Looking For A New Name

I am yet again in search for a title for one my books that I am in the process of publishing.

Everytime that I go through this naming process for one my books I feel as though I am that little princess in the movie "The Never Ending Story" yelling through the highest castle tower, "Atreyu! Just give me a name!"

I have 5 projects which I am currently working on and two of them have already surpassed the point where a title and definative description were needed so that I can begin the publishing process.

This third piece is a collection of novellas written by myself and features two other novellas written by other authors (including the novella which won my publishing company's novella contest in 2008).

Since this seems to be one of the hardest processes in writing a book, I am opening it up to the blogesphere for suggestions. The novella compilation will consist of the following stories:

Story 1: Set in 1865 Cincinnati, this novella chronicles a forbidden love, wrapped around one of the country's most controversial court trials of its time.

Story 2: Set in the care free 1960's suburban California, this story takes you through a pre-teen's summer filled with love loss and burgeoning responsibility.

Story 3: Set in present day, a highschool nerd has been chosen to lead his fellow students to safety when his school is taken over by an unlikey advisary.

Strory 4: Set in present day Cincinnati, a man struggles to come to grips with his own demons while assisting a mentally disabled veteran of the US military.

I welcome all suggestions...maybe they will get my creative juices flowing.

Playing w/ my new phone app @ Findley Market

Created with PicSay Pro on my T-Mobile G1

President Obama's Best Bet To Ensure Economic Recovery

I just published this article on Associated Content where I give the Pres' my thoughts on what will stimulate the economy.

I think that most off you will be happy as to what I propose.

Read it here.

I hope you enjoy!

My Articles @ Associated Content

Three years ago, I began to act upon my life long love of the written word. I started to take a more proactive approach to completing the novel which I started writing several years ago, in addition to adding a few other projects.

About this same time, I thought that I should start learning some tricks of the trade and cultivating my writing skills so I began selling articles to Associated Content, a website that purchases your articles for a nominal fee and pays you according to the number of "hits" that your article receives.

The following is a list of my top 7 most popular articles which I have penned.


7. The Underground Railroad In Northern Kentucky Is Still Alive (566 Hits)

6. Learn How To Drink Wine Without Shoving A Foot In Your Mouth (647 Hits)

5. The Color Purple: Directed By Steven Spielberg (803 Hits)

4. Gay Men's Fashion: Jeans (2,511 Hits)

3. Gay Man's Guide To A Break-Up (2,875 Hits)

2. How To Get Over A Break-Up (2,945 Hits)

Drum roll please....

1. What Should Women Wear To The Gym (4,240 Hits)

Gay Soldier's Letter To President Obama

I read this article on CNN.com written by a gay soldier to President Obama.

I feel for him because he was discharged after a long distinguished career in the military just because he was gay.

This was one of the reason why I decided not to continue my military career.

It accurately summarizes the trails and tribulations that most of our gay and lesbians soldiers go through trying to balance a personal life while serving their country.

Book of the day: Nitewalker by Jocelynn Drake (the photo)

Book of the day: Nightwalker by Jocelynn Drake

A few weeks ago I heard that a highschool friend had published this fiction novel.  I am a few chapters into it and can already tell that I will be picking up the sequal.

Look for a review coming soon!

Guide To Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (Part 4): Where To Play

In the throws of all that is holy, one of the only reasons why we 'homos' travel half way across the world is to get away from the conservative restraints that our own country (wink, wink) has put on us and let out hair down. Most would be aghast if, in my last installment of this Mexican guide, I were not to mention some of night clubs where you can dance all night without the worry of waking up the next morning and dragging yourself into your mundane 9 to 5.

On any given night of the week, the club scene does not 'pop off'' until mid-night so if you do not want to wait that long to begin your night, you may want to check out either La Noche or Stereo.

Both places are hip, and play the latest in urban/hip hop music. Though they both are small, your ability to mingle with other vacationers without becoming offensive coupled with their great drink selection (mixed drinks and cervasas alike) make either of these venues a great jump off to the evening.

Puerto Vallarta prides itself has possession some of the most beautiful people in the world, and it is ever omnipotent at Club Manana. This semi enclosed dance club, fully equipped with a viewing platform elevated over a wading pool and a stage where you can either dance and watch a drop dead gorgeous Drag Queen impersonate Cher.

In addition, the club boasts of an indoor stage located in the rear and three separate bars where you can purchase libations making this a perfect spot to party.

As mentioned in previous posts, Puerto Vallarta has been popular with movie goers for decades, and, in recent years, has become one of the most sought out destinations in North America. I would definitely suggest visiting this ocean side resort town before you leave this world. Following this guide will not open the entire Pandora's box that Puerto Vallarta has to offer.

There is definitely more to see and do (no pun intended) in Puerto Vallarta then the above mentioned, but using these helpful hints and ideas, fun is sure to follow.

Guide To Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (Part 3): Where To Eat

In the third installment of my travel guide to the southern most country of our continent, we delve into where to satisfy you taste buds.

With a plethora of burrito stands splattered on the streets coupled with the current exchange rate of the Mexican peso to the American dollar (14 Peso to 1 dollar as of the day of release) you can minimally satisfy your appetite for just pennies on the dollar for no more than $3 to $5 (American).

For your daytime manage, you should definitely check out the beach chair side service provided to you at the Blue Chairs. For an afternoon of cocktails and a mid afternoon lunch and snack, you will leave the beach before heading out for the evening without spending more than $25!

It's gay infused sea-side location couple with its selection of fresh seafood and Mexican/American grub is a perfect addition to your margarita on the beach while you take in the glorious view that the ocean side spot has to offer.

If you are looking for a more flamboyant fare, you will want to sink your teeth into what you can find at the Kit Kat, a hip, upscale restaurant located in the midst of Puerto Vallarta's old town and just a block away from the beach. Definitely not a place to frequent every evening for dinner (entrees are around $15 American), this eatery is a perfect example of how a sleek, uptown New York bistro can find its niche in Mexico.

With appetizers as extravagant as those found in the most posh LA restaurants, and the eye candy which goes along very well with its décor, you will find this a perfect place to begin a night on the town.

Signs, Signs, Everywhere's A Sign

Just a few snap shots of the multi-tude of signage on my walk home from work.

What in the world would we do without them?

Guide To Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (Part 2): Where To Stay

Only second to air fare, where you rest your head takes up most of the time when it comes to planning your trip. To us gay men, the three most important questions that we think about when deciding on which hotel to book are the following:

- How close it the hotel to the beach?

- Is there an open bar located in the hotel lobby?

- How attractive are the pool boys?

Though these are top concerns for most gay men, I am a bit more frugal than some of my counterparts. So when choosing a hotel I settled for looking at its proximity to the beach, price of the hotel and hotness of the cabana boy (I make my own drinks, thank you very much).

For those who are looking for a safer, high end stay, you will find your best find with Blue Seas Beach Resort. Located steps away from the famous gay portion of Puerto Vallarta's beach front, for a price range of $180 to $235 (American) per night you can stay in a hotel that claims to be the only luxury beach front hotel catering to the gay and lesbian community in Puerto Vallarta.

For those who are looking to stay in a place with a bit more "naughty" clientele, the Vallarta Cora is the place to lay your head. For a not so subtle fee of $85 to $120 (American) per night, and with its combination of hotel, bar and 'men only' spa, one would not have to leave the premises to satisfy all of one's needs (unless of course you wanted to eat, but who needs to do that).

For an even mix of the two extremes mentioned above, my best pick would be Boana Torres Malibu. Its location is just steps away from the afore mentioned Blue Seas Hotel, coupled with its affordable rates (ranging from $45 to $190 American per night) and on site swimming pool make it a great spot for any gay minded individual wanting to make the most of their visit (and the pool boy is not half bad looking either).

Guide To Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Made famous more than four decades ago with Elizabeth Taylor's infatuation for this seaside oasis, over the years Puerto Vallarta, Mexico has morphed into a vacation destination, with its popularity mostly lying with North Americans. This, coupled with its location on Mexico's western coast and its close proximity to cities such as Guadalajara, make it one of the most desired vacation destinations in the world.

These facts have not been lost on the gay Cincinnatians. With our love of tropical locations and scantily clad male genitalia, coupled with out afinity of spending our summer months at indoor water parks (isn't that a oxymoron?), Puerto Vallarta has quickly risen to one of the most sought out destinations for us to let down our hair and let loose from some of the conservative mentalities found in the States.

As with many tourist spots, Puerto Vallarta is not unlike them when it comes to cheesy attractions and shifty eyed con-men, but the following will serve as the gay men's guide to navigating the city of Puerto Vallarta the next time that you decide to visit. In turn, by following this guide found in the next few day's posts, your next Mexican vacation may very well find yourself in the arms of a bronzed behemoth on the sandy beach rather than in a cold damp prison cell.

PrideLove Cincy Auction @ Below Zero

Last night I was auctioned off @ Below Zero and all benefits went to Stop AIDS.

OK...I did not reel in the more than respectable $200 that one of the other auctionees did, but I guess $45 is nothing to shake a stick at...lol

It's Been Awhile...

I know I have not been updating my blog as often as I should be.

The past few weeks have been crazy!

Volunteering for STOP AIDS,

Polishing of some chapters in both my fiction and non-fiction books,

And

Handling the influx of new clients of my start-up company, due to the slumping economy is all keeping me a bit occupied.

But don't fear....a new blog post is i the works and more will follow

OTR's Delima/Blessing

In this morning’s Cincinnati Enquirer, there was a great article about how suburban parents are toting the Q’s recent developments. The article went on to boast that it is mostly young, first time home buyers who are making the big purchase.

I can’t say enough about how much I love to see this once dilapidated part of Vine Street thriving with excited young property owners and vibrant business. There are a few things that worry me about the quick development of the area:

1. How does this urban revitalization affect the lower income residents?

Some of the reasons that OTR has been looked down upon by suburbanites is because of the over abundance of low income housing which populate this area. Historically, a low income environment fosters an environment of crime, but in my experience, criminals who reside in low income areas tend to be in the minority, with the majority of inhabitants being law abiding citizens. Will the Q’s gentrification efforts be detrimental to the low income non-homers who already reside there?

2. What are business / organizations doing capitalize on this influx of new home owners?

As stated before, a majority of the people gobbling up new condos in The Q are young, professionals (sans children) who are rebelling from their suburban up-bringing. But what will we do when they decide to raise a family? Though there is a plethora of charter schools in the area, there are few Cincinnati Public schools (one being a magnet school) and only one choice for a grocery store. You would think that one of the largest grocers in the world would have a higher expectation for their first location than predicting that it will lose money (yeah, I am calling you out Korger's).

3. Where is everyone going to park?

With this influx of residents, along come their vehicles. This coupled with the nontraditional opposition to the streetcar initiative from the NAACP, and the in ability to get bike lanes or scooter parking spaces on the street will cause a cluster when all of the condos are fully occupied. I guess the alternative would be to develop OTR into a series of high rises and parking garages.

Maybe Cincinnati is working under the old adage that “If you build it, they will come”. It may have worked in the movie “Field of Dreams”, but honey, this is no silver screen.