The Prodigal Sun

Doing Lunch with a Diva

When we speak about the blog community, we are usually speaking in terms of cyberspace. Rarely do bloggers ever know each other in person. We may exchange email addresses, chat id's, sometimes even telephone numbers... but despite feeling like we 'know' the person on the other end, we have never 'met' them in the traditional sense. Some live too far, some we think are a little too crazy to invite into our real lives... and others like to keep their cyberspace anonymity going for reasons of their own.

But one of my blog buddies from NYC, DJ DIVA, is as real as it gets. She is funny, silly, smart, street, sweet and all around cool as hell- and cute to boot. I was hooked on her blog from the first few visits as she talked about her life as a single mother of twins, working, going to school, and dating (usually the source of most of the humor...lol) So when Miss DJ Diva got a job in CT, we were just too close not to hang out in the real world.

Our lunch date almost didnt happen because I was a little upset about some personal drama I had the night before with someone important to me, who I realized had no idea about the quality of my character... and basically didnt really know me at all. (I may or may not decide to share that at some point...) but, I needed a pick-me-up, and Miss DJ Diva was just what the doctor ordered.

DJ Diva is every bit as lively and fun in person as she comes across on her blog. She had me crackin up from the moment she sat in my car. We had lunch in this 'high saditty' little italian place. She even had me crackin up talkin about the food. We both ordered the same thing, but when the plates came with a chicken filet with an erect bone sticking out of it, a quarter of a potato and garnishes around the plate we both took a look at the plates before us and busted out laughing. She was like... wheres the vegetable? Where is the starch? Is this little potato it? And whats up with this boner in my chicken? lol

We just laughed and talked... and laughed some more. From joking about our dating lives, to our own life experiences, to sex, (or lack thereof...lol) to just about everything else you can think of. There wasn't a dull moment the entire time we were together. Like I said, it was just what I needed. It took my mind off of my personal drama and helped me focus on enjoying the moment. Life is too short to wallow in negativity.

What it helped me appreciate most is that sometimes people you only 'know' through the internet can have a better idea about the quality of your character than someone who sees you in real life that interacts with you daily. Life is weird that way.

Anyway, I had a great time with Miss DJ Diva, and look forward to doing it again. Thanks for the pick-me-up, cutey. :-)

Counter-balancing the Freak...

Based on my last post, most of you are probably thinking that I am a cyberfreak. To be honest, I probably am. But ironically, despite my whole premise that camming isnt cheating, I have never cammed when I was in a relationship. You might deduce that I, too, believed it was cheating subliminally, but the truth of the matter is... when you have steady sex partner... there isnt a need for camming.

So anyway, to counter the display of my freakier side, I will talk about some of my more intellectual endeavors. This week I attended my boy Derrick L. Briggs' book club discussion which featured noted author, lecturer, political activist and reality tv star, Keith Boykin, where we reviewed his book, 'Beyond the Downlow'. As with the last book club meeting, where we conversed about Dr. Ian Smith's murder mystery novel 'The Blackbird Papers', this gathering was filled with inciteful and profound discussion. The book itself counters many of the myths spread by J.L. King's book 'On the Downlow' with real data that is verifiable. Keith's insight was eye-opening and educational. And he has a way of expressing his ideas in a very clear concise way.

The discussion didnt stop there. It ventured into AIDS awareness, and prevention. One of the things mentioned by Keith is that we are always good at articulating problems that we see in our communities, but we rarely take it a step further to figure out solutions. He asked thought provoking questions that forced us to do just that. Think of ways to address the issues. With that he challenged us to 'Be the change we wish to see' in our communities, as No4real4real so aptly stated it.

I left the book discussion group filled with a new sense of purpose, and felt invigorated to be in association with a collection of such intelligent driven successful black folk. It was a great feeling.

So... I may be a freak. Ok. So what? At least I am a well-rounded freak. My freak tendencies are balanced out by my other interests and endeavors. Isn't that what everyone wants anyway? A freak in the sheets but a Grown Azz Intelligent Man in the streets? Or was that a thug in the streets?

Who knows... but I am a good catch gott damn it! Ya'll betta recognize!