I've been going back and forth about what my last entry of the year will be about. I want to blog about something meaningful, but this year I'm also choosing to be more introspective about my future. That means I won't be blogging about New Year's resolutions or anything like that. So, instead, I'm taking your requests. What do you want me to blog about? Drop it in the comments and I'll respond right here. Last Call!
[ Just in case you wondered, the Amazon keyword for this post is drink. Please remember to drink responsibly during this holiday season. ]
James says:
“In addition to being your resident jazzhead, I am a househead too. When I am looking for good house CD's in the record stores, I never know what to purchase so I would like to hear more about what you would recommend.”
I still haven't replaced my busted mixer, so this year I didn't really blog too much about house music. However, I've kept my ear to the ground. Here are some tracks I noticed:
- Butterfly - Daniel Spencer & Funky Transport
remixed by Osunlade - Cloud 9 & Rocketship - Donnie
remixed by Quentin Harris - Job Satisfaction - Blakkat
remixed by David Duriez - I Need You - Dave Gahan (yes, that one)
remixed by Trevor Jackson - Curtains For You - Ride Committee feat. Roxy
remixed by Floppy Sounds - Rideaway Getaway - Agent K
remixed by Blaze - Tranz - Masters At Work
remixed by Todd Terry
Bernie says:
“Donald, where can you find a good Black man to date and possibly fall in love with here in New York City? Ok, maybe that's too much to ask for the end of the year. LOL ”
Oh dear, that perennial question ... honey, you know if there was a store that sold good Black husbands, I would be an affiliate selling them from my website as a satisfied customer! I'm going to try the dating thing again next year, once I get myself back together. This time, I'm going to try leaving the house more often. I think cultivating friendships has a lot to do with it, too. As much as we scoff at friends hooking each other up, who better to suggest a husband (okay, a potential date) than a good friend? And if a friend is wrong, well, we're all big boys ...
lenn says:
“How about 10 positive things that you accomplished in 2003? This list can also include new friends that you made. Why not go ahead and blog about your resolutions or goals for 2004? I'm nosy..i wanna know...Any new recipes you been meaning to try? new hair style or length? a new or different approach to ____? travel aspirations?”
*deep breath!* Okay, here goes (not really in any particular order):
- Got my passport and escaped American soil for the very first time in my life
- Took a dive in the dating pool again (wearing square-cut Moschino swim trunks, thankyouverymuch)
- Registered my business as a sole-proprietorship
- Met Billie Ray Martin and heard her sing live
- Tried on two Ozwald Boateng suits at his Savile Row boutique
- Read a lot more books (well, that wasn't difficult to do at all)
- Got some electronics for my business (including my Cinema Display and my first digital camera)
- Got rid of a LOT of stuff
- Found the dentist I want to help me create the perfect smile (and all I had to do was seek him out)
- Made a couple of new friends
... and now I have a nephew! That's not really MY accomplishment, but you know ... *LOL!*
Nope, no 2004 resolutions blogging. I really don't feel the need to use this space for that right now.
I've kinda bastardized James' fantastic Egg Nog Rum Cake recipe by using *gasp!* yellow cake mix! Seems to be a hit, but I'm working on that glaze ...
No new hairstyles yet, but recently I made a conscious decision not to consider cutting my hair until at least January 2005.
New approach for dealing with people: letting go of my need to judge/control so much. I've given lip service to this in the past, but I'm really understanding how fine everything will be even if it's not by my design. Especially since we're talking about the lives of other grown folk. Maybe I see this more clearly now because I'm beginning to let others details blur as I bring my own into focus.
And travel aspirations? I still dream of Brasil ...
George says:
“I want scattered blogging about reconciliation with opposites, with things you were violently opposed to or disagreed with, but are finding a way clear to assessing or considering or integrating.”
Hmmm, that sounds difficult. I can't think of anything off the top of my head. I guess I haven't done much work this year in terms of reconciliation with opposites. Tell you what - I'll comb through this year's entries and will think about this some more.
In addition to being your resident jazzhead, I am a househead too. When I am looking for good house CD’s in the record stores, I never know what to purchase so I would like to hear more about what you would recommend.
Donald, where can you find a good Black man to date and possibly fall in love with here in New York City?
Ok, maybe that’s too much to ask for the end of the year. LOL
How about 10 positive things that you accomplished in 2003? This list can also include new friends that you made. Why not go ahead and blog about your resolutions or goals for 2004? I’m nosy..i wanna know…Any new recipes you been meaning to try? new hair style or length? a new or different approach to __? travel aspirations?
I want scattered blogging about reconciliation with opposites, with things you were violently opposed to or disagreed with, but are finding a way clear to assessing or considering or integrating.
Lenn, I have 6
In 2003 I learned the following 6 things worth mentioning:
1…to avoid attempts at rehabilitating others; I have no license to do therapy and I cannot afford to share ALL of EVERYONE else’s pain.
2…to open my mind to meeting new people. Although I am quite content in solitude, my mind and body need fresh activity and stimuli to survive.
3…that I’ll never feel like I have any “extra” money so I should save and invest anyway…
4…that I’ll never be able to live in St. Louis again. I went for 7 days and came back totally traumatized…long story…ha ha
5…that I will never understand everything that others do and that their personal circle of cause and effect will play through, wheather I am thinking about it or not.
6…that the needs of my body and mind have evolved beyond the self-destructive habits that have numbed my senses and made up for faulty coping mechanisms.
So, while I have made no new year’s resolutions—I have entered the new year with a new resolve. :-)