Sunday, July 30, 2006

No Guest List

Slept in early on Saturday. So, up early on Sunday.

Yeah, I'm not too active this weekend, except for the gym and a walk to Starbucks. Oh, and brunch at The Coffee Table. Guess this is a little active.

Anyway, got an email this morning from my friend Qevin. He's a writer here in L.A. At the bottom of his email was a link to his blog, which I never knew he kept, No Guest List, a celebration of black gay club culture.

While browsing Qevin's site, I found the FUNNEST entry: Black Gay Club Culture. I'm probably the last to read it... but thought I'd share anyway.

Multi-tasking early this morning: laundry going in the basement, catching up on email, watching this week's Young & the Restless episodes (NOT liking Nick and Phyllis together at ALL), and trying to figure out what to wear to church. I think I'm going.

Could go either way today.
fs

Saturday, July 29, 2006

Nancy Wilson. Cannonball Adderley.

Something nice and cool and breezy and jazzy to add to your music collection.

Miss Nancy Wilson with Cannonball Adderley.

Nancy Wilson is a classy singer whose music I've admired, thankfully, due to my parents liking her music. Over 60 albums. And I never knew she had her own television show, in the late 1960s, for which she won an Emmy Award. My dad was a huge Cannonball Adderley fan.

Another cool Cannonball Adderley site.

Happy listening!
fs

Thursday, July 27, 2006

Heat.

Is a good thing if it's something like the Miami Heat and Dwayne Wade.

Not when it's three weeks of 100+ degrees, power outages, and wildfires in sight everyday. That's what our summer has been like out in L.A.

Yeah, we're used to warm weather in SoCali all year long. But not humidity, or "muggy-ness" as we used to say in the midwest. Last night I took out trash and lost three pounds in the walk to and from the bins.

Anyway, just liked this ad featuring world champ Dwayne Wade promoting reading. Reading -- in an air-conditioned place like a library or coffeehouse -- is a great way to cool down when there's too much heat outside.

Reading anything good and steamy right now?
fs

Crush.

Still love that song Crush by Zhane.

It's in heavy rotation in my iTunes, and just lately in my personal life.

Got a silly schoolboy crush on someone who has a partner. Silly, huh? It's total crush, crash, and burn.

And you?

Zhane's Crush video on YouTube.

fs

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Debbie Downer. And Parking Lot Politics.

I love the Debbie Downer skits on Saturday Night Live.

Everyone's having a great time, then wah wah wah, Debbie Downer interrupts the fun with some important (to her), but WAY off topic remark. Usually a downer. Ewww.

At times I know I can be Debbie Downer, but for the most part I keep it positive and light.

Everyone's got their worries, and mine are no different or any more important than anybody else's. So why add to the mix? I have my Downer group of friends where we can talk serious stuff, and then my non-Downer group of friends where we can talk non-serious stuff.

So I don't know if this is a Debbie Downer moment or not, but do you have those moments right when you're pulling into your parking lot at work... or walking to the elevator of your office building... or hurrying down the hall to the restroom, and there's the one person you really just want to avoid. Not because he or she is a bad person, but maybe just don't have the same energy and vibe you do?

I had that little dilemma yesterday morning as I pulled into the parking structure. I know everyone's car. And I saw HERS. And I saw her finishing her make up. And I saw her put her blazer on over her dress that couldn't/didn't zip up all the way in the back. And I saw her get her lunch out the passenger side of her car. And I saw her play with her hair one MORE time. And I saw her put her club on her car steering wheel. Does anybody even use a club anymore?

And I listened to almost 10 minutes of the Steve Harvey Morning Show. It kept me entertained while I stalled. So I wouldn't have to walk with her to the work space. Because everything from her is a critical remark of everyone else's work, car, clothes, etc..., while everything she does is perfect, above reproach, untouchable, and the gospel. Ten minutes of the Steve Harvey Morning Show.

Am I a silly Debbie Downer or what? Probably could have done a quick exodus from my car, with the head down thing or cell phone to ear thing. Ya know? You ever done the same?
fs

Monday, July 24, 2006

Picture Day.

Oh yeah. One more thing I did this weekend. On Saturday morning.

I shot some new pictures, in preparation of the new book and website updates. Yeah, I do keep a book website too.

This pic I "lifted" from Ibarionex's blog. :-) I can't wait for the proofs. Just like I couldn't wait for Christmas morning when I was a kid.

Anyway, Ibarionex Perello and his wife Cynthia are a wonderful husband and wife photography team. Ibarionex takes the pictures. Cynthia does the technical work with screens, scrims, and lights.

This time we shot everything outdoors at a park and playground near my house. Last time we did Pasadena City Hall. This time, we have a lot more color and playful shots to choose from. I was nervous and WAY too formal the first time out... as you can see from my book website shots.

Anyway, Ibarionex is a great photographer based in L.A. and he's always looking for new clients. I highly recommend him if in L.A.

I gotta turn in everything to my editor and publisher by September 1st for Right Side of the Wrong Bed -- edited manuscript, book cover "author" shot, updates for the website, and other new novel stuff.

Once I narrow my author photo shots down to two or three, I'll let you take a look and vote on the official "book jacket" photo.
fs

Lotus Brothers. San Diego Book Club.

These guys are the best.

The Lotus Brothers Book Club in San Diego selected my first novel as their summer book. We had a fun and lively discussion. Relationships. Health. The writing life. Dealing with the Rafael's in your life. Oh, you have to read the book to know about Rafael.

Anyway, my new friends John and Michael hosted the meeting at their Hillcrest home. Imagine living just a block from all the boy action. Oh, we're talking books though.

John and Michael were great hosts. Lorenzo and Ken, the book club coordinators, handled everything wonderfully. Loved the questions. Swope put his foot in that barbeque chicken and sauce. Yum! Thanks to Obelisk Books for supplying books!

And... hmmmmm... cuties in the club. Well, just look at the picture. Thanks Lotus Brothers. Hope to visit with you guys soon. (Other book clubs, I'm available this summer and fall!)

And for those of you who haven't been to San Diego before, there are TONS of available and prosperous and physically fit men available. Some... in uniform. Yum.

Well, more on that later...
fs

Friday, July 21, 2006

Sisters in Law. Documentary.

One of the best documentaries I've seen in a while. It's still making the festival rounds this summer, I think.

Sisters in Law.

It's a fascinating and totally hilarious look into a courtoom in Cameroon in West Africa, where two determined women are helping their clients fight difficult cases of abuse.

Often we hear that male domination and supremacy are difficult to challenge in many African countries (well, the U.S. too), but these two smart and fierce women take on the system that has often oppressed African women. Case in point, in Kumba, Cameroon, there had been no convictions in spousal abuse cases in over 17 years. That is... until the Sisters in Law took charge.

Think "Judge Judy" meets "Judge Mayblean" in Cameroon.

If you get a chance, check it out. Or listen to this NPR interview/review of Sisters In Law. Or, if you have means to order it for your organization, do it. I did. Looking forward to sharing it with my classes and students in the upcoming year.

You'll never look at abusers, the abused, or the law through the same eyes.
fs

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Instant Love

Oh yeah, I do blog about books too. Found this one at Tayari's site and had to pick it up right away.

Instant Love by Jami Attenberg.

All about the moment characters first fell in love, fell out of love, and fell back in love again.

Sounds like what happened to me this month. Sike. Not me. At all.

But... can you recall that exact moment? Isn't it fun? Until it gets not so fun?

OK. Happy reading.
fs

Pageant Junkie Alert. Miss Universe.

Pssssst. All you pageant junkies out there.

The Miss Universe pageant is on Sunday. July 23. NBC.

Image on left is Miss Universe 1999 crowning... Miss Botswana, Mpule Kwelagobe, the first black winner from continent of Africa (other black winners hailed from USA, Trinidad and Tobago, and, well Venezuela and Puerto Rico too -- if you wanna get technical but we won't).

Tamiko Nash, Miss California, SHOULD be there representing USA. Won 1st runner up. Oh well. Miss Universe is only taking place in her hometown, Los Angeles, at the Shrine Auditorium. Former home of the Academy Awards.

So set your Tivo/DVR systems. I will.

I'll be in San Diego this weekend. Meeting with book club of black professional guys who chose my novel, Down For Whatever, as their summer pick. I love men who read. And San Diego should be a fun treat.

Anyway, some pageant trivia for you:

History of Miss Universe

Little known facts and stats on Miss Universe pageants

Author Noel Alumit's one-man show, Master of the (Miss) Universe.

Happy Wednesday!
fs

Sunday, July 16, 2006

Maurice Jamal. Dirty Laundry.

So I know a lot of you already got to see Maurice Jamal's new film, Dirty Laundry, during some of the special screenings on the East Coast.

And it's probably old news to you that it is a phenomenally PHENOMENAL film.

But for many of us on the West Coast, we got to see it for the first time during its L.A. premiere at the Outfest Film Festival. And the scene was soooooo L.A. -- the whole red carpet, paparazzi, celebrity interviews before the screening. Loretta Devine, Rockmond Dunbar, Maurice Jamal, Nathan H. Williams, and several others associated with the production in the house, along with a packed audience and a "standby" ticket line that went around the block. Soooooo much demand to see the film.

Scene set, without giving away the film -- you can catch clips and summaries at the Dirty Laundry official website -- I have to say the film is great and I know it's got a long road of success ahead. Fresh. Funny. Poignant. And with performances that pop off the screen.

But what was most inspiring was hearing Maurice and Nathan talk about the process, the behind-the-scenes story, that took the Dirty Laundry from an idea to what we saw last night in L.A. I love hearing from and about people who make things happen. That's always the fun part for creative types to hear.
fs

Jackie Washington Day. Jackie's Back.

Antandra. Peaches Yancy. Yield, Yield, Yield. Shaniqua. Ethel Mae. The flask. The tacos that STILL haven't been paid for... or have they?

Oh. So how did you spend Jackie Washington Day on Saturday?

Yeah, the Jackie Washington as in Jackie's Back... the classic that's on every boy's shelf. Jackie Washington as portrayed by Jenifer Lewis... who is now starring in Maurice Jamal's Dirty Laundry as Aunt Lettuce.

Anyway, back to Jackie Washington Day. Trent actually reminded me of the holiday, July 15, on Saturday right before we went to the Dirty Laundry screening (entry above). And so I did some quick internet research and found a few cool Jackie Washington sites.

Such as a Jackie Washington/Jackie's Back mySpace page.

And... The real Jackie Washington... a Canadian jazz and blues singer... who celebrates Jackie Washington Day on July 15.

Keith Boykin's Jackie's Back review from 2002.

If you haven't seen Jackie's Back yet... it's indeed a must see!
fs

Friday, July 14, 2006

Abs. Fab. Friday.









So, one of those shallow moments in my life... It's Friday. A little entitled.

I'll probably never have abs like the dudes in the pictures, or Keith Boykin who motivates us with his fitness journal, or most of the guys on Hoodsworld. I've resigned myself to that... no spilled milk, crying, or violins. Besides, I really REALLY like bread... and cereal.

However, I HAVE noticed that by concentrating on my ab and core work as soon as I get to the gym, instead of waiting until the end like I used to do, I have a lot more energy and excitement about ab work. And with this new eating plan I'm on that's lost me not one pound, my pants and t-shirts fit so cool because of the concentrated effort on abs and core.

So I guess what the yoga and fitness folks say is true... a little bit of core and abs work can make all the difference.

My iTunes gym mix yesterday:
Alone by Heart
Make it Happen by Mariah Carey
Haven't You Heard by Patrice Rushen
Promiscuous by Nelly Furtado
Sorry by Madonna
I Drove All Night by Cyndi Lauper
Paid in Full by Eric B and Rakim
Rompe by Daddy Yankee
Hips Don't Lie by Shakira
Never by Heart

OK. Back to the imaginary donut in my head :-)
fs

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Ben Wallace. Detroit Today. Chicago Tomorrow.

Oh. I like NBA action. Not that it matters to you. But this is a wow, shocker.

Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons, is leaving Detroit to play for the Chicago Bulls in the upcoming season.

The trade is sending Tyson Chandler, a SoCali native and great player, to New Orleans. We've blogged about Tyson before (basketball). So has Hoodsworld.





Not that I know all the ramifications of this. Haven't done all the rocket science calculations on championship possibilities.

All I know is Detroit's a great team. Chicago is a young and hot team to watch out for. And they'll all be fine whether they're playing for winning or not-so-winning teams.
fs

For The Love Of Dolly

Saw the best documentary yesterday during Outfest. For The Love Of Dolly.

A documentary following the ardent fans of Dolly Parton, one of my faves. Her ardent fans... devote a lot of time, money, and energy to catch a glimpse of or get a note to Dolly Parton. I'm a fan, but I just buy the CDs.

Now I've been and am a fan of many folks because of their creativity, work, cuteness, athletic ability, whatever. But I'm not ardent. A blog entry here or there, an admiration from afar, whatever. But I don't ever feel like the folks I am a fan of owe me any kind of personal attention or response or anything like that.

(Note to public figures or wannabe public figures... change your vehicles often, and do not leave them unlocked. Even in "safe" Tennessee or rural/suburbia. Just a little something I learned from watching the documentary)

Anyway, very cool filmmakers. Very cool documentary. And really cool seeing the cross-section of Dolly fans in the theatre for the film. You might imagine there's a "type" that would be a Dolly fan, but there was a little bit of everyone coming together for the film.

So for the love of Dolly, if you get a chance, check it out in a city near you.
fs

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

The Devil Wears Daniel Sunjata

Just a quick diversion from the real world, problems, war, and oppression.

Probably one of the nicest, and easiest on the eye, surprises of The Devil Wears Prada was seeing actor Daniel Sunjata in the film. Yum!

Then, I started having flashbacks. As I often do. And remembered him, from a play I saw in L.A. about two or three years back. Baseball players. Shower scenes. Nudity on stage. Oh, good acting. Take Me Out. And as that sexy sailor that swept Carrie Bradshaw off her heels in Sex and The City. Yum. Oh, and Brother to Brother. Pretty eclectic work. Very cool!

Anyway, I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot more of Mr. Sunjata on screen. I hope so!

Back to the real world :-)
fs

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Event Organizers: Choose Your Entertainment Wisely

Black Gay Bloggers Launch Protest Against
Music Industry’s Anti-Gay AIDS Concert

LIFEbeat AIDS Concert to Feature Performances
by Homophobic Reggae Artists Beenie Man and TOK

Los Angeles/New York (July 10, 2006) – A coalition of Black lesbian and gay bloggers have launched a worldwide online campaign against a music industry group’s decision to ignore requests to cancel performances by homophobic reggae artists Beenie Man and TOK at their July 18 reggae concert.

The concert, scheduled to take place in New York, is being used as a benefit to reach American youth about the dangers of HIV and AIDS. The coalition of activists is calling on LIFEbeat, the music industry’s non-profit organization AIDS organization, to either rescind the invitation to Beenie Man and TOK or demand that the two artists make a public statement prior to the concert disavowing their homophobic music and remarks.

In Beenie Man’s song “Han Up Deh,” he sings, “Hang chi chi gal wid a long piece of rope.” The term “chi chi” is a Jamaican reference to homosexuality. The term is often used to refer to “chi chi men” but can also refer to lesbians (chi chi women or chi chi girls). Loosely translated, the lyrics mean, “Hang lesbians with a long piece of rope.” Similarly, in TOK’s “Chi Chi Man,” they encourage the burning and killing of gay men.

“Gays of Caribbean descent continue to be targets of hate crimes, including murder,” commented activist and blogger Jasmyne Cannick. “It has only been a little over two years since Brian Williamson, a Jamaican gay activist and founder of Jamaica’s gay civil rights group J-FLAG was found murdered, his body mutilated by multiple knife wounds, simply because he was gay.”

“LIFEbeat needs to understand that Jamaica’s growing HIV/AIDS epidemic has led to widespread violence and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS and gay men,” Cannick continues. “Many Jamaicans still believe that HIV/AIDS is a disease of gays for ‘moral impurity.’ It’s commonplace to see violent acts against gays in Jamaica. Through these artists’ lyrics, they encourage this behavior and we here in the United States should not do the same by allowing them the platform.”

Keith Boykin, author and host of the BET J series MY TWO CENTS spoke to the LIFEbeat executive director John Canelli Monday morning. Canelli admitted that his organization knew that Beenie Man and TOK were homophobic artists but decided to do the concert anyway. “We didn't make the decision blindly and we knew there would be controversy, Canelli told Boykin.

“While we support the mission of LIFEbeat to educate our youth about the dangers of HIV/AIDS, we cannot support the use of blatantly homophobic recording artists to achieve that mission,” Boykin said. “In fact, to provide a forum for these musicians actually contradicts the mission of LIFEbeat in that the artists promote homophobia that contributes to AIDS.”

Other performers during the concert include reggae artists Wayne Wonder, Sasha and Kulcha and a special performance by rapper Foxy Brown. The concert is being supported by BET, Vibe Magazine, Music Choice and New York’s Power 105.1 FM.

A partial listing of the bloggers included in the online campaign include: Donald Agarrat, Keith Boykin, Clay Cane, Jasmyne Cannick, Terrence Heath, Frank Roberts, Pam Spaulding and Bernard Tarver.

Monday, July 10, 2006

What is 96 at UCLA?

The number of black/African American first-year students admitted and enrolling at UCLA in Fall 2006. That's 96 out of almost 4,500 students in the incoming first-year class at the UC system's flagship campus in Southern California (most scholars agree UC Berkeley is the flagship campus for the entire UC system). See story here.

Some staff from the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies at UCLA talked about the admissions issues on KJLH this weekend. More on the Bunche Center website here.

Many say that Prop 209, which abolished the consideration of ethnicity and gender in state application processes in California, is to blame. Others say it's a chicken and egg process-- that when prospects don't see people who look like them attending and succeeding at a campus, they're not likely to want to attend. Even if your high school plan isn't to hang with people like you, you at least want to know people like you are there and making it.

Either way, while we know talented high school students of color end up at various institutions of higher education eventually, it is the absence of color at the most prestigious and elite institutions that has dire effects. Because if those who attend and graduate from the most elite institutions statistically have access to the most elite post-grad opportunities, then do those who attend not-so-elite institutions only have access to not-so-elite post-grad opportunities? And does that perpetuate the class glass ceiling?

This is not to say the elite institutions of higher ed are the end-all-be-all... People succeed at all levels of education. And colleges have always had issues recruiting and retaining black students and students of color. But just thinking...

On another note, one of my students told me the other day it was because of shows like A Different World and Cosby Show that he knew he was capable of attending college one day. I guess pop culture, whether it's television, books, or film, can influence the way people think about themselves and their possibilities.

fs

Saturday, July 08, 2006

Joan Crawford. Mildred Pierce.

If you haven't seen it... EVER... you have to check out the film Mildred Pierce starring Joan Crawford. Amazing. I love this genre, what's called film noir... the dialogue, the melodrama, the cinematography... all of it.

Partly how I spent my Saturday in between writing, going to the gym, and going to Eduardo Santiago's booksigning for his literary debut, Tomorrow They Will Kiss.
fs

Friday, July 07, 2006

Big Brother 7

My summer addiction is back... Big Brother 7. Watched it from the first season to now, except for missing most of last season due to book-related travel.

If you haven't gotten sucked in to Big Brother yet, picture MTVs Real World meets CBSs Survivor. Houseguests are isolated in a house with no outside contact. They compete for food, nomination privileges, etc... Each week they strategize and bond to vote someone out. Well, more like scheming. Real fun watching, because WE the viewers see everything going on... the house guest don't see what's going on. But heck, the show's been around for seven years. Who HASN'T seen it?

This year is the "All Star" edition, where the best from each season had a chance to be invited back into the house. Fourteen were chosen. One I really loved, Monica, wasn't chosen. However, I'm sure there will be some twist with the folks not invited back.

Already got the season set to be recorded. Did you/do you watch? Your thoughts? I've always loved Danielle, even from the season when she betrayed Marcellas (who I love too!). She just plants comments and thoughts here and there, and watches everyone else react to them. She came on a little too quick yesterday, which might be why she got targeted for eviction so soon... Allison's a fave too.

Anyway, I know there's more real issues than reality television, but Big Brother is my total summer addiction!
fs

Thursday, July 06, 2006

Outfest Film Festival. Los Angeles.

If you're in Los Angeles over the next couple weeks, you've gotta check out the Outfest Film Festival. Celebrating the newest, best, and brightest LGBT-focused films, this festival is a treat that I never miss.

Of course I don't or can't go to EVERY single film. And I won't this year. But a few films really stand out to me. Film descriptions here.

I'm excited about Maurice Jamal's film, Dirty Laundry, which will screen during Outfest. Maurice is one of those cool people I've met over this past year, and everything about the film and how it came to be is just positive and inspiring. And the lead character, portrayed by Rockmond Dunbar, seems to be very relatable and like a lot of us.

Also looking forward to the film Fat Girls. Just love that title. Sounds like fun.

And Boy Culture, starring Darryl Stephens from Noah's Arc, looks like a winner too.

Anyway, OUTfest is taking place July 6 - 17, 2006 in L.A. Hope you can check it out if you're in the area.
fs

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

A Year Ago.

A year ago today my first novel came out. July 5. A year from now my second novel will come out.

That's kind of exciting for me to celebrate this anniversary of sorts. I never imagined that I'd actually follow through on a goal such as writing and finishing a novel, and now it's all I want to do. Well, not all, but it's pretty darn close to what I want to do for a living.

Sometimes people ask how my life has changed since being published? It really hasn't. I still keep a day job, working with college students around social justice issues and becoming culturally empowered citizens. I still have the same friends, but know a few more people today than I did a year ago. A few more people know me. Not a whole lot more. I have kept the same apartment, live in the same part of town, though I could move if I wanted. Not much has changed.

What is exciting is that you never know where your book has ended up. You don't know what discussions, if any, it has created among friends or co-workers. You don't know if that's egotistical to assume anyone has had a discussion because of your work. You know that some people like it and you, and you know that some people don't like it and you. And it's all okay. Comes with the territory of taking your work public.

And I'm not above finding flaws in my work. I don't assume any of it is perfect or the best, but I'm working toward it. I do think I have talent and that teacher's pet personality and persistence that never really went away. And I do think I just got a lucky break... maybe a break others haven't gotten but will one day soon. So many cool authors who are selling books out of car trunks deserve publishing contracts too. It'll happen for them.

My mom, dad, and sister were all pretty proud a year ago. I remember them calling me from their various points in Michigan and Indiana and Illinois telling me which bookstores they saw it, how they talked to store staffs about placing the novel in more visible spaces because "our Freddie wrote that book," and them sending/passing publicity postcards to their friends and neighbors, and even strangers at their local haunts or errand places. That's fun to think about. I'm grateful for their support then, and especially glad my dad got to see me achieve one of my frivolous and unrealistic dreams I wanted to pursue. That means a lot. Especially for a black LGBT-focused book. Especially when pursuing creativity isn't easily understood or encouraged in a lot of our families. To have family support for that is kinda cool.

I'm rambling. My eyes are watering -- tears, my dad, ya know. It's late. I should go to bed. Or get cracking on that manuscript due to agent in fall. Are you still reading this? Geez. You should go to bed too... or get back to your to-do list at work :-)
fs

Thumbs. Up.

Hey, I'm a little "in between" books for reading now. What have you read or are reading right now? Thumbs up or Thumbs middle?

Saw Devil Wears Prada. Awesome. Thumbs up.

Ate too much Hawaiian food this weekend at Shakas in L.A. It's my new addiction... this restaurant just outside L.A. Loving the shaved ice on hot days like we're having. Billion thumbs up!

Hope you have a Thumbs UP kinda day!
fs

Monday, July 03, 2006

Soooo Erica Kane.

(Image from Anne Taintor site.)

What's that saying? You know you've been in a city too long when you run into several of your former dates in the SAME place... and they're ALL friends... and none of them but you know you've dated them all. Or maybe they ALL do know, and you just don't know what they talk about when you're not there. Anyhoo...

Such is the case with yours truly, who, after dropping off friends Sunday evening at LAX (they tired of L.A. after At The Beach and wanted to get back East), stopped by one of my fave WEHO haunts, The Abbey. Black and Brown Sunday. You know the drill. Muy nice crowd. Yum. So not planned, but it happens to be on the route home, ya know?

Hung out with one I like but can't have (don't you hate when they have partners?), who is very good friends with one from last summer but our busy-ness got in the way of going beyond a few dinners, who was just three feet away from last fall's military experience, who was good friends with a phone-number exchange that never got beyond a few calls and then nowhere fast... and so on, and so on, and so on... Remember that shampoo commercial? What was that shampoo?

Uh, anyway. The whole thing is kinda funny in a way, because the black boy community is so small and we're all like 6-degrees away from knowing each other, and it's a given that we've probably dated the same people and not even know it... until we're all in the same 6-foot radius and drinking mojitos together. And then let the college or professional or Greek-letter or safe-and-good-black-boy experience come into play and the pool is even smaller.

And afterwards, I did my nightly "keep me company while I'm driving" call to a buddy in the Midwest who had the same experience in his city last night. Except he's WAY together and doesn't go after or want Mismatches -- those he can't have, those who have partners already, those who live thousands of miles away, those with records... uh, I mean those who commit civil disobedience in the name of social justice. So freaking Erica Kane. OK, we all can have our drama days and nights, and then know reality.

Uh. Anyway, the day job calls. I want to be at a pool or a barbeque. Maybe I will in the afternoon. All the same guys... are all going to the same party this afternoon. Ready for Round Two.
fs