At A Moments Notice...

You know, when I first started blogging my intent was to write something fantastic everyday. I wanted this section of my website to be one of my main venting outlets, the one place I could let it all hang loose. But writing everyday can be a pain in the ass. As a quote-un-quote writer I'm not supposed to say that. I'm supposed to write everyday or, so they say. But in case if you haven't figured it out, and you need a little help, Christopher David is a rebel. I prefer to write when I feel like writing because that's when I find I write my best shit. The shit my heart won't let me cover up. The shit that includes words like shit. I'm not one of those writers that write for grace; I'm a writer that believes in revealing the true inner workings of the human experience. The shit that can't be spelled checked.

Speaking of writing, I'm On My Way has kept a brotha busy. This month (though my where I be calendar doesn't reflect it [one day I swear I'ma get this website thing together]) a brotha has been hella busy! So busy that I haven't been able to keep up with a lot of things, including some of my favorite web-blogs (sorry peeps). What have I been up to you ask? Well, let's catch up...

On Saturday February 7th, 2004 I did a signing at Euphoria Cafe & Lounge, where friends J.T., Rodney, and Troy of Across the Hudson Productions kicked off their weekly party The Heat. Not only was the place filled with some of New York's and New Jersey's finest, it did my heart good to learn Euphoria's was co-owned by a beautiful vicacious black woman appropriately named Sparkle, who had a personality as big and as warm as her heart! Her presence along with the successful signing made the evening that much more memorable.

On Thursday February 12th, 2004, I had the good fortune to spend an evening with Allen Payne of Jason's Lyric fame and about 200 or so excited teenagers and adults as we gathered at the Tito Puente Educational Complex for An Evening of Elegance. The event was the inauguration of Allen's Give Back Awards which honored teens who were resolving personal problems that had plagued them, leaders who demonstrated superior leadership qualities, and positive teens who were driven to achieve high levels of excellence. My job was to prepare a speech commending them on their successes while at the same time encouraging them to continue to follow their dreams. The night was an overwhelming success and I was extremely thankful I was able to take part in it.

On Saturday February 14th - 15th, 2004, I was in Valley Forge Pennslyvania for the 10th Anniversary of Winter Explosion. Can I just take a moment and say wow? The organizors of Winter Explosion must be commended for putting together one ole' extraordinary event! The weekend appropriately entitled Reflect, Rejoice, Rejuvenate managed to bring 800 same gender loving men & women together for a weekend filled with top notch activities including an exclusive powerhouse concert that included such noted artists as Regina Bell, Vesta, Tony Terry, & Alyson Williams who sung the house down! The event also included a series of workshops such as, Sexual Healing: It's Time To Do You and theMeet the Author Series, where yours truly discussed every thing from my current novel to finding and keeping the love of your life.

On Monday February 16th, 2004 I participated in the gotnathan? brunch series MIMOSA with founders Kevin R. Scott and Nathan Scott (no relation) . Hmmm...how can one describe a mid-day chat with a group of successful brothers looking for love? Exciting! I never grow tired of hearing my brothers speak about the things they need to take a would-be relationship to the next level. We need more forums like this.

On Thursday February 19th, 2004 I found myself back in the peach state to celebrate the 50th Wedding Anniversary of my parents. After planning the event right down to the very littlest of details, it was up to my siblings and I to ensure all of our hard work did not end up in vain. So from the very moment my plane landed I was running, and on that Friday evening when the entire family and an estimated 125 guests arrived at The Cupola I think we each officially realized just how important it was for us to do this for our parents. Having survived the last 50 years together, taking up residences in both New York City and Georgia, raising 6 children, and co-parenting 12 grandchildren and still managing to look like a million bucks is a feat worth celebrating. The next morning as my plane prepared for lift-off I realized how much I loved my parents and how happy I was to be called their son.

On Sunday February 22nd, 2004 I had the good fortune of spending an evening with the Queen of Comedy Harmonica Sunbeam (pictured above) at her weekly Sunday Tea Dance @ Club Escuelita. I need to stop here for a moment and get mushy...Harmonica is more than just a good spirit, more than a wonderful spirit, she is what I yearn to be, an incredible gifted spirit! After reading my book the Diva contacted me and asked that I do a signing at the club. Of course I agreed, but never in my wildest dreams did I think I would recieve the royal treatment from one of our communities brightest stars! She made me feel as if we'd known each other forever and opened her stage to me to do my thang, while simultaneously bigging up my work. But the biggest honor of all came when she retrieved her copy of I'm On My Way and began reading my words with the same intensity as I had written them. That my friends is support. The type of shit I go up for. The type of shit that will lead a brother to tears. In truth I have always been a fan, now, I'm a friend. And what a lucky fellow I am.

On Tuesday February 24th, 2004 I spent time at The Door, New York City's premier youth development agency that offers unique and highly effective programs for young people ages 12-21. Nedra Deadwyler one of the counselors there invited me to speak to thier newly established book club "The Bookhouse". Around 28 students showed up and pounded me with questions regarding character development, plot and the world of self-publishing. But the majority of the questions arose once it was discovered I was the CEO of my own corporation Christopher David, Inc. Needless to say my street-team is just about covered. On a side note, this was my second event of the month where the focus was on young minds and I must say I love these venues because it allows me the opportunity to really encourage the leaders of tomorrow. You would be surprised to learn just how many teenagers need encouragement, and how willing they are to listen to someone carving their own path (hint, hint: volunteer). I always walk away from these events feeling inspired from the inside out.

Tonight, Wednesday February 25th, 2004 I will be signing copies of my novel at Stonewall during their weekly mixer Uncut hosted by Mickey & J-Sin which is sure to be a good time. And on Sunday February 29th, 2004 I will be signing copies of my novel in Hackensack New Jersey at The Stealth, hosted by friends Alex & Terry from 6pm - 9pm, and partying the rest of the night with the fellas of Glow.

Whew! February has been one ole' month, and a brother is tired! But you know what, I wouldn't change a thing. I am finally doing what I love, and loving what I'm doing. The two have finally met and fallen in love. Let's hope it's a long happy prosperous marriage!

Speak your peace...

I can’t remember a time I’ve laughed as loud or hard at a play written, produced and performed by a group of black talent, as I did—and still do whenever I slip in Madea’s Family Reunion.

Tyler Perry, a black play-write born and raised in New Orleans, but now a prominent member of the Atlanta community, changed that. Madea’s Family Reunion is pure classic. From the opening scene when Madea returns from her sister Irene’s funeral in a brilliant red dress to the first time she threatens to bust a cap in her crack-head granddaughter’s ass you know you’re in for a totally different type of experience.

Madea is a tough, weed-smoking, gun-toting, opinionated, sarcastic-as-hell grandmother who runs her family. Actually, now that I think about tough is an understatement; Medea epitomizes strength, courage and what’s missing in many of today’s families: a network that seeks to protect its off-spring, even, if it means going too far. In some circles, I believe that’s called a savior.

In all of his plays, Tyler’s characters succumb to the pressures of life and as a result end up asking the question so many of us have asked when the waters of life began to rise just a little too high: How much can one heart take? And Madea is there, always, in her own unique way ready to provide the comfort only a dedicated loving grandmother could provide; a shoulder, maybe shelter, and a tiny piece of life-changing advice they’ve searched for all their lives. All the while revealing the family that prays together stays together.

It goes without saying I hold a massive amount of respect for Mr. Perry for daring to do what he does, because in his creative outlet he has found a way to bring up many of the issues our black families are suffering through and at the same time offer probable solutions for them. I thank him for daring to make a difference, and for filling my life with laughter, quite a bit of substance and introducing me to a rowdy-sometimes-obnoxious woman named Mable “Madea” Simmons.

For more information on Tyler Perry and his plays, visit him on the web: here

Are You A Madea Fan?

The little Negro whose name was Roy Williams began to choke on the blood in his mouth. And the roar of their voices and the scuff of their feet were split by the moonlight into a thousand notes like a Beethoven sonata. And when the white folks left his brown body, stark naked, strung from a tree at the edge of town, it hung there all night, like a violin for the wind to play. ~Langston Hughes, excerpt from The Ways of White Folks

How does one celebrate Black History Month and not feel a sense of anger? How does one look back and not feel cheated? How does one honor the lives of too many black men and women whose existence was senselessly, never mind needlessly cut short? How does one honor those history has purposely forgotten? How?

For a little over three weeks I have been contemplating how I will acknowledge my history, your history, our history. I have struggled with the complexities of Black History Month, and my responsibilty as a Black Man to ensure these days don't go by unannounced, and/or under-appreciated. But how does one capture the attention of a people forgotten? How does one channel the heart, mind and soul of a people who have long abandoned the desire to learn? About their history? About their future? About their chances?

But, it wasn't always like this. I remember when I was a kid in elementary school Black History Month was a big deal. The entire month was spent honoring those who came before us, while at the same time recognizing the new leaders who were paving the way. Each year we would put on this huge production, where every class would find some way to recognize their selected hero. Once I had the honor of playing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and man did I belt out the part of the speech that went: When we let freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: Free at last! Free at last! THANK GOD ALMIGHTY, we are free at last!

*Smiles* I remember the look on my moms face when I belted out that final stanza. If she could, I know she would've mounted that stage with an urgency unheard of before and hugged me something awful. That night, was probably the first time I realized how proud I could make her...from then on, MLK became my right hand man, because I always wanted to make my mama proud.

Since becoming a man however, Black History Month doesn't seem to hold the same type of importance. For many of us, it's just another month. Just another 28/29 days where work, family, and/or prior obligations take precedence. And while the shortage of time in each of our lives is obvious, we should make it an obligation during the month of February to reflect, remember, and re-educate ourselves, and our loved ones of our history.

So, having said that, for just a moment, think about how you will celebrate the lives of our ancestors, and those making a difference today during our month, Black History Month.

How will you celebrate?