theDoor

this evening I studied computer science at a local Barnes&Noble bookseller. I couldn't help but notice the fine looking members of my community, perusing literature in various forms and taking advantage of the table space in the cafe. Meetings seemed to be taking place and I couldn't help but over hear the conversation emanating from a threesome at the adjacent table.

This particular meeting was between a "thirtysomething" real estate agent and a young couple. Though I do not know the industry terminology for this introductory meeting, I tuned in when the agent said, "so, you all are interested in buying a house." Naturally, I was excited for the couple and thought about this particular meeting's significance during this time of economic turmoil. The agent asked some personal questions, beginning with their current living situation which was renting. He asked about the couple's rent and their monthly take-home income before taxes. He asked about lease-breaking policies and other particulars concerning what the couple could afford. He moved into credit scoring and State of Georgia Law concerning obtaining two annual free reports from the three major agencies. He moved into a description of his products and the parts of town the couple was interested in living. Whatever mortgage he was selling/ making a loan offer for he pitched as a "best" option stating it didn't matter what score the couple had... he could help them obtain a mortgage at a fixed rate around 6% saying some times an interest rate of 5.5% was possible. He informed the couple of following the market i.e. the FED. interest rate and its potential to drop. He explained some of the costs attached at making an offer and a $500 fee attached to making a serious off that would be credited to the cost of the house. He closed by inviting the couple to a seminar of some sort at the West End CoC. How interesting!

I was pleased to hear my people sharing valuable information amongst each other in a comfortable, though quite public setting. I thought about such meetings taking place over the years, across the ATL and across the country. I thought about other real estate agents I knew hosting such meetings and the process of home-buying... I thought about writing off any expenses of such a meeting and the locale of the subsequent seminar, from this particular meeting...

so, this is how it works

What a world! Not only would the couple be invited to learn about the home-buying process, they would be led in a CoC. I wondered if they would be approached by members. I wondered about the connections between the Church and finances... I thought about how valuable information is shared amongst members of the Church- how communities form and how informed Blacks in Atlanta, proverbially, get down.

interesting...

My exposure to the CoC was a good one. I found the services intellectually/scripturally stimulating and really enjoyed their poetic take on Biblical interpretation. As a young person who grew up attending Church, I was no stranger to the gospel and praise and worship.

Atlanta, resting in the Bible Belt south is still fueled by visions and mechanisms of prosperity through strong ties to Christianity.

I remember a chapter in Our Kind of People titled The Right Church. History and the wave of spiritual energy aligned prosperous folk with certain churches... and now, I was privy to theDoor.

Knowingly or unknowingly, the young couple was a potential client of "Black Society."

the door... I had a bright idea of what was beyond it, having tried the knob myself...


I drove home an hour later after focusing on my computer science. I love myself and my story... I am a fortunate and highly favored individual, no-diggity. And as q-tip's "Getting Up" coursed through my 95 Honda's speakers... I nodded my head in agreement, " we getting up..." fa sho.

-delano

lifting waits

dang. i've been slippin. lifting weights is actually one of the most rewarding experiences i've undertaken! i'm just now getting into it and i love it! at the same time, I feel that this comes at just the right time before I leave for physical therapy school.

being a slim guy, the weights seem to stimulate muscle growth like crazy. i'm not lee haney, but you've gotta start somewhere! on that note, I'm not going for the captain swol. look, but i may have to actually take off my shirt so, here it go.

motivation.

in conjunction with the load bearing, I'm supplementing my diet with protein. muscle is made of protein so, if you're working on your body, then boost your system with the building blocks of muscle---

I've waited a long time for this - my work experience keeps me so happy/busy I almost forgot.
--> you. (yeah right lol)

I confess: it's been good. my march towards career excellence is going so well that i actually think about other things. i know it sounds really weak and how lame is it that i share my weakness on-screen? well, the strong parts of me say: be honest. you have one chance to be you at this moment, so be honest. you've changed me on the inside and outside. returning to a period of life when you wern't there seems odd. at the very least, noticeable. for hours - i get to do me and my passion for physical therapy satisfies my soul. I've prayed for relief. Sometimes I hope it would go away and "stop bothering me," but those thoughts are fleeting. Most of the time I'm in this longing state that I've turned into motivation.
if you celebrate i celebrate.

if you hurt i hurt.
please continue being the supersista that you are. i am not ashamed to be this open, though I don't say it to you. my secrets... i want to reveal them. i want to live them...my visions.

the strange part is that I actually believe you have a clue as to what I'm going through. like you know there is a "we" out there.

i care far too much to quit now, that I'm ahead...slow and steady.

When lifting weights, a key ingredient to overloading your muscles is form. how we work, how smooth we are able to navigate the high seas of trial and tribulation, how we are able to cultivate peace during the most volatile of times, is a true marker of character and strength. my thought of the day - this is beyond me, you, or us.... this is God's business and it seems that we are HIS business. may I be used to better the lives of others in all things I do. May you be radiant and happy.

Have a full life. smile. regardless... its helped me to live better. i am forever grateful.

-delano
oh, and for a lil teaser about my secret desires: Samaritan Physical Therapy coming one day soon.

-delano

p.s. the wait has been lifted.

dawn tea

Plans

Round Midnight

i asked for this. there is no way for me to deny that where I am in life, is the result of my decisions... recollection of each isn't likely, but I'm aware of my ability to color tomorrow, if its granted. Though uncomfortable, I decided to really challenge myself. Plain as day, I deal with complementing or defeating myself. i feel privileged in an extrasensory type of way; it's quite the super picker-upper! In the beginning, my thoughts must have been considered...created...cultivated. And here we are, rising morning dew and tea. The rain ripples high hats while feet splash puddled dreams...

mud

clay mation

animation perception

cerebral cartooning

characters

scripted egos
out takes

debates


comic relief
for upset stomach busting
guts seem extra-ordinary...


quiet
music
by,

Hank Jones

Round Midnight.

bridge

Some guy named Tyler Perry had the streets near my job on lock this weekend. Not that I was going in, but its some occasion when Oprah is in town and shin digging near your place of employment. A very cool happening. Union writers are staging a boycott, I hear... You can't please everybody. On that note, I'm glad I know what pleases me.

I had a great tutoring session this weekend and even attended an acquaintances' 30 year birthday party.

Tomorrow I'm back at the clinic. And I actually can't wait. A few things to master and I'll be breezin while helping folks to heal. I already miss the smell of steaming water from the hydroculator. and the faint scent of Biofreeze...

Soap in Soap out... white jacket and the tie.

This is my first professional job. Being on the way to my career feels great. I love it! I am close...got to stay focused.

"I can smell you on my sheets and it drives me crazy."_SaRa Creative Partners