Notes from a Friend's Town

1. It's far less than wise to be rude to the person who sets your barber's appointment book. It has the potential to leave you looking less than presentable for much longer that necessary. 2. I have come to a conflicted sense of political and social awareness recently. The world over is filled with reports of revolts, uprising, revolution suppressions, etc yet my recurring primary concern remains how do I provide food for myself. At the risk of being apathetic, I'm most concerned with the food on my plate. 3. Her presence induces my smile and that is sufficient. 4. Rest in peace, Hawaiian Sophie. You served me well over the years, a man couldn't ask more from a bow tie. 5. The American Librarian Association is in town this week. I know some wild librarian nerd orgy ish will happen during this conference. Why you ask, because there's only so much sexual tension you can exhaust while administrating a house of knowledge. 6. Comedians that entertain without ...

1. Are you sleeping next to the shrine?? I made my pallet over, and I don't wanna sleep next to it at all. 2. I've been attempting to detach myself from somethings for awhile and only recently have I achieved my goal. Theres no need for public celebration, as the abundant cynics would dismiss my delay as a development deficit. 3. Man, I got this real deal hippie friend, less about the dope more about the spiritual experience. She takes the most random of photos with some of the weirdest looking people but I like it. The photos, I don't know. She leads this very mysterious but remarkably open life. 4. Raisin Bran Crunch >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Honey Bunches of Oats 5. As I sipped a cup of over roasted and consequently over sweetened coffee Sunday morning, I realized that I had no complaints about the cup whatsoever. My disdain was trumped by one mere fact : It was a free cup of coffee. I am a sucker for a free cup of coffee, as ...

1. Obama got a little carried away thinking Netenyahu was going to agree to '67 borders just because he said its long been time to end the conflict. 1a. Qaddafi's tape >>>>>>>>>>> bin Ladebn tapes. 2. The simple sno-ball (akin to a sno-cone for my visitor who haven't made it down yet) was clearly boring the local foodies. Confectioner's traditional fruit & candy inspired offerings were not enough, so some brilliant Food Network fan decides to offer a sour pickle flavored sno-ball. Have I tried it, hell no! Will I just to confirm that it is a horrible idea in conception & execution, I haven't decided yet. 3. Roy Ayer's Everybody Loves the Sunshine is a favorite of mine. It also induces a slight chuckle thanks to the marvels of modern technology. 4. After years of debating, I have procured a pair of white pants. No, not painter's pants, white jeans to be specific. Lets see how well execute this ensemble. 5. ...

1. I've been told these times build character, that they enrich the soul by imparting life lessons. They've matured me beyond my years and now I struggle to see the surface for constantly examining the implications of the ideas and attitudes that create these scenes. 2. We don't agree, rather, I don't agree on the matter. I present my objective views on the matter and the logic that guides you contradicts all that's been presented. My spent breath resonates as wasted and you leave to do as you desire. 3. Can you survive against all odds? 4. I've washed my hands of you, cleansed my laptop of you. Yet if I look at a calendar too long, I can recall conversations we had years ago around the date my eye falls on. It's as though my mind won't completely rid itself of you despite my desires. Despite your cold shoulder, your indifference, your absolute absence of compassion, my mind still finds something of value in the memory of you. It is in these moments...

1. The older I get, I more I understand how people develop an absolute hatred & distolerance for organized religion. 2. Finally gave in & bought some Tom's last week. They're comfortable, any one whose worn canvas sneaker can attest. They are also much less than practical for the demands of my schedule would allow. 3. Consistent clear communication would change the world. 4. There was a quote by Thomas Strohm(?) that I admired for years "I have earned my pain but I do not deserve my tears". My ignorance of the original context accounted for, I've lost admiration for it. I suspect 5. Just cause you can't understand him, it don't mean that he's nice. It just means that you can't all the bullshit that he writes - S. Carter on Nas. It also applies to 1 in 7 books published recently. 6. Respect the moment, for it alone holds truth. While those elements of truth may apply to later moments, they should not be understood as absolute truths th...

1. The exterminator is a chill as dude, when he ain't spray poison all over the place. 2. Jose Torres-Tama performance was amazing. It was assertive, aggressive, compassionate, & at some points comedic. It's amazing how the phrase "Illegal Immigrant" only focuses on group of such people. 3. I respect the notion of a uniform, it makes things a tad simpler in the morning. However, it's remarkably disappointing to see throngs of adult men bound to the blue shirt/blue jeans, blue or white shirt/khakis, & the polo shirt/khakis combo. Sadly enough, these men genuinely don't see a thing wrong with such subversive conformity. 4. Where are the moderately attractive women hiding? There's appears to be an abundance of the respective extremes, but shortage of middle ground. It's like having your mouth set on a sandwich but you walk into a bakery, not a deli. Being a resident of said middle ground, I'm sure I didn't move into a foreclosed subdi...

1. Once you begin to develop a feminist understanding, especially as a man of color, it becomes very difficult to view things outside of that context. More often than not, the lens of scrutiny causes the most discomfort when you place your familial reality underneath it . 2. It's amazing the shit you'll accept when you think a dream has come to fruition, even if the dream isn't actualized in it's entirety. What kind of dream doesn't come true completely? It's unfortunate that fear & emotional issues prevented the possibilities from being explored completely, off paper, in the five dimensional world. 2a. Fuck niggas, bitches too, all I trust is my pride & this'll do. 3. The quickest way to compromise contentment is to introduce the situation to inquiry. 4. What's the score with the false friends?? It shouldn't be that much of a chore to maintain a vested interest in the person you declare your friend. It shouldn't take an act of congr...

1. Well, now that that's done & yes it's quite early, but trust me on this one. I'll take something brown & old on ice. Cheerio!! 2. She called & we walked thru the civilities before she proceeded to let me have a piece of her mind. No banned words, no front row seat to the resurrections promises. Her voice was calm, her breaths measured. My head hung in shame as though she stood before me. 3. The more I understand how it works, the less mystique lies in the whole of the experience. I'm very much a fan of the mystique and appreciate the enrapturing nature of the allure. 4. Once I take care of the people on my Christmas list, I'll be good. It's not that I don't want anything, it's that my most immediate need is one that I'll take care of soon. 5. Never underestimate the physiological effects of a physical place on your productivity. I once thought it foolishness until I started paying attention to how much was being accomplished at o...

*These are actual Japa Mala beads 1. Many thanks & much love to all who celebrated my birthday. I'm still receiving cards & gifts which means I'm loved much. That holds much weight in my world. 1a. When I invite you to a gathering of my friends, don't attend if you plan on just sitting on the side w/ your friend and not engaging the group. If I wanted to bump into you & your home girl, I wouldn't have invited you out. I would have asked where you were partying tonight & met you there. 1b. Don't you ever, ever, ever waive a gift in front of the birthday boy & then tuck it away like it doesn't exists. I'm a gentleman so I'll behave accordingly but I know some less than gentlemanly men who aren't inclined to respond so kindly. 5. There comes a time when you should consciously & actively begin separating fiction from reality. This usually begins around the age of 12/13 or immediately afterward when puberty comes into fu...

1. Everytime I hear someone order a Grande non fat (insert flavor of choice) latte, it sounds like "I want my coffee to taste like squash & hot water ". 3. I suspect I've been going about this the wrong way for quite sometime now and that explains the lack of desired results. Not that this moment of clarity has provided me with the perfect approach, I'll at least know what not to do. 4. Speak your piece on the matter, be at peace on the matter and move forward. They'll be no peace until you've cleared your conscience. 5. "He didn't grow up with brothers, so he doesn't understand the importance of relaying his decision to make a life altering change" - Haynes 6. The only thing I love more than watch the sunrise in the cold sans shirt is rolling back over in the bed and sleeping on that idea for another 3 hrs. 2. I double dog dare you. 8. When the fighters are all around, all the lovers are underground - Lupe

1. I saw an older couple walking down the street today. The husband walked a solid clip for his age while his wife lagged behind a bit, slowed by the need to use a walking cane. He turned around realizing she was behind him, albeit by about 15 ft, & waited. Once she caught up, he extended his hand & walked with her at her pace. 2. In the routine, we find peace. In the details, we find ourselves. In part(s). 3. 9 days from Nirvana, 4 days til class begins & 2 days until the weekend. Yes, it appears my life has been reduced to a series of countdowns. 4. I'll stop laughing when I cease to find it amusing. Not a minute prior. 5. I requested some gift giving advice from a trusted source. Much to my dismay, I was told what I had suspected all along, regarding the appropriateness of my intended gift, was indeed correct. Oh how infrequently one longs to be wrong. Alas, such a victory was not provided today. I have instead, chosen to settle for the "lesser" gift. ...

1. If you didn't want to play anymore, all you had to do was say I'm out instead of just not showing up at the usual spot anymore. You could've left a note even. 2. It's ridiculously hot these days. The air is thick, refusing to cool even if you move it with a fan. Where, I ask, is the beautiful month of October? 3. Way too excited about this new recycled fire hose chew toy coming for my pet monster (Chew Wu!)! We'll see if it's as durable as the website claims, he's already demolished in 60 days a calf shin bone that was supposed to last a year. 4. The best approach remains show & prove not discuss then deliver. 5. *late pass* Why does J. Timberlake sound like a fake ass Ginuwine? Why get the knock-off when you could just buy the original? 6. I want to start collecting art from aspiring artists. Not so that I can brag about having an early piece once they achieve a degree of notoriety in the art world, although I might should that happen. It's m...

1. Hard work always beats talent if talent don't work hard. 2. Disappointments & struggles are relative. Their impact can be minimized through comparative reasoning, at least its not (fill in the blank). The unknown is what is truly unnerving, as there is no point of reference. 3. There is such a thing as over analyzing a situation. I suspect I've come to this realization long after the milk has been spilled. 4. I'm not sure if I like the way HBO's Treme portrays New Orleans. While the factual representations of the city appear accurate, as best I recall, there's still something that's not quite right. 5. Brand loyalty is the rationale maintained my Blockbuster Online subscription instead of using NetFlix. Blockbuster filed bankruptcy. Seeing no need in lingering on a sinking ship, I am now a happy NetFlix customer, the Watch Instantly feature puts all sorts of otherwise unknown films at your fingertips. 6. My reading list can be completed if I finish at lea...

1. I'd really like to learn acoustic guitar & study Arabic. Summer's soundtrack may sound like unconnected noise but at least I'll now what it should resemble. 2. Finally caught Clooney in Up in the Air. The man is damn good. I'll leave the film geeks to elaborate on that more. The scenery was dull enough to make you focus on the story itself and it was done so smoothly. The film highlighted the personal element of the impersonal. 3. Non-Academic research interest don't always translate well into funded research. The lesson learned is substantive even if the grant isn't. 4. Once this health care bill hits the fan, as it will, there will be a strong bit of backlash. I don't want to prevent anyone from going to the doctor but the reality is being healthy cost money & the more the state covers, the more sway they hold in dictating public opinion & minimizing rebuke. 5. Distance = Comfort 6. Festival season is nearing & I'm ready to spend my...

1. It's raining major life events all in my calendar. Weddings, births, & funerals are literally popping up every week, more so than usual. Not only am I alive & well, apparently so are my social networks. 2. In the same manner that one person can't be the scapegoat for all that goes wrong, nor can one person be the explanation of all that goes right. Grant it, the latter is more attractive than the former, it's crucial to maintain the proper perspective. 3. Knowing when to ask why but electing not to do so is wisdom. Hopefully I'll receive the answer to my inquiry without formally making one. 4. It's always easier to walk away. In some instances, it's actually the action to take with respects to self preservation. However, when life & limb are not compromised, it is often a favor to your character for you to remain. More so for the others involved than for yourself. 5. The older I get, the less I appreciation I have for cynicism, especially in the l...

In all of my travels, it remains one of my most enjoyable experiences to look down out the window of the plane, like a kid on his first airplane ride, at dusk on communities of various sizes as the sun settles below the western horizon. The main arteries through the town are often wide winding lines of greenish white light with smaller orange streets attached to them like pieces of spaghetti left on the plate as the meatballs have been devoured in a greasy tomato sauced mess. I’ve only started flying with some degree of regularity since two thousand six, the aftermath of Katrina providing an all too familiar back drop for many drastic changes. Its not that I was reluctant to traveling prior to the mass evacuation whose effects are still being studied by NTSB, it was this unfamiliar release, like my mind, body, and soul all exhaled at once as my eyes were forced to look upon an unfamiliar land and assess its potential to become the new home of my family’s future. It wasn’t until I m...

1. Hiking = my (re)new addiction 2. Its always interesting to be reminded of where you stand in someones life. I once believed that those whom I saw the most would hold me in closer regard than those I only see occasionally. I was wrong (yep!) and its never felt soo good to know the other side. 3. At some point in childhood we begin to remember days as seperate entities, Monday being different from Tuesday etc. I think its special when children don't recall the last day they saw but rather the emotion they remember you by. 4. Longer than (my) average hair is driving me nuts but I refuse to cut it.....yet 5.  Pity parties are worthless, costly, & over rated. Get over, you could be not living and then your worries would be reduced to the care of your soul... 6. I told you'd I'd call when something of merit occured.  7. I'm looking for a more p.c. replacement for odd man out. Any suggestions?? 8. Being told you possess untapped potential and actually tapping said poten...

It’s been sometime now and I’m not sure that the words will appear in the order I’d prefer them. It’s a combination of excessive text messaging and looking for a clear sense of how I feel and being met with  London ’s best fog. Only a London Fog on my shoulders to direct me through clouds that were too rebelious to remain in the heavens. Dubois spoke of the dual consciousness that African Americans have as they maneuver through American culture, first seeing themselves as a person of color with a host of limitations, assumptions, and hindrances to be calculated before they could acknowledge their humanity. It was (is) their burden to constantly examine themselves to make sure that their ethnicity doesn’t cause them to behave in a manner that would merit their humanity being denied. I can’t say that I’ve ever experienced that struggle in its most intense form. Growing up in the generation after the Civil Rights movement, I have no personal understanding of the struggles that were my gre...