The Day Job Grind, Part III: #TheTransplantChronicles7

So, where was I....?

Oh yeah, I've been working at my new job, which is now my primary job.  I work food service at a local hotel out here in Delaware.  Basically, I'm a glorified dishwasher (and unofficial kitchen gofer).  The job isn't bad at all; I have unlimited access to food, which I love, considering how I've been starving for the last 2-3 years.  It's a pretty easy job since the kitchen isn't very fast paced; only when we have events going on, and a high occupancy rate.  I actually like the job.

Other than that, things are going pretty well.  I'm STILL trying to publish "Seductra" as a paperback, but CreateSpace keeps fucking with me, ab out my file size.  They keep sending me emails back that there is not enough bleed space for the cover.  How much mf bleed space do you mf need?!?!?!?  Publish the gd book already!!!!!!  It is still available as an eBook, but still....I would like to have the paperback as well.

Speaking of which...I would love to see "Seductra: Web of Deisre" and "Demure Nights" air on late night CineMax.  As it is, they were both originally supposed to be screenplays, anyway.  Also, "Seductra" was actually inspired by me watching CineMax late at night.  Hey....Black and Brown folk can be freaky, but classy, too!  Who knows...if I ever get the support for those books, I actually might get an offer like that, sometime in the distant future.

Other than that, I'm just trying to figure out my next move.  I need to decide if I'm going to focus on another literary project, or hang back for now, and concentrate purely on promoting my current works. I have to admit, it is quite frustrating to have projects available for sale, but have absolutely NO support for your work.  All I have is people giving me lip service on social media, talking about how much they support me.  How many of them actually owns a copy of my book titles...?  THAT remains to be seen, smdh.....

I'm hoping to up my internet usage.  Right now, I'm only able to get online once, maybe twice a week.  I'm used to being online more often than that.  It would also help me to get over this crap with CreateSpace, as far as publishing "Seductra: Web of Desire" as a blasted paperback.  Only time will tell.  Stay tuned, and keep following me!!!

Stay tuned.....

The Day Job Grind, Part 2: #TheTransplantChronicles6

Been a long time, hasn't it....?

Been offline for a while.  I was actually working TWO day jobs, and trying to juggle them both.  I did that for about three weeks, and finally said "ENOUGH".  I was practically a walking zombie, I got so little sleep.  My days off didn't sync up until maybe a week ago, and I completely crashed when I did finally get a day off from both places.  Needless to say, that was a HARD ROAD for me to walk.

For an update, I finally got rid of one of the two jobs; the low-end retail job that I started off with.  That job sucked ass, and I thoroughly  hated it. It wasn't worth keeping; not with the headache that they expected us to put up with.  Not to mention the fact that they were switching to a bi-weekly payment plan...?  Fuuuuuuuuck thaaaaaaaaaat!!!!!! NOT worth it.  My second job is MUCH better, and less stressful.  I'm back working in food service again, so I have access to food again.  It keeps a good amount of money in my pocket, so the only thing I really have to worry about is having breakfast stuff for the mornings that I'm not working.

Got me a room to live in.  The landlord is a character, though.  I'll just leave it at that, for now.  The roommates aren't too bad; one is actually pretty cool.  The other guy...?  I don't know.  At least I have a place to lay my head.  It's better than that bullshit shelter that I was staying at.  I can come and go as I please, and have my own space.  It's just for know; hopefully I can get my own spot before the year is out.  So far, the Creator and the ancestors have been on my side so far.  Hopefully, they'll allow me to have my own spot before the year is out.

Still trying to convert "Seductra" into a paperback.  I haven't had any time (or luck) with the cover file.  Hopefully, I can FINALLY get the cover files right, so that it can be printed up as a paperback.  Now that I'm down to only one job, I'll have the time to get online, and upload the files, or handle any other issues that I have to deal with.

Still working on the Summer Schedule of Events (SoE) listing for the Universal Africana Literary Arts Movement.  I'm finally able to play catch-up on my emails, and do some online research for other festivals.  Looking forward to updating the list, and researching other festival that will be going on this fall.

Now that "Seductra" is published, I'm considering my options.  I need to focus on the promotional front of my writing career; people need to know that my books are available, in order to financially support me.  I want to focus on doing festival, and speaking engagements.  I'm considering doing a book signing out here, but I need to build myself up a bit more; gain some name recognition out here.  At least I have some of my works stocked in a few places on consignment out here.  It's coming together slowly, but surly.

Hopefully, I'll be able to keep you guys updated on my latest ventures.  I'll try not to go on hiatus again; it all depends on my personal situation.  Things have already improved for me, considering how things were going for me last year (shit...try the last THREE), and they can only go up from here. May the Creator and ancestors bless me with further good fortune.

The Day Job Grind: #TheTransplantChronicles5

SO.....my first week back working has been interesting.  Basically, I'm just getting used to the job, and learning all of the work procedures.  Being the fact that I'm an assistant manager, there's also a lot of responsibility that comes with it.  My TM (training manager) is pretty good; she's teaching me a lot, and I'm starting to get the hang of some of the responsibilities.  She's a bootyful island gyal from St. Kitts, so when she's not looking, I'm busy ogling her from behind.  Not trying to get myself fired, but a brother has needs, and she's great to look at.  ;-)

Right now, I'm just getting used to waking up early, and being active, again.  The job responsibilities can be a bit overwhelming, but I think that I'll be able to get used to it, in time.  I just need to relax a little, and not try to be perfect, all of the time.  Then again, this is MONEY that we're dealing with, and I'm not trying to get my ass fired.  I need the money, and I'm trying to get back on my feet, and get back out on my own.

Some of the customers are cool, others are just ignorant and ratchet.  It takes A LOT of self control to keep from saying something out of your mouth.  This IS low end retail, after all.  We actually have a pretty good staff working at the store that I'm training at, so you can't blame it on poor customer service.  Some of these niccas and PWTs just don't know how to act in public.  Of course, if you curse them out, and/or threaten to fight with them in the parking lot, they wanna call the cops, or senior management on your ass, smdh...

My first week is almost in the books.  I go in today and learn how to close the store.  For most of this week, I've been learning the procedures to open the store.  I have one more week of training, then I get to start working a regular shift at my regular store location.

IN OTHER NEWS.....
Next week is the last week of the 1-year publishing anniversary for my book "Drum Speaking: Tales From An Inner City Griot" (CreateSpace, 2016).  Please continue to help to support this project by purchasing a copy in paperback format, or download the eBook version.

I'll be publishing my latest book project and novel "Seductra: Web of Desire" within the next two weeks.  I'm shooting for the first week of May, depending on my work schedule.  I'm hoping to make it available in both paperback and eBook format; it all depends on when the publishers deliver the finished product.  It will definitely be published next month.  Of course, I will post about it here, so that you can all see what the cover looks like, and provide a link to the book, if possible.

That's all for now.

Uhuru sase, y paz.  Keep the fist raised!!!   

Rant Session: #TheTransplantChronicles3

So, last week was a little frustrating......

During my job hunting adventures out here, things have been going pretty well.  At least I'm getting callbacks and interviews, which is more than what I can say was happening for me back in NYC.  I'm still continuing to cast my reel out there, hoping to eventually snag a job.  I'm hoping that it'll happen soon, because of some other stuff that I'm dealing with, which I'll go into later in this post....

Had a weird experience last week.  I had an interview at one of the local Family Dollar stores out here as an Assistant Manager.  I was quite surprised by the callback, considering that I had just applied literally two day prior.  I connected with my Job Counselor, got a bus pass to be able to go on the interview, and off I went.  I got there quite early, so I walked around a bit before the actual interview, getting myself a bit more familiar with the area.  I was able to kill some time, and finally show up for my interview, still a bit early.  This is when things got weird.....

The interview didn't last very long.  We barely talked for five minutes.  The manager was also a transplant NYer, and we briefly connected on that tip.  Then when she asked me about my experience, I gladly let her know about my work history and job experiences that applied to that particular job and position.  She apparently believed and assumed that I didn't have any retail, or managerial experience....

????????

Um...did I not just tell you about my experiences?!  Did you not read my resume before you fucking called me in here for the interview?!   And, it's fucking FAMILY DOLLAR for crying out loud!!!

So...in her genius...she referred me to walk to this other FD store that was not too far away from her store.  So, I ended up walking up the street, heading for the other store, grumbling to myself a bit.  I make it to the other store, and ask for the manager that she told me to ask for....

The employee that was working there, was staring at me and blinking with a confused look on her face, saying something like, "Ummm......who?!?!"

So apparently...that manager that the first lady told me to talk to, DOESN'T EVEN WORK THERE!!  The manager for THAT store had a different name, and was on vacation to boot, so she wasn't even available.  So, discouraged, I just left my contact information, and went back to the shelter to crash.  I was quite frustrated by that experience, and quite irritated about it, too.  These people tried to get me to do a whole bunch of running around after that, trying to interview with that other manager, but nobody could tell me what friggin store she worked out of.  I just gave up, and moved on.  But, it doesn't end there.....

I fucking HATE the shelter that I'm staying at!!  It's a transitional housing shelter, but it's ran by a Christian group.  These mf care more about trying to convert me to their faith, than anything else.  I don't care for the shady ass preacher that runs the joint.  These people are disorganized, and can be quite trifling.  Maaaaaan...I'm just here to get on my feet, get a job, and gtfoh...THAT'S IT!!!  They want to dominate my time, and control every aspect of my life.  I'm not some junkie, alchi, or felon...I don't have any of those afflictions.  Save that bullshit, and your Jedi mind tricks, for those weak-minded mf who wanna get sucked into your cult; I'm NOT the one!!!

I really can't stand that damn preach who runs the joint.  Nigga always trying to figure me out, so that he can Jedi mind trick me.  Nigga, LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE!!!  Save that shit for somebody that actually WANTS to convert to your religious beliefs.  I'm just here for the housing...THAT'S IT!!!  Take that shit back to Philly, where you from!   Nigga had the nerve to get mad at me, cause I wanted to go on a job interview, instead of going out with his ass to Walmart to solicit for his bullshit church. 

Okay...let me get this straight....

You'd rather I go out, and beg people for money for you....instead of going on a job interview, possibly getting a job....where as I can pay my own way, and NOT have to go out and beg for you????

Nigga...ARE YOU FUCKING STUPID?!?!?!?!  :-O

Yeah, so that was my week, last week.  I'm really hoping to land something soon, so that I can gtfoh, and FINALLY get back to being on my own.  I'll even settle for getting a room someplace else, until I can get my own apartment.  Right now, I'm just trying to maintain, and biding my time.  We're also supposed to be moving, and these ignorant assed people are doing everything last minute, with their disorganized asses. I'm maintaining, and trying to hold on to my sanity.  I'm just holding on for a little bit longer, until shit finally breaks for me.

Wish me luck.....

Progress Report: #TheTransplantChronciles

So....I've been out here for almost two weeks now.  Since my relocation, I've sent out a bunch of resumes to a number of different businesses looking for work, and continuing to apply for jobs online.  I've even done the old school thing of just walking into a business, and dropping off my resume'.  So far, I've had at least one interview (for a little food spot out here), but I haven't heard anything back yet.  Hopefully this will turn into something, like a blasted job.  I've also talked to a sole proprietor out who owns a gym, and we're trying to work out a barter deal, where I work for him, in exchange for a free membership, and use of the gym.  I'll let you know how that goes, and if any jobs come through....

I finally took the time to go out, yesterday.  There was a local event going on celebrating the local business community, and the arts.  I wasn't able to stay very long because of obligations that I have at the shelter where I'm staying, but from what I was able to experience, it was pretty okay.  Hopefully, I can make some connections while I'm out here, and help to jumpstart my presence as a writer in Wilmington, if not the state of Delaware. Really, I came out here to be able to strategically get around to the different literary & cultural events that I know that goes on around this region (the Mid Atlantic), but it also helps to have a local presence.

Still working on my literary projects.  I've converted yet another of my original screenplays into a novel.  "Time Will Reveal" is an Action/Science Fiction/Time Travel saga.  There is actually an excerpt to that story in my anthology Drum Speaking called "Time Will Reveal: The Autonomy Wars".  I've actually included that story into the novel, as it better explains the story.  TWR is now officially a first draft.  I don't know when I plan to publish it; I'm kinda getting tired of publishing books, and then struggling to promote them.  As much as I promote my work online through social media, and via e-blasts through my personal Mailing List, I should be having SOME sort of traction with sales.  Then again, that's negative thinking, and I got AWAY from NYC to get away from negative thinking.

Looking forward to publishing "Seductra: Web of Desire" by this summer.  The story is practically done, editing-wise.  The cover(s) are already designed (by me, of course), and I'm just waiting to publish it in May/June.  Once I'm settled here in Wilmington, and more secure financially, I'll move on to publish it.  There appears to be a growing local arts scene, and I'm hoping to be able to take advantage of that.

So far, the count is two first drafts (Fiesta Girl, and Time Will Reveal), and two books yet to be completed (Walk Like a Warrior, The Chronicles of The Black Fist 2).  I think that once I start working, and get my own place, I'll be able to concentrate more on those two unfinished projects, when I have free time.  I still want to get back onto the festival circuit to promote my current books, and put a little extra money in my pocket.  I think my work will be more appreciated out here, than in NYC.  Once I find a (day) job, and the money starts coming in, I'll be able to make more solidified plans as to my next moves.  I see a bit of potential out here for me, and if I can tap into that potential, the sky could be the limit, if not another boundary to break through.

That's pretty much it for me, right now.  Still writing, still grinding to find a day job.  Until my next progress report, keep me in your prayers, and be on the look out for my next post.

Keep the fist raised!

The Chronicles of The Black Fist---Celebrating Halloween

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

Brooklyn, Ny--As Halloween draws nearer, and you are looking for a hero for you or your child to dress up as for the holiday season, choose to embody a hero of the people, for the people, from "The Chronicles of The Black Fist" (CreateSpace, 2015), the premiere action-packed novel by Kevin Alberto Sabio.  In this day and age of the #BlackLivesMatter Movement, here is a hero for us, by us, told from our perspective.  Action packed and culturally relevant, this is a hero for you in the modern age, protecting us from both the criminal element, and corrupt cops alike.

The Chronicles of The Black Fist is published through CreateSpace, and is available in paperback format through Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and Books-A-Million.  The novel is also available in eBook format, and is available through carriers such as Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Page Foundry, Scribd, and 24Symbols.  Digital ARCs (Advanced Readers Copies) are available in PDF format upon request for review purposes.

KEVIN ALBERTO SABIO is an author and activist, born and raised in Brooklyn, NY.  His is the youngest son of Honduran Garifuna immigrant parents.  He is the founder of the Universal Africana Literary Arts Movement. His is the author of SEVEN published books of nonfiction and fiction.

Keep the fist raised,

Kevin Alberto Sabio

Author/activist

 https://www.createspace.com/5341559

Adventures In Job Hunting

For those of you that have been following my blog, you KNOW that I am desperate to get the hell out of NYC, and move on to greener pastures.  I recently had the opportunity to change my situation, and took the leap of faith...or, stupidity...to make that change.

Wrote a story about it.  Wanna hear it?  Well, a here it, here it goes....

I got a callback about two weeks ago for a job that I'd applied to that was out of state (Delaware).  After a week of playing phone tag, we finally got into contact with each other, and held an initial phone interview.  The phone interview went very well, and they asked me to come to the job in person for a followup interview.  I was pretty excited about that, and made my plans to escape this wretched ass city, and make my way to Delaware for the interview.

Problem #1....
My bank account ended up closing up.  I hadn't deposited any money in god knows how long, and since mothafuckas don't know how to buy a mothafuckin' book online, no money EVER got deposited in there.  Buncha broke ass people always talking shit about supporting you, but yet you never SEE a goddamn dime out of they ass-....

I'm sorry...am I venting...?

Anyway....

Come hell or high water, I was going to make that damn interview!  I was able to borrow money from one of my uncles, and a neighbor who is basically like a second mother to me.  I wasn't even concerned with where the hell I was going to stay, or anything like that...I was GOING to make that blasted interview!  I got the money together...packed a bag...and made my way to Greyhound that Friday morning of the interview.

Problem #2....
Greyhound sucks dick.  They can suck mine at my most hardest, when I haven't showered for a week....after a heatwave.  Nuccas wanna be on some new shit, charging tax.  TAX!  The fucking fare is $28 on your fucking website...HONOR THE DAMN PRICE!!!!  With the tax, it was ONE DOLLAR more than what I had.  Buncha bitch asses!  I had to beg people for one fucking dollar just to get on the bus.

Fucking HATE Greyhound!  I'll be fucking with the Chinese bus from now on.....when I get some cash flow again, that is...

So, I was able to get that extra dollar...pay for my fare...and just make my bus.  We pulled out of the Port Authority at 9:45am.  I was finally away from ratchet ass NYC, and on my way to Delaware for my job interview.

We made it to Delaware on time (noon).  I exited the buss, and started to walk around.  Since I had been doing online research about the city for a good year+, I had a fairly familiar sense of the city.  I'd found the street that  I needed to go to, and walked from the bus station to the job interview.  Gotta say...it was a HOT one that day!  Carrying around that heavy ass, big black bag was not fun!  Suffice it to say, I made it to my interview, early and on time, and knocked it out the box.  It felt good to know that my prior experience working in that field, and having done that particular job before (working food service in a hospital setting) actually puts me at the top of the candidates list.  So, the interview goes well, I get a mini tour of the work area/department, and make my way out of the door.

Problem #3....
My interview was done, it was only about 3:30 in the afternoon...wtf am I gonna do now?!  I have NO money...NO place to sleep...and NO return ticket to go back to NYC.

Shit...I'll just walk around, and explore.  Their downtown scene is tiny as all fucking hell.  Then again, I wasn't in that big of a city.  After all, Delaware IS a small ass state.  I found a lot of places that I was interested in looking for (colleges, landmarks, stores, organizations, businesses) with some of them being unfortunately closed at the time, or for the weekend.

So...what did I do afterward?  I crashed at one of the local parks.....LITERALLY!!!  Brother slept outdoors like a homeless person.  Of course, I was a bit nervous and skeptical; I ain't trying to hear getting jacked by some young bucks while I'm in another city...FUCK THAT!  Nighttime came...I found me a bench...propped up my bag...and brother got his snooze on.

Problem #4....
The next day (Saturday), I finished off the crackers that I'd brought with me to snack on for the bus trip.  I was still wondering how the hell I was gonna get something to eat, and get my ass home (at least to be there for the job acceptance phone call), when I saw some parks department workers setting up a stage.  They ended up having some sort of stop-the-violence rally IN THAT PARK, THAT DAY!  I was able to get access to some free food and drink, so I didn't starve that day.  I tried to get my hustle on, and sell a few copies of one of my book titles that I'd brought with me.

Got a bunch of interesting looks...but nobody bit.  Ain't that some shit?!?!  All I needed was TWO people to buy a copy so that I can hop on the Chinese bus to go home (saw where their office is down there); THREE people would've gotten me on Greyhound (buncha bitches), or on the Chinese bus with some added spending money.  Ain't none of them broke ass bought a copy!  FUCK that "good luck with your writing career" crap!  BUY a mothafuckin' copy so that I can go home!  Ya broke ass, nonreading ass, cheap ass, stingy ass bunch of-....

I'm sorry....am I venting again?

Anyway....

I ended up crashing at that park again Saturday night.  I got up on Sunday morning, determined to get my ass home that day.  I walked around to the YMCA, Salvation Army, and one or two other spots, and NONE of them could give me the money to get home, at least not until Monday.  Not to mention that, none of their mu'fuckin' corner stores were fucking open!  From around 7am to about 9am, I was looking around for a mf corner store, to try to get something to at least drink.  I'd made my way back to that park where I'd slept at, not in the best of moods, when a minibus pulls up to the corner.  The driver opens the door, and invites me to come with them to their church to hear the good word....and a free meal!

?!?!?!?!?  Free meal?
Eff it...I'll put up with them Jesus freaks for a few hours for some free food.  Brother was hungry!

I gave them a fake name (told them my name was John), went to their service, pretended that I actually cared, and got my grub on afterward.  They weren't bad people at all; they actually offer other services as well, such as transitional housing, and job searching services.  I was fortune to have met these people, especially because it ended up raining later that day.  I would've been stuck outside, and WET!  They helped me to get into a homeless shelter (at least for the night), where I was able to get some FOOD, take a SHOWER, and sleep in a BED for that night.

Honestly...I wouldn't wish that shelter on ANYBODY!  That was a shelter for people who where primarily dope fiends.  I was glad to shower, and have a bed for the night, but GOOOOOOD DAAAAAAAAMMMMMNNNNN!!!!

To wrap this up....I slept at the shelter that night....they pointed me in the right direction the next morning to get some help...FINALLY got some money in my pocket to buy a bus ticket (the Chinese Bus), and got my black ass back home to NYC on Monday.  Honestly, I KNOW that it was the Creator and the ancestors watching over me.  Too many good and fortunate things happened to me this weekend for it NOT to be the ancestors and Creator.  I've been trying to grow more in the spiritual sense, and apparently I've been able to do that, and see the results this past weekend.

SO....

These were my Adventures In Job Hunting.  I hope that you enjoyed this...and don't do the same stupid shit that I did.  I hope that I get this job, though.  I think I'll enjoy the city a bit more, and a lot better when I do.  Send a prayer out for me!  Or, sacrifice a chicken, or goat or something.....

This has been brought to you by the letter K...
The number 19, 20, 21, and 22,
....And my blog page.



PEACE!!!!!!     

The Chronicles of The Black Fist (Novel)

My latest literary effort, and my FIRST novel!  :D

"Enter the world of Nyerere Lewis, born and raised in New Washington City.  The son of beloved local activists, his world is rocked when they are murdered by the police in a raid, and a race riot sweeps through the city in the aftermath...

   20 years later, Nyerere has grown up, and the city is still plagued with addiction, corruption, criminality, and complacency.  Nyerere wants nothing to do with reviving the community, feeling that the people betrayed his parents' dreams of upliftment.  But, with the slaying of a former mentee of his, he feels that he can no longer stay on the sidelines, and do nothing.  He dons the revolutionary colors, and reeks havoc on all those who would harm this city, criminal or corrupt cop alike..."

Published as a paperback through CreateSpace:
https://www.createspace.com/5341559

Also available in ebook format at Barnes & Noble (Nook), Scribd, Page Foundry, Kobo, and Oyster.
 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-chronicles-of-the-black-fist-kevin-alberto-sabio/1121294609?ean=2940151736237&isbn=2940151736237

https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-chronicles-of-the-black-fist

http://www.inktera.com/store/title/dbb885ee-709b-447c-bd0f-bec7b15c1648

PLEASE SUPPORT!!!!

New Directions

So, I've finally made up my mind.  I've made the decision....

I'm leaving Baltimore, and moving back to my hometown of Brooklyn, NYC.

This decision had actually been a long time coming.  It's been a bittersweet experience out here, somewhat of a struggle.  Of course, it's been MUCH BETTER than my last stopoff in Richmond, VA.  But, I have to chalk up that experience to a learning experience as well.

I stepped down from my position as Interim President of the local chapter of my organization (UNIA), making the announcement in mid March. I had held that position for a good year and a half.  Made some strides, and apparently, made a bit of an impact with some people.  But...it was a fucking headache, and a responsibility that I never wanted.  It gets kinda hard to try to rally troops into battle, and there's no one to follow behind you, or that are willing to put in the work.  If motherf**kers can't at least call you to let you know that they can't/won't show up for a fucking meeting, how can you expect them to help uplift the community by enacting programs, projects, and initiatives?  If people don 't want to join, or support your efforts, then why in the hell bother?

There is just a culture here that I find totally unacceptable.  What sucks even more is, being an outsider, I can see the great potential that Baltimore has.  Things just need to be better organized, and people need to come out and support.  This mediocrity and complacency is what's really keeping this city down (not to mention the HIGH level of ignorance).

In New York, I have people who are willing to work with me...better access to resources...and a community that will support my efforts.  It will be easier for me to promote my books back home; there is a built in audience.  I don't have to worry about convincing people to support my literary work, or have them act like bitches and feel threatened because I'm published.  I don't do that clique shit that I see a lot of here in the south with the so-called 'conscious' community; I'm about the work.  VERY FEW in the so-called 'conscious' community out here in the south (in general) puts in the work, and practices what they preach.  Too many out here preach a particular ideology, and don't even accurately follow it.

I wouldn't say that I've come full circle; there is still much that needs to be done, that I want and need to do.  It's just transitioning to a better environment.  I know what I'm dealing with out there, and who the hell to stay away from.  I can more easily work on promoting my books, and get the work done for my literary/political/cinematic activism.  In the end...it's just BETTER for me at this time.

So, in May, I will be returning to the NYC area, apparently for good.  I'm lining up events and activities to last me through the summer and early fall, hopefully to NEVER return to the corporate workforce.  I want to fully focus on my art and activism for once.

My next, and hopefully final sojourn, will hopefully be out of the United States.  Stay tuned...

In My Lifetime: Funny Stories of Life Experiences

http://outskirtspress.com/inmylifetime/

"Originally meant as a writing exercise to fight through writer's block, IN MY LIFETIME became a creative outlet and a labor of love.  From youth to young adulthood, these stories are meant to, not only make you laugh, but also to inspire...
Via Facebook Notes, this book takes a humorous look at one individual's life, and how you can arise above the bs..."

Celebrating the release of my THIRD book (FINALLY!!!) through my publisher Outskirts Press.  Spread the word, and BUY THE BOOK!  :)

Funny Stories X: End of the series

Was having a problem adding this on to my Facebook page in the Notes section.  since the site wants to act up, I'll just post it here.  This is the very LAST entry of the series.  Of course, it took me FOUR YEARS to write it, lol, lol.  The series was based on experiences that I was going through in 2009, and to get back into my literary flow, I stored writing these snippets about my life.  Considering turNing them into my next book project.  I'll let you guys know how that works out.  ENJOY!!!

"Of All The Girls I Loved Before"

When people ask me about my time living in Richmond, sometimes I get asked if I have any regrets after having lived there for three-and-a-half years. Usually, I tell people that I regret staying there two and a half years too long, considering the sour taste that that place left in my mouth. But, if I have to be honest about regretting one thing about Richmond, it's about a particular lady that I left behind.

Wrote a story about it. Wanna hear it? Like a here it, here it goes...

For those of you familiar with my job at “Da Liquor Sto' ”, I was hating life something serious. The pay and the hours were crap, and my boss at the time was a fucking bitch. Luckily for me, one of my coworkers at the ABC store had a primary job working at one of the local hospitals. She knew that I needed the extra money, and that I wasn't getting it at the crappy job, so she offered to help me get a position at the hospital she worked at. I gladly jumped at the chance to get the hell away from that wretched job, and sent it an application. Considering the fact that I had applied to that same hospital once before and got shot down, I felt that my chances were better this time around now that I was being referred by someone who already worked there, and knows my work ethic. After jumping through a few hoops, and having a few strings pulled, I was hired part time as a PRN (glorified hospital kitchen gopher).

I have to admit, I loved that job! It wasn't so much the work, but I enjoyed my coworkers in my department. We came in, did the dirty work, and had FUN! Every morning while riding the bus on my way to work, I would always hear the theme music to the television show “ER” playing in my head. It was MUCH better than my liquor store job, not to mention that it helped to keep me AWAY from the liquor store. Every day my coworkers and I would joke and laugh, play around, and handle our business with getting the food out to the patients and hospital staff. Other than dealing with the occasional racist ass nurse (and some of them damn kids in our department), I loved that job. The paycheck was consistent, my supervisor “Tee” was cool as hell (not to mention foine!!!), I got THE HELL away from the liquor store, and I got to chill with my best friend at the job.

Let me stick with my best friend at the job for a minute...

“K-Dogg” was cool as all hell. Cat was all types of funny, and made me feel welcome from day one. If I ever felt homesick, I could always count on K-Dogg to make me laugh, reminding me of my peoples that I had back in NY. You never knew WHAT was going to come out of his mouth, especially if he started crackin' on people, especially our coworker Mr. Frank. Those two would go at it all day, every day, and keep us all in stitches. One thing about K-Dogg, though...he had a habit of pointing out certain habits that you have...

I never realized that I had a 'superhero stance' until he pointed it out to me. One day we're running food carts to the different units, and I was waiting for the elevator to go back to the kitchen to get the other carts. Apparently, I was in my 'superhero stance' while waiting for the elevator.

Yo, Kev...I saw Professor X on the third floor. He and the X-Men are gonna be battling Magneto. They want you to meet them up there to help out!

Okay mane, you know what...?!?! [Lip all upturned]

I also never realized how fast I can eat my lunch. Apparently, I can eat my entire lunch tray (entree, big bowl of salad, dessert, and large drink) anywhere between 5 ½ and 6 ½ minutes. Seriously. I know cause K-Dogg timed me! Several times!

Mane, Ima put you in them eating contests! We can win some BIG money. An I'll be your manager...taking my fifteen percent cut of your winnings!

Okay mane, you know what...?!?! [Lip all upturned]

K-Dogg liked and respected me a lot. He respected my political beliefs, and always gave me props for it. Of course, he would crack on me a few times, calling me the lost member of Public Enemy's S1Ws. He would be singing their song, “Fight the Power”, and imitate the dance moves that they would do in the video.

Okay mane, you know what...?!?!? [Lip all upturned]

Other than being a great friend, the best thing that he ever did was to introduce me to her...

Let's call her “Niecey”...

Niecey was one of the cooks in our department. She was also a transplant New Yorker, now living in Richmond. She had moved down several years ago, from the Bronx, and has been in love with the place ever since. Funny thing about me an Niecey...? It took us a while to get together. When I first started working there, we basically had a hi/bye relationship, speaking to each other only when spoken to. She pretty much kept to herself, and I was just trying to feel everybody out (though I was lusting after our supervisor Tee). Not to mention...she wasn't even in my top five of women at the job that I wanted to hook up with (obviously, my supervisor was number one on that list). It wasn't until K-Dogg formally introduced us that we really started talking to each other...

Funny thing about that first meeting. I was working as the pot washer that day, and K-Dogg had gotten us to speak to each other, being on that whole New York vibe. She came over, dropped off her pots for me to wash, and then we had a nice little conversation. Then after our conversation ended, she walked back over to her station, and I noticed something...

????????????

Damn...she got a REALLY nice walk!

That was the beginning of me and Niecey. She was older than me by a few years (okay...more than ten), and was a widow. But the more I got to know her, the more attracted to her I became. And for anybody who knows me, I usually wear my emotions on my sleeve, and let my feelings be know. Hell, my supervisor Tee was one of the first people to encourage me to talk to her like that.

I tried to be discreet in the beginning, but me being me, that act of tact didn't last very long. I ended up kinda putting myself out there one day in front the rest of the staff. It was on one of our weekends that we had to work. Since work is slower on the weekends (depending on the patient count), we have more added time to relax and chill. I was running carts that day with Mr. Frank, while K-Dogg was rotated onto pots. I remember that I was walking around, trying to find something to do until it was time to go pick up the carts. I walked over by Niecey's station, and asked if she wanted me to dump her garbage for her. She just smiled her pretty chocolate smile, and said that I could go with her to dump it.

Hell...I just wanted to spend some time with her. Of course I went!

It's a bit of a trek to get from the kitchen to the dumpster. You have to go through a few twists and turns of the hallways, and a short elevator ride to get there. I was walking along side Neicey, conversating with her along the way. After we turned the second corner, somehow she ended up pulling up ahead of me. That's when I noticed her walk again...

Man...she has a really, really, REALLY nice walk. That thing was swinging EVERY which way!

You send me swiiiiiiiiiiiiiiining! Oh, you send me swingiiiiiiiiiiin!

Hey! If YOU would've seen what I saw....you'd be acting the SAME way too! I started having a Charlie Brown moment at the same time.

Wah wah,wah wah wah waaaaaaaah!

Whatever we were talking about, I soon forgot it, and was too busy focusing on her...walk. Of course, I gave the occasional “uh huh” and “yeah” to let her think that I was paying attention, but I was too busy focusing on her...walk. After we reached the dumpster, I made sure to let her walk ahead of me just a little bit so that I could watch that walk of hers. We make it back to the kitchen, and she heads towards her work station. I'm still focusing on her...walk...when she catches me. She continues talking, stops, turns to me, and responds with, “...Don't you think so?”.

I pause. I finally look up.

She stands there, looking me dead in the eye...trying to hide the smile that I know she wants to wear. Yeah...I saw you looking back there!

BUSSSSSSSTEEEEEEEEEEED!

What could I do? I came clean.

“Okay, I gotta be honest...I ain't hear not one word you was saying...”

Her response? “Uh huuuuuuuuuh...”

“I'm saying though....I was distracted. Can you blame me?”

“Uh huh...okay...”

Niecey just shakes her head, and walks back over to her work station...finally smiling. I go back to my own work area. But not before I hit her with this...

“Hey Niecey...”

“Yeah...?”

“...You have a really nice walk!”

She laughs. “You so silly!”

“Hey...I like what I see!”

Of course, I end up doing that in front of most of my coworkers. I actually had one pull me aside and ask me point blank if I liked Niecey. Quite obviously, I wasn't doing a good job of hiding it. The good thing about it though...everybody like it , and encouraged it. Of course, personally, I wouldn't have given a shit WHO liked it or not; the only thing that I cared about was that I really cared about this woman, and wanted to get to know her better on a more permanent basis.

I wouldn't say that it was a whirlwind romance, but quite obviously, we were very attracted to one another. People had jokes about how I was always around her work area, just leaning around her, flirting, laying on the charm. K-Dogg caught me with a good one once; since sometimes some of the other cooks on staff give Niecey a hard time, I remember making a comment one weekend we worked about taking out anybody that was giving her a hard time during the shift. He started calling me “The Bodyguard” after that, singing Whitney Houston....

And IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII......wiiilll alllllwaaaaaaaays loooooove yooooooooooouuuuuuu....

Okay, really mane?! You know what.....?!?!?! [Lip all upturned.]

Things were going pretty good, and it was obvious that Niecey was just as attracted to me as I was to her. Hell, when I wrote my first book, she was the first person that I showed it to. Despite our age difference, it seemed like I was FINALLY going to have somebody special in my life for a looooong time. But anybody who know about my life, knows that with the good, comes the bad. We ended up hitting a rough patch....

She did something that really hurt my feelings. Not to mention, the job started cutting my hours (officially, I was only a part-time employee), so I was only there a few days a week, working only three hours a day. That really hurt me financially, especially since I had finally left that wretched liquor store job. Not to mention, I was stuck working the evening shift with them damned kids.

If I ever really, really wanted to move the hell out of Richmond, it was right then and there. I wanted out of that place, like last year!

That particular hell lasted almost three months. I was miserable, financially struggling, and now extremely lonely. I stepped up my efforts to move the hell away from Richmond, and get the hell away from this darkness that I was experiencing. I hated having my hours cut, and I hated working with most of those kids even worse. It got to the point that I really, really wanted to walk off the job. I left New York to get away from bullshit like this, and here I was, basically back where I started.

After a while, my hours started to pick back up. Having had my hours cut, Niecey and I really didn't get to see each other. Once my hours started coming back, whatever issues that she had had about us were now nonexistent. Issues be damned, she wanted us to get back to the way we were. It took a bit of effort on her part; I still felt hurt from the way that she had treated me before, and wasn't trying to go through that again. But, slowly but surely, we got back into each other's good graces again. I ended up getting her a few gifts, and even asked her out a few times ( she said maybe...maybe is good; it's not a 'no').

But alas....it didn't last....

One of the jobs that I had applied for in Maryland finally gave me a callback. It paid me more money, it was full time with benefits, NO weekends (which ended up being a lie), and it got me the fuck away from Richmond. Suffice it to say, I jumped at the chance. Now I had to break the bad news to Niecey. Quite obviously she was hurt that I was leaving, but tried to brush it off, and hide it. EVERYBODY knew that she was sad and hurt that I was leaving, and I felt like an ass for doing it. She had already lost her husband, and now that she had finally opened her heart to someone else, I hurt her again by leaving. She was somebody who I could have seen myself with for the rest of my life. Looking back in hindsight, even if I already knew the answer, I should have at least asked her if she wanted to come with me. She deserved as much to have a say in a decision as important as this. I felt like I started something that I knew I couldn't finish, and cheated her out of something better in life, some happiness.

SO....

I gave my two weeks notice, made my plans to move, and said my goodbyes. I got the contact numbers of all the people that I was cool with, and left on my last day with my head held high. Though I don't regret moving out of Richmond, I do regret not trying to make a life with Niecey. I often think about her, and reminisce over our time spent together. Sometimes, I think about hopping on the bus, and making a surprise visit at my old job, just so that I could see her one more time. The least that I could do is apologize to her for the way that I left. I just hope that she's now happy, and in a good relationship with someone who deserves her....

….Or, still be single so that I can have another chance with her.

This has been brought to you by the numbers o9, and 10.

And Facebook.

Forever my lady, (ohhh, yeah!)

It's like a dream...

I'm holding you close, keeping you warm, (Ohhh, ohhhh)

If this is ecstasy.......