Life & Music. And See That's The Thing

Life & Music. And See That's The Thing

I’ve expressed my love for music & ya’ll know I’m a bit kooky. I often relate things happening in my life to the music I am listening to. While it is not specific to the song’s lyrics or meaning; a phrase, a verse or the hook may spark a thought.

Life set to And See That’s The Thing, Deja Trimble (DeJ Loaf)

Read More

♫ Titans

We were titans
Eternally made
We were lovers
Born against the grain

Why would you wanna die
If you can live with me
But I can't make you stay

We were titans (x4)

I cannot make you stay
I cannot even if you asked
I cannot make you stay

No Country For Old Men

How awesome is this narcissism; sitting on the couch with my iPhone, iPad Air and MacBook Pro everything in sync. Michelle, who is sitting on the couch with me, seemingly annoyed with the simultaneous notifications. & then my Apple life flashed in front of me, my photos are not syncing to my iPhone...

Read More

Cyntember

Cyntember

The first chilly morning of the Autumn season makes me reflect on all those summer days cruising (on foot) through the park to see who was playing ball. Remember the old folks used a term… “courting”? That term came from the days when one would sit in the courtyard of a southern home with an intended “sweetie”. Well, I guess the basketball court was a version of that.

Read More

Umkhungo (The Gift)

Umkhungo (The Gift)

"Set in the slums of Hillbrow, an overpopulated urban area of inner city Johannesburg, Umkhungo tells the story of Themba, a young boy shrouded since birth by paranormal events; most say haunted by the ancestors. When his mother is murdered, and his father dies in mysterious and unexplained circumstances; Themba is rescued by a disillusioned street thug, Mthunzi."

Read More

Style

Style

Vacation and the Art of Presence

My family and I squeezed in another vacation a few weeks ago; a mini reunion in Alabama. I have a cousin who is retired military and he was able to secure cabins for us at an incredible discount. Keyword; Cabins, as you might imagine we were surrounded by the outdoors but this is perfect for me. I Am an early riser and on the second morning after our arrival I sat outside on the cabin’s front stoop; my e-reader opened to Between the World and Me, but I have no desire to read. There was peace and silence.

Read More

Non Guilty Pleasures

Non Guilty Pleasures

My kids recently tested my gangsta’, a package with my name on it arrived at the house. I imagine they waited all day to see what was inside; with all eyes on me they watched in wondrous amazement as I opened it. The look on their face was priceless once they realized it contained socks. They said: “You’ve spent a lot of money on socks.” I said: Yo’ mama. No, I really said “Also on food, clothing, shelter, summer camp, North Carolina Dance Theatre, basketball camp …”

 
Read More

In To Me See

1991

When I moved to Atlanta I became quickly enamored with the amount of melanin in the metro area. One of my favorite things to do involved people watching in Underground. One day while taking in the sights, sounds and smells a young woman approached me from the stairs of the Dollar Store. She stopped and chatted’ me up. Most of you know from previous post that I have no idea when a woman is hitting on me.

She gassed me from the start...

Read More

Confrontational Honesty

When Michelle & I started dating we visited Charleston, SC. While amazed at the culture, food and charm of the city I would be remiss if I did not state how sensitive to my surroundings I had become; the vendors on the market, the owners of the shops and restaurants and especially while on a tour of a plantation. Even more reticent when faced with the tour being rushed so they could set up for an onsite wedding that evening.

In retrospect I didn’t know how to effectively communicate my feelings so I remained silent. 

Not speaking about the facets of racism only silences those who endure it. It does not erase the actions of those who engage in it or will engage in it in a number of ways; from individual to individual, legislatively, culturally (from law enforcement, banks, schools etc.) to of course the media.

Find your voice. 

I Am

Detached Observer

Detached Observer

At times I Am an avid listener; I have family, friends and co-workers who call me to complain, often daily, but they are not seeking advice. (Even when they are fortunate enough to have a problem with a clear solution, they will ignore it and continue to complain.) At those times, I realize that they only seek to vent,. they are not seeking a solution nor would they implement one if it presented itself. This is what it sounds like when doves cry. It also sharpens my listening skills as I become a detached observer, allowing them the space to talk it out.

Read More

One Hundred Words. Love.

One Hundred Words. Love.

You never lost faith in me.
 
At my lowest you saw potential and fought for me to win. We remained friends in spite of my thorns and through my ongoing transformation. We have failed each other and we experienced limitations in our love. 

My love was limited by my inability to set aside self-interest; however, your love didn’t demand perfection. This alone makes it very easy to love, especially one that loves you.

Read More