Darrious Hilmon

I met Darrious Hilmon this summer in Atlanta, while our book tours came together at Outwrite Books. He came to my event. I went to his.

A Detroit native, like me, Darrious is the bestselling author of several novels, including 5 Dimes and Divalicious. I've heard they're laugh-out-loud funny, according to reviews, and his books are next on my to-be-read list. That should be this weekend, when I finish Babylon Sisters by Pearl Cleage.

Anyway, Darrious is one of the coolest folks out there. His entourage, which consists of his sister Javaki Hilmon (co-author on their new release, Mad Love) and close childhood friends, is a cool bunch and welcomed me. We discovered our Detroit six degrees of separation, starting with the great Renaissance (my high school) vs Cass Tech rivalry.

He's taking a hiatus from the road for a minute. Rest and relaxation. Very deserving, with three books already in the can and submitted. If you get a chance, check out his website and books.
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Katrina and New Orleans Libraries

Imagine having no access to books or libraries... or internet. The folks in New Orleans know the deal, especially since Katrina hit in August.

Found this story in Library Journal, which shares among other things that 90% of the librarian staff in New Orleans has been let go... and only two libraries may open in upcoming weeks. Still a lot of work to do...
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Hey, This Relationship is Kinda Sucky, So Why Am I Hanging on So Tightly?

If I were a blues or country music singer, this would be the title of a song I'd write for all the summer Pride season events. Or it would be the show-stopper finale before the club closes each night.

Sometimes... we hang on to romantic relationships, real or imagined, long-term or recently-formed, for just a little bit too long. Or can't let go because we can't see the prospect of another day without Boo-Boo Butterfield or ShaStanka Rollins... or can't see ourselves with anyone but Boo-Boo or ShaStanka.

But there is light. There is ALWAYS light at the end of the tunnel.

And two books you might want to put on your holiday wish list: He's Just Not That Into You and It's Called A Breakup Because It's Broken. The former came out in 2004. The latter, 2005.

Yeah, they're pop culturey. And funny. And some people don't get into the Sex & The City-ish tone and style, but they're cute books. And a nice kick in the arse to get you up and out and seeing the best you have to offer.

Your best is always there. ALWAYS there, even when you think you've been rejected, abused, torn, or misused.

But... don't call when you're at your worst (like 3:13 am after the club), don't stay in touch with his/her friends hoping that'll keep you hanging on (they were his friends, not yours, before you met), don't think s/he's THAT busy to return a call... your call, if you were truly the light of his/her eyes, would be the ONE THING he/she'd look forward to doing in the midst of a busy, crazy day.

Just remember... there is ALWAYS light at the end of the tunnel. You deserve to have your expectations met. Your best is ALWAYS there, even in the midst of blahness. And while romantic relationships definitely enhance your life, remember that your life was just that before Mr. or Ms. Right came into it.

Oh... and "Gaylord Focker" (nickname humorously given by No4Real4Real) is outta the picture. lol. And... this post could also apply to a job you're hanging on to, when you feel you would do better elsewhere :-)
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Madonna. Hung Up.

Totally digging Madonna's new song and video, Hung Up.

I guess I'm hung up.

Time to dust off the boom box, tube socks, and short shorts.
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Just Because. Mel Jackson.

Mel Jackson is one of the scene stealers in the stage production Friends and Lovers that I saw last week at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.

Cute show. Cute actor. More. Than. Cute. Mel got ALL the screams from the audience when he entered the stage.

Tons. Of. Screams. He's eye candy. And a good actor, too.

Friends and Lovers is based on the novel by Eric Jerome Dickey.

Mel Jackson is touring with the show. He definitely needs to be cast in a network series as a regular. Any suggestions?

Anyway, that's Mel Jackson. Just because.
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$100 and Nothing!

$100 and Nothing! is the title of a short story by one of my favorite writers, J. California Cooper. Won't give any details away, but in short, it's the perfect revenge story for lovers done wrong. The story is in her collection, A Piece of Mine.

I discovered J. California Cooper's writing while on a trip to a black-owned bookstore in Chicago. I was looking for something... anything... to whet my literary appetite, and didn't know what to buy. You ever get that feeling in the bookstore? Well, the store owner enthusiastically recommended J. California Cooper. Went on and on about the story, $100 and Nothing! Said I would love the mix of old-fashioned storytelling, life lessons, and tell-it-like-it-is wit of Cooper's characters.

Since then, I've been a major fan. Met her once, at a signing in San Francisco. She's a character... in a good way. Told me one of her childhood beaus was named Fred. We laughed.

I recommend all of J. California Cooper's work, her short story collections and her novels. Her novel, Family, remains one of my favorites... that book made me cry for hours while reading. Again, won't give details away, but a mother's love is always present... whether she's near or far.
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Halloween Is For Kids

Hadn't been to West Hollywood's Halloween Street Fair since I first moved to L.A. like five years ago. Went with the encouragement and egging on of a good friend and his boyfriend. Dressed kinda Hawaiian surf boy. Hawaiian shirt, tank, pooka shells, surf shorts, flip flops... I was Halloween cute. :-)

Traffice was a menace. But I arrived at J & Js house. Hopped in a taxi (which I didn't know we actually had in L.A.) to the festivities. I got home. I'm still home. One too many "Hate Myself in the Morning" drink specials. Didn't spend one dime, though, thanks to old and new friends. But... I'm having a productive day today at the keyboard doing some writing, cranking out something like a novel. I could do this stay-at-home thing on a regular basis and get used to it :-)

Will share a pic or two when I find my camera. It's somewhere. Halloween is for kids, the real ones and the big ones who do kiddish things like me. :-)
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Strolling The Neighborhood

Some new online neighbors you may want to know about:

Photos (artistic): L.A. Foto Boy

Photos (eye candy): Most Proper

New boy blogger (L.A.): D-Place

Author (L.A.): The Last Noel

Lit spot: The Old Hag

Cup of culture: LuxLotus

Pop, Fashion, Culture spot: Just My Cup of Tea