balancing act / full circle

{Shawn & The Dream Team at Derrick L. Briggs Book Club event: Night with Jonathon Plummer}

As I stood by the Bar, I watched as my friends mixed and mingled, talking amongst each other. Seemed like everyone has having a good time. It was very intimate at the Chocolate Bar. Small tables. Lite candles. The spotlight was on the stage, as we waited for Jonathan Plummer to arrive. I looked at Tyson as he walked around helping out his new beau with his event. Never would I have thought that one of my friends would be dating Mr. Briggs. I'm happy for him, actually at the moment, I was feeling a sense of envy. As I look at them, giving small kisses or hugs from time to time...

I missed having a boyfriend.


{Me Trent Jackson & Jay first meeting at the event at the Chocolate Bar in NYC}

As I was talking to Tyson at the bar, I get a text message on my sidekick.

"Look at that sexy dude at the bar?"

I don't care about no damn dude right now! I look back and hardly see anyone attractive behind me. I replied, "I don't see anyone?" with an annoyed tone.

"That's because it's you."

Ok, I felt stupid, but smiled. I look over to the guy sitting at the table as the flame from the candle flickers on his soft brown face. Damn he looks so good! I text him back and tell him I feel lonely and in need of a little romance. He then texts me and asks me to sit down next to him. I look to Tyson and say, "he's flirting with me!"

"Well then flirt back!" Tyson yells!

Ok, ok, let me go over there. Why was I nervous? I have no reason to be, I mean I wanted this right? So I sit down next to him, and smile.

Then he says in a very deep voice, "What's going on sexy?"

Compliments always get me going. He asks me what I was doing here. Told him I was here with friends. I see we was playing this kind of game... He smiles and says I have beautiful eyes. I smile back. We continue to talk and exchange compliments & pleasantries. As he was talking, I look down to his lips. I remember kissing lips like his, but no need to get down about it now. This is a whole new experience. I wanted to taste it so bad. I think he had the same thing on his mind. We lean in slowly. He wanted it just as bad as I did. Then our lips touch, in such a caress that my entire body felt like it was floating. We kissed deeper, back and forth, the flow was very much like a BALANCING ACT, but we weren't playing. We was getting in. Everyone in the club stood still as I engulfed in that moment.


{Omar Ramone, Me, Trent Jackson, & Divo at the Full Circle Book Release Event in NYC}

As I pulled back, I looked into his eyes, and we both smiled. He felt it to. He went to go get us some cheesecake as we fed it to each other. He licked it off his lips, wishing that I had done the same. Later on that night, Jonathan Plummer finally showed, and it was starting to become a wonderful evening. Derrick L. Briggs really knows how to create an event that would touch other peoples lives, and I'm glad he did that tonight. As everything was wrapping up, I left my sexy guy at the table to meet and greet other people. I finally saw Trent Jackson, who is a fellow blogger and friend. He was up in NYC to release his new book, which I went to in support. Not only does he help me, but the community as well. I got to meet some other cool people, exchanging hugs and just enjoying the atmosphere. As I was walking around a photographer wanted to take a picture with me and and the sexy guy at the table...

Why was I nervous?

We wasn't really together?

Should I even do it?

What would people say?

How would I feel?

Then at that moment, it all came FULL CIRCLE for me.
I will not be ashamed of my feelings OR my actions.
The camera flashed...





















... and captured one of my favorite pictures of us to date.