Music Mondays – Say Hi To Your Mom – “The Key of C”

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2004, Barsuk Records, Blue Hurt, Blue Lines, Blue Lines Blog, Brooklyn, California, Eric Elbogen, Euphobia Records, indie rock, Key Yemaya Walker, Keypsiia Walker, lo-fi, Music Mondays, New York, New York City, Sacramento, San Fernando Valley, Say Hi, Say Hi to Your Mom, Seattle, The Key of C, UCLA

The manuscript Blue Lines is the fictional coming of age narrative of a young California woman Key Yemaya Walker, and her 2 year growing journey through school, love, and life period piece, written by Kenneth Suffern, Jr., taking place at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill between the years of 1997 – 1998. Loosely based on true events, and experiences during that time, told through the eyes and voice of the main female protagonist, a freshman first attending the school.

This Day In American History – Arthur Ashe Dies

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1943, 1993, AIDS, Arthur Ashe, ATP, Bllod Transfusions, Blue Lines, Blue Lines Blog, Grand Prix tour, Grand Slam, Heart Surgery, HIV, International Tennis Hall of Fame, Key Yemaya Walker, Richmond, Tennis, This Day In American History, UCLA, United States Amateur Championships, Virginia, WCT tour

Arthur Robert Ashe, Jr. (July 10, 1943 – February 6, 1993) was a professional tennis player, born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. During his career, he won three Grand Slam titles, putting him among the best ever from the United States.

The manuscript Blue Lines is the fictional coming of age narrative of a young California woman Key Yemaya Walker, and her 2 year growing journey through school, love, and life period piece, written by Kenneth Suffern, Jr., taking place at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill between the years of 1997 – 1998. Loosely based on true events, and experiences during that time, told through the eyes and voice of the main female protagonist, a freshman first attending the school.

Blue Lines Blog – Free Write Based on Blue Lines Protagonist – “The Wedding”

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Azul Louis, Azul Taynor, Blue Hurt, Blue Lines, Blue Lines Blog, California, Cyan Abueg, Key Yemaya Walker, Keypsiia Walker, Keypsiia Yemaya Walker, Los Angeles, New York, North Carolina, Sacramento, Short Story, The Wedding, UCLA, UNC, UNC Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Vinyard

This morning coming into work  (8/18/11), I thought of the idea for this story. Based on characters from my manuscript Blue Lines, the few who have read it may have some additional insight on the items and themes in this short story. It also references elements of my manuscript The Eyes Of a Man Born To Life, (which no one has read). A manuscript I began as a 20 year old, to write during any writers block with Blue Lines. I digress, this short story stands alone, while not giving away story arcs and elements from my manuscript. Please enjoy.

It rained lightly, but life had taught her not to worry about the small things.
Cyan fretted, as her daughter watched her run to and fro.
“Baby, it’s raining on your day,” Cyan pleaded at the verge of tears. “Azul is here, where are the rest of your girls,” she asked panicked, as her daughter slowly eased into the application.
“It would be fine,” she thought silently as she broke a slight smile between her makeup being applied as random drops slid down the window.
Azul dashed in in a panic, “Key-Key, rain…I thought it never rains in southern California,” she slightly laughed extremely happy to be free.
Keypsiia smiled widely, glancing at her best friend and mother. Thinking back on those long years ago in North Carolina, and her mind was slightly kissed by Blue. A fleeting melancholy was easily overcome by her day. She marveled at her best friend from New York. Azul Taynor had been there with her since the day they met, at that time she was simply Azul Lewis. She was there during the entire experience, and even accompanied her when she left UNC for UCLA.
In college Keypsiia, an 18 year old, was the seemingly grounded one, the stable one, yet she looked onto her matron of honor. Azul had been married for 7 years, and had two children. Both were Keypsiia’s God-daughters, or as she called them, nieces. Azul, now lived in California, and Keypsiia would head back home to New York after the close of all of the events.
“Who would have thought,” Azul blurted, trying to rephrase her words.
“It’s OK,” Keypsiia broke, “After Blue,” she finished. “I’m just shocked,” she joked, “you got married,” she smiled. “North Carolina and LA were so different from you, and now Brooklyn girl lives out here with her Cali man, and her little Cali babies. I love you Azul,” Keypsiia admitted, as if it were the first time. “I wouldn’t do this without you.”

What I Learned (Remembered) Sundays – Retro and Current

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Alabama, Atlanta, Atlanta Hawks, Austin, buffalo, California, Chicago Bulls, Connecticut, Fargo, Florida, hispanic, James Byrd, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Mt St Helens, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Portland, QOTD, Red Dragon, San Antonio, San Francisco, Texas, UC Berkeley, UCLA, Waco, What I Learned Sundays, white buffalo

For some reason, I thought about my first trip outside of Georgia as the basis of today’s What I Learned Sundays. Now granted…yearly trips to New York don’t count, because all my family is from New York, therefore that’s home, not a trip. New Jersey, I lived there…that’s not a trip. Okay, how about Connecticut for school…Tri-State area, that’s basically home. And Florida…yeah, that really doesn’t count. Well in 1999 I had the opportunity to go out to the Dream state…California on my first, and currently last, road trip. That experience, 1) to see the country, and that fabled state, 2) to do research for my manuscript. It was amazing, therefore prior to what I learned this week, I present roadtrip.

I remember landing in Minneapolis.
I remember the Red Dragon, and the Chinese server Tony who we spoke to as if he was Italian.
I remember with dancing with the tattooed girl (mind you 1999) to Sir Mix-A-Lots “Baby Got Back.”
I remember staying at D’s Mom’s and her sounding like the mother from “Bobby’s World.”
I remember thinking the off ramps and gas stations in Minneapolis reminded of Queens, NY.
I remember that breakfast at Perkins…never again at that glorified IHOP (I don’t like their food either).
I remember Fargo, ND…wanting to see a city because of one of your favorite movies…OK, boy that place is ugh.
I remember the seeing a white buffalo.
I remember the Badlands.
I remember becoming a vegetarian before the trip, and eating Power Bars and drinking Sobe drinks.
I remember having my comp Starbucks coupons and drinking Frappucinos.
I remember noting but open sky and road in Montana.
I remember the Rockies.
I remember Idaho, and seeing that small historic town Wallace, in Idaho and walking through newly constructed mansions in Coeur d’Alene Idaho.

Blue Lines Blog – When We were Babies

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Air Jordan 12, Arizona, Atlanta Braves, Bad Boy, Bennigan's, Black & Milds, California, Club Kaya, DJ Clue, DMX, Earwax Records, El Paso, Famous Pizza, Fargo, Foamposite, Freaknic, FSU, Future Flavors, Golden Gate Bridge, Hot 97, Key Arena, Klassic Klymaxx, Los Angeles, Metro North, Minneapolis, Mortal Konbat, Motown Cafe, New York, NYU, OutKast, Presidio, Ralph McDaniels, Red Dragon, Ruff Jeans, Sacramento, San Antonio, San Francisco, Seattle, Silver Lake, Spokane, Street Fighter 2, Tallahassee, Texas, The Roots, The Source, Time Square, Tower Records, Trumbull Mall, UC Berkeley, UCLA, University Of Bridgeport, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Vibe Magazine, Virgin MegaStore, Walnut Creek, X-Men

Babies…When WE Were Babies

I really can’t wrap my head around this last week.
ba•by (bey-bee)
n.
1. an infant or very young child.
2. a newborn or very young animal.
3. the youngest member of a family, group, etc.
4. an immature or childish person.
5. a human fetus.
6. Informal .

Blue Lines Blog – Issue #15 Understanding

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Antony & the Johnsons, Beautiful Black Woman, Blue Lines, bobbleheads, Cornel West, Ghost, John Wooden, Kat Goduco, Kenneth A Suffern Jr, tornado, UCLA

“I’m not what I ought to be; Not what I want to be; Not what I am going to be; But I’m thankful I am not what I used to be.”  – John Wooden

               

2:04AM 10/4/09

When I first read this quote, I thought that I had the basic essence of the statement, but a series of normal events proved that there was more to take from this statement by the legendary basketball coach.

Because some of these items relate back to Blue Lines and to continue to not making any use of real names of the living (unless I have mentioned, or interviewed them in the past) I offer this again…

Because of my intellectual property, and my goal for this to begin my being published, I have to be vague in many areas of the story’s actual content.  I would like to add that should anyone be offended by ANYTHING that I go forward with: 1) if it will offend you, please read objectively, my goal is not and has never been to embarrass or disrespect anyone; 2) although I am explaining why Blue Lines was written, this is a public forum and names will be omitted to protect the innocent; 3) if you know me now, and did not then, this also applies as this relates to why I wrote my work.