Inspiration, Words and Unsung Heroes

One of the most beautiful things about writing is inspiration can come from just about anything. Ever since I fell in love with writing as a kid, the slightest details, the most minute, find ways to inspire me to write something about them.

It can be a sentence, or two, a paragraph or a few, it doesn't matter. When it hits, the words just come out. Whether the writing is any good or not is secondary. As long as it's from the heart and soul, you're straight.

Inspiration can come from people, and there are times when I will draw on people in my life and write about them. It can be a personality trait about them that they barely think about, but that person fascinates the shit outta me, which means that trait will do the same. The fascination can be in a brief moment, or long-lasting, but if it's there, and there's a piece of paper and a pen around, Imma get what I need to say out of my soul.

It can throw people for a loop when a question goes outta nowhere and I get it. However, the one thing I've noticed is the people I know who have an appreciation for words, who love them and are fascinated by the way they can be used for interpretation, are the ones who get it...truly get it. There are no ulterior motives outside of wanting to get something out in the universe for whoever's eyes they manage to cross, and when a source of inspiration is used to get to that point, it's not so much the words that should get all of the praise; moreso, it's the source of them, the source a writer draws from. In a way, they're the unsung heroes in any tale that's worth being told.

3/12/14 @ 8:08 P.M.

Lost

I'm totally lost...in a book.

If I'm going to be lost, and I am, there's no place I'd rather be.

9/25/13 @ 3:44 P.M.

Detour

Well, I picked up another book, unplanned not too long after I picked up Sundeen's, but it didn't work out like the last unplanned pick-up did. While I think the book has its purpose, it isn't clicking with me now. With that, Imma start reading The Bourne Trilogy tonight. Since it's one of the ones that was on my initial list, it's about time to knock those joints on out.

7/20/13 @ 10:58 P.M.

Embrace The Unexpected

So I have my list of books for summer reading, and while I was reading The Great Gatsby in the bookstore, I stumbled upon a book called The Man Who Quit Money, by Mark Sundeen. It wasn't on my list; hell, I never heard of the book in my life. I was simply taking a break from reading to get up, stretch my legs and walk around for a bit before getting back to my table with not enough leg room, and it was just sitting there in a section at the bookstore.

Note: I spent three of my five vacation days in three different bookstores in three different cities. I wanted to make it a perfect 5-for-5, but I dropped the ball today and yesterday. Anyway...

...even though I have about 6-7 books already waiting on me to read, I bought Sundeen's anyway. Something was telling me to get the joint. I saw the cover, looked at it carefully, read the back cover, and just bought it on a whim.

I read that book in a day. It was that awesome.

Now I'm back to reading what was on my initial list that I came up with a while back. Hopefully, I won't get sidetracked again, but if I do and it's as dope as The Man Who Quit Money is, then I won't complain.

7/8/13 @ 10:44 P.M.

Feeding The Beast: Summer Reading

My mind is starting to wander...and when that happens, it's time to fill it with some nutritious brain food.

Summer Reading List:

West By West: My Charmed, Tormented Life

Wilt: Larger Than Life

The Bourne Identity

The Bourne Supremacy

The Bourne Ultimatum

Doc: The Rise And Rise Of Julius Erving

The Great Gatsby

Esquire The Handbook Of Style: A Man's Guide To Looking Good


When I'm not in the gym, or at work, I'll be reading.

For fun.

6/17/13 @ 8:04 P.M.

Reading is FUN-damental

I'm back in my groove with books.

I just finished Sweetness and learned a lot about The Great Walter Payton that I didn't know. Jeff Pearlman did a damn good job of bringing Payton, and his various sides, to life. It's a good one and certainly worth checking out. Plus, it didn't hurt that the book was sent to me for free.

Next up is Pay it Down, by Jean Chatzky. I'm not the greatest at managing money, so I figured the best thing to do is to learn from someone who is an expert in the field. Besides, it's not necessarily long, page-wise, but I'm hoping there's plenty to gain from it, and that I'll be better for it than I am right now.

After that, there's Falling Man, by Don DeLillo. I'm really looking forward to reading this one. Hopefully, I'll start it sometime this week. We'll see how that goes.

And after THAT, I'll get to John Carlos' autobiography, with Dave Zirin. Carlos is one of my heroes, and he, along with Tommy Smith, inspired me to fly to California to pay my respects to the statue on San Jose State's campus. It was one of the greatest days of my life, and I can't wait to pick his book up and see the words come to life.

Reading is fundamental, indeed. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Irresponsible

I committed an irresponsible act today. I went to the bookstore with the intentions of finishing the Johnny Cash autobiography that I've been bullshittin' around with for far too long.

After paying for my Caramel Macchiato and one of those big-ass Reese's Pieces peanut butter cookies, I took a stroll around Barnes and Noble to see what they had that would catch my eye.

Immediately, I was drawn to a book called The Autobiography of an Execution by David Dow. As is the case with previous books, I picked it up, was intrigued by the description, and put it back on the shelf, while making a mental note to buy it later.

For some reason though, I picked the book back up and headed to my table with it, opened it up, and flipped through the first two pages...

...two hours later, I was still reading it. The book started getting creased up, pages were bending, the whole nine. Once I realized I was reading it that long, and totally neglecting the one I brought with me, I put it back where I found it and left.

It's irresponsible, because I know reading a book that long = go ahead and buy. However, I didn't do so, and because of that, I feel like an asshole.

Sorry, Barnes and Noble. Next time I come in there, I'll buy the book. I promise.

6/9/11 @ 12:32 A.M.

Intimate

Embedded...laid up together, with scant sounds. The scene's too vivid. This can't be real...and even though it's not in my visual, it's something I can still see and totally feel.

Sounds of The Root playing in the back, while you lay between my legs, nestled close, your glass of wine on the side, and hair grazing the bottom of my chin. If I was to fall asleep, it would only be to wake up and experience this feeling all over again...

The most intimate time, you with something in your hands, with things even lighter gliding between your fingers...me behind you with one of my own, allowing this to last forever, while every detail lingers.

The sounds of pages turning are the only other ones next to the music and our respective breaths. It truly is something to see. Never have I been more eager to relax, release, let go...and just read.

7/27/10 @ 2:35 A.M.

Renewed Focus

I had an epiphany.

All of a sudden, the energy I put into words to describe how I felt about certain situations, women, and anything else are gonna be put into other areas. See, this spot gives me a chance to really just let go, and say whatever is on my mind, heart, and soul, and when that happens, things always seems to be at peace...or if there is disruption, it'll be quelled, if only for a spell.

I'm putting all my energy into living life to the fullest. For me, that means knocking out these classes for my Masters Degree, watching loads of football, taking road trips, and feeding my brain. If I write about a woman, it won't be because I can't get over her. There are only so many ways you can say something, so I'm done with that stage of living and writing.

I'll also be doing a lotta reading, which will have absolutely nothing to do with my coursework. Here are some of the books on my hit list for the next few months:







Be easy.

Photo by Clifton Henri

Nerd....but a Fly Nerd.

...so what turned you on to Douglass???
I need it for a class I'm in.
So that's the only reason you're reading it, is for a class???
Yeah...why else???
To FEED YOUR BRAIN, fool.
-conversation between Ice Cube and Omar Epps, in Higher Learning.

The title of this post was taken from a friend of mine, who describes herself (well, one way she does) as a nerd, but a "fly nerd." Ever since I was able, I LOVE to read. It provides a much-needed balance to the part of me that's the typical caveman: basketball, football, women, kickin it with my boys...you know, that type of shit. The reading part just brings another dimension that's priceless, in my opinion. To this day, I've NEVER, NEVER, EVER understood why people don't read, don't like to read, think it's a waste of time to read, etc. I'll never get it, EVER. *woosah...WOOOOSAHHHH*

I've always been more into autobiographies, books with historical significance, and ones whose primary focus is internal growth. Rarely do I read fiction, unless there's a loyalty to the author (Solomon Jones, Cheryl Robinson, Donald Goines, Eric Jerome Dickey), or if I'm looking to watch a movie adaptation (which is why I've been reading Grisham lately). I get damn near as much joy from reading a good book as I do from any football game, basketball game, sex, movie, working out, conversation...you name it.

Anyway, here's a list of some of the most memorable books I've had the pleasure of coming across. Why I'm doing this now, I have no clue. Maybe it's because it's after 2 AM, and I can't take my ass back to sleep. Just feels like the right thing to do. Be easy.