Astro Corps [EXCERPT]

 Trying to get my writing mojo back.  So...as an exercise to get back into the habit of writing, I'm going to post some excerpts of ideas that I have.  Hope that you enjoy....

The stars of deep space illuminate the sector, aided by various nebulae that dot the interstellar landscape in the distance. This quiet serenity almost has a peaceful feel to it, were it not harboring some deep dark secrets, and other nefarious intentions behind it.  Something was amiss, and a wrong needed to be righted...

 

Space Station Gallagher floats along her merry way, as a multitude of spacecraft enter and exit her ports.  Formerly an asteroid mined for her mineral ore, it was decided that, once her supply was exhausted, rather than allowing it to uselessly float through space, they could make use of it's cavernous cavity, and turn the empty hunk of rock into a space station.  Known primarily as a transfer point and refueling station for the member worlds of the Intergalactic Astral Alliance, she also serves as an installation for the military component of the Alliance; the Astro Corps.  Various classes of spaceship and star cruisers orbit the station, or are docked in her ports.  One such star cruiser currently sits in one of her ports, in dire need of repair of both her body and crew....

Commander Angelinda Santos sits in her quarters, her cinnamon face illuminated by the screen of her holo-computer.  She diligently works at her computer station, mercilessly tapping away at her keyboard, trying to finish her reports.  She briefly pauses, and wearily sighs, rubbing her bleary eyes, tired from staring at holo-screens all day.  She was a long way from Earth, and was glad to be away from the planet; being back in space was where she belonged.  She wanted to be back on a star cruiser bridge, not riding a desk at Earth HQ, being at the admiral's beck and call.  It kind of sucks when the military is your family business, and certain relatives can make or break your career on a whim.  Unfortunately, her career path ended up being collateral damage because of a war that was brewing within the family.  She was on a steady career path to becoming the captain of her own ship before turning 31, before all the drama started to happen.  She ended up getting yanked from her position as a tactical officer at her old interstellar unit, reassigned to being a paper pusher at the United Nations of Earth HQ.  Angelinda still bristles at the humiliation of it, all because of the actions of another family member...

Angelinda shakes the thoughts of animosity out of her head.  She needed to focus on the job at hand.  The one benefit of working at HQ was being able to come across the case that she was now helping with.  The crew of the United Alliance Star Cruiser Vindicator were being tried for mutiny against her captain.  The Vindicator had gotten into a nasty firefight with three other allied ships; a Simiantaren science vessel, and two Feralisian combat ships that had come to it's aid after the shooting started.  For whatever reason, the Vindicator's captain Don Parker had made the decision to open fire on the science vessel, unprovoked.  The Simiantaren scientists pleaded with him to cease fire, eventually sending out a distress signal.  When the two Feralisian battle cruisers arrived, that's when things got really ugly, when Captain Parker decided to turn, and fire on them.  Had the Vindicator's junior officers, along with the ship's XO, not mutinied, and taken over the ship, surrendering to the Feralisians, there might not have been a ship left to tow back to the station. 

 

Angelinda had heard of Captain Don Parker, and was not a fan of the man.  Though he had a celebrated and storied 35 year career with the Astor Corps, full of accolades and commendations, she felt that he was a hot head, and the worst purist she'd ever met.  He had an unbridled hatred for XTs that she could not fathom, and despised anything not human, or from Earth. From what evidence she could gather, he ran his ship like a frat house, full of cronyism and nepotism.  Humans were promoted over XTs, and Colonials were treated as if they were second-class citizens, beneath Earth-born humans.  Many under his command were made to feel miserable, if they didn't believe and feel the same way he did, and their tours on his ship were made to feel long and unbearable.  Angelinda wondered how the ship was able to function, under conditions like that.  There was no place for that kind of thinking on a military ship; it wasn't efficient, or effective.  Once she began her investigation of the ship and her crew, she immediately contacted the JAG officer for the defense, siding with the junior officers; much to the chagrin of her superiors; her family included.  Her parents were not happy with her decision, and let it be known.  They had already done enough to damage her career, up to this point; what did she have to lose.  Angelinda had made plans to catch the next transport out, and help the defense team.

 

Justice had been swift, and the decision had be handed down; the Vindicator's XO and junior officers had been found not guilty of treason, mutiny, conduct unbecoming, and disobeying a direct order.  They all breathed a heavy sigh of relief, fearful of facing jail time, and having their careers ruined and ended.  Captain Don Parker, on the other hand, was found guilty of dereliction of duty, and conduct unbecoming an officer.  To say that he was infuriated is beyond an understatement, needing to be restrained from going after the panel of judges, his pale face all snarled up, and contorted.   Angelinda was glad to see him get what she felt he rightfully deserved; he was an embarrassment to the uniform, and didn't deserve his command.

Angelinda wearily sighs again, and finally shuts off her holo-computer.  She smooths out her coarse brown hair, pulling it back into a neat puff ball.  She then rises, smooths out her uniform, and turns around, heading for the wall screen.  She steels herself for what had to come next...

"...-Computer", she commands, "Open a channel to Astro Corps Command, Earth Division!"

 

The Astro Corps insignia projects on the center of the screen, with the 'stand by' icon flashing under it.  Moments later, she sees an identical looking coffee face staring back at her; much older, and wearing the same uniform, accented with gold shoulder pads, and a short gold cloak.  Angelinda crisply salutes the face, holding her own stoic gaze.  "...Admiral Santos", she barks, "Commander Angelinda Santos reporting in".  Nilda just flashes her a tired smile, amused by her formality.

 

"...So formal today, are we, dear?"

"...-Please address me by my rank, Admiral."

"Would it be so hard for us to talk like mother and daughter for once, dear?"

"Motherrrrrrr", Angelidna begins to angrily whine, through grit teeth.

"...Fine, fine...", Nilda wearily replies, "Please proceed...commander." 

"The trial against the Vindicator's crew have been concluded.  These are the results, and my findings..."

 

To Be Continued.....

 

 

 

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!

Reflections: My 200th Blog Post

I wanted to do something for my 200th blog post, but I couldn't really find a topic to talk about.  So, naturally, I'll just reflect on this blog, and my writing career in general.

It's been at least five years since I started this blog.  I started it in conjunction with the release of my second book, Raise Your Brown Black Fist 2: MORE Political Shouts of an Angry Afro Latino (Outskirts Press, 2011), back in 2011.  I did it as a way to supplement my writing career, and to help promote my political activism (as well as my books).  I can't really say how successful I've been since starting this blog, but I have surprisingly been able to reach a number of people that I never even knew existed, or expected to know that I existed.  I've posted excerpts, thoughts, rants, reports, and promoted numerous events (as well as my book releases) on this blog.  I'm surprised to have reached 200 posts, considering how skeptical I was at starting a blog.  I didn't want it to be something that I was inconsistent with, and rarely participated in; that would bode badly for me, and my writing career.  But, here I am, promoting my 200th post.  That's tenacity for you.

The journey was long.  I've always wanted to artistically express myself, ever since I was a child.  I thought that I'd found my calling during my junior high school years back in the mid 80s, when I'd wanted to be a comic book artist/writer.  Of course, reality slapped me in the face really hard back then; at that time, you only had the big two to work for, and it was very hard to get into either company.  Image hadn't been formed yet, and Vertigo, Dark Horse, and Valiant Comics were just starting up, and trying to make a name for themselves.  Not to mention, my artwork just didn't measure up to what was out there imho, especially compared to the comics that I collected.  That dream died a horrible death.

My next incarnation as a writer was that of a screen writer.  I'd actually fallen into that by accident.  I was definitely feeling lost, having lost my ambition to be a comic book artist/writer, and basically floated by the next few years.  It was the result of a class assignment for one of my business classes (I'd attended a vocational high school) during junior year, in which we were supposed to write an advertisement for a product. My product...?  A commercial for a TV sitcom.  My project impressed my teacher so much, she suggested to me that, if I chose to attend college, that I should take up Communications (Film & Television, specifically) because she though that I would really be able to excel in that field creatively.  Thoroughly excited, that was what I pursued.  I'd basically spent (or, should I say, wasted?) the rest of my teens and 20s pursuing that goal.  I'd written about this in my third book In My Lifetime: funny Stories of Life Experiences (Outskirts Press, 2014).  I've written dozens of scripts; feature-length films, episodic television (hour long dramas, sitcoms), and even a few animated series.  The only problem was trying to get my projects produced.

You see...film making/television production is very much a collaborative effort, meaning that you need the help of others to produce your project.  I'd held up my end of the bargain by being the story teller; it was now up to the other person to help push that story along.  I'd reached out to everyone that I could; agents, screenwriting contests, independent production companies created by Black actors...no dice on any of those fronts.  I even tried to work with knuckleheads that took classes at DFA (Digital Film Academy), or at the New York Film Academy.  I wasn't some snob who was above doing a guerrilla-style production with a (fellow) novice filmmaker; I just wanted to see my script become a reality on the big screen.  Unfortunately, no one bit; I kept running into arrogant-assed, Oreo filmmakers who thought that they were better than me, even though they had absolutely no resume to backup their ego.  By the time my early 30s hit, I was done with the whole thing.  I moved out of New York, and headed for greener pastures....

I moved down south (Virginia, to be exact), and spent the next eight years there.  I got more involved in activism, and started doing some other writing.  I'd worked for an online magazine (that I basically put on the map with my writing), and worked closely with the local chapter of a Pan African organization.  I'd gotten involved with other writers (novelists, this time), and learned a great deal about the publishing industry.  I ended up having a falling out with the people at the e-magazine I wrote for, and ended up quitting/"got fired" as the result of a nasty falling out, and eventually left the local chapter of that Pan African organization.  After writing a few online posts on Facebook, I eventually learned about P.O.D. publishing, and published my first book Raise Your Brown Black Fist: The Political Shouts of an Angry Afro Latino (Authorhouse, 2010).  From that point on, I'd left Virginia for Maryland, spent four more years out there, and then eventually moved back to New York in 2014 with three books, and a focus to become a fulltime writer.

Things haven't gone exactly the way that I wanted them to the last few years.  Honestly, I've struggled.  A LOT!!!  MIGHTILY!!!  People who I thought were my friends, ended up not being friends, and have been summarily cut off.  The good thing that I can say about this experience, is that I've created more books, furthering my writing career.  I enjoy being a writer; I just hate the nonsupport, and phony people.  You work your ass off to promote your projects, and people tend to brush you off like a child doing some busy work to stay out of their face, never paying you any mind.

So now...I'm working on another book project, and am focusing on relocating to another city.  I'm hoping to be out of here after the new year of 2017.  My luck always did improve when I was living in another city outside of New York.  Off to better and more opportunities, and better, greener pastures.  Wish me luck...and buy a few copies of my books.

Keep the fist raised!!!!

 

         

"AfroLatinos: The Untaught Story" film screening 7-16-2015

I was lucky and honored to have been able to attend a film screening for the documentary film/series "AfroLatinos: The Untaught Story", screened at Subrosa in the West Village.  I had been aware of the film/series since around 2007-08, when I was writing for an an online e-magazine at the time.  They were promoting the film for the producers (Alicia Anabel Santos, and Renzo Devia), and I just knew that I had to come out and support them.  I've been lucky enough to establish a friendship with the producers/directors of the film since that time.

They had had an earlier screening for the film as part of this year's Afro Latino Festival NYC, but I was unfortunately unable to attend that particular screening.  I was able to get tickets for this particular screening, and attended with one of my closest friends, Robert Oriyama'at.  I was also lucky enough to see a few other friends attending the screening as well, and finally get the chance to meet a few people in person.

The film is WONDERFUL!!!  It was originally supposed to encompass 7 hours of footage, each hour to be it's own individual episode in the series; but even in it's currently condensed form of 90 minutes, it still made an impact.  They only screened an hour of it, a teaser if you will, and it left us wanting more.  The entire crowd was thoroughly satisfied, and really appreciative of the film.

It was especially wonderful for me, having always been a strong supporter of the project, ever since I found out about it.  I was lucky enough to have met Alicia three years ago at the first Afro Latino Festival NYC.  Last night was the first time that I got to meet Renzo in person, and it was well worth it.  It's great to be able to connect with people that you respect, admire, and support.  The plan now, is for the producers to take the film on the road, and do a college tour, screening the film on various campuses.  After that, the plan is to take the film abroad to Latin America, and hopefully have it air on television.  

If the film comes to a campus near you, PLEASE go out and see it!  It is very informative, and thoroughly enlightening and entertaining.  Please support the producers and the film.  They are telling OUR stories from OUR perspective, giving us a voice.

The Consortium of Afro Latino Communities 2015: Black History Month Joint Book Signing

Once again...IT'S ON!!!!

Come celebrate Black History Month with the Afro Latino experience!!! 

The Consortium of Afro Latino Communities:
Black History Month Book Signing

Featuring authors Kevin Sabio, Clarissa Mendez, and Robert Oriyama'at.

Saturday, February 21, 2015
La Casa Azul Bookstore
143 East 103rd Street  (East Harlem)
5pm to 7pm

FREE!!!!

The authors will be discussing their literary works, and about their activism; giving visibility to the once invisible, and voice to the formerly voiceless.

Clarisaa Mendez; "The Empowered Woman"
Kevin Sabio: "In My Lifetime"
Robert Oriyama'at: "Heaven O Hell: Black Omen" 


Representing for the International Decade of the Afrodescendant!!!

The Chronicles of The Black Fist!!! (upcoming book excerpt)

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End-of-Year Progress Report

So as 2014 comes to a close, I have a few upcoming events and initiatives that I'm working on.  This year didn't go exactly as I'd planned, not to mention ending on a bit of a weak note.  But hopefully, the new energies of the new year will help to bring me greater prosperity.

I'm trying to continue to do the joint book signing tour that I had started organizing this fall.  I have three potential dates already; I'm just awaiting confirmation from the establishments that we/I contacted.  I was severely disappointed with how the tour went this fall, with us having to cancel most of the dates because of the incompetence of the local Parks and Rec department in some of the other boroughs.  Hopefully, we can officially book those dates, and move on from there.  We're also trying to book some events that are OUT of NYC; we didn't have too positive of an experience in our own hometown, and so we're looking to get some recognition elsewhere.

On a more personal note...I've just recently completed writing my very first novel!  It's an action adventure piece I'm calling "Chronicles of the Black Fist".  I'm going through the editing process right now, and I hope to have it published by early Spring.  This time around though, I might have to hire a cover artist to do the cover for my book.  I know how I want it to look, but I just don't have the necessary artistic skills to do it myself.  Once the book is published, I know of a few book fairs and comic book conventions that I want to take it to, to promote it.

Once the novel starts going through the final publishing stages, I'll post pictures and excerpts of the book here.  Also, once the dates have been confirmed for the book signing appearances, I'll post the image of the flyer(s) here as well. It's all about staying on your grind. I'm hoping to keep pace with my goal to publish four books in five years.  I'll probably just focus on the publicity of the books after that, and then go wherever the Creator directs me afterward.

So, here's to the new year, and the new energies that come with them!  Wish me luck, and thanks for the continued support!!!  :)

Uhuru sase, y paz!!!

    

Proyectos Futuros (Future Projects)

The one question the writers/authors get frequently asked, especially either during an interview or a book signing, is this....

So, what are you working on now...?

What's my response to this question....?  What am I not working on?

Currently, I'm still writing several screenplay projects.  Film and television has always been my first love, so I continue to write my cinematic stories.  I'm working on several new projects, as well as trying to finish a few others that I've temporarily put on hold.  I still have several TV series projects that I have yet to write the pilot out, and only have in treatment form.  There are others that I want to continue to write out additional episodes, and at least complete a first season. At the same time, I'm considering getting together a writing team to do those projects...

On the literary front...I'm working on three fiction novels.  One is an Afrocentric sci-fi space opera, in which I've actually posted an excerpt of it here on this blog.  Another novel is an action/adventure project about a community activist-turned-crime fighter; also excerpted as an entry in this blog.  The third project is another sci-fi action/adventure project that deals with the Earth defending itself from an oncoming alien invasion, using the aliens' own technology against them (a la Robotech).  That one I plan to turn into a series....   

Lastly....I am currently writing PART THREE of the "Raise Your Brown Black Fist" book series.  I have finally figured out the direction that I wanted to go in with this particular book.  Now that I am back in New York, I have access to the materials and information that I need to complete the book.  This book will be the most ambitious of the three, and I hope to complete it and have it published by the end of next year (2015).  I was kinda hoping to stick to the schedule that I gave to myself to have published at least four books in five years.

Meanwhile....I'm still trying to get my grind on by getting my books stocked in bookstores, and doing more book signings, festivals, and speaking engagements.

Stay tuned for more!  :)

Afro Puerto Rican Poet Not4Prophet appearing in Baltimore January 24th

Not4Prophet: Last of the Po’ Ricans y Otros Afro-Artifacts

Friday January 24, 7:30PM @ Red Emma's

With wrenching immediacy, not4Prophet’s debut collection, LAST OF THE PO’RICANS Y OTRAS AFRO-ARTIFACTS, provides an incredible verbal and musical profusion of poetry that reflects the cultural landscapes of the perpetual islands of Puerto Rican and New York City through the eyes of a Puerto Rican born in Ponce, living in El Barrio, Brooklyn and the Bronx. As he elaborates this “otherness,” which includes the hassles of poverty, racial pride and racial discord, Not4Prophet pays homage to the old school cats from the Nuyorican and Black Arts movements. Written in free verse and layered with cultural and historical references, LAST OF THE PO’RICANS breaks boundaries and challenges us with iconic imagery and word play that dares to speak of the unspeakable.

About Not4Prophet:

NOT4PROPHET was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico and raised in East Harlem and the South Bronx in New York City. He is a community activist, underground-Hip Hop MC, street-soul-slinger or singer of sorts, graffiti writer/vandal, off-peak-hours actor and last but never least, a poor (mans) poet and barrio bard.

When not4Prophet read Piri Thomas’ Down These Mean Streets at ten years old, he was encouraged and inspired to read other old school writers from the Nuyorican Poets Movement. In time, he began scratching out his own “puerto-poems” on napkins, toilet paper, and whatever else was handy and wasn’t a wall or anyone’s particular private property.

not4Prophet has released several indie music cds, two self-published poetry chapbooks, and his work has been featured in a few books and magazines as well. He currently teaches “resistance writing” to those identified as homeless folks at the Homeless Organizing Academy located in the South Bronx section of New York City.

Red Emma's Bookstore

30 W. North Avenue

Baltimore, Md

Friday, January 24, 2014,  7:30pm

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.......