Back in the Saddle
Art by pwdro
Today, we experience a Venus Cazimi—a rare astrological event that last happened 150 years ago. You can read more about it here. It’s a great day for love, connection, beauty, and pleasure, but I will most likely be watching UFC 280 and praying for bloodshed when you open this newsletter up.
I’m still integrating information from my shroom trip, but I feel like I’m firmly back in the saddle. Noticed my basketball shooting skills improve dramatically, a greater sense of ease, relaxation, and overall focus. Easier to tap into a flow and rhythm than before. And my writing flows somewhat easier. A great weight has definitely been lifted off my shoulders.
Last Sunday, I read a portion of Black Gypsies at Stories Books and Cafe in LA. It was a fun time. I cracked open a beer beforehand—Stone Cold Steve Austin’s Broken Skull. It was an underwhelming lager and I thought it would hit harder. Before I took my first sip, I thought of the times Stone Cold threw back beers, guzzling them down in a masculine rage, steel chairs slamming down on an opponent’s head, and middle fingers waving like defiant flags in the WWF. Nowhere close to what I had in my mind. I was hoping the beer would take the edge off since I felt the ghost of nerves creeping up on me.
Everyone was killing it.
I was summoned to the stage like a literary deity after Adam Johnson finished reading a section of Cialis, Verdis, Gin, Jag. I felt pretty confident walking up, but it had been years since I’d done a public reading and Gabriel Hart pumped me up. The audience was primarily white and I was reading from a very black book full of slang and me saying nigga a million times so I wasn’t sure how it would land with the crowd. Luckily, I fell into a good rhythm and had a good sense of command while reading the chapter. A vein of anxiety ran through my left leg and my hand shook a little bit, but I got a grip on myself and swatted that shit away.
I had a slight full-circle moment while I was up there. I distinctly remembered teachers in middle school and high school forcing me to read short stories in front of the class. Back then I had no interest whatsoever in being a writer, but I had the juice and those early instances were good practice sessions, which helped sharpen my skills. I’m thankful for those early readings. You never know what muscles you’re in the process of building when you’re in the trenches.
The audience laughed at the right parts and was thoroughly engaged the entire time. I received good feedback and people felt like I knocked it out of the park. A couple of attendees bought copies of Black Gypsies after the reading and the bookstore bought the rest to sell in the store, which surprised me. I’m incredibly happy to know you can pick up my baby out here.
Also, chopped it up with YouTuber and writer Ben Shore who interviewed me after the reading and recording everyone. So of course I’ll post some footage here when I have it. I even gave some writing advice about first drafts. All in all, a major success and a major W for the night.
I grabbed some drinks with fellow writers Adam Johnson and John Padula following the reading at this cool joint called Spirit House (how fitting). It’s a cool moody bar that you can only find in the cut. I had some mango mojitos, which were great and well-made. Talked that secret writer talk.
Gabriel Hart who put together the event was super kind and also interviewed me over at Litreactor with a series of great & engaging questions. You can read it at the link above or here. Also, I’m very happy about this because Litreactor is pretty well-known and it’s been a goal of mine to get into this publication for years. And here we are. Big tings to come…
This has been an interesting week…two different friends of mine (who read this newsletter) offered/invited me to writing retreats in the near future. I’m definitely interested and it’s strange yet attractive since it seems like kismet. I just have to figure out the logistics, but I know I would get some great writing done. Also, I’m planning on making it to some book conventions next year.
On the writing front, I knocked out a short story, figured out some internal mechanics of Project Bullet Baby, and fell in love with Project Melancholy again. I’m having a lot of fun writing and stretching my muscles. Since I have a good amount of new subscribers, these are codenames for books I’m working on. I don’t really have a book called Project Bullet Baby, but you can’t put anything past me.
Currently Watching: Moon Knight & Ozark Season 1 & House of the Dragon Season 1 & Atlanta Season 4
Will I ever finish Moon Knight?!? Stay tuned.
Currently Reading: Ill Behavior by M. Steven S. & God Damn Chainsaw Murderer by Sean M. Thompson & Nudes by Elle Nash & Chainsaw Man by Tatsuki Fujimoto & Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes
Currently Smoking: Girl Scout Cookies
Currently Listening to: Black Tapes Podcast & The Danny Brown Podcast
Kenny Mason is one of my favorite young rappers in the game. He always bares his soul and “HALOS” is no different. Plus, the bitch switch half-way through is heavenly. On a side note, Mason needs to take some irish sea moss to clear up his sinuses.
$NOT comes through with a lethargic yet smooth flow over “Simple.” It’s cool record even though the visuals seem like a blatant rip-off of Eem Triplin’s aestichetics combined with Kanye visuals. I know Triplin is featured in the video, but still…
Big Sosa has been on a helluva run this year with his musical output and he’s not letting up anytime soon, especially with cuts like “Racks stuffed inna couch.” He’s super energized, dropping outlandish bars over a hectic trap beat.
Reese LAFLARE is one of those rappers who’s been on his own wave for years and bigger acts like Drake tend to leech off of. La Flare has aligned forces with DJ Drama and this is an infectious record. Even found a way to have Danny Trejo make an appearance.
Until next time…
Man, I wish you were local. I can never get other writers to watch fights with me.