What I Learned This Weekend 2/27/12

What a weekend!

I guess it started Friday. I was getting ready for my writers group meeting on Saturday. You know, pretending I did everything I said I would do a month ago at the last meeting. (Just being funny) The only thing I didn’t do was keep up with my writing log. I started it but then I kept writing/researching without logging it.

            I was aware of it though. I realized the value of my research time in The Think Tank. The Think Tank was a gift from God. In addition to The writers group that I can walk to once a month, I have this wonderful group on my favorite website where I can talk about things that matter. We talk about the stuff I write about and the opinions are very diverse. I get new perspective on my articles and new topics to write about.

            Also, some old topics come up. Sometimes there are topics that I have overlooked or ignored. This week, the issue of domestic violence came up again and again. I had written a blog about domestic violence posed as a letter to a girl I was interested in. In the letter, propose that since her current boyfriend beats her, I can beat her better. It derived from a play on the word beat (Violence) and beat (Sexual). It evolved into the letter as it is now.

            The funny thing is, it was written almost a year ago while I was in jail. Right after I got out, the person in question added me a friend on Facebook. Or so I thought. It took attempting to share with my writers group. Sharing the letter with my step mother, some shit chat with my dad and a separate inspirational message from Tony Robbins to convince me to give away the fear and just do what I know to – write.

            Turns out it wasn’t the same girl. (I think) Either way, I’m willing to give up myself in order to start the dialogue up. And I think I did that.

            Sunday was the best. THE BEST!

            I felt a way about skipping church but I felt something good coming. It started early. As I was sprinting down the street on my daily ‘hour of power’, my dog Angel went a little crazy and tried to run across the street. My attention was diverted to two men. One seemed I little familiar. Upon slowing down, I realized it was one of my best friend’s Scooter standing in front of his in-laws’ house. So we reconnected. I lied and told him I forgot his number. The truth was I hadn’t gotten a call back from him in so long (years) that I didn’t bother to call when I got back. I sent him a text message after the run so he would have my number. He actually sent me a text back before I left for my later engagements so that was good.

            Then I was supposed to borrow some clothes from Mike so we could go out later. As it would turn out, my dad came with two beautiful shirts he couldn’t fit but that fit me well! I asked about some shoes and got blessed with some nice wing tips. The day was getting better.

            I got to watch my sister and niece playing video games together. They spend a lot of time together but something about Super Mario on Wii that makes me feel a way. A good way! THEN I got to hang with my boys Seth, Greg and Mike.

            Greg picked me up so we could go support my boy Seth’s latest promotion. On the way to the bar, I picked up a suit and another shirt from Mike’s. It was a wonderful gathering to watch the NBA All Star game. Being around a lot of former acquaintances, good, legitimate ones, made the All Star game viewable. Then I got to catch up a bit with Seth and Greg. That was REALLY the best part of watching the All Star game. I am slowly settling down back into L.A. and I’m loving it!

            So everything worked out. Mike ended up at a party on the same block I was on. Talk about stars lining up. I threw on a sport coat and transferred my extra, just in case, gear to Mike’s car. Then we caught up with another Xavier Alumn at the W. There was a cool vibe. One woman caught my eye but she was with a douche bag. I got to sit for a minute which was glorious! as I had been standing up in shiny shoes for a few hours. After a bit of chit chat with Mike, we decided on gong to the Maxim party.

            The Maxim party was in a Mansion above Sunset. There was a shuttle to the party. Mike and I anticipated a little finagling to be able to get on the shuttle. As good fortune would have it, the only trouble was the LONG assed wait to get on the shuttle. It seemed the entire party showed up at the shuttle stop at the same time.

            Eventually, we made it on the shuttle and to the party. It, was, all, worth it! We immediately forgot the wait. Not only were we around a few of the most beautiful women in L.A., we were surrounded by some of the personable. And there was an open bar which meant all the caffeine I could handle.

            I could go on about the party but let me just say it was worth not going out much if that type of party is where I end up. I got home at 5. I was so tired/wired I locked my sister out and fell out, then when she woke me up at 7 am I could barely go back to sleep. (Barely being able to go back to sleep for me is like not being able to sleep at all for a normal person) My feet still hurt at 11:35 the next night. And it was all worth it. The whole weekend!

            It was a glimpse of what life can and will be like being back home and I’m in Love all over again. I’m in Love with writing. I’m in Love with life. And most of all I’m in Love with LA. L.A. means more than some streets and clubs. L.A. is my family, my friends, my life. Everywhere that I’ve been and everywhere I’m going is all about L.A. That’s never changed. I just needed this weekend to remind me.

            I’m LA! I’m home! That’s it. It’s going down!