Sadly, most of you have no idea that most of my career I’ve been an illustrator. The last couple of years have found me focusing on my writing while earning my chops as a flash developer. Meanwhile, I’ve been forsaking the very thing that made me. When I determined to write a novel, I decided to put all other projects on hold until it was complete. Well, the novel is complete (more on that later this month) and I am starting my next book – a children’s book.

I have started and stopped this book so many times in the past, it’s not funny. I wrote the story and originally got the interest of a reputable publisher to buy it but then I wanted to draw it myself so I screwed that deal up by sitting on it too long.

Well, I’m back to it. Just as I could write a novel, I can write and finally draw (and complete) a children’s book. I started storyboarding (planning the visual layout) and redesigning the characters yesterday. I’m excited to be back. More soon.

“It’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.” It really is.

Familiarity can sometimes lead to complacency if we don’t regard it. I recently had my locs cut. There were practical reasons for doing so but I tend to be a layered guy so there were allegorical reasons as well.

I initially loc’d my hair with the intention of only doing it for 1 year. I wanted to love myself and the me in the mirror – unfettered. It worked. I learned to embrace and love all of the things about me that God made.

4 years later, I can move on. I’m not attached to any material thing and I’m not attached to a look. In 2006, India.Arie said it best when she sang, “I am not my hair, I am not this skin, I am a soul that lives within.” In my humble opinion, that is a true mark of maturity.

You know the phrase – “Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear.” This is a safety warning that must appear on any convex mirror on a vehicle that is sold in the United States. It’s usually on the passenger side mirror because that mirror must be convex to have a useful field of view to the driver. Therefore, everything seems smaller and further away. If the driver depends on this to determine distance and tries to switch lanes, there’s a great likelihood of a collision. The warning is there to remind the driver of this potential problem.

Life can be like that too. We can take for granted our perception of something and completely make a wreck of a scenario. Too bad there is no label to remind us to be tread more carefully.

The last 3 days, I’ve been reunited with people who I would reserve the term “friend” for. I mean, I genuinely love these people but distance, a disagreement, or stupidity came between us. Ironically, I just finished a novel that is thematically about forgiveness so I can’t help but think about second chances and all.

With second chances, we are often given to more lucid perceptions. Objects (and people) appear as they really are. I want my relationships to be pure and unfettered. I guess this is a start. Again.

Yesterday, I turned 39. Yep. I’m pretty proud of it. 39 years ago at 3:35pm, I was born weighing 8 pounds and 5 ounces. My birth certificate is a reminder of the time we lived in, as my parents actually filled in their race as COLORED. Times have changed.

Thank you for all of the birthday love, Friends. It makes a guy feel special when loved ones, as well as strangers, send messages or thoughts of well wishes. Most of you resisted to remark on my age. Thanks. Maybe before now, a lot of you didn’t know. At 39, I’m not feeling my age or any hint of truth to the “old” jokes. Maybe that starts at 93. Maybe.