, why is he hot? So is Alphonso Morgan. So was everyone at Pride. Damn.
Was supposed to meet my girl for the film festival, but I was in the town hall meeting and lost track of time, so she went back home. I was sad. :-(
Met with frat! (Different frat.) Later in the evening, met deaf frat! Why were they all hot? lol
Speaking of which, why were the Lesbians hot, too?
Was SPOSED to go to the poetry slam, but I just wasn't feeling it, yo. By that time of the day, I had no more books to sell or give to "opinion molders" or other folks in the life that just shouldn't have to buy one.
There were MAD GREEKS at Pride. Saw an AKA, SGRho, and a Delta at one event alone.
Camped out in the lobby for a while, just chillin. Ran into some Gamma Sigs I know. One of them knows Diddy. We called Diddy. Diddy was in PR though.
Had dinner with Brent Dorian Carpenter. Like everyone else, he was hot.
Alphonso Morgan is fucking HOT. Buy his book based on the stength of his hotness. Like, Alphonso Morgan is so fucking hot, that even I couldn't holla at him. Like, his hotness intimidates me in that Aaron McGruder way.
I eventually hung out with like ten different dudes -- I only knew one from before, the rest I met this weekend. All cool. Majority hot. LOL
Can we have Pride every weekend?
I know this post was crazy, but I am having so much fun.
Oh yeah, I saw HIM again. And I showed him to my frat on the sly. He ain't have nothing to say one way or the other, regarding him. Just Oh. lol
Shit is banoodles.
Posted on May 29, 2005 at 3:01 AM | Comments (0)
Pride I
DC Gay Black Pride is so much fun! Last night:
I hung out with Ralph, Curtis, and Morgan, my boys from New York who came down.
Sold a few books.
Swapped books with ALPHONSO MORGAN, Author of SONS
Hung out with author Brent Dorian Carpenter, who has self-published four books.
Hung out with an Assistant Principal from NY, a college student from Rhode Island, and one of those FABULOUS sassy black chicks who could give Nina a run for her money!
Went to a reception where all the food was gone except for the cheese, LOL. I was gonna do the speed-dating, but I missed it.
and….
I saw and talked to HIM.
:-)
Today:
Health and Wellness Festival
Town Hall Meeting
Film Festival
Poetry Slam
Networking, Networking, Networking
I picked up my business cards yesterday and they look nice. If you’re in DC, consider Quality Printers on Third and Kennedy.
PEACE! More details later….
Posted on May 28, 2005 at 7:32 AM | Comments (0)
A Quiz from Laila
1. What is your occupation? Substitute Teacher/Novelist
2. What are you listening to right now? Russ Parr Morning Show
3. Best friend? I don't have a best friend. Several close friends, but no clique.
4. What was the last thing you ate? An ice cream sandwich last night. I know, not conducive to the workout plan.
5. Do you wish on stars? No.
6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Silver
7. How is the weather right now? Sunny and clear, but still relatively cool.
8. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Ernest
9. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Yeah! Laila is my dawg!
10. How old are you today? 25
11. Favorite drink? ginger ale
12. Favorite sport to watch? track & field!!! Tha bootay!
13. Ever died your hair? Naw, but once I put a temporary stripe down the middle for a day in high school.
14. Do you wear contacts? Yes
15. Pets? Two cats, Maxwell and Laila.
16. Favorite month? October, for homecomings and halloween.
17. Favorite food? Indian and Chinese
18. What was the last movie you watched? The Matrix Reloaded DVD
19. Favorite day of the year? Homecoming! Then maybe my birthday.
20. What do you do to vent anger? Cuss a LOT.
21. What was your favorite toy as a child? Castle Grayskull!
22. Fall or Spring? Fall.
23. Hugs or kisses? Both, but if I HAVE to pick, a hug usually can't go wrong.
24. Cherry or Blueberry? Cherry
25. Living arrangements? I live in a shack down by the river.
26. When was the last time you cried? The day before I ended things with him.
27. What is on the floor of your closet? Those huge plastic tubs with blankets inside.
28. Who is the friend you have had the longest nonstop? Jean-Ton and Joel -- Joel since 1995 and Jean-Ton since 1996.
29. What did you do last night? Watched the season finale of LOST!
30. Favorite smell? Cool Water cologne
31. What inspires you? Other writers who have made it.
32. What are you afraid of? Dying without having been loved the way I want to be loved.
33. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? Cheese. What's a spicy hamburger?
34. Favorite car? Whichever kind can take me where I need to go.
35. Favorite dog breed? Who likes dogs? Ill. Does a jackal count?
36. Number of keys on your key ring? 3 (2 house keys and my PO Box)
37. How many years at your current job? Ending my second year.
38. Favorite day of the week? Friday
39. How many states have you lived in? 0 (I've always lived in DC, which is a federal district, not a state or a territory.
Posted on May 26, 2005 at 6:52 AM | Comments (1)
What Are The Keys To Your Heart?
The Keys to Your Heart |
| You are attracted to those who are unbridled, untrammeled, and free. |
| In love, you feel the most alive when your lover is creative and never lets you feel bored. |
| You'd like to your lover to think you are stylish and alluring. |
| You would be forced to break up with someone who was insecure and in constant need of reassurance. |
| Your ideal relationship is open. Both of you can talk about everything... no secrets. |
| Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment. |
| You think of marriage as something precious. You'll treasure marriage and treat it as sacred. |
| In this moment, you think of love as something you thirst for. You'll do anything for love, but you won't fall for it easily. |
Posted on May 23, 2005 at 7:11 PM | Comments (1)
What the...(a random entry encompassing all categories)
First of all....HI!
I've not been taking any calls this evening, and only placed one to him. Unfortunately, he got another call from someone he hadn't spoken to in a while, so I just said I'd talk to him tomorrow. I didn't really feel like playing the "waitupreallateandprayhecalls" game. Especially since I was already really tired and I know him -- he'd just fall asleep anyway. C'est la vie.
My boy Dwayne called me tonight and I checked his message...he is feelin' Lazarus and it really made me feel good to know that so many people identify with so many different little parts. One of his favorites so far was the scene in the Metro. (Won't say more for now.) Dwayne is really cool peeps -- I like him.
One of my APO bros from Region IV also called me tonight. I need way more time to holla back at him, I haven't seen him since summer 03 maybe?
And I STILL haven't called back my law school frat who was in town this past weekend. Where has all my energy gone?
Oh, I know...it's gone to that damn school house. I worked all five days last week with a second grade class, then no work monday due to parent conferences. Tuesday I came in to volunteer with the second grade teacher to ease her transition, but I got called in to cover a third grade class, so I got put on the schedule. Today, I subbed for a PE class all damn day! THREE, count them, THREE classes back to back, THEN recess duty! Then about 20 minutes for lunch and a pee break, then two more classes back to back! That shit was ba-noodles.
But fun. I did something slightly different with each class. All in all, only one acted like a little snot rag.
Tomorrow, I go in for the second grade teacher in the morning and the PE teacher in the afternoon, then Friday all day for the other second grade teacher.
I really do like this job, no matter how much I complain.
On that note, why do I feel like my biological clock is ticking and not only am I only 25 (26 next month!) but I don't have a biological clock! lol. I see these bright girls and boys and imagine what it would be like if I had kids like them. I can picture it now....three kids, two boys and a girl. One boy, the oldest, is going to be the "smart" one...overachieving and athletic. The type that would probably WANT to go to boarding school. The middle child is the bad boy -- the one that needs all the extra attention. He's BAD and people can't believe that's Rashid Darden's kid! But he's smart and just acts out because he feels like it. Then there is the baby sister whom everyone adores. Her hurh ALWAYS be in nice cornrows cuz her daddy finally will learn how to cornrow some day. She loves to read and her older brothers protect her fiercely.
Yes, that's that active writer's imagination of mine.
Once I get more settled down, I will mentor first. See if I can ACTUALLY help troubled kids.
Back to the book....yo, what's REALLY scary is that people are literally finishing LAZARUS in a DAY. Part of me is like damn, is it THAT easy of a read? But people are saying that it's good, so hey....it's just good then. Wierd. Weird? Why can I never remember how to spell that.
In terms of Entertainment...somehow, I got addicted to America's Next Top Model. It's good! So yeah, it's in it's fourth season and I didn't start watching until last year, but hey, I like it. My favorite is Naima (sp?) and it seems like she is America's favorite as well.
I'm not terribly interested in American Idol right now. Nor anything on MTV. I guess I am just patiently waiting for Big Brother and The Wire to come back.
I was really mad at myself this week when I had a check bounce. :-( I have automatic deduction for my cell phone bill, and I didn't have enough money in there. And Discover kinda wanted some money, too, and well....I just basically dropped the ball and I am mad about it. I ain't rich or famous enough yet to avoid these mishaps. Argh.
I am excited about Pride this year. I'm gonna be at like EVERYTHING. It should be fun.
Okay, now I am too tired to write more. I don't feel like going to sleep, but I certainly do have to work tomorrow. Maybe I'll write more in the morning.
PEACE.
Posted on May 11, 2005 at 10:40 PM | Comments (4)
Firsts (stolen from him)
F I R S T S
-First job: Clerk at the National Library of Medicine (Yeah OCCS!)
-First funeral: I believe either my grandfather or my friend Jesse, but I can't remember who died first. Or was it Uncle Edgar?
-First pet: Stripes C. Darden
-First piercing/tattoo: None.
-First credit card: Discover.
-First real kiss: Freshman Year in College. (I was a GOOD boy!)
-First love: Lauren....not only did she not like me back, her man's name was Rashid! (At least, he sure seemed like her man.)
-First enemy: I cannot reveal who my enemies are, for I am still playing them like pawns in a cosmic chess match.
-First favorite Band: Prince and the Revolution!
L A S T S:
-Last relationship: Have I every really truly been in one?
-Last library book: Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities from Lauinger Library (Georgetown)
-Last movie watched: Jesus Christ Superstar
-Last beverage drank: Water
-Last food consumed: Peanut Butter Cup :-(
-Last time showered: 8ish
-Last CD played: CD? Who plays those anymore? Maybe it was the JCS soundtrack.
-Last website visited: myspace.com
N O W:
-Single or Taken: Tragically single
-Crush: Just one real one. My celebrity crushes include Etan Thomas, all of the Wizards, and all of the Bulls.
-Birthday: 06-25-1979
-Sign: Cancer
-Siblings: Two that I've never met and probably never will.
-Hair color: brown/black
-Eye color: brown
-Height: 5'9"
RIGHT NOW WHAT ARE YOU...
-Wearing: Tan new balance, white socks, blue jeans, Kunta Kente t-shirt, an undershirt.
-Thinking about: Him and his previous answers; dinner
-Listening to: the news
-Wanting: FOOD. Then sex. Then more food.
F A V O R I T E S:
-Favorite song: the new Raheem DeVaughn song
-Favorite movie(s): School Daze/The Color Purple
-Favorite show: The Wire
-Favorite word: Lazarus
-Favorite holiday: Halloween
R A N D O M:
-What are you going to do after this: EAT
-Who's someone you wish you could sleep with but cant: Lenny Kravitz. (ONE DAY, LENNY!!!!)
-Do you drink: Very sparingly.
-How many times a week do you drink (if you said yes to the last question): Once every few months
-Do you do drugs: No.
-Do you think you're attractive: Yes.
Posted on May 10, 2005 at 5:17 PM | Comments (1)
What's Your Alias?
1. Porn Star Alias - (Name of first pet / Street you live on:
Stripes Oglethorpe
2. Movie Star Alias - (Name of your favorite snack food / Grandfather's first name):
Chex William
3. Designer Alias - (First brand name you see on your left / Favorite restaurant):
New Balance Tiffin
4. Exotic Foreigner Alias - (Favorite Spice / Last Foreign Vacation Spot or Future Spot):
Curry Leicester
5. Socialite Alias - (Silliest Childhood Nickname / Town Where You First Partied):
Rasheedy Peedy Georgetown
6. Fly Alias - (First Initial / First Two or Three Letters of your Last Name):
R. Dar
7. Icon Alias - (Something Sweet Within Sight / Any Liquid in Your Kitchen):
Orange Peel Syrup
8. Detective Alias - (Favorite Baby Animal / Where You Went to High School):
Kitten Coolidge
9. Bar Hopping Alias - (Last Snack Food You Ate / Your Favorite Alcoholic Drink):
Pixy Stix Fuzzy Navel
10. Soap Opera Alias - (Middle Name / Street Where You First Lived):
Eman Tuckerman
Posted on May 9, 2005 at 12:25 PM | Comments (1)
When all else fails...
..kneel before Zod!
Posted on May 8, 2005 at 1:14 PM | Comments (0)
2
Vision of Love, Mariah Carey
Beautiful (Funkymix), Snoop Dogg ft Pharrell
You Made Me Love You, R. Kelly
If I Was Your Girlfriend, Prince
I Need Love, LL Cool J
For the Love of You, Joss Stone
Kiss You Back, Digital Underground
Strangers to Lovers, AAries
Poetry Man, Phoebe Snow
I Can Only Be Me, Keith John
Sugar Honey Ice Tea, Goodfellaz
Goodnight My Love, Billie Holiday
Give Me Your Love (Love Song), Curtis Mayfield
There Must Be an Angel, Eurythmics
God (Love Theme from Purple Rain), Prince
Posted on May 2, 2005 at 7:26 PM | Comments (0)
1
You Are So Beautiful, Joe Cocker
Creep, Radiohead
Lost, Billie Holliday vs Ani DiFranco vs Paul Simon
Why Don't We Fall In Love (Richcraft Remix), Amerie
I Care 4 U, Aaliyah
Distant Lover, Marvin Gaye & Betty Wright
Love of My Life, Erykah Badu ft Common
I've Fallen in Love With You, Joss Stone
Gimme All Your Lovin' or I Will Kill You, Macy Gray
700 Mile Situation, Res
You Can't Turn Me Away, Sylvia Striplin
It Feels So Good to Love Someone Like You, Terence Trent D'Arby
Not Me, Boyz II Men
You've Really Got a Hold On Me, the Beatles
You Are So Beautiful, Rockapella
Posted on May 1, 2005 at 4:24 PM | Comments (0)
Do you know Rod?
Do you know Rod?
You need to!!!!
Rod Online 2.0: beta) is one of my favorite blogs out there. It's like a new approach to an entertainment blog. It has a gay slant, but it's not like SUPER gay. (To me.)
I don't know, y'all. It's just good. It doesn't beat you over the head with a "message" -- it's just good clean fun!
Well, not CLEAN....but not DIRTY. Maybe just dusty. ;-)
Posted on April 29, 2005 at 10:14 PM | Comments (2)
Tuesday Twelve
Harder to Breathe, Maroon 5
I'll Fly Away, Aretha Franklin
I'm Afraid of Americans, David Bowie
Brotha, Angie Stone
Lil Scrappy Menace, Lil Scrappy vs The Phantom Menace Soundtrack
Controversy (Purple Mix), Prince
Show Me, Amerie
Live It Up, John Legend
Natural Woman, Kelly Clarkson
Kill You (Eminem Cover), Deftones
The Kids, Eminem
Marshall Mathers, Eminem
(That's really wierd about those last three....)
Posted on April 26, 2005 at 10:56 PM | Comments (0)
Tuesday Twelve
I Would Die 4 U (glitchmybitchup remix), Prince
Fantasies Come True, Avenue Q Soundtrack
La Dormeuse Méchante, Vanity 6 vs Pleasure Game (manriki)
Don't Stop, Sylvester
It Must Have Been Love, Roxette
Ladki, Rishi Rich
Deep Inside, Mary J. Blige
Mars, Kelis
I Am Man African, Trojan Box Set: Roots (1 of 3)
Dead Wrong, Eminem (Live)
Honestly, Annie Lennox
On Fire, Lloyd Banks
Posted on April 19, 2005 at 8:55 AM | Comments (1)
Television
Television has been really good lately!
I caught me a Girlfriends marathon on BET yesterday. I finally got caught up to speed on EVERYTHING, especially how William realized he was in love with Joan.
Can I just say Girlfriends be havin' some HOT male guest stars? Oh my damn. Rockmond Dunbar? Come on, now. Can I marry him?
Speaking of my husbands, how about Jesse Martin on Law & Order getting shot this week! I wanted to throw myself in front of that damn bullet to save his fine ass. Law & Order: Trial By Jury was also really good this week, and I was glad to see that Jesse aka Detective Green was recovering.
Sidebar: I know it's been said a lot already, but dammit, I swear Oz and Law & Order are the same damn show.
The Inferno 2 was interesting this past Monday. In another sidebar, so somebody asked me had I seen it and asked me what I thought about it. I got literally three words out, and do you know this nigga cut me off and proceeded to tell me his thoughts? I am like you monkey ass motherfucker, how you gonna ASK ME what I think, then cut me off ON PURPOSE? That shit pissed me off, and needless to say, the conversation was over after that.
I REALLY don't think I'm that high maintenance. For real.
So, The Inferno 2. Karamo doesn't like the water. Karamo doesn't like the cold water. Karamo doesn't like the snakes in the cold water. I am not mad at Karamo. Plus, I think CT and Abram and all the little white boys on that show are some beeeeeyatches.
On the real, they ALL need to get real lives, but something just rubbed me the wrong way with how they handled the Karamo situation. Still, if Karamo couldn't do the mission, he could have conveyed that in a way that would garner more sympathy.
I can't believe that jerk interrupted me. I really don't like that shit.
So the news....Nancy Grace. I don't particularly like Nancy Grace or agree with her most of the time. BUT, I like her. She's like....Blanche Devereaux doing the news or some shit. Just everly dramatic, overly Southern, and delicious! LOL I didn't realize she was in that show Cochran & Grace until she said it 40 times the day Johnnie Cochran died.
I watched this flick called The Truth About Jane over the weekend, where Stockard Channing plays a mom who has this Lebanese daughter...I mean Lesbian. It was pretty good! RuPaul was in it playing a man! I like RuPaul, he's a handsome man. Anyway...it was your average coming out story with the overbearing mom who finally comes to her senses by the end of the story. It was also a great commercial for P-FLAG. Okay, so maybe it wasn't a GREAT movie, but it's something I think middle schoolers could watch. Parents, too.
That's about it!
Posted on April 17, 2005 at 10:09 PM | Comments (1)
Rudy
Okay.
I know it's not only me, Jimi, and Shari that notice this.
Why is it that Rudy on The Cosby Show was ALWAYS wearing pink and green?
Was the stylist an AKA?
Did the stylist want to create a connection between Rudy and Phylicia Rashad, who is an AKA (Alpha Chapter) in real life?
And -- because some of you dorks will just DIE if I don't say this -- did all the pink and green drive little Keshia Knight Pulliam to pledge Delta at Spelman?
Was it an act of rebellion?????
Those are my thoughts for the day.
And yes, Bill Cosby is a Que and Joseph C. Phillips is an Alpha.
I think I have everything covered now.
Posted on April 16, 2005 at 5:09 PM | Comments (0)
States I've Traveled To
create your own visited states map
(I've also been to Russia and England, with a layover in Germany. I guess that makes up for not having been to Florida or California!)
Posted on April 15, 2005 at 7:11 AM | Comments (1)
Which Sci-Fi/Fantasy Character Are You?
Princess Leia
A strong-willed herald of causes against injustice, you passionately strive to right the wrongs around you.
Somebody has to save our skins!
Leia is a character in the Star Wars universe. See her character entry at the Star Wars Databank for more information.
Posted on April 4, 2005 at 4:37 PM | 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 on March 28, 2005 at 9:52 AM | Comments (1)
Which Horror Movie Character Are You?
Posted on March 25, 2005 at 4:04 PM | Comments (0)
*smh*
Posted on March 23, 2005 at 9:38 AM | Comments (4)
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 on March 17, 2005 at 11:57 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 on March 12, 2005 at 9:17 PM | Comments (0)
Which of the Greek Gods Are You?
Morpheus
?? Which Of The Greek Gods Are You ??
brought to you by Quizilla
Posted 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 on March 10, 2005 at 4:09 PM | Comments (2)
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 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 on at 6:55 PM | Comments (1)
2005 Oscar Commentary
Okay, please understand that I only saw one movie last year, so all my comments are based on what I see on this particular show.
Pre-Show Comments:
Two words for Star Jones: Back Fat. UGH!
What the hell is Spike Lee wearing on his head, a Fez? But he’s wearing a nice white suit, a black shirt, and a black tie. Nice work. His wife is nice looking. Can’t see the outfit for the fur stole though. And yes, he is rocking Jordans.
Lou Gossett Junior is wearing a white suit with some kind of pinstripes with a black shirt. The shirt has some kind of pearl button at the top. His wife is HOT.
Oooh, Kathy Griffin has a nice olive gown on.
Salma Hayek looks stunning in her midnight blue Prada dress and upswept do. And she got an onion, fellas!
Alan Alda – really wish he had worn a bow tie instead of a regular tie. But he still looks night. How old is he, I wonder? Ha! He just said he thought Morgan Freeman would win the Oscar.
Sandra Oh is pretty. I like her.
Morgan Freeman – I am so going to jack his style for my next formal event. Okay, so Morgan brought his entire family, lol. Wife (pretty!), daughter (beautiful!), and son (average, but handsome, lol). Star Jones and Mrs. Freeman have on the same earrings. Morgan WAS wearing a very nice black tuxedo, black shirt, no tie, but he had a nice gold scarf. By the time he made it to the carpet though, the scarf was gone.
Johnny Depp is weird. He looks like he’s on something. The tux is hideous, the jacket is some usher blue. I kinda like him less now because of his appearance, LOL.
The Peebles!!!!! I love them!!! They were wearing matching tuxes, cream/ivory neckties, and hats. Bowler hats? I am so not fashion-aware. Melvin was wearing a bandana under his hat. God, I love them. Mario is looking older. I used to think he couldn’t age. They compared themselves to the Nicklaus Brothers.
Samuel L. Jackson….no. He wife? YES!!! She is wearing a great gold gown. But Sam is wearing some kind of collarless, black get-up. Not feeling it.
Oprah looks nice. She knows how to deflect questions, too.
Annette Bening is still very pretty – Warren Beatty still looks old.
Penelope Cruz is also wearing gold. Why everyone wearing gold?
Usher looks classically handsome in the white tux. I really think he’s a handsome dude – his skin is great.
Okay, now I’m turning the channel from E! to ABC.
Halle Berry….where did all the hair come from? Very nice single-strap, silver gown. I hear that she accepted her Raspberry Award in person! (The award for horrible movies.)
Renee Zellweger smiles too damn much, LOL.
Why does Leonardo DiCaprio STILL look younger than me? He looks the same as Alan Alda, clothes-wise.
I can’t believe Virginia Madsen looks sooooo young still. She was in Candyman!
Orlando Bloom – What a fuckin hottie! Where have I been?
Kirsten Dunst. Love her, but not feeling the blond bob.
Aight, time for the show!
Posted on February 27, 2005 at 8:32 PM | Comments (0)
Rashid's Girlfriend
It's time I revealed the truth to all of you.
I have a girlfriend.
I see her just about every day. She's beautiful. She's an assistant district attorney, specializing in prosecuting the especially heinous sexually based crimes in New York City.
Her name....Alexandra Cabot.
Yes, ADA Alex Cabot of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Ain't she sexy?
Unfortunately, she's in the witness protection program now, but I still get to see her every day on the USA Network!
Posted on February 26, 2005 at 8:28 PM | Comments (2)
This is why I like basketball
Enough said.
Posted on February 24, 2005 at 9:31 PM | Comments (3)
This Just In! Eric Benet Apologizes on new album
Eric Benet says his new album contains apology to ex-wife Halle Berry
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES - Eric Benet is singing an apology to ex-wife Halle Berry.
Benet said lyrics in his upcoming album include an apology - but she's heard it all before.
"I think somewhere along the way, she's heard everything," he told "Access Hollywood" in an interview broadcast Tuesday. "Maybe she hasn't heard the songs, but she's heard everything I have to say."
Berry filed for divorce from the R&B singer last April after about three years of marriage.
Tabloids speculated about Benet's faithfulness.
"Some of it is truth," but the reports also were full of misconceptions, Benet told "Access Hollywood."
"I think the biggest misconception is that there is something wrong with me," he said. "It's like the whole picture that was painted was ...'sex addict.'"
Benet also denied being a sex addict last year. In a July interview with ABC's "Primetime Thursday," he denied he ever committed adultery but acknowledged indiscretions that entailed "verbally inappropriate" behavior and "physical contact that was extremely inappropriate and wrong in a marriage."
Posted on February 23, 2005 at 10:58 AM | Comments (1)
Etan Thomas Writes Poetry???
First of all....he's hot.
Etan Thomas plays for the Washington Wizards.....and he writes poetry???
HoneiChild, remember when I "called" him? I was like I don't care what nair one of y'all say, Etan Thomas is MINES. LOL I think I thought he was hot because he has dreadlocks AND all his bios seem to imply that he's really smart. But it's not like I watch Wizards basketball.
Here is his bio, according to Moore Black Press:
Etan Thomas is More Than An Athlete. He's been called a "gentle giant". A "rebounder with a cause". Now the world can add published author to that list! With the release of his first collection of poems, Thomas defies the stereotype of the A-political athlete, and plants his roots in his budding literary career. With the conviction of a Bill Russell, and the poetic fitnesse of Muhammad Ali, Thomas takes on controversial topics, such as, The Death Penalty, the GOP, racism and abortion.
Born in Harlem and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Thomas' childhood was surrounded by books on the civil rights movement, politics and the 1960's. He was greatly influenced by his mother, Deborah Thomas, a schoolteacher who traveled with Thomas and his younger brother back home to Harlem every summer, attending plays and poetry readings. this young, fiery poet approaches his work fearlessly, writing in the strong, historical lineage of his literary elders, Amiri Baraka and Sonia Sanchez, and in the tradition of contemporary poets, Ras Baraka, Saul Williams, Tony Medina, Jessica Care Moore, and Asha Bandele.
Thomas graduated from Syracuse University as a two-time Big East defensive player of the year and the school's all time leader in block shots. Picked by Dallas in the first round of the 2000 NBA Draft, he eventually ended up playing for the Washington Wizards, where he became impressed with the political activism surrounding him. He has been invited to speak at the Congressional Black Caucus and has worked heavily with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) as a vocal opponent of the death penalty.
Thomas has a passion for young people, speaking at community organizations, high schools and prisons across the country. He has performed alongside Nikki Giovanni, Edward Hirsch, The Last Poets, Kevin Powell and others. Refreshingly humble and remarkably talented, Thomas is determined to change the face of poetry, politics and professional sports with his own brand of legacy and an honest sense of urgency that resonates off every page of his first collection. More Than An Athlete is more than a book of poetry; it's a statement about his generation not being confined to a box, a definition, or a label. Some play ball, and some write poems. Etan Thomas has mastered the art of both. Who's got next?
Click here for info about his tour.
Thing is....I haven't read any of his poetry, so I don't know if he's any good, but I'd love to go see him in person or support the book.
We'll see!
Oh yeah, I first learned about this in Black Issues Book Review. If you love reading or you're an aspiring writer, subscribe to this magazine!
Posted on at 8:10 AM | Comments (1)
Which Family Guy character are you?
Which Family Guy character are you?
Posted on February 22, 2005 at 8:25 AM | Comments (0)
Did you know....?
I am probably the last one to know these things since I ain't been to a movie since last year, but I wanted to share this info.
Did you know that they were remaking The Honeymooners with Cedric the Entertainer and Mike Epps?
Posted on February 21, 2005 at 11:02 PM | Comments (2)
Entertainment Round-Up
Lenny Kravitz is going on tour! I wanted to go see him when he comes to DC, but tickets went on sale yesterday, and I'm sure all the good seats have sold out. I've got like no credit and I couldn't get to a ticket master yesterday...AND I've got like no friends (maybe one or two) who like Lenny enough to go to a concert, so I'm just ass out. I'll have to catch him next time. *sigh* He's gonna be at Constitution Hall, too!
Amerie is doing her thing! I saw her vidjoe for the first time this week and it was way more than I expected! She did the damn thing for real! Everyone I know likes it. And the extra surprise is that the song, "1 Thing" is on the soundtrack to Hitch. Her own album, Touch, will be out on May 3.
Since I've been ill, I've been catching up on my stories, The Young & The Restless and Days of Our Lives. Days is the same -- every day in Salem is like a month long. I'm kinda mad that Kate ruined Sami's wedding, but I like Eugenia a lot. You don't get to see black women in daytime that are just blatantly devious. She's pretty too, she remind me a little bit of Toni Childs from Girlfriends. Y&R is still THE BOMB. Time goes so quickly on that show that I'm afraid I'm missing a lot -- and well, I guess I have, but I can still jump right back in there.
Let's pause to recognize this guy:
Bryton is a damn good actor and I am really pleasantly surprised with his portrayal of Devon Hamilton on Y&R. If you didn't know, this is the same guy that was "Richie" on Family Matters. He's awesome, check him out.
GIRLFRIENDS is my new favorite show! I don't know how I slept on this show for five seasons, but for some reason, I started watching it in syndication. It's good! The writing is so realistic, so fabulous. Wow. The women are all really beautiful. They have also mastered the challenge of the "guest star." Their guest stars actually stick around for more than one episode!
I don't watch The Real World every week -- I am usually watching Law & Order: SVU during that time. But all the gay black listserves that I'm on have been discussing Karamo ad nauseum. Karamo is weird...Karamo is a bitch....Karamo needs to grow up....Karamo needs some dick....Karamo Karamo Karamorosa. Honestly, at this point, I was finished with following Karamo after the Dorian thing. I mean....maybe I outgrew The Real World, but after you dog somebody out on TV, why should I keep watching? There are more than enough niggas and niggettes in my life that have growing up to do...why should I have to watch somebody on MTV grow up, too?
And finally....let me just say that School Daze has been renewed as my favorite movie of all time, thanks to the School Daze Special Edition DVD. I received it as a gift from my boy Dwayne! Yay for Dwayne! Anyway, I watched all the special features already AND I watched the movie with cast commentary. Tisha Campbell-Martin, Bill Nunn, Darryl Bell, Rusty Cundieff, and Kadeem Hardison were on that joint cracking the hell up. It wasn't the typical "Yes, we are serious actors talking about the craft." It was more like listening in on a conversation between classmates -- they were loving it and I was loving listening in! One tidbit that I learned is that Rusty Cundieff is an Alpha -- never knew that. Also, one of my favorite frat Brothers, Skip Mason, served as a consultant on this film.
I am gonna re-read Uplift the Race soon to compare what the book says about the movie to what the DVD says. I think this means I am officially a School Daze fanatic. I have the VHS tape, the original DVD, the special edition DVD, the book, some promotional black and white photos, and the soundtrack on CD. All I really want now is a School Daze t-shirt. It doesn't have to be a first edition joint, I might just find a crisp graphic and make my own.
Whew! Well, those are my thoughts....I'm sure most of you are watching, listening to, and reading a lot more interesting things than I am, LOL.
Posted on February 20, 2005 at 12:48 PM | Comments (0)
A quiz stolen from my girl Kryptonite
1. What time did you get up this morning? 5:15am, then I went back to sleep from 5:30am to 6am.
2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds....what's a dude gonna do with pearls?
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Sad to say....it's STILL Barbershop 2. I need to get out more.
4. What is your favorite TV show? Right this second: American Idol 4, House, ER, Law & Order: SPecial Victims Unit
5. What did you have for breakfast? So far, just apple sauce.
6. What is your middle name? Eman
7. What is your favorite cuisine? Chinese
8. What foods do you dislike? I gota echo Kryptonite and say that soul food has eventually got to leave my life. Too much, too greasy, I'm trying to live. HOWEVA, I will never give up fried chicken. It's all that extra stuff like chitlins, chicken livers...all the leftovers from the animal that we were never supposed to eat.
9. What is your favorite chip flavor? Barbecue UTZ potato chips and Cool Ranch Doritos.
10. What is your favorite CD at the moment? The Van Hunt CD (although I don't actually own it.
11. What kind of car do you drive? I drive these New Balance 574s.
12. Favorite sandwich? Any kind of deli meat pretty much, as long as it's lean.
13. What characteristic do you despise? Disloyalty.
14. Favorite item of clothing? My white crossing jacket!
15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Back to England.
16. What color is your bathroom? My basement bathroom is white....but it's more like a closet that has a toilet, lol.
17. Favorite brand of clothing? I'm not into brands except when it comes to shoes, in which case I generally only wear New Balance and Nikes.
18. Where would you retire to? A rich, white neighborhood in upper Northwest DC, lol.
19. What was your most memorable birthday? Probably my 21st birthday party. (Summer of 2000?) I was living on campus and we had so much fried chicken, birthday cake, potato salad, and BEER. AND a DJ. And it's like everyone on campus showed up, and alumni from like two years prior! It was so much fun....I had liquor in the back for the white folks, food in the middle for everyone, and dancing up front for the black folks. (Sorry to be racist, but that's just how Georgetown parties were!)
20. Favorite sport to watch? Track and Field! Mo legs and mo booty!
21. What fabric detergent do you use? Tide, I guess
22. Coke or Pepsi? Neither, I don't drink colas.
23. Are you a morning person or a night owl? Both...give me a few days to slip into the habit, and I can give you either.
24. What is your shoe size? Anywhere from a 9 to a 10, depending on the shoe.
25. Do you have any pets? Two cats, Maxwell and Laila.
26. Any new and exciting news you’d like to share with your family & friends? Not really....y'all bamas need to buy the book, but that's about it.
27. What did you want to be when you were little? Photographer
28. What are you doing today? Staying at home to clean, do some stuff toward Lazarus, and go to the post office AGAIN.
29. If you could, what would you like to be doing now as far as a career? Writing, writing, and writing some more.
Posted on February 16, 2005 at 9:21 AM | Comments (2)
The Old Gold Soul Entertainment Report
Okay....so let's start with the Grammys. Admittedly, I didn't watch the whole thing. BUT...
Alicia Keys and Jamie Foxx: I was very surprised that I enjoyed the performance, because I generally don't like Jamie. He did slightly oversing his part, but he settled down by the end of the song.
Kayne West/Mavis Staples/John Legend/Five Blind Boys of Alabama: I absolutely hated the entire thing. I don't like Kanye as a rapper first of all. I thought the church scene could have gone in a better direction -- the choreography was horrid and seemed thrown together. Although I don't generally like the sound of John Legend's voice, I appreciated his performance. On the other hand, one of the Five Blind Boys sounded absolutely dreadful, like nails on a blackboard. Mavis Staples was adequate, but there were several times that she sounded like Weezie Jefferson.
Joss Stone and Melissa Etheridge -- brilliant. LOVED THEM. I wasn't quite sure if Joss was trying to steal the second song though, Melissa was looking at her kind of sideways. Also, I know that Melissa is battling cancer, so I appreciated the fact that she was rocking the bald head with not a second thought.
Kevin Bacon looked weird, but kind of cute. Ludacris was a little overdressed or something.
Adam Sandler and Nelly presented the award for best R&B performance and Prince won. As usual, he wasn't there. Nelly accepted the award on his behalf and said "Well, Prince isn't here, so....oooooo-oooooo!!!" (He did the Prince call -- I almost died laughing.)
Is it just me, or is Queen Latifah getting her bosoms back?
U2 was okay, but I wasn't paying close atention.
It's official: Jennifer Lopez can't sing. What the HELL was that I saw when she and Skeletor -- I mean Marc Anthony -- sang together? The only good thing about that sequence was the dress.
I changed the channel because I have a short attention span.
*****
An Officer & A Gentleman is on American Movie Classics right now. Why in the hell is Richard Gere so hot???
*****
I re-watched Kill Bill today. God I love that movie. One of these days I am going to start mu kung-fu DVD collection.
Posted on February 14, 2005 at 7:24 PM | Comments (0)
I'm not trying to seduce you. Would you like me to seduce you?
Your Seduction Style: "Sweet Talker"
Your seduction technique can be summed up with "charm." You know that if you have the chance to talk to someone...Well, you won't be talking for long! ;-)
You're great at telling potential lovers what they want to hear, partially because you're a great reflective listener and good at complimenting. The other part of your formula? Focusing your conversation completely on the other person.
Your "sweet talking" ways have taken you far in romance - and in life. You can finess your way through any difficult situation, with a smile on your face. Speeding tickets, job interviews... bring it on! You truly live a *charmed life*
What Kind of Seducer Are You?
More Great Quizzes from Quiz Diva
DAMN, they ain't neva lied!
Posted on February 13, 2005 at 9:03 PM | Comments (1)
Tears Flow in Harlem
Tears flow in Harlem
BY KERRY BURKE, LESLIE CASIMIR and TRACY CONNOR
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS
Saturday, February 12th, 2005
From Hollywood to Harmlem, thousands of mourners gathered yesterday for Ossie Davis' last curtain call - a stately funeral procession through Manhattan and a star-studded church service.
The famous stood alongside ordinary fans at Riverside Church to pay tribute to the late actor and activist and to give comfort to his widow and performing partner, Ruby Dee.
They remembered the power he brought to the stage and the picket line, his passion for the arts and his lifelong fight for civil rights and economic equality.
"All people embraced him as he embraced all people," singer and actor Harry Belafonte said in his eulogy. "But he held a special place in the heart and soul of black folk and the poor."
Former President Bill Clinton said he asked to sit in the back of the church because "I would proudly ride on the back of Ossie's bus any day."
"I was never in Ossie Davis' presence that I didn't want to stand up a little straighter, speak a little better, be a little more generous," Clinton said. "Thank you God, for letting us know him."
Davis, 87, died Feb. 4 in Miami Beach, where he was shooting a movie, leaving a legacy that includes 80 films, Broadway shows and a history of activism.
Though he was born in Georgia and spent the last years of his life in New Rochelle, Westchester County, Davis began his career in Harlem, where his final farewell was held.
It began at the Abyssinian Baptist Church on W. 138th St., where at 10 a.m. a mahogany coffin adorned with roses was carried into a black Cadillac hearse.
Led by a troupe of African drummers and trailed by a cavalcade of limos and a crowd of 100 on foot, the hearse was driven west to Riverside Church.
A line of people hoping to get into the service snaked around the block. Some held signs, others tapped on drums as they shared memories of Davis.
Chad Tucker, 19, an actor from Rosedale, Queens, had been in line since 4 a.m. He talked about how Davis and Dee visited him backstage after his performance in a play, "Blue," two years ago.
"It was the equivalent of being in a gold mine. I was so touched," he said. "When I win my Academy Award, he is one of the people I will thank."
The funeral was a spirited event. Wynton Marsalis played the jazz trumpet, Maya Angelou read a poem and actor Avery Brooks read from Davis' play, "Purlie Victorious."
Dee, who was married to Davis for more than half a century, wiped away tears as close friends paid tribute.
The Rev. Dr. James Forbes Jr., pastor of Riverside, called Davis "our guru, our philosopher king." Actor Alan Alda said Davis was "my hero."
"When I was 24, I stood in the wings every night watching Ossie in 'Purlie Victorious.' His power and his spontaneity were so vivid that it made the hair rise on your neck," he said.
Burt Reynolds, who co-starred with Davis in the TV show "Evening Shade," noted they were born in the same town.
"As I grew to love him, he took the bad part of the South out of me," Reynolds said.
Attallah Shabazz, the eldest daughter of Malcolm X, broke down as she recalled the eulogy Davis gave her father in 1965.
"Forty years ago, Uncle Ossie said ... 'Here at this final hour in this quiet place, Harlem has come to bid farewell to one of its finest hopes.'"
She paused and then added: "Ditto."
[That part made me cry. :-(]
But there was plenty of laughter, too.
Earl Graves, publisher of Black Enterprise magazine, threw out some of Davis' trademark one-liners, which he called Ossie-isms.
If someone told Davis he was looking good, he would say, "They pay me to look good."
If they asked where his next job would take him, he would answer, "I don't know, but they will accept me when I arrive and they will pay me when I leave."
And when he was asked how he was doing, Davis would inevitably respond, "Better than I deserve, and I deserve the best."
"And he did deserve the best," Graves said. "Because the best is what he gave of himself."
Some of the most poignant - and funniest - tributes came from Davis' seven grandchildren.
"Bear with me," his grandson Brian said. "because he always said if we did his funeral wrong he was going to get up and do it himself."
Another grandson, Muta Ali, said he had been fighting back tears since he heard of Davis' death.
"You blessed my life for 25 years, and this Earth for 87," he said. "I guess you have to let the angels have their turn, too."
Posted on at 5:31 PM | Comments (0)
Another Dirty Dozen
JS, "Ice Cream"
Eve, "What You Want"
Blind Melon, "No Rain (Acoustic)"
Prince, "Joy in Repetition (Live)"
Des'ree, "You Gotta Be"
Terence Trent D'Arby, "...And I Need to Be With Someone Tonight"
Kelis vs Madonna, "Holiday Milkshake (Aaron Elvis Loves Nita Mix)"
Salt N Pepa vs Benni Benassi vs The Rolling Stones, "Push it Baby Baby Cos I Can't Get No Satisfaction"
Marvin Gaye & Oma Page, "So Good To Be Loved By You"
James Brown vs The Beatles, "James Brown Can Work It Out"
112, "Peaches and Cream"
Prince, "Call My Name"
Posted on at 9:26 AM | Comments (1)
Malcolm X's Eulogy
Eulogy delivered by Ossie Davis at the funeral of Malcolm X
Faith Temple Church Of God
February 27,1965
"Here - at this final hour, in this quiet place - Harlem has come to bid farewell to one of its brightest hopes -extinguished now, and gone from us forever. For Harlem is where he worked and where he struggled and fought - his home of homes, where his heart was, and where his people are - and it is, therefore, most fitting that we meet once again - in Harlem - to share these last moments with him. For Harlem has ever been gracious to those who have loved her, have fought her, and have defended her honor even to the death.
It is not in the memory of man that this beleaguered, unfortunate, but nonetheless proud community has found a braver, more gallant young champion than this Afro-American who lies before us - unconquered still. I say the word again, as he would want me to : Afro-American - Afro-American Malcolm, who was a master, was most meticulous in his use of words. Nobody knew better than he the power words have over minds of men. Malcolm had stopped being a 'Negro' years ago. It had become too small, too puny, too weak a word for him. Malcolm was bigger than that. Malcolm had become an Afro-American and he wanted - so desperately - that we, that all his people, would become Afro-Americans too.
There are those who will consider it their duty, as friends of the Negro people, to tell us to revile him, to flee, even from the presence of his memory, to save ourselves by writing him out of the history of our turbulent times. Many will ask what Harlem finds to honor in this stormy, controversial and bold young captain - and we will smile. Many will say turn away - away from this man, for he is not a man but a demon, a monster, a subverter and an enemy of the black man - and we will smile. They will say that he is of hate - a fanatic, a racist - who can only bring evil to the cause for which you struggle! And we will answer and say to them : Did you ever talk to Brother Malcolm? Did you ever touch him, or have him smile at you? Did you ever really listen to him? Did he ever do a mean thing? Was he ever himself associated with violence or any public disturbance? For if you did you would know him. And if you knew him you would know why we must honor him.
Malcolm was our manhood, our living, black manhood! This was his meaning to his people. And, in honoring him, we honor the best in ourselves. Last year, from Africa, he wrote these words to a friend: 'My journey', he says, 'is almost ended, and I have a much broader scope than when I started out, which I believe will add new life and dimension to our struggle for freedom and honor and dignity in the States. I am writing these things so that you will know for a fact the tremendous sympathy and support we have among the African States for our Human Rights struggle. The main thing is that we keep a United Front wherein our most valuable time and energy will not be wasted fighting each other.' However we may have differed with him - or with each other about him and his value as a man - let his going from us serve only to bring us together, now.
Consigning these mortal remains to earth, the common mother of all, secure in the knowledge that what we place in the ground is no more now a man - but a seed - which, after the winter of our discontent, will come forth again to meet us. And we will know him then for what he was and is - a Prince - our own black shining Prince! - who didn't hesitate to die, because he loved us so."
Posted on February 11, 2005 at 6:55 PM | Comments (0)
See what Care Bear you are.
This quiz ain't never lied!
Posted on at 6:52 PM | Comments (0)
Which M&M Are you?
Posted on at 6:47 PM | Comments (0)
What High School Stereotype Are You?
Take the What High School Stereotype Are You? quiz.
Posted on at 6:42 PM | Comments (0)
A quiz I stole from him
1.do you shave?
Indeed
2.what do you shave?
My beard and goatee.
3.why?
So when I throw up my mirror, I can run my fingers through my chin without getting stuck.
4.what color is your razor?
Black
5.what size is your bed?
Small, lol
6.do you like it?
No
7.you're going on a date for a walk around the lake then a coffee at a cafe. what do you wear FROM your closet?
First of all, that's too much damn walking and I don't like coffee. That said, if it's nippy, I'm wearing my pea coat and a scarf.
9.if you woke up one morning and found out your body was going to stay exactly the same for the rest of your life what would you think?
God damn it all to hell!
10. letter or e-mail?
Letter.
11. if world war III broke out, what would you say?
I'd say nothing, head for the hills, and take my loved ones with me.
12. Would you date someone with a hairy lip or hairy eyebrows?
A hairy lip is just a mustache, right? Sure. And eyebrows are supposed to be somewhat hairy.
13.which 5 people do you trust and are open with the most?
Nikki, Shari, Jimi, Claudine, Aaron M.
14.what's something a girl will wear that'll turn you off?
Girls don't turn me on in the first place, but I really really dislike assymetrical skirts.
15. what's something a girl will wear that'll turn you on?
An LL Cool J disguise.
16. what do you think of soul mates?
A myth. Men suck.
17.florida or cali?
Florida...crunk!
18. Do you think the world is filled with more good than evil?
A lot of good, but mostly indifference. There is evil, but I don't think most people are purposefully evil.
19.is cussing a necessity in life?
It's not a necessity, but I like it too much to stop.
20.what's an object you can't live without?
Something to write with, be it a keyboard or pen and paper.
21.can you live without the microwave?
Sure!
22.You have this dream about your friend of the same sex. how do you act and feel around that friend the next day?
I'd probably be flirtatious just to see if I had a chance.
23.would you rather be rich with 15 spoiled brats or just barely making it with a dog?
Rich wins every time, spoiled kids or not.
24. Summer,spring,or fall?
Fall, then Spring.
25.what's something someone's done to make you hold a grudge against them?
Broke my heart.
27.what's one look trait that attracts you to a girl?
I told you, I don't like girls.
28.what's one personality trait that attracts you to a girl?
See above.
29.do you know what 143 means?
It means "I love you"
30.who's phone number are you hoping to get?
W. Ellington Felton, so we can be friends, lol
33.do you believe in ghosts?
Yes
34.what time did you sleep last night?
VERY soon after ER right now.
35.which girl do you wish to be with RIGHT now?
Nikki, but not sexually. I'm GAY!
36.is it right to flirt if you have a gf?
Hell fuckin no.
37.would you rather be married in venice, italy, or honolulu, hawaii?
Honolulu
38.would you rather eat sandwiches or pasta for the rest of your life?
Hmmmm....sandwiches are so good, but so is pasta. I just don't know.
39.(guys) how would you feel if you gave a girl a flower?
No particular way....it probably means I want something, lol.
40. do you know what you want to be when you grow up?
A famous writer -- hey, I'm almost there!
41.what do you think of the word, "no pain, no gain" ?
Tell that to the offspring of the filthy rich.
42.what do you think of the quote "eyes are the passageways into the soul"?
That's a lie.
43.What do you think of sleep?
Sleep is good.
44.if you had the chance to slow down your growth now and live to 500 years but it's like a 50 year old body by then, would you go for it?
I would do it simply for the wisdom and enlightenment.
45.One point in a girl/guy friendship will one them like each other even if it's only for a little bit. true or false?
True.
46.Are you a procrastinator?
Not really.
47.waffles or pancakes?
I like both.
48.how's your cereal in your bowl?
I eat it straight from the box. Milk is bad for black people.
49.what's an annoying trait about you?
Just too damn perfect.
50.football or rugby?
Rugby -- the shorts!
51. hat or visor?
Hat
52.ice skating or rollerblading?
Ice skating
53. If you had a total hottie walk by you, would you talk to the hottie?
Hell yeah, even if I just say hi!
54.pizza or burgers?
Turkey burgers
55.what colour is your jacket?
My pea coat is black, my frat jackets are black and white.
56.what's something you ALWAYS have on you?
My ATM card
57.what do you think of guys with nailpolishes?
Pimps
58.do you stay in bed thinking or do you fall asleep in 5 seconds?
I am too tired to think if I am all the way in the bed.
59.would you rather go to a boarding school, private school, or an all girls or guys school?
Private school.
60.there's a high school that'll be on a cruise ship and you have the opportunity to go. it's your last year at school. do you go for it?
No.
61. who do you want to take with you to the prom?
A dude. A hot dude. A tall hot dude with nice teeth and big muscles.
62. your gf gets drunk at a party.
I'd take her home and make sure she wasn't ill.
63.is cyber sex considered cheating?
Yes.
64.how do you react to change?
I need to be in control of the change. Dammit.
65.are you happy?
Yep. If you were me, wouldn't you be happy too?
66.favorite berries-
Raspberries
67.what's one facial feature you'd like to change about yourself?
I wouldn't change anything about my face.
68.do you take a shower after a bath?
No.
69.what's colour's your towel?
Blue
70.what do you think of knuckle cracking?
It feels soooooo gooooood.
71.what was the last thing you cried over or got teary about?
Probably some dumb old boy.
72.chalk or crayons?
Chalk, for all my teachers out there.
73.how's you happiness level right now?
5
74. coffee, tea, or hot chocolate?
Hot Chocolate, just like me, EH HE HE HE
75.wouldn't you just love to hug someone right now?
Not really....why invest in a hug?
76.who was the last person who complimented you?
Someone who wrote in about my blog!
77. Would you ever have a mullet haircut?
No.
78.do you know what an aphrodisiac is?
Yes, and I don't believe in them.
79.who do you wish you could kiss?
Let's take it back to LL Cool J.
80.movies at home on in a theater?
Home.
81.wanna live in a castle?
ACTUALLY, having seen both castles and palaces, I really prefer a palace. Castles are actually more like fortresses. There's not much to see or do, the stone is very cold and impersonal. Palaces have lots of land, gardens, all that good shit.
82.isn't gondola a cool word?
It is, isn't it?
Posted on at 8:52 AM | Comments (1)
what kind of TOILET PAPER are you?
 | You scored as over-dispensing toilet paper. That's right. You're over-dispensing toilet paper, the kind that dangles over
the roll and is usually folded into a little triangle, like at hotels.
You're generous and hospitable. People admire you for your emotional
availability. And you don't mind if your friends need to unload on
you every once in a while.
what kind of TOILET PAPER are you? created with QuizFarm.com |
Posted on February 10, 2005 at 6:58 PM | Comments (0)
Collateral
I watched Collateral....it was good. Really made me think.
Posted on January 26, 2005 at 1:28 PM | Comments (0)
Whatever Happened to Cirroc Lofton?
So....what's up with Cirroc Lofton being so freakin' hot?
If you don't remember who that is, he played Jake Sisco, the son of Captain Benjamin Sisco on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
He used to look like this:
But NOW, he looka lika dis:
!!!!
My question is this...if he's still an actor, why in da hayle isn't THIS man on my television set at least once a week? Can we put the brother on The Wire right quick? Maybe he can be on Girlfriends? SOMETHIN. Cuz a man who look like this doesn't need to be hidden!
:-D
[After some research...]
Cirroc Lofton was in a short-lived show called The Hoop Life in 1999. Here is a summary from www.imdb.com:
The Hoop Life is a show based on the lives of professional basketball players off the court. It is centered around the fictional UBA (United Basketball Association) and it follows the lives of three players from one of the teams, The New England Knights - Greg Marr, Marvin Buxton, and high school phenom Curtis Thorpe. You see the characters and how they react to the money, the pressure, and the subsequent fame. Dan Lauria rounds out the main cast as the head coach of the Knights, Leonard Fero.
I seem to remember this and being happy that Cirroc was working. But I was in college, so who had time to watch?
He was in a movie called Fronterz in 2004. Don't know much about that.
So anyway....yeah, that's just how bored I am today. Yep. Cirroc Lofton. Maybe a year older than me. He acts and looks good, I write books and look good.
I mean...what?
Posted on January 22, 2005 at 7:35 PM | Comments (3)
My Famous Blogger Twin
| Your Famous Blogger Twin is Wil Wheaton |
|
Posted on January 14, 2005 at 8:14 PM | Comments (0)
Too sleepy to be entertained!
Dudes, I have been too sleepy to watch TV! I'm getting up earlier and earlier in the morning, too. Why was I up at 5am this morning? Crazy. I was so sleepy last night, I was falling asleep at the computer. Luckily I can keep up with all my shows on the internet.
Posted on January 13, 2005 at 6:06 AM | Comments (1)
Which Office Moron Are You?
Which Office Moron Are You?
Rum and Monkey: jamming your photocopier one tray at a time.
You've been here since the dawn of time itself, old timer, and you've been biding your time with your eye on the boss's job.
You deserved to have a promotion. You've been here longer than anyone else. Your fingers have become craggy, and you see Excel spreadsheets when you go to sleep at night. More than half your life has been spent at budget meetings, advertising liason sessions, team-building seminars and pub lunches with people you hate. Yet for some reason you've been passed over every time in favour of younger, less competent workers.
No more. You're at the end of your tether. Where's your gold watch? Where's your acknowledgement? Your raises? When does your time come around?
Your time is now, hombre.
Posted on January 7, 2005 at 5:51 PM | Comments (0)
Random 12
Crossroad [Original Mix], Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
Criminal, Eminem
Right On [Radio Edit], TQ
I Swear, All-4-One
I Care 4 U, Aaliyah
Calling All Girls, ATL
My Love Is The Shhh!, SFP (Something For the People) feat Trina & Tamara
The Hulk Dont Do It, Grandmaster Flash vs. The Hulk Theme
Giants In The Sky, Into the Woods Original Cast Recording
Hey Papi, Jay-Z ft Amil
John Henry, The London Symphony Orchestra (from the He Got Game sountrack)
Dance With You, David Bowie vs Michael Jackson vs Chaka Khan
Posted on January 5, 2005 at 5:35 PM | Comments (0)
What 2004 hit song are you?
| Milkshake by Kelis |
You can work it! And you started a new trend or two in 2004! |
YO this was so freaking true!!!!!!
Posted on January 3, 2005 at 4:45 PM | Comments (0)
My Declining Entertainment & Pop Culture
So.....as you all know, time is of the essence for me nowadays. I will be getting up at like 6am every morning to get on the computer for like an hour, manage some sales, return emails, blog, promote a little bit....and also just destressing a bit, I suppose. I need that quiet time first thing in the morning for ME.
I also need a little more time to make sure my clothes are all ironed and whatnot, maybe make some last minute plans for my classes, whatever. Showever, shave, get cute -- lol.
Since The Wire went off, and it seems like my other shows might be in hiatus, I decided to stop recording everything, even Days of Our Lives and the first half hour of The Young & the Restless. Watching these shows takes a lot of time out of my day -- time that I don't have these days. When I come home from work, I NEED to be taking a nap, but I know that won't happen. But I do need that crucial 4pm to 5pm time free to make whatever calls and run whatever errands I need to run during business hours.
Sucks, but an hour is all I got after school -- maybe a little more if I get a ride someplace RIGHT after school lets out.
Time....
I need time to talk to HIM. I like talking to him every day....I look forward to it. He makes me feel good. The kind of "feel good" that you want to fall asleep next to at night, wake up once or twice in the middle of the night and just stare at, and finally wake up next to in the morning.
Can you tell I really like HIM? That's why I like to make sure I am DONE what I need to do so that talking to him can be the last thing I do every day.
I'm such a bama, LOL.
Anyway, this was supposed to be an entertainment thread, but I see I'm going to have to cross-list it.
Posted on January 2, 2005 at 7:39 PM | Comments (0)
Butch Beyonce Slutty Dance Brigade
http://www.bordergatewayprotocol.net/jon/humor/video/butchbeyonce.wmv
Please visit the official website of the geniuses behind the video!
Posted on December 29, 2004 at 8:53 PM | Comments (0)
Which Famous Revolutionary Are You?
| Which Famous Revolutionary Are You? Che Guevara “At the risk of seeming ridiculous, let me say that the true revolutionary is guided by a great feeling of love.”
|
| Click Here to Take This Quiz Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests. |
Posted on December 24, 2004 at 1:07 AM | Comments (0)
Which Borg drone are you?
| Which Borg drone are you You're a BORG QUEEN You are a pivital part of the Collective, but at times your rampant individualism can disrupt the Collective's goals. We predict that you'll seduce an android and then he will betray you and your orgainc compounds will liquify.
|
| Click Here to Take This Quiz Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests. |
Posted on at 1:06 AM | Comments (0)
Which Six Feet Under Family Member Are You Most Like?
| Which Six Feet Under Family Member Are You Most Like? David Fisher If you are not already you may want to come out of the closet! You are a homosexual control freak! Who is just coming to terms with your sexuality.
|
| Click Here to Take This Quiz Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests. |
Posted on at 12:51 AM | Comments (0)
Which Female Cast Member of 90210 Are You?
| Which Female Cast Member of 90210 Are You? Brenda Walsh You are kind of a backstabbing wench and nobody really likes you.
|
| Click Here to Take This Quiz Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests. |
Posted on at 12:48 AM | Comments (0)
What minor Simpsons character are you?
| What minor Simpsons character are you? Joe Quimby Vote Quimby. Er...ah... that woman was my wife... Er.
|
| Click Here to Take This Quiz Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests. |
Posted on at 12:47 AM | Comments (0)
Which Aliens Colonial Marine are you?
| Which Aliens Colonial Marine are you? Cpl. Dwayne Hicks (played by Michael Biehn) Most level-headed of the Marines, and survived all the way to the end. Favors a hands-off, managerial approach to problems ('nuke 'em from orbit. Only way to be sure.')
|
| Click Here to Take This Quiz Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests. |
Posted on at 12:45 AM | Comments (0)
Which Britney Spears are you?
| Which Britney Spears are you? Sweet Britney You like to be with your family as much as you can. You give money to help kids go to dance camp. No one cares about this part of your personality.
|
| Click Here to Take This Quiz Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests. |
Posted on at 12:41 AM | Comments (0)
What Kind of Intelligence Do You Have?
| Your Dominant Intelligence is Linguistic Intelligence |
 You would make a fantastic poet, journalist, writer, teacher, lawyer, politician, or translator. |
Posted on December 23, 2004 at 8:42 AM | Comments (0)
My Amazon.com Wish List
Here is my AMAZON.COM WISH LIST!
Feel free to buy me stuff off of it. :-D
Okay, I don't expect that, but hey, check it out anyway!
Posted on December 18, 2004 at 9:08 AM | Comments (0)
Anagrams!
I like how somebody on a message board got mad at me because I changed her screen name into an anagram to make a point that SATAN isn't the same thing as, or related to SANTA.....*smh*
So, introducing, THE INTERNET ANAGRAM SERVER!!!!!
Rashid Darden:
A dread Dr. Sinh (you like how I'm Indian, right?)
A darn reddish.
Add Rah Rinsed
Add Iran Herds
Dare darn dish
Had raid nerds
etc, etc
Posted on December 16, 2004 at 7:00 PM | Comments (1)
Dear Santa....or Jolly Jenkins if he is free yet
I know nobody's gonna get me any of this stuff, so I'ma get it for myself!!!
One of these days....
In the next year...
Hopefully by my birthday on June 25.
Yo, I really want the Ultimate Matrix collection that was released a few weeks ago. TEN, count them, TEN DVDs relating to The Matrix!
Truth be told though, I really want the first season of The Wire more than I want The Matrix. But that jont was like ninety-nine dollas at Borders! I would have gotten it the same time I got my mom's presents, but.....I refuse to pay a hunned dollars for ONE season of any show! It's cheaper on Amazon, though. But now hell, I got other gifts to give regardless.
I want that African American Fraternities and Sororities book that I wrote about last weekend. Luckily, that doesn't actually come out until February.
There are kind of a lot of books out that I want, but I don't buy them for myself unless I REALLY want to support the author. I don't read books as quickly as I buy them! I did recently get Toure's novel, Soul City. I was pleasantly surprised by his collection of short stories, so I wanted to support the brother.
Family Guy on DVD would be nice.
It would be HOT if somebody gave me digital cable for Xmas so I could watch Degrassi: The New Generation on The N. lol But I guess that's a good thing, cuz I had digital cable, I might never leave the house, LOL.
Okay, this is a stupid entry, I'll go take my shower now. Have a good one!
PS - Santa, if you are listening, I could also use a check to pay my printer. 'Kay? Thanks.
Posted on at 7:06 AM | Comments (1)
Ramblings....
Eva is America's next top model....yay for her. I was rooting for Yaya.
I, for one, don't think Idris Elba aka Stringer Bell from The Wire is all that hot.
Why I be missing Smallville like every week?
I may edit this later, I've got more to say on other topics...lol....
Posted on December 15, 2004 at 9:23 PM | Comments (0)
Two For One: Chocolate City Cotton Club and The Wire
Luckily, both these thoughts fit into Entertainment & Pop Culture so I can put them both in one entry!
First of all....soon after I came home from the probate, I got a call from my girl Nikki asking if I wanted to go to Takoma Station. OF COURSE I DO. I always do. So I was like sure. So she and her friend and I went and had a damn good time.
The Chocolate City Cotton Club is the name of the Sunday night event, and I really like it. If you recall, this is what I went to two weeks ago. Well, tonight, W. Ellington Felton was flying solo because Raheem DeVaughn was out of town. That's okay, because I prefer Dub Ell in the first place. If you recall, I probably said I had a lightweight crush on him that began to diminish the more he was talked about his daughter and baby mama.
At any rate, Dub was a lot more focused tonight than he was two weeks ago. Simmered down nah. I continued to be enthralled by his performances, though. His backup band was tight, as usual, with this white dude named Will on keyboards. A dude named K'Alyn joined the band on guitar and backup vocals, and led a song himself in the end.
A new chick named Wayna sang a song too. WAYNA IS DOPE!!!!!! I was sooooo feelin' her. She reminded me a bit of Billie Holiday and Erykah Badu...her voice was so strong. LOVED HER. I need to buy this album. I would have bought one tonight, but there weren't any available.
Instead, I picked up The Invitation by Crossrhodes and The Antidote by Urban Ave 31 (ft Raheem DeVaughn). I like the whole Urban Ave family. Dub Ell and Raheem DeVaughn are like Peanut Butter and Jelly.
I didn't drink tonight. Didn't really want to -- hadn't eaten much and didn't feel like being buzzed.
I went up to Dub and shook his hand, said I'd been a fan ever since Georgetown, Fall '02, which was true. (Damn, that's the same night I met JaHipster and Olu Butterfly Woods. That's hot!) He was like cool, then I asked for his website, and he gave it to me, and now YOU all have it too! See how well I treat y'all? Just introducing you to all this talent right here in DC.
I wanted to talk to Wayna, too, but she was engaged in some convo with some girl, and I figured I'd see her another time. With her fine Ethiopian ass.
*******
Then I came home to watch my tape of The Wire.
Holla back.
That shit was sooooooo flippin' good tonight.
In case you didn't see it, tough titty, because I am about to spoil the ending.
STRINGER BELL IS DEAD.
That shit was sooooo tight how it all unfolded. Now, I won't spoil how it all went down, but know that it was tight and you need to watch it. hee hee.
I love me some Omar.
Posted on December 13, 2004 at 1:19 AM | Comments (2)
I MUST HAVE THIS BOOK!!!!
"The first African American fraternities and sororities were established at the turn of the twentieth century to encourage leadership, racial pride, and academic excellence among black college students confronting the legacy of slavery and the indignities of Jim Crow segregation. Black Greek-letter organizations were also created to foster a sense of community among African American students on college campuses, and among their ranks are legendary artists, politicians, theologians, inventors, intellectuals, educators, civil rights leaders, and athletes. Nikki Giovanni, Cornel West, Martin Luther King Jr., Shaquille O'Neal, Toni Morrison, Bill Cosby, and W.E.B. DuBois are all members of black fraternities and sororities, and these groups continue to have a strong presence on campuses today.
"Offering a comprehensive overview of the historical, cultural, political, and social circumstances that propelled the creation of these groups, this collection of original essays references the profound contributions that black Greek-letter organizations and their members have made to American history. The contributors also examine current black Greek life and culture, addressing issues such as hazing and branding that are, perhaps unfairly, often at the forefront of discussions about these organizations. African American Fraternities and Sororities is the authoritative history of these influential and sometimes controversial organizations."
Pre-order this book, folks!!!!
Pick me up one as well....please? lol
Pre-order this exciting new book!
Posted on December 11, 2004 at 7:40 PM | Comments (1)
This is my hundreth post....
"She Ain't Right For You" - Macy Gray
Well, he's not coming down after all. Yeah, yeah, I'm sad and all that. I wasn't at first, but now I am. Trying to just be like fuck it but when you care for somebody so hard, it's never that simple.
Went to a bazaar at this elementary school today and got some secret santa gifts. Okay, so I don't know who I am secret santa-ing for yet because I didn't work on Friday, so I got some stuff that might be nice for either gender. Chances are I got a woman though.
Crap....I just realized I might not get a teacher at all....crap crap crap.
"Mercy Mercy Me" - Marvin Gaye
I wanted to mention that I saw a cute movie on the Disney channel this week. It was called Toothless. Basically, Kirstie Alley dies and has to become the Tooth Fairie before she can go to heaven. Crazy, right? But it was such a cute movie. I really liked it.
"Bossman" - Beenie Man ft Lady Saw and Sean Paul
This Morris Brown College situation....man....so apparently Tom Joyner made an offer to BUY Morris Brown College. Morris Brown turned him down.
"Part-Time Lover" - H-Town
And good for MBC! You can't BUY a non-profit entity! What the hell does Tom Joyner's bama ass know about owning a college? UGH. I wish a nigga would try to buy my school, even if it has lost its arccedidation. Yeah, that's probably my pride, Tom Joyner should never have gone on the radio and made the offer. That's not what higher education is all about. That's tacky, in my opinion.
If anything, he need to just make a DONATION instead of trying to buy the school. Hell, if he mad a donation of say $20,000,000 (which I'm sure he has) that might be one of the largest single donations by one black person ever made to a school.
Maybe, I am just guessing.
"Other Side of the Game" - Erykah Badu
Not to mention, Tom Joyner has a FOUNDATION. He can put his own money into the endowment, watch it make money, THEN give it to MBC. And even then, he can put limitations on the money. Legally, they can only spend gift money the way the donor says, or they have to give it back.
But...whatever....I'm no millionaire, you know?
******
I'm still sorta sad about this weekend....
"Thug Mentality" - Krayzie Bone
I don't know what I'm doing today....don't know what I feel like doing. Nothing, really. Maybe something related to LAZARUS....
Who knows.....
Posted on at 11:58 AM | Comments (0)
Edward I, I am, I am.
which medieval british monarch are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
Posted on December 10, 2004 at 8:47 AM | Comments (0)
Gingerbread Gentrification
You live in a Gingerbread Dorm or Apartment
Complex! Love the curtains. Do they block out
the sound of the garbage truck in the morning?
What Kind of Gingerbread House Do You Live In?
brought to you by Quizilla
Posted on at 8:39 AM | Comments (0)
I like Ted! Which one is he???
Ted: Food & Wine Connoisseur
Which Member from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy is your type?
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Posted on at 8:32 AM | Comments (0)
Damn, Karamo...
Okay, since I was a Karamo disciple, I guess some of you want to know how I felt about last night's episode of The Real World: Philadelphia.
Well....aside from the story about Sarah and her cancer-stricken mother, this episode was about how Karamo ended his relationship with Dorian.
This episode could also have been about how nearly every man I've dated has broken up with me, lol.
In a nutshell, Karamo just wasn't feeling Dorian like that. But rather than MAN UP and not mess with him, Karamo continued to talk to him anyway, leading Dorian to believe that they had something more special than friendship.
The editors might make cast members look a certain way, but the cameras don't lie. Karamo was dead wrong.
He claimed to have this massive headache from his spine to his brow, and told Dorian he wouldn't go out with him that night and he just wanted to sleep. But then the headache miraculously disappeared long enough for Karamo to go to another club with Willie and hope that he didn't run into Dorian.
Of course, Dorian came back to the house (since he went out with Karamo's two other roommates). Where was Karamo? At the club.
Long story short, Karamo and Dorian had a talk, and it was the old "You're misreading this situation, I don't like you like that speech." Not anticipating that Dorian would ACTUALLY have something to say about the way he was being treated, Karamo cops an attitude, curses, and leaves.
I'm sorry. Karamo was a straight bitch for that one.
And yeah, I might regret saying that if I ever get to meet Karamo and he turns out to be a cool person. But I can't forget something that resonated so deeply with me. Take Dorian out of the equation and put me in -- that's the story of my life.
Hmmm.....I wonder if y'all would hear me if I started naming names....
Karamo went from being the savior of gay black folks to being just another nigga in a manner of 30 minutes.
I'm not just another nigga.
Whoa, flashback.....
I don't hold it against him....really. I know it's a TV show. I know Karamo isn't perfect. But it really sucks to know that right under my eyes, it wasn't Karamo who was all that similar to me.
It was Dorian all along.
I hope he got MAD play today!
Posted on December 8, 2004 at 6:43 PM | Comments (7)
TV
I havent' written anything about my shows in a while.
Days of Our Lives - Days is actually getting better! Now that the stupid island captive storyline is over, they're actually getting back to some core values. I am liking the uncertainty of the Lucas/Sami/Brandon situation, Abe's impending blindness, the resurfacing of Georgia Brady, and SOMETIMES I even like the Belle/Shawn thing, but mostly because of psycho Jan Spears. She and Jan got in a catfight yesterday, that joint was funny!
Young & The Restless - You miss a day, you miss a lot! Malcolm's back; Katharine's man is gone! Damon got shot and lived! And I think Phyllis might even be in jail....it's really good and I am glad I found a daily show to keep up with in addition to Days, which is mad predictable.
Law & Order: SVU - They've been showing a lot of new episodes back to back, as it should be. I wasn't feeling Mary Stuart Masterson's character (the cop-turned-doc) but I liked the way she and Det. Benson were interacting. Catty chicks, lol.
The Wire - I can't believe it's only two episodes left! I can't decide between Avon and Stringer which one will die -- but I really think one of them's not going to last the season. Last season, it seemed to be a race to solve the case. This season seems to be less about a major case and more about building up this anticipation -- it's like you KNOW something major is going to happen, but you can't figure out what or who it will involve. All I know is that they better leave Omar and his man alone!
The Real World: Philadelphia - zzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzz
Lost - Still good! Different, but good. I am wondering how long they can keep up the premise, though.
Saturday Night Live - I've either been asleep or on the phone the past couple of times SNL has come on. What I've seen has been good, but can I even remember what I saw? lol
Smallville - I've been forgetting to watch it. Sorry!
ER - Hasn't been bad....the one with Ray Liotta left me a little dry because I had no attachment with Ray Liotta's character. Otherwise, it's the same ER. Nothing major. Oh yeah, I taped last night's epi in anticipation of the fact that I'd be on the phone.
The Apprentice - Didn't think I was going to watch last night, but it happened to be on, so I caught the last half hour. Very pleased that the black dude made it to the top four. What's up with The Apprentice and handsome black dudes? I mean, first Kwame, now Kevin. Wonder if Kevin's Greek?
I think that's all I've been watching lately....that and the news.
I guess I should shower now and get ready for work. Have a good day! I will next update with pictures from the Gamma Sigma Sigma probate -- I have ever intention of making it there! God willing my ride will show up, lol.
Posted on December 3, 2004 at 6:48 AM | Comments (1)
Which Muppet am I?
You are Kermit the Frog!! You are loyal to your
friends and don't really know how to say No.
No matter what you were doing, you would drop
it in a second if a loved one was in trouble.
You are also a born star. Everyone loves you!
Which Muppet are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
Posted on December 1, 2004 at 4:52 PM | Comments (0)
Fun at Takoma Station
First of all, I left my camera at home! I had every intention of taking pictures and posting them for y'all! Yes, I do get out the house sometimes -- probably a lot more lately.
So, let's see. I can see the floor in my bedroom. That's a pretty big deal! lol. The motivator is always guests. If I know somebody's coming over, oh you best believe this bedroom is gonna shiiiiiiine like the top of the Chrysler building.
You see, my boy came over to talk this evening -- important, grown folks stuff, ya know? Then we planned on going to Takoma Station for theChocolate City Cotton Club. We picked up his friend and we were off. We met up with one of my chapter brothers there. Kwame. Love him.
So I ran into my boy Derrick, who I went to grad school with before I dropped out, lol. He was always really nice to me when I was there. But when I left American (abruptly) nobody, and I mean NOBODY made the attempt to contact me to see what the hell was wrong, where was I, was I ever coming back, hello, good bye, kiss my butt, NOTHING. So we chit-chatted, and he apologized for not keeping in contact. That was mighty big of him. He's a really talented dude, too. Doing big things like going to those writers retreats and stuff. He is more of an artist's poet than I am.
Anyway....Raheem Devaughn and W. Ellington Felton were really good. I think I have a lightweight crush of Dub L, but you know, he is straight, always sangin 'bout girls, and I think he has a kid! That's crazy....well, not CRAZY, but it's kinda like how my friend Nikki found out that Saul Williams had a daughter. Her crush went away REAL quick.
I can't really describe how I enjoyed myself -- it was just real good to get out the house at a weird time, do something fun and safe, and come home. And I already like Raheem and Dub L. They gave a good show. A weeeee bit too much talking, but whatever. The singing was good.
I am most definitely going to take him there when he visits.
Watching my tape of The Wire now. This jont is some kinda good.
Posted on November 29, 2004 at 12:35 AM | Comments (1)
Jaleel?
Do y'all think this is Jaleel White? I have my doubts....
Posted on November 17, 2004 at 3:30 PM | Comments (1)
Why, God? Why?
Even Osama Bin Laden couldn't affect the outcome of this election.
What kind of terrorist is he, anyway?
I know, I know. We don't have a winner yet.
But come on. We all know Kerry can't pull this thing out.
*sigh*
Posted on November 3, 2004 at 5:52 AM | Comments (0)
Random 12
These are twelve songs that came up at random on my Windows Media Player. Maybe seeing what music I listen to will give you an idea what type of person I am.
As if the diary wasn't enough. *smack*
Balance, W. Ellington Felton & Raheem Devaughn
Together, these guys are known as CrossRhodes, but also have nice careers away from each other. I probably have a lightweight crush on Felton. I first met them at an event called Slammanomics during the 2002 Homecoming celebration at Georgetown. This is also where I met JaHipster for the first time. At any rate, to support these guys, hit up the Urban Ave 31 website. Urban Ave 31 is Raheem Devaughn's band (they are great) and coincidentally, one of the backup signers also cuts hair at the unisex salon where I get my locs maintained.
I Will. (No Man's Land.), Radiohead
This was on a CD that Neil burned for me. 'Nuff said.
Hip Hop, dead prez
dead prez is the answer. this takes me back to spring 2000, when I was in my hey dey. LOL at having my peak four years ago and I'm only 25, lol. Just love this song......you can't do anything but just MOVE when you hear it.
Justify My Love (The Justified XXX Mix), Madonna
Just when you thought Madonna couldn't get more smutty, they add the audio from a porno onto it.
Empty Cans, The Streets
I don't even know what kind of music the Streets sings but whatever it is, it's hot. A lot of what they sing sounds like spoken word poetry in a British accent. I also recommend "Fit" and "Dry Your Eyes."
I Still Love You, 702
I think we all heard this and thought wow, 702 is coming back! It's a great tune which I think the Neptunes may have produced. Unfortunately, nothing really popped off with these ladies. Oh well.
Naughty Girl (Remix), Beyonce vs Fujikato
This is some sort of remix that I downloaded from some sort of site. Who knows where I got it. It's okay....it's like an electronic kind of version of "Naughty Girl" -- danceable (sp?) but nothing to write home about. Reminds me of the 80's in a good way!
It's All About Me, Mya
"Up jumps my butt, nigga what? Nigga what?" Why is that the tightest line in R&B? Okay, not really, but that's my favorite line in the song, yo. It's really empowering for me for some reason....I like hearing this song when there are things in my life I need to take charge of, sexually or otherwise.
Push It (Speed Garage Remix), Salt N Pepa
This is basically a fast, dance version of "Push It." It's adequate. It doesn't MAKE me want to dance, but if it came on when I was already dancing, I wouldn't sit down.
Love Song, Prince & Madonna
I have no idea when this was recorded, but it sounds like late 80's or early 90's Prince. It is kinda funky. Slow song with a beat. To be honest, I downloaded this a long time ago and never listened to it until just now.
To Sir, with Love, Al Green & Vonda Shepard
How do I find these things? I always liked the song, but I had never heard this version before. It's different, but good stuff. Definitely has tons more soul than the Lulu version.
Blueberry Hill, Fats Domino
I mean, what can you say? It's classic soul/blues. Don't nobody better say nothing bad 'bout Fats!
Aight, that's my contribution for the day. PEACE!
Posted on October 21, 2004 at 8:02 PM | Comments (0)
What is wrong with me?
Okay, so.....I am sitting here with tears in my eyes because I have seen the most beautiful thing in my life.
Karamo and Dorian (The Real World: Philadelphia)on the couch, holding each other, caressing each other, just plain being affectionate. Kissing. Two black men.
For real.
No bullshit.
First of all, was this history? Has this ever happened before?
I can't explain to you all adequately how it feels to have seen that on my tv screen and have it be an accurate reflection of what it looks like when I LOVE.
Yes, America, I love.
We love. THAT's how I love. It's not a novel, it's not a story.
This is two dudes lives playing out on television for America to see, digest, and judge.
I see now why I could never be on the real world. Writing in this blog is one thing...writing novels -- that's one thing. But these men -- these strong, black men -- have put themselves out there in a way that NO OTHER BLACK MEN have done.
I am crying.....I am filled with so much emotion....
Yes, there is a twinge of jealousy there....YES, okay, I was like "ILLLLLL I LOOK BETTER THAN THAT NIGGA!"
(Sorry, Dorian...that's just an expression of my own inadequacies when it comes to self esteem. You're cute.)
But by the time the episode ended, I realized this wasn't about me having a crush on a reality tv person (which I do) as much as it was me being jealous that ANYBODY is in a god damned relationship.
But before I go into that, even if this Dorian and Karamo thing doesn't last, or was edited into something bigger than it really was, I am really happy because of what it MEANS for gay black people everywhere.
Now, onto my actual bitterness.
DUDES AND DUDETTES, I am sooooooo single it don't make no sense. That whole black male affection thing really fucked me up. (Sidebar: I curse alot, y'all. I tried not to, but I do. Forgive me.) Seeing Dorian and Karmo on that couch reminded me so much of the times that I've been intimate (not necessarily sexually) with somebody I liked.
There's nothing at all like it. I miss it so much. But where do I find it?
I've had so many false starts....in fact, a message that this dude Audacity sent out to his yahoogroup this week was REALLY reminiscent of some things I've been through with relationships. In fact, I, like Audacity, have had few relationships, but many other interactions with people that never went anywhere.
I miss those people....I miss those times. I don't miss the bad times. But I miss sitting on the couch, holding hands, kissing.
I remember one night....damn....standing out on 36th Street with this DUDE. I was feeling DUDE so hard....and I can remember just kissing him...and kissing him...and kissing him...until it was like 3am and he had to go. And then I kissed him right in front of his car, right on 36th street, in front of God and everybody. Okay, well maybe only god was awake. At any rate...I just remember that night so vividly, the air was crisp....it was so REAL.
I miss the way we were then. I really do. I am content with his friendship, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to go back to how we were.
And here I am now...married to the craft. Married to my career. Married to writing. I've gotten no action for a while. It's not so much that I miss the physicality of intimacy....but I miss the emotions involved. It truly sucks to come home to a couch. No emails from somebody I know can be over in five, ten, thirty minutes. No voicemails from someone who is feeling me. No cards, no packages....nothing from the infamous ONE.
Thanks Karamo and Dorian for fucking up my world, LOL.
I am extremely blessed to have the talents that I do, the family and friends that I have, and the opportunities that are practically being thrown at me. I know that god is watching out for me, and that there is a reason I am rolling solo for now.
But that's hardly a comfort when you wake up alone.
Have a good night!
Posted on October 19, 2004 at 10:29 PM | Comments (0)
Entertainment Thoughts....
According to BET, Tweet is coming back with a new album. Why this broad have a daughter who is in the 9th grade? Russ Parr and them alllllways said Tweet was older, but shoooot....it kinda makes you think. Somebody MOTHER sang "Oops Oh My"!!!!!!
I am happy she is coming out with a new album, though.
So somebody sent me pictures of Star Jones and her fiance Al Reynolds. No comment.
While reading those gossip sites about Star and Al, I came across a brief about Usher. Long story short, his pants and draws fell down as he was getting into a limo, and apparently his assssss was all over the place. So I told my friend "Why I gotta see a picture of Star Jones, but I can't see Usher's ass?"
Lo and behold, within minutes, somebody sent me a picture of Usher's ass.
It wasn't all that. :-(
IF it's actually his ass, and I have no reason to believe it's not, because the story said that paparazzi was everywhere, then it's a little less curvy up top than I would have expected. I'ma have to compare some clothed ass shots and see if there's some false advertising.
So tonight is the big night where Karamo from Real World Philly dates some dude. Gay black men all over America, including myself, are hating. HATING! Yes, I am like illlllll whyyyyy wasn't IIIIIIII the onnnnnne???????
Of course, I don't know Karamo from the man in the moon. It's not like we ever met. And who knows if we will. But it's gonna SUCK to see someone SO HOT and SO ACCESSIBLE be sooooooo dating someone on my TV, lol.
And we all want Karamo to be happy, of course.
*grumble*
I'm hot, right? I mean, Karamo's not out of my reach, right? It's not like I'm all "Hey, I am mad cuz Ludacris has a girlfriend."
'Kay, I will shut up now.
Posted on at 7:39 PM | Comments (0)
Random
Lloyd Banks is not in a porno. That is Ty Latimore in "Bam 2."
Teresa Heinz-Kerry looks like she can beat my ass.
I don't want baseball to come to DC.
Bill Cosby is an old coot who needs to shut up.
Other than Karamo, The Real World: Philadelphia isn't that great. Melanie who?
"Drop it Like Its Hot" by Snoop Dogg and Pharrell is the BOMB.
What is the "Nolia Clap" anyway? Is it an STD you get during Mardi Gras?
Melissa Etheridge has cancer! That sucks, dude.
I haven't been to the movies in a minute, yo.
I haven't seen Lost yet, either!
Days of Our Lives still sucks. I really think it's going to be cancelled, that's how bad I think it is.
That's enough for now. PEACE!
Posted on October 13, 2004 at 10:29 PM | Comments (1)
Ghetto!
Hey hey hey! You're as ghetto as it gets. Hell
yeah.
How ghetto are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
Posted on October 6, 2004 at 6:59 AM | Comments (1)
The Real World: Immediate Thoughts
DAMN!
I am totally feeling where Karamo is coming from in tonight's episode. What happened to him never happened to me exactly, but I can empathize with your white "boys" not empathizing with you when the chips are down. Moreover, they get extremely frustrated with you because they CAN'T understand your anger and frustration. To them, you've turned everything INTO race. To you, you ARE your race and your race is YOU.
*le sigh*
It's funny how the girls in the group instantly sympathized with Karamo, but MJ and Landon were clueless.
And then Landon said the N word earlier. YES, I know, he said it because he was telling a story and it was integral to the story. But still....he shouldn't have said it. At least Karamo didn't knock his block off when he said it. He let it ride until later.
Man.....I want to meet Karamo. Not because he's hot (which he is, don't get me wrong)....he seems like somebody I would vibe with as a friend.
I think he'd also vibe well with another queer friend of mine. Actually, come to think about it, he'd vibe with *A* even more, cuz *A* is a bit of a clubber. I am more of a stay-at-homer.
*le sigh*
I like Karamo. I don't think he's perfect. I don't idolize him. It just feels damn good to have someone on TV that is similar to me. How many times will I say this? Probably a lot more.
I wonder if our paths will cross some day. Wouldn't that be trippy?
Do you weep, Karamo? Do you weep?
LOL aight now...good night!
Posted on September 28, 2004 at 10:28 PM | Comments (0)
A Vote for Mr. Ex
Politically, at Least, Effi Barry Is Back With D.C.'s Former Mayor and Her Former Husband
By Ann Gerhart
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, September 27, 2004; Page C01
The image of Effi Barry that people remember is from the front row of D.C. federal court in 1990. The prosecutors play the 83-minute sting videotape. On it, the mayor of the capital of the United States, her husband, is smoking crack in a hotel room, fondling an ex-model named Rasheeda Moore and begging her to have sex with him. The first lady of Washington sits impassively in the front row, regal and refined, calmly hooking a rug.
Poor, poor Effi. Who was behind that mask?
She stood by her man, got through his trial, got out of her marriage and got out of town. When Bill Clinton got caught in his sexcapade, Mrs. Barry No. 3 was the expert witness on "Oprah," testifying about public humiliation. Politics, she said, was anti-family. It certainly had ruined hers.
But here she is on election night earlier this month at Marion Barry for Council headquarters, big oven mitts over her lovely hands, a cross dangling from her neck, serving chicken wings to volunteers before the man gives his victory speech. The prince of D.C. politics -- or the clown prince, depending on how you see him -- with his elegant onetime consort nearby. Not at his side, though, until Marion demands it. And she consents, moving to stand with him and their son, Christopher.
She's back in the picture, literally and figuratively.
Hmmmm.
She knows the question: Sister, have you lost your mind? She picks up her glass of chardonnay and holds it to her ear, as if it were a telephone receiver. "Girl, did you see -- ?" she says, mimicking the gossip about herself, and she permits herself a ladylike little laugh.
She has agreed to an interview and picked the restaurant, Cafe Mozu, in the luxurious Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Effi likes its serenity and quietude. She is early for lunch and waiting in the lounge, one long arm draped along the banquette, the Potomac glistening through the window behind her.
Nearly six feet tall and slender, she looks perfect. She always has. Sometimes, appearances are all that one has.
She wears a simple navy two-piece dress, with a boat neckline that shows off her pretty collarbones, and a slender gold chain caresses one ankle under her hose. Her lips are coral. Her cheekbones, at 60, are chiseled. She speaks slowly, carefully composing long paragraphs of description and explanation, which are at turns poetic and platitudinous and hazy.
She supported her ex-husband's bid for office for his sake, she says, and the sake of their son.
For Marion, "his history and his legacy should be that he always fought for other people," says Effi. "It pains me that people think he's a gargoyle, a troll under the bridge." Without politics, which she defines as public service, Marion Barry, 68, diabetic, hypertensive, recovering alcoholic, isn't fully alive. "It's in his blood," she says. "Working hard for other people -- it's fuel for him."
For Christopher, who is 24, "I want my son to know and love his father, warts and all. " And for herself? "The right thing for me is to support my son's father," she says, almost as if it were penance, though she wasn't the one who committed the sin. "It's what my Christian ethic calls on me to do."
Of course she has heard the word on the street, she says. One stream of speculation has her hurting for money and hopeful of finding work once Barry, without any significant Republican opposition, rolls back into that sweet part-time job that pays $92,500 a year, representing the disenfranchised east-of-the-river residents of Ward 8. The other stream has her positioning Christopher to essentially inherit the gig from his daddy, whose various ailments caused many of his old friends to withhold their support of Barry's bid. Many of them, and even campaign workers, don't think he'll make it through his four-year term.
None of the gossip is true, Effi Barry insists.
She can support herself, she says. "I have a home, thank you very much," she says, a townhouse in Hampton, Va., she bought in 1994 for $79,000, according to real estate records. Her mother lives there now, while Effi lives alone in a rented apartment in the District (she is vague about where). "I have two cars, thank you very much. Well, the bank has them. I'm not a needy person. I'm not down and desperate. I don't need Marion Barry," she says, or anything his cronies could offer. She is doing some work for Children's Hospital, and, she said, "weighing other prospects." The job she had as an executive assistant when she returned a year ago from Hampton didn't work out. "The boss and I had philosophical differences," she says. As in much of what Effi Barry says about herself, the details remain vague enough to be unverifiable. She does want Christopher, a student at the University of the District of Columbia, "to work alongside his father, doing something good," and that is as specific as she will be during more than three hours of lunchtime conversation. "My son is my heart. His father is his father. I was particularly affected by never knowing my father, I guess. Even today, I'm incomplete."
Effi Slaughter was born in Toledo. Her mother, Polly Lee Harris, was 16 and black. Her father was Italian.
"There were miscegenation rules back then," says Effi, "that didn't permit them to be together, and so," she adds, waving her long fingers through the air, dropping her voice to a whisper, "suicide." Her father committed suicide? She nods, soberly. "So that whole half of me is not there." She was 30 before she asked her mother about him. Her mother married a man who managed parking lots, which did provide some stability until their divorce, when Effi was 16.
Effi was smart, and she was striking, and she went off to Hampton University, where she got a degree in home economics. She moved to New York to join her childhood sweetheart, Stanley Cowell, an accomplished jazz pianist who now lives in Upper Marlboro. They married, and Effi worked as a flight attendant, a credit reporter and a junior high-school teacher. She got a master's degree in public health from City College, she has said. When the marriage ended, she moved to Washington for a job with the city.
She met Marion Barry in 1976, at a Bicentennial celebration in Southwest Park. "I was looking in my purse for something, and suddenly he was there. "Is there anything in your purse for me?" she recalls him saying. Barry was an activist, the former head of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, a former school board member running for reelection to the D.C. Council. She was apolitical and had no idea who he was. But he was "very vibrant, very charismatic, that Southern charm," Effi says. (He was also still very married, to Mary Treadwell, who years later was convicted twice for stealing public funds.) Effi gave Marion her number, and he called the next day.
In 1978, after Barry had announced his bid for mayor, they got married. Newspaper photos from that period show a happy and handsome couple -- the Barrys at inaugural parades, Effi in one of her sophisticated hats and furs; on official visits to Africa; greeting heads of state from other nations.
"It was a wonderful education being exposed to all these different cultures," she says. "I had a life where I might be at the White House in the morning and serving soup to the homeless in the afternoon; there was that diversity of experience. I so much admired Anwar Sadat, and that was a highlight, entertaining his wife in my house, in my house! As a result of Marion, all this was possible."
If being the first lady of Washington brought opportunity, it also brought scrutiny. She drew criticism for taking a birthday gift of $1,150 in clothing from a lobbyist who met repeatedly with the mayor. The couple got a discounted home loan from a bank on whose board she sat, and after that became public, the bank rescinded the preferred rate and she quit the board. She took a job with a public relations firm with a city contract, and then quit, amid questions of conflict of interest. When she arranged for Christopher to have his eighth birthday party at an amusement park with friends, she brought along an entourage that included three members of the mayor's security detail, a plainclothes cop, a government photographer and one of Effi's city aides.
In the photos, as the mayoral years march on, the expression on the face of Mrs. Marion Barry changes. The early unguarded joy and authentic excitement vanish. They are replaced by the inscrutable smile born of necessity and worn by the sorority of betrayed political wives -- Lee Hart, Hillary Rodham Clinton and, most recently, New Jersey first lady Dina McGreevey.
On camera, Mayor and Mrs. Barry stayed hand in hand. Off camera, they were living separate lives. In the course of their 12 years together, she once said, the couple had only a half-dozen "family-style dinners." She acknowledged that she knew all about her husband's infidelities -- and accepted them.
Of Marion's friend Karen Johnson, who pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy charges in 1984, Effi said in a television interview that she chose to take at face value her husband's explanation that his relationship with Johnson was "non-intimate" and added: "There are very few men in this town who can say they have not been involved in some way or the other with another woman during the period of their married life, be it platonic, romantic, sexual or whatever. What I blame him for is indiscretion."
And she warned him: "I told him all along, 'You're going to be set up with a woman,' " she said after his 1990 arrest at the Vista Hotel with Moore. When she got the call late that night, she knew what had happened. "Who was she?" was her first question.
During her husband's trial on drug and perjury charges, the ever-controlled Effi Barry sat most days beside a woman named Cora Masters. "I guess Cora and I, then, were the closest of friends," Effi says now. Cora went on to become Mrs. Marion Barry No. 4, and the new first lady of Washington; Barry was elected to a fourth term as mayor after his release from jail. The couple are now separated; Cora Masters Barry declined to be interviewed for this article. Asked if she ever speaks to Cora, Effi pauses, arches an eyebrow, and smiles. "Whatever would I say?"
The woman who says she was a blunt talker as a sex educator of college students is far less direct when she now assesses how her ex-husband treated her, often reaching for the affirmative language of self-help tracts.
Marion Barry, says Effi, "became distracted with other activities" and "made some poor decisions about his personal conduct." She regrets that "we shared the experience at different levels." She says, "I didn't know Marion as a user of drugs," just alcohol.
Asked what she would do over in their life, if she could, she leans onto the table and rests her chin in her hand. "I think," she says, "if I were able to wave a magic wand -- and if I had been able to keep all of the negative people and the temptations away from him, it would be a different world, and a different city."
Here is the story she tells to describe her bond with her son.
"When we welcomed the pope" -- John Paul II -- "in 1979, the helicopter descends. It lands on the Mall. The door opens. He has a flowing white robe, this aura, his was the brilliance of a thousand stars. And I started shaking. Damn! I said, that's the Pope! I gave him the key to the city. He touched my hand. He said, 'God bless you and your family.' And I said to myself, 'Wow, Marion and I are blessed for life.' "
But she felt nauseated all that week, and when she went to the doctor, he told her she was pregnant. She was shocked. "We were specifically not trying," she said. "So I say he is my blessed child. He thrives on faith. All the negativity he has endured to [be able to] extract some sort of strength, and hopefully he will be empowered to achieve his greatness."
Christopher was 9 when his father was arrested Jan. 18, 1990, and television crews descended on their home. The day of the arraignment, a friend carried him out of the house with a coat over his head, to shield him from publicity. When Effi left her marriage later that year, she took her son with her to Hampton, but, she says, he found it "too country." An urban child, he wanted to be back in Washington, she says, so he went to live with Barry and his new wife. Effi taught health and sex education at her alma mater, Hampton University. When Christopher was a senior at Wilson High School, she returned to Washington for a year. "It was significant for me to be there," is all she says. "I don't know whether it was significant for him or not."
Now, at 24, after a stint at Hampton, he is studying business and finance at UDC, his mother says -- "this week" at least. She hopes he will graduate soon. "They never finish in four years anymore," she says.
Asked if she worries that Christopher might be influenced by some of the unsavory characters who have gravitated toward Marion Barry over the years, she narrows her eyes. Then she laughs. "He is like his mother," she says, much more skeptical of people's motives than her ex-husband. Her message to Christopher is "No, your father is not perfect. Yes, he has made mistakes. But he is to be honored, now that you are a young man. You have a legacy, of which you can be proud."
To her, the council race is bound up in securing this legacy and her personal peace with a man who always will define her. A year ago, when Barry told her he was thinking about running for office, "I said, 'For what?' " Effi told a reporter last month. "He said, 'You ride around this city and ride around Ward 8 and you come back and tell me why.' "
At lunch, she expands: "When I went around with him, everyone had a story to tell him. He represents hope -- no matter what the situation has been, he's been able to resurrect himself."
And for herself, her spirituality has "taught me to forgive. If I carry around with me the hurt and the pain, then I'm stuck. If I'm harboring heartache, I can't grow." They won't get back together, she predicts.
"My relationship with him now is totally different from a wife who felt used and neglected, from that bewildered person who felt she was free-falling into a black hole, to a person who says, I'm still here. I'm a survivor," says Effi Barry, and she splays her hands in front of her, then brings them together, carefully matching flame-red fingertip to flame-red fingertip.
Still, here she is, back in the Barry orbit.
She nods slightly and smiles. Is there a hint of surrender in that smile, or is it apology? She knows him so well, well enough to know that "in the 30 years I've known him, he hasn't changed."
And yet?
"And I like Marion," she continues. "There's a certain quality that just kind of grows on you."
Staff writer Yolanda Woodlee contributed to this report.
Posted on September 27, 2004 at 6:13 PM | Comments (0)
More About my Future Ex-Fiance' Karamo
THE EMERGING NEW FACE OF BLACK GAY AMERICA: MTV's Real World Philadelphia
by Jasmyne Cannick
This year Noah's Arc broke ground as the first black gay series. Showtime introduced three black gay men on the political reality show American Candidate . ABC's The Benefactor , features a black gay man as well. MTV is following suit with a black gay man on this season's Real World .
Last Tuesday night, over one million jaws dropped across America in unison as MTV's Real Word Philadelphia cast found out which of their new roommates were gay. No one probably ever suspected that the clean cut and handsome Black boy from Los Angeles by way of Houston would be dropping the bombshell that he wasn't one of the assumed "straight" members of the household. Ah, but the plot thickens! Not only is he gay, but he's not the finger-snapping overly effeminate gay man that America has grown comfortable with. No, Karamo , at first glance, appears to be your average urban, hip-hop loving, straight brotha, and for the most part that's accurate if you replace straight with gay.
The youngest of four, the 23 year old, Florida A&M Business Administration graduate is perfectly comfortable with his sexuality and hopes his "coming out" experience will put a new face on Black gay men.
In a recent interview he explained, "My sexuality doesn't define who I am. I am a Black man first and foremost."
That may be so, but how has Black America reacted to this new face on gay America?
"While I was in College Park, Atlanta, I had these real hardcore looking brothas come up to me on the street and give me props for coming out," explained to Karamo. "I've received support from people age 18 to 70 since coming out on the show. It's amazing because I thought people were going to attack me or something like that, but no, it's been all positive."
Since wrapping the show, Karamo is back in Los Angeles and has hit the ground running.
An avid activist, Karamo is now focusing his energies and time on issues that affect the Black gay community.
"I plan on volunteering with Black gay advocacy organizations like the National Black Justice Coalition ," said Karamo. "The fight against AIDS is also important to me and I want to assist with getting the message out that we [Black gay men] are still dying from this disease."
The son of Jamaican parents, Karamo is disgusted with homophobic reggae artists like Beenie Man.
"Artists like Beenie Man promote hatred and murder," explained Karamo. "Reggae is beautiful music but not when it's being used promote the murder of gays."
Karamo recently attended a special screening of Noah's Arc in Hollywood, the first all Black gay series.
"I hope that with all of these fresh new and positive images of Black gays emerging that America especially Black America will realize that we're [gays] an important part of the community," commented Karamo. "We have lives, jobs and families like everyone else. Anything that I can do to help get that message out there I will."
You can check out Karamo every Tuesday night on MTV at 10 p.m. For more information on the show, please visit www.mtv.com .
©2004 Jasmyne Cannick jasmyne@jasmynecannick.com
This message may be copied and/or forwarded. If published, please send a hard copy to PO Box 432249 Los Angeles, CA 90043
Posted on September 23, 2004 at 5:03 PM | Comments (3)
Random 12
These are ten random songs that play when I hit the "shuffle" button on my media player:
The Bounce (Instrumental), Jay-Z
Girlfriend, Pebbles
Young Hearts Run Free, Candi Staton
A Different World Theme, Phoebe Snow
You Keep Me Hangin' On, The Supremes
Rainy Dayz, Mary J. Blige ft Ja Rule
Girl I'm Gonna Miss You, Milli Vanilli
Everybody Have Fun Tonight, Wang Chung
Oops! The Real Slim Shady Did It Again, Eminem vs Britney Spears
Turn Off The Lights (Remix), Nelly Furtado ft Timbaland
Mercy Mercy Me, Marvin Gaye
They Don't Care About Hip-Hop, Michael Jackson vs Dead Prez
Posted on September 20, 2004 at 10:20 PM | Comments (0)
The Wire/The Emmys
Well, The Wire, season three, premiered tonight, and it was good. Not like GOOOOOOD because that's now how the show rolls. But it was an excellent opening "chapter" so to speak. You really can't judge The Wire until the whole thing concludes.
**********
So, I tuned into the Emmys quite randomly, in time to see the montage of dead stars. THEN I saw James Spader when the Emmy for Best Actor in a Drama Series for The Practice! WOW!
And Meryl Streep just won something.....you know, I really like her. She comes off like a snob because of the seriousness of her roles, but once I saw her in some comedies, I really took another look at her and started really paying attention to her. She's a damn fine actress.
Halle Berry? Not so much.
Posted on September 19, 2004 at 10:37 PM
My New Ex-Fiance'
I have talked my head off about Karamo from The Real World: Philadelphia so I will keep this entry short and sweet.
By now, you all know that MTV has casted two gay men on the same season of The Real World. One happens to be the little boy who used to play "Hector" on Ghostwriter, all grown up. That was printed in a press release well before the pilot.
Well, Karamo came out in the first half-hour of the premier. My friend called me practically screaming "OH MY GOD ARE YOU WATCHING THE REAL WORLD???" And I wasn't, because I was watching The Amazing Race. But I said I would watch it the next day, since my friend said it was the biggest twist ever on the show.
So I watched Karamo come out, and I liked to just get the Holy Ghost. You don't understand -- this was a MOMENT for me. As a long-time fan of the show, I finally was able to see someone who "looked" like me. No, me and Karamo don't look alike (though he is a finnnnnnnnnnne specimen!) but he and I do seem to share the same outlook on black masculinity and sexuality.
Yes, America, all gay men are different.
Yes, America, there are some men you would NEVER suspect are gay.
It's a beautiful thing. Kick ass, Karamo! I will be keeping up with this season and praying for him all the while. It ain't easy....but it can be done.
PEACE
Posted on September 14, 2004 at 7:30 PM
Hawai'i, VMA's, and more....
This new show on NBC called Hawaii is pretty good! I really only started watching it because I didn't feel like changing the station, but I am glad I didn't. I really like when networks really support their shows by giving them big budgets.
Which is why I feel The Practice ultimately was cancelled...apparently ABC was going to cancel it if they didn't cut the budget. So they cut it with salaries, getting rid of Bobby, Lindsay, Rebecca, Helen, and Lucy. The final year it was interesting seeing Eugene and Ellenor as lead characters.....but James Spader was just too....much. I liked him, but I didn't like the fact that it was mostly about him.
Anyway...the Video Music Awards were some straight garbage. Period.
Yo! I just saw that all charges against Kobe Bean Bryant got dropped. LOL. His middle name is Bean. What a maroon. Anyway, I am instinctually happy that another black man isn't in jail...however....I don't know whether or not he raped her. And I guess I never will.
Why does Ashely Judge look like Mariska Hargitay in her movie Tiwsted?
That's all for now! (In terms of entertainment)
Posted on September 1, 2004 at 8:36 PM
My Entertainment Rants
As most of my friends know, I love me some television and music. Here are some thoughts I'd like to share as the summer comes to a close:
Six Feet Under: What's really going on? Claire becomes a psyche-a-dyke, Rico cheats on his wife, David is kirkin out, and Keith sleeps with a woman? I was blown. Keith, however, still remains very cute to me. I really want him to be gay in real life, but I am pretty sure he's not. But what it blowing me the most is Nate and Brenda....argh, they are so flippin' dysfunctional it doesn't make any sense. It appears as though the boo-boo is about to hit the fan when Maya's mom's family (forgot her name) discoveres that someone else's ashes are in that there urn. I wonder if they will find out she's buried out in the desert?
The Wire: After re-watching episodes from the second season, I realized just how inferior it was to the first. It wasn't actually because of the union storyline -- that part was good. It was just too complicated. It wasn't bad the first time around, but watching the second time is painful. I CANNOT WAIT for season three to premier! I think it comes on September 19th or something like that.
Days of Our Lives: Some of my friends know that I have been watching Days of Our Lives for 16 years. It pains me to say THIS SHOW SUCKS NOW. It was good when they had the serial killer whodunit, and even better when it was Marlena. BUT.....it quickly spiraled out of control when it was revealed that none of the dead were really dead. Ugh, that was such a disappointment. Because now we are being subjected to all these kooks trying to get off the island. Also, the cliffhanger before the Olympics was really crappy. Passions has been better than Days, and that's saying a lot.
Young & Th Restless: This show is THA BOMB. I started watching it intermittently this year after the channel nine news at noon, but before Days came on at 1. I've kept up with the storylines for years and years, since my grandma watched it. But now, I am independently a fan. I am really feeling all the African American characters (they drew me in) but I am really impressed by the fact that they aren't tokens. Drucilla is very prim and proper but can also get real "sistagirl" when she needs to. I am especially feelin the storyline with Devon, played by none other than Bryton, the boy who played little Richie on Family Matters. He has grown up and he's a little hottie. I'ma pretend he's actually 18, although he might be more like 17.....eww, bad me. BAD ME. Anyway, the acting on Y&R is excellent and the stories are great. I highly recommend it. But you gotta ease into it...there are far more characters on Y&R than Days, so it's hard to keep up.
Big Brother 5: This is my favorite game show in the world. I am rooting for the twins, even though I know one is going to go home this week, unless there is a miracle. That's a high price to pay, but last week was definitely Will's turn. UGH I hated me some Will. He was so "typical." As far as gay men go, I liked Marcellas from like two years ago. Yeah, he was gay. Yeah, he was femme. Yeah, he was even a make-up artist or something. But dammit, he played that game! Will was just a schemer. ANYWAY, I like the twins and Drew, but I really think Cowboy is gonna win that thing.
Road Rules: Can these bamas win a mission already? They have already lost half of their original cast. Suckers.
The Real World: Philadelphia I am looking forward to this season. The short Puerto Rican from Ghostwriter (Hector, not Alex) is gonna be a cast member. He's gay!
I ran out of shows I wanted to talk about, but I know there are some more....I'll talk about them later. PEACE!
Posted on August 25, 2004 at 10:44 AM
Matrix: Revolutions
Tonight, I watched The Matrix: Revolutions for the second time with Nikki at her crib. She's really set up the place nicely, with some nice things from Ikea and all those other stores she goes to.
Anyway, so I watched the movie again and probably didn't have that much more understanding this time around. In fact, because of Nikki, I have even more questions.
If the matrix rebooted at the end, how did the Oracle, Seraph, and Sati survive?
I don't know....all I know is that Seraph was one fine Asian man.
*****
The new Juvenile song is hot....sounds like he's saying "Know Ya Clap" but the name of the song I downloaded was "Nolia Clap".....so clearly I need to look up the lyrics and figure out what a nolia is.
Prolly drugs. Everything else is drugs or a sex act.
Tomorrow I go to the salon and get my locs maintained....wooooo hoooo! I am afraid, though, that I will lose some locs. About four or five have gotten weak about an inch and a half away from the root. Unless my loctitian can twist them together, I'm afraid I will have to just have some locs that are shorter than the rest by about a foot.
The ironic thing as that there are all near the front. :-( Would be really nice if they were in the back.
I should sleep now.
Posted on August 14, 2004 at 12:51 AM