undun

The Roots, one of my favorite groups of all time, recently announced the December 6th release of their new album undun and these innovative, lyrical, musical geniuses are taking it to a “whole ‘nother level” as this album is described to be “a sort of novel in audio form.”

splen-dad

Among the many roles that I fill, the one I’m most proud of is being a dad. Dads don’t get the respect that they deserve in our society. The media depicts them as absent, bumbling idiots, clueless, soulless or absent. Yeah, I said absent twice.

So, when I see a dad present in a movie or a commercial where he’s basking in a positive light, I take notice. I go so far as to cheer it and celebrate it.

Breast Cancer Aware

My name is Kenn and I love women’s breasts. But what is way more important than a few ounces (or pounds, for some) of fat and tissue, is the woman herself. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and, while I’m a guy and this seems like an unlikely place to read about “women’s issues”, several women very close to me, including family members, have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Most of them have proven to be victors in the face of this horrible disease, while a few lost the fight.

stay hungry. stay foolish.

On October 5, we lost the Thomas Edison of our time, Steve Jobs. He brought us the Apple computer, the iPod and the iPhone, among countless other innovations. There has been a vast amount of media coverage of his life and impact on our culture and among the clips, I’ve been introduced to a 2005 Stanford University commencement address where he talked about connecting the dots, love, love and death.

While every one of us can glean some wisdom and encouragement from this speech, this post is intended specifically for my 17-year old son, Kenn II. As he prepares for the next chapter of his life with college, I want him to consider and digest every word of Steve Job’s Stanford U commencement speech. I want him to stay hungry. I want him to stay foolish.

one year later

Pious was released one year ago and I, Kenn Bivins, was an unknown name in the literary field. There were no assurances to potential readers that my debut novel was worth their dime or time. Dozens of glowing reviews, book club features, top novel lists and a year later, one could say that Pious has done quite well in leading my foray into telling stories with words.

thrive

I’ve not stopped listening to Switchfoot’s new set, Vice Verses since the album was released this past Tuesday. The sheer honesty and reflection from one particular song, Thrive, falls in line with a chapter I just finished from my upcoming novel, The Wedding and Disaster of Felona Mabel.

No, I’m not alright
I know that I’m not right
A steering wheel doesn’t mean you can drive
A warm body doesn’t mean I’m alive

No, I’m not alright
I know that I’m not right
Feel like I travel but I never arrive
I wanna thrive not just survive.