Quote Moment

Whew....its been a while.

So, seems like a quote is in order.

“Procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried.”

Having said that...watch me try and dig myself out of this.

Feeling Like a Nina Simone Song

This is my homage to the life of Ms. Nina Simone.

For some reason I was feeling something in the air. The Divine Ms. Nina Simone, The High Priestess of Soul, kept popping into my mind and her music kept randomly coming up in my music player. And when I realized that it was close to the anniversary of her death, April 21, 2003 - it made so much sense.

It was six years ago. I was rushing back to the office after an extra long lunch. I remember it was a beautiful, sunny day. My mind was focused on several projects in progress, knowing my work load was relentless and I would have to put in some serious overtime during the next few days. So I'm hurrying across Broadway when this beautiful sister rushes toward me. Her energy is anxious, but there is also this profound sense of calmness that balanced her. It compels me to stop right in my tracks - which in New York City is highly unusual - because people rarely stop to chat with strangers. She can barely look me in my eyes but when she does, for one fleeting moment, she asks me, "have you heard of Nina Simone?" I'm speechless at first, but I felt the urgent need to respond. And so I answer in one breath, "yes." In my hands, she thrusts a colorful flier detailing the rich life and the passing on of Ms. Simone. Then she says, "I'm her daughter, please come to her memorial service today in Harlem." And after having said this, Lisa Celeste Stroud (born the same year as me) rushes away across Broadway, fliers tucked securely beneath her arm - an intense woman in pain but in peaceful mourning of her extraordinary Mother. I'm flushed with emotion of what it means to lose someone close to me, particularly my own Mother whose birthday happens to be in April. I cannot even conceive what life would be like without my Mother on this earth-journey with me. I was touched in ways I hadn't felt in a long time. I remember feeling stunned, almost paralyzed as I'm staring at Lisa Celeste's (now known as Simone) back as she moved swiftly down Broadway - me wanting to talk to her, comfort her in some way - like was it even possible? It took me a moment before I could move again, to start walking back to my office. In that one moment in time, I was reminded that everything happens for a reason and that there are no coincidences. Seldom do random experiences stay with us - but that is one forever imprinted on my soul.

The 2009 White House Easter Egg Roll

An Experience I will Never Forget....

When a friend of my partner asked whether or not our family would be interested in attending the 2009 White House Easter Egg Roll with the First Family - we jumped at the opportunity. We were even more inspired once we learned that there was a certain amount of tickets reserved for LGBT families to participate.

We arrived Easter Evening. Having made reservations at a nice restaurant within walking distance of our hotel - we enjoyed a fabulous Easter feast. Tyler was thrilled at the prospects of meeting President Obama - constantly asking us "will President Obama be there? Will he be upset if we're late tomorrow?" The only thing that could relax him was the nice hot chocolate "made from Verona chocolate" the host of the restaurant gave him as treat for dessert.

The next day we eased into the morning after having breakfast, flipping thru various channels featuring segments of the White House Easter Egg Roll. We couldn't help but feel the excitement - especially for our little one - who could envision the possibilities that he too, could possibly become a World Leader some day.

The White House was a nice walking distance. As we stood at the front of the White House - a motorcabe roared through - I couldn't help but to feel a rush as I gripped Tyler's hand tighter in my own. It was hard not to be in awe being this close to greatness. The crowds were thick but patient and respectful. The lines? Long and laborious but one could hardly hear a complaint, lest it was a restless toddler (and there were quite a few).

Once we reached the south lawn, despite the lines for all events from photo ops with PBS Kids television characters, the Egg Roll, Egg Hunt, Egg decorations, Kid's Kitchen, Soccer, Story Telling.......everyone, from children to parents/family members/care takers were on their best behavior as the sun slipped through the clouds ensuring that our special day in Washington DC was warm, civilized and unforgettable. Being this close to The Obama Family in 2009 was an experience we wanted our little one to always remember.

Quote Moment

I love quotes.

So once in a while, I'll post one that I happen to be feeling really strongly about in any given moment.

Anais Nin.....her quotes always move me. This is one of hers.

I postpone death by living, by suffering, by error, by risking, by giving, by losing.

She Panic Reading: March 25, 2009

What a fabulous evening!

Charlie Vazquez of Fire King Press/Queer Latino Estoeric organized a marvelous line-up in honor of Women's Month with the theme: *multicultural meditations on female desire*. Nowhere was all aflame last night, the room filled with scintillating lit heat. My heart was also warmed by the cast of supporters that came out to hold me up. As some of you may know, readings are not my strong suit. I suffer from MAJOR performance anxiety syndrome. But for some reason, my inner warrior Goddess was awakened and I 'performed' just fine. Thank you EVERYONE for showing so much love for me and for the arts. And thanks to those who couldn't make the event - your positive energy was all around me holding me close (especially a certain someone very special to me - I love you, baby). I'm unsure when I'll be doing another reading, but stay close to Scribe Vibe for any and all updates.

Upcoming Reading THIS WEEK!!!!

Not to be missed!

SHE-PANIC! At Nowhere, NYC

Wednesday, March 25th, 8PM sharp! 21+, Free

Charlie Vázquez hosts SHE-PANIC! *multicultural meditations on female desire*, a sensual evening of readings centered on the desire of creation, female desire, at Nowhere, NYC. Come grab a seat and listen to the lusty, multicultural exploits of erotica divas Martha Garvey, Mure Vyn, Rosalind Christine Lloyd, Llivia Llewellyn, Tiffany Lee Brown and Nora Robertson. I'll be happy to be hosting these ladies, who hail from the Pacific Northwest to Trinidad and beyond, and hope you will too...bring a friend and a smile.


Nowhere, 322 E 14th St (btwn 1st/2nd Aves), East Village, NYC
Wednesday, March 25th, 8PM sharp! 21+, Free

Special Note:
So it is RARE that I do a reading, so please come out if you can to support. You know I'm THE nervous nelly regarding these public speaking thangs - so bring a sister a valium if you're holding. :). See you there!

Firewood

I took this photo while in Ghana and initially I referred to it as "Lady carrying firewood on the Cape Coast." Now, I simply call it "FIREWOOD."

ETERNITY

Eternity
© 2007
Rosalind Christine Lloyd

Eternity;
Flung like a whisper of an aria,
against the thunder
of wonder
of an infinite, extended center
of waves of oceans that roam
and condone
the epicenter of
closed minds
that fail to find the soft strength
in endless waterfalls
that taste of golden inner peace.


The determined rush rush
of persistent showers that push push
into forever pools
that glisten like invisible jewels
that release a spectacular spray
of cerulean, slate, shades of blue, shades of grey
into bottomless vessels
of unlimited thresholds
of an undeniable existence
subconsciously conscious
or
consciously subconscious
Fluidly – Fluidity
Forever

Photography perhaps.....

Creativity is Abstract.

Expressing myself has not always been fluid. But, my love of travel has turned my desire of documenting my adventures to something more aesthetically motivated. In other words, I'm into photography. I found not only does it capture moments in time, but it adds a special visual to something that I can put to words later.

In 2004 I spent some time in Italy. Many people are generally drawn to Florence, however, I was infatuated with Rome (and Venice). This particular photo is of Bar Toto in the Jewish Ghetto. What I find fascinating about visiting old cities is the combination of the new and the ancient. Is the marriage of the two disruptive or inevitable?

Temple

This is a poem in progress. I've flirted with the art form. While I've discovered it is not my strong suit, I like to wing it when compelled.


Temple
by rosalind christine lloyd

Mind fuck-ing
Grey matters
Contorting, twisting into
Pinks, ochres, burnt sienna
Blazing golds across my mind
Body
Soul transporting
Sense of reality shifting
Time is slipping
Mind is slipping
Mine is slipping
Digitally enhanced
Filling empty fertile, greedy spaces
Lingering aches of smooth, supple surfaces
The salty sweet irresistible taste of reality
Heavy on my palate
Soaking my senses

Wrapping ones mind around the intensity of an unforgiving emptiness
That seeps into one’s cluttered, racing, conscious mind
Questioning the inevitability of a certain destiny
Deciding whether or not
to become some warrior against the war of fate
Wrapping one’s thighs around the possibility of what’s impossible
Wrapping one’s arms around the newness of something ancient
That’s warmer than the Egyptian summer sun
Heating the desert of
many lives past
A proverbial temple

The Process: February 2009

In the quiet moments of the morning is when I have the most clarity. And this morning, I decided to conquer one of my greatests antagonists, Writer's Block.

Sometimes I’m not sure if I have intermittent writer’s block, or if I’m just struggling to piece together coherent blocks of time in which to write (could be both). So recently I’ve made a determined effort to to become inspired. Not necessarily by anything or anybody but I've found this renewed eagerness to find some spark, a glimmer of inspiration.

And so I’ve found a muse! Not the love of my life, not the little man that’s the quintessential apple of my eye - oh no, that's way too much pressure to put on them and me, especially at this awkward (uncreative) phase I’m in.

I’ve found a muse, in myself.

Not groundbreaking, I know. But to me, it’s a start.

I’ve been faced with a life size mirror and in order to enhance the clarity that I am seeking, in order to shake the blocks from their foundations, I’ve decided to go inside for a while. Not to be still - but to shake things up a bit.

Check back here to find out how it all turns out.