Patti For The Weekend...

Aah. Here we are. Friday again. Feeling nostalgic, young, and restless. Brought out two of my favorite Patti LaBelle CDs for the gym this morning. Had to really dig in some boxes to find them... at 5 am.

Burnin is my favorite by Miss LaBelle. I'm In Love Again is a very close second. I remember my mom had that one on the big record. Time flies.

Time flies... from the crazy, busy, cool time of At The Beach L.A. to another weekend. Got one signing on Saturday in Long Beach, CA. Will visit a few stores in SoCali to sign the books they've got in stock. Hope to squeeze in a dance or drink with friends at our favorite local haunts. Gotta pack for another Bay Area trip for book signings. What else?

What are you up to on this nostalgic, young, and restless weekend?
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Thursday Night Spoken Word at Catch One

So they're trying to start up a cool new lounge night at Jewel's Catch One in L.A. on Thursday nights. Spoken word artists and writers, against the backdrop of house music, memories, and my favorite drag host o'the day, Sweaty Moon. It's a fundraiser night for the health clinic run by Catch One owner, Jewel. Good cause.

I read there last week (as the kickoff for At The Beach Black Pride events) and last night too. Very fun and cool vibe.

If you're in town, stop by Thursday nights at Catch around 8ish. Drink specials. Poetry. Short stories. Bring some stuff to read and share. It's a cool spot to hit before running off to your other later spots on Thursdays...
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Cool Quote From Tavis Smiley

Listened to Tavis Smiley, who was a guest on yesterday morning's Front Page radio show on KJLH in Los Angeles. He said the coolest thing... something that really stuck with me all day regarding black people and money. To paraphrase:

"We spend money we don't have... on things we don't need... to impress people we don't like (or who don't particularly like us.)"

Part of his promotion of a program to help people build their financial futures... and not just focus on today.
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No... This Isn't 1920 U.S.

This is Mexico. 2005.

They say it's a cultural icon in Mexico. I don't live there (well, technically California is/was Mexico, but still...) I don't know... BUT I do know that this is how black people are still perceived in many parts of the world. As cartoons. Entertainment. Monkeys. And, if never challenged to become educated as to why certain images are perceived to be offensive, people will never grow and change. And stereotypes will continue. And people will act on those stereotypes when they encounter (or choose not to encounter) black people.

Did you know Mexico has a huge Afro Mexican population in Veracruz, Guerrero, and other parts of Mexico that isn't included in the mainstream of Mexican society and culture and history? Did you know there are more black people in Central and South America than there are in the United States? We don't get taught much about the African people transported to Central and South America during the Middle Passage. But we need to. Because it's reality. And it's history. And if we're trying to become better people, we need to be real with has happened in history and who ended up where (and how they are/have been treated).

Text from AP Wire Service...
A series of five stamps was released for general use on Wenesday June 29, 2005 issued by the Mexican government depicting an exaggerated black cartoon character known as Memin Pinguin, a child character from a comic book started in the 1940s that is still published in Mexico. The release comes just weeks after Mexican president Vicente Fox riled many by saying that Mexican migrants take jobs in the United States that "not even blacks" want. (AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills)**EFE OUT**
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In Stores Everywhere... Today!

The phone started ringing around 8:30 last night. My sister. Congratulating me. Asking me how does it feel being on the verge...?

Phone hasn't stopped ringing. Family. Friends. E-mail box filling up from people, mostly readers. My first novel, Down For Whatever, officially released today, Tuesday, July 5.

Found some great sites online reviewing the book: Rod (who's been a supporter from day one!); Kraig and Snap Magazine Online (a new friend from NYC); People Who Love Good Books (Shay's holding it down in South Carolina). I'm sure there are others I'm not seeing. Just send them my way if you find anything about me.

Someone e-mailed that there was an article and review in the Long Beach, CA newspaper in the Sunday book section. If you have it, please help me get a copy.

OK. I'm not caught up. I know in the grand scheme, this is just one book of thousands released every month. I know my three months working this book will come and go before I know it. But for now, I'm enjoying the moment.

Happy July 5th everyone!
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Collage of photos from the weekend's At The Beach L.A. literary panel and book events. For it to be a happy, sunny, festive weekend, we're dressed awfully wintery, huh? Writers... I tell ya! (Saturday at the actual beach was a different story, though :-)
(photos courtesy of Trent Jackson and Qevin Oji)

ATBLA Literary Panel

One of the highlights of the weekend was having the opportunity to participate in the At The Beach L.A. Literary Panel.

Trent Jackson, Alphonso Morgan, Brent Dorian Carpenter, and I sat on the panel. Stanley Bennett Clay facilitated. It was tough. But very fun and community affirming. A nice intimate crowd of about a dozen came through during our hour together.

Stanley wove the conversation through many challenging topics: literary versus commercial fiction tastes; the mainstreaming of black LGBT literature; the creation process; navigating the industry whether you're self-published or published by a NYC publishing house. My favorite part of any panel is when it opens up to audience members for questions. The number one question: What advice would you give to aspiring writers/authors? The number one answer I hear: write... and write often.

Sometimes I feel like aspiring writers/authors put those who are published, by whatever means, on a pedestal and that we've reached the pinnacle. Yes, it is a great goal to have achieved publication. But I'm also not an expert. And we're all far from reaching our goals... we're all works in progress.

I enjoyed being on stage with Trent, Alphonso, Brent (a fellow Detroiter!!!), and Stanley. Great day. Great energy. Continue to look for great things from these guys and from other up and coming black LGBT writers. And definitely buy their books.
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Patti Patti

OK. Up early. Enjoying the long weekend about to start. Loving Patti LaBelle on Good Morning America this morning. Love that she's still got that spring in her step. Keeping it way young, with the jeans, the "Hell naw" comment about Diane Sawyer wanting to sing background on a song, and the "Sing it heifer" with her REAL background singer. Cute.

Oh. What a weekend. Patti's taking it back on her new CD which I didn't even know was out. Classic Moments. But plan to get it now.
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