It was around the start of Lent, and after about a week of being passed out in the hospital, when a very dear homie of mine finally came to. It was like this really intense, can't-seem-to-wake-up-fully-from-his-fucking-life-threatening nap more than any kind of "coma." "He can't fully wake up," a sister's update-text read. What I do … Continue reading My one
Author: neal
Let’s eat
In the Southeast, especially along the former slave trade corridor; specifically the sea islands of coastal North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, there are certain, traditional dishes that have transcended that thing called “time”. It is widely known that people brought here during the trans-Atlantic slave trade brought with them many traditions that they associated … Continue reading Let’s eat
Another birthday
On the eve of this young man's 17th birthday, he and I go to the gym to train. We'd very recently turned a nice corner, which means he called me up to train instead of the other way around. That's right, this kid had some real dick moments this past year, and it was hard … Continue reading Another birthday
Happy belated birthday
You of course know this already I'm having this conversation with a guy who just recently moved into my neighbors' rental across the street. He swings by in his monogrammed bath robe, a gentlemanly pipe jutting out his mouth, and I'm thinking, Shit, maybe this is how Nigerian dudes say hello the second time. The … Continue reading Happy belated birthday
In thanksgiving
I didn't have a housewarming party. I just figured if someone came over, knowing it was a new house I'd bought, they would just do the natural thing and bring something to help christen the joint: toaster, a microwave, basket hamper, a toilet brush; shit, I don't know, what do you get for moving into … Continue reading In thanksgiving
Year in review #2
A few times this past year I was faced with a question that felt like something frothy-toothed and unsettling standing over me. It even happened on a few dates I went on. This one time I got into it pretty hot and heavy with a thirty- something African-American woman. Jeezus, she smelled good too. Like … Continue reading Year in review #2
Pasta Bolognese
I'd like to introduce you all, very briefly, to another Conversation. This one comes in the wake of a piece I wrote a while back dealing, broadly, with gay issues. A gentleman, David, submitted a response to the piece, but rather than publish it right away, I thought I'd try and sweet talk him into … Continue reading Pasta Bolognese
Sweet 16
You were once so small I could sling you over one shoulder and lay you down softly into the tub under warm shower water. I’d say it again the next day or whenever you were with me: someone call a taxi? “Taxi,” you'd say and up and over your naked brown ass went again. Until … Continue reading Sweet 16
Let’s eat
It’s time for the winter season. For a single man, the dating scene is complicated. We have to get creative in order to start, develop and maintain companionship. How best does a creative man do this? Some would say change their respective wardrobes, others would suggest getting a head start on the “New Year’s” resolution … Continue reading Let’s eat
Year in review
It's a dreary and drizzly Friday night, wipers on my ‘97 Nissan pickup are shit, and I swear these fucking headlights on cars nowadays are colluding with the mist and shiny asphalt to blind me. I'm meeting my homie Brian out for a cold one. At least that's who you know him as. "Brian" and I … Continue reading Year in review
Things Men Carry 