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fiction and musings from a gay black dude with delusions above his station

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the gar spot fiction and musings from a gay black dude with delusions above his station

When We Vote We Scare Them, So Keep Voting

Posted on November 2, 2020November 2, 2020 by gar

They recklessly harassed a Biden/Harris bus on a busy highway because we scare them. They threatened to march around polling places with guns because we scare them. They pepper-sprayed children, children, during a march to go vote because we scare them. They sue to invalidate legally submitted ballots, ostensibly because they didn’t like the collection…

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My Interview on the Sandra Moran Book Club

Posted on October 25, 2020October 25, 2020 by gar

Last July, I appeared on the Sandra Moran Book Club to discuss my novel Sin Against the Race with host Elizabeth Andersen and panelist and poet Mercedes Lewis. I met Elizabeth and Mercedes at the Saints and Sinners Literary Festival in 2018 and I’m so happy that we’ve stayed in touch. We had an excellent…

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Trump’s World of Illusion

Posted on October 4, 2020October 4, 2020 by gar

Donald Trump has lived his entire life wrapped in illusion. And because of his extreme narcissism, he has expended a great deal of energy over the years to convince others of his illusions, usually to their detriment. As the New York Times series on his taxes has made clear, Trump is not a billionaire. In…

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Voting by Mail

Posted on August 16, 2020August 16, 2020 by gar

Ordinary people with extraordinary vision can redeem the soul of America by getting in what I call good trouble, necessary trouble. Voting and participating in the democratic process are key. John Lewis, NY Times Opinion, July 30, 2020 We face the most consequential election not just in one generation but several generations. Simply put, we…

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The Comet Chasers

Posted on July 18, 2020July 18, 2020 by gar

During 1973-74, Comet Kohoutek became all the rage. Discovered by Czech astronomy Luboš Kohoutek, scientists believed the comet would become a major event, big, bright, spectacular. I was only 8 at the time, but remember the hype quite well, because no one was more excited about Comet Kohoutek than my mother. Mom loved outer space….

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A Noah’s Arc 15th Anniversary Reunion

Posted on July 12, 2020July 12, 2020 by gar

Black queerdom collectively gasped when word got out that Patrik-Ian Polk created a Noah’s Arc reunion. No, not in production, not in the planning stages, not in the cards, but in the flesh. (LOTS of flesh.) The magic dropped on Sunday, July 5, a perfect way to end the Independence Day Weekend.  Entitled “The ‘Rona…

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On the radio

Posted on July 5, 2020July 5, 2020 by gar

Mark the date! Next Saturday, July 11 at 1pm CDT (11am PDT), I’ll be a guest on the Sandra Moran Radio Book Club from radio station KKFI in Kansas City. Host Elizabeth Andersen, panelist/poet Mercedes Lewis, and I will discuss my novel Sin Against the Race. Society has entered an extraordinary period of activism around…

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I’m very tired

Posted on May 31, 2020May 31, 2020 by gar

Breonna Taylor. Ahmaud Arbery. George Floyd. How many times do we have to live the same nightmare, travel the same dark path, scream the same anguish until our voices go raw? I’m very tired. 100,000+ dead from COVID-19, with African Americans disproportionately bearing the brunt of the pandemic in the US. And then these killings…

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Saints & Sinners: New Fiction from the Festival 2020

Posted on May 16, 2020May 16, 2020 by gar

Look what came in the mail today! I’m very honored and excited to be included in this fine anthology of New Fiction with so many amazing writers. I’m also very sad that we did not get to meet and read together at the festival. Such is the case in the age of COVID-19. But I…

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Freedom Is Not Their Goal

Posted on May 3, 2020May 3, 2020 by gar

On the front page of my Saturday newspaper, I saw a photo of someone carrying this protest sign: “We are fighting for our freedom.” No you’re not. Not when you’re carrying signs like “Wealth is Health” and “The cure is worse than the disease.” As of this writing, 68,088 US residents have died from COVID-19…

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SIN AGAINST THE RACE, a novel–Click image for info

Sin Against the Race

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A gorgeous day at the #oaklandgreekfestival #oakla A gorgeous day at the #oaklandgreekfestival #oakland #greekfestival #greek #music #food #ilovemycity
I used to rock the hell out of these. Cards of dis I used to rock the hell out of these. Cards of discovery and endless possibilities. I still miss them. 
#cardcatalog #library #knowledge #og #searchengine
A sunny Saturday in 1990 found my sister Tania (@m A sunny Saturday in 1990 found my sister Tania (@makeuptogoblog) and I outside of the Julia Morgan Center waiting. I had seen the great Maestro Pt. Shivkumar Sharma in LA—he even autographed an album for me. And I was studying tabla with his accompanist Ud. Zakir Hussain at the time. We couldn’t wait. But wait we did, because the maestros weren’t there. As my sister and I stood at the front of the line, they came. Ud. Zakirji was laughing and joking. Pt. Shivji looked as if he floated in as he passed and entered the theater. After we got settled in our seats, it was on. A beautiful concert with the two maestros playing rapturously, holding us spellbound. Pt. Shivji floated in like a deity and played to the heavens, taking us all with him. By far one of my favorite concerts. 

Words cannot describe how devastated I am at the great master’s passing. His gifts to music and the world are incalculable. My condolences to Panditji’s family, to @zakirhq9 , and to all who loved his beautiful music. #ptshivkumarsharma #indianclassicalmusic #santoor #rip
This makes me very happy. #oaklandgreekfestival # This makes me very happy. 
#oaklandgreekfestival #theyreback #yahoo #greek #oakland #ilovemycity
Happy 85th Birthday to legendary Maestro Ron Carte Happy 85th Birthday to legendary Maestro Ron Carter! The most recorded bassist in history, he was a huge inspiration for my late brother Robert. And he continues to inspire bassists and musicians to this day. 
#happybirthday #roncarter #legend #bassist #jazz #music
Dinner on the back porch. #alfresco #dinner #pizza Dinner on the back porch. #alfresco #dinner #pizza #arizmendi #evening
My sacred music day where I pay homage to Duke Ell My sacred music day where I pay homage to Duke Ellington (1899-1974) and Ustad Alla Rakha (1919-2000) on their shared birthday. This year I’m also celebrating the 100th birthday anniversary of harmonica and whistling maestro Toots Thielemans (1922-2016). Enjoy the music of all of these legends! ✌🏾 ❤️ 🎶 
#dukeellington #allarakha #abbaji #tootsthielemans #centenary #happybirthday #music
Happy Birthday Ella Fitzgerald! Born on this day i Happy Birthday Ella Fitzgerald! Born on this day in 1917. 
#ella #ellafitzgerald #firstladyofsong #jazz
It’s the only home we got. Let’s treat it with It’s the only home we got. Let’s treat it with respect and love. 
#earthday #earthday2022 #home #planet #environment
A harrowing day, but it ended safely. I’m home n A harrowing day, but it ended safely. I’m home now with a nice cup of tea. ☕️ 
#berkeley #shelterinplace #allclear #home #tea #murchies
This pale blue beauty is destined to become part o This pale blue beauty is destined to become part of my #sundaybrunch #pancakes. Fresh from my next door neighbor!
Celebrating the centenary of a great musician. Hap Celebrating the centenary of a great musician. Happy 100th Birthday Ustad Ali Akbar Khan Sahib!!! His great legacy lives on. 
#aliakbarkhan #centenary #indianclassicalmusic #sarode
Booster number 2. #teammoderna #booster #covid #k Booster number 2. 
#teammoderna #booster #covid #kaiseroakland
Lunch today. @arizmendilakeshore #pizza #nomnom # Lunch today. @arizmendilakeshore 
#pizza #nomnom #lunch
History achieved. #confirmed #justiceketanjibrown History achieved. 
#confirmed #justiceketanjibrownjackson #justicebrownjackson #ketanjibrownjackson #history #scotus
Banners appear all over the #Cal campus highlighti Banners appear all over the #Cal campus highlighting its 150+ year history. These hang on lampposts, painted in African-themed colors, around a square just off Sproul Plaza that has served as a gathering place for Black Cal students for decades. A nice acknowledgment that Black students have been and continue to be a part of the campus history. 
#blackhistory #blackstudents #blackstudentsmatter #blackatcal
The most Robert photo ever, smiling and on the pho The most Robert photo ever, smiling and on the phone. Thinking of you on your birthday. 
#missyoumadly #happybirthday #fuckcancer
Meanwhile, Miss Lucy keeps careful watch. #catsof Meanwhile, Miss Lucy keeps careful watch. 
#catsofinstagram #neighborscat #catguardian #frommybackyard
Definitely back home in Oakland. #californiagaspri Definitely back home in Oakland. #californiagasprices
Foggy morning. Just waiting for the plane. Farewel Foggy morning. Just waiting for the plane. Farewell #nola and #sas22! Until the next time. 
#traveling #flying #writersofinstagram #writerslife
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