What can I say?

I have been so lazy lately. All I have felt like doing is going to the two jobs and reading. I owe ya'll some randoms too. I need to write them down because I make myself laugh with my thought processes.


I am currently in Atlanta, Georgia at the National Book Club Conference for the weekend. Got here yesterday about 4 pm. Had a little rain, but not too much, what got me was the 32 miles of construction from right after the Georgia line and 15 miles out of ATL. Ugh! I wanted to scream and speed. Driving 50 mph on the interstate is like driving standing still. Then when I finally get to ATL getting downtown allowed me to be aggressive and I didn't let the traffic work my nerves. What? I was ready to kick someone's azz after driving in slow motion for 32 miles.



The hotel is the same as last year's NBCC, but without the church group of last year. OMG! The service and the elevator use has been great. Seriously, ATL is allowing me to be great. But, um this dayum rain is a mess. I haven't been able to walk to Centennial Park or anything. Hopefully, tomorrow I will be able to. Did I mention the service here has been impleccable. Loves it!


(Me & Author Eric Pete)


The NBCC is much more organized. I had my doubts, but again ATL is allowing me and NBCC be great! The authors, the readers and the panels today have been just wonderful. It began with the Bebe Campbell Award, but they did a short memoriam for E. Lynn Harris by authors Clarence Nero, Tracie Howard, Kimberla Lawson Roby and Terry McMillan. I cried just a little bit. Then Bertice Berry the receipient got up there and sang, preached and spoke on it! I love her! Last time I saw her, she told me to "Let Love Love Me." I have never forgotten it. I hope I can get my picture with her. I also got to meet author Eric Pete. He is so genuine and just humble. He was gracious and frankly he made it for me today because he really loves his fans. Talking with him before the event was nice. I met other authors and let me tell you the Black Pain panel is the highlight of my experience here. Terrie Williams is so kind and warm she allows you deal with the pain and she knows what it feels like to deal with mental illness. Lovely panel. I hope they do this panel again.

FYI - I retightened this week. Hair looks good!





More to come later! Missed you guys!

Some More Pictures from Memphis...

I'll be back later this week with some commentary...

MEMPHIS IS ALLOWING ME TO BE GREAT!...

Memphis has been great fun. Last night we visited the legendary Rendevous. Babee, it was the business. The ribs were absolutely delicious. Made me wonder why we have moved so far away from grilling food over charcoal. Absolutely, yummy.

Today we decided to eat lunch at the Neely's. Babee, the food was good. Large portions and great flavor. I even got to see one of Pat Neely's brothers, don't ask me his name. He was cute in person. I had hoped Pat and Gina would be in the restaurant, but alas it was not to be. I kinda wanted to take a pic with the brother, but that would have been a bit awkward.

On a different note, the homeless population around here is something serious. Very sad.

Hope you are having a wonderful 4th of July!

I just saw one of Pat Neely's brothers. The one with the long ponytail!

I'm On Vacation...

I am on vacation. I have been quite busy lately and it looks like my summer will continue to be that way. I am going to do a tribute to Michael Jackson, but when I am sad it is sometimes hard for me to write and that seems to be the case. I also plan to do a Random's edition, just not sure when. Believe you and me there are a lot of questions twirling in my mind since I began my vacation on yesterday. Here are some highlights:

• We couldn't check in befoe three so we decided to check out Memphis' world famous chicken joint, Gus's Fried Chicken. The chicken was great, delicious, piping hot, but the service sucked monkey balls. Real talk.


• The folks in Memphis are friendly and welcoming. This isn't my first time here, but each time I am always reminded how genuine the people truly are.


• We went to the National Civil Rights Museum. I cried a little bit through the 30 minute documentary, "Witness". Seeing Dr. King in pictures as he did his Mountaintop speech and how overwhelmed he was struck a cord within me. He knew he was going to die and that sermon basically allowed him to preach the fear from his heart as his time was drawing near. Yep, sat right there in the little theater with tears flowing.


• Ate at BB King's on Beale Street. My 5 year old niece got on stage doing her air guitar thing. Too funny!

So far vacation has been great.