Birthday Bash

Today was my dear friend Maurice Jamal's birthday and we all met at the Elephant Bar to mix and mingle. The atmosphere was immediately a warm and funny one and the night ran for three hours long and we didn't even realize it. We talked about Obama and the craze America is going through and how the bailout should consist of Obama products. Selling that on Ebay will get us out the hole. How many people do you know owns an Obama T-shirt, picture, key chain, boxers, panties, bras?

We talked about the olden days about Battle of the Network Stars (before my time, of course), UHF televisions, the theme parties and my mother being the head of the Sandwich Ministry in her church. All in all, I smiled so hard and laughed so hard that my muscles started aching. I haven't laughed and enjoyed company like that for so long. Thank You Maurice and Happy 25th Birthday...again. LOL.

Excerpt from 'U, Sex and the Town' Episode 3

I never could understand why men do the things that they do or say the things they say. Even when William left me the first time, the excuses and reasons men give to avoid you have never ceased to amaze me. It was my last day off of work from the emergency leave I had stored up from over the years and I was to return on Friday. I didn’t mind the time off and enjoyed the amount of time I had to recollect on my life and the people in it. Leon was one of the people I thought about. He was average height for his age, standing at five nine for a twenty seven year old. He was fairly skinny, but was more muscle than fat and he kept his perfect brown skin smooth by shaving ever other day. The thing I loved most about him was that he always kept his hair cut up to date. Never a missed appointment with his barber. For months at a time, we hung out and made love with each other. We spent majority of the weeks together and our favorite spots to cuddle were Berkeley Hills and Berkeley Marina. It wasn’t until a few months into our dating game when he informed me that there was someone else he was talking to, but didn’t want me to leave because he didn’t know who to choose between. Most people in their right minds would have said fuck him and left, but apparently I wasn’t in my right mind. I stayed with him, fucked him day or night, and ended up loving him after that only to get a call Monday night saying he was choosing the other guy. I was never going to call or deal with him again, until I got the news that forced me to make this date with Leon and see him one last time. We met early afternoon at a Thai place called Cho Thai Cuisine over by Lake Merritt. It was small and quaint but very secretive.

“To be honest, I didn’t think I would have seen you again, Kenny.” Leon started, after he hugged me and sat down. I smiled nervously and cleared my throat.

“What did you expect me to do? Stay around?” I asked.

“I mean, you never know what may happen with me and Rick.”

“Oh, his name is Rick.”

“Yes, he is wonderful.”

And mark the first slap in my face for the day and cue the waiter appearing out of nowhere.

“Would you two gentlemen like anything to drink?” he asked in his Middle Eastern American mixed accent. I looked at Leon, who was searching for a drink section on his menu.

“It’s on the inside flap,” I informed as he opened the menu up and lit up with joy.

“Yes, I would like a glass of your Petit Verdot.” Leon ordered.

“And I just want a glass of Merlot.” I added. The waiter nodded and walked away.

“You come here a lot I take it.” Leon continued as I searched the menu for what I wanted.

“They have a killer peanut butter dip that I could have a whole order of.” I laughed and quickly raced in my mind how I was going to break the news to him before the waiter came back. I was afraid that I would get the same coldness I did from Chris last night, but figured I wouldn’t know unless I just said it.

“Leon, to be truthful with you, after the message you left me, I wasn’t going to see you ever again.” I slowly started. The waiter returned with our drinks and informed us that he would return after he helped the other couple who just walked in.

“Well, then why are you here? You still love me after this?” Leon sipped his red wine as I inhaled deeply.

“Of course, that will never change, but I just found out that I am sick.” I got out, looking dead in his face with fear. He raised his left eye brow.

“Sick? What do you mean?”

I took a big gulp of my wine now.

“I am HIV positive.” I whispered, “And because we’ve been sexual, I thought you
should know.”

“How long have you been positive?” he asked sternly, slowly placing his glass down.

“I’ve known for a couple of days now, but I’ve been positive for over a year.”

“A YEAR?” he blurted out.

“Did you not hear me say that I’ve known for a couple of days?” I asked, still at a whisper, "I got tested before I moved here, but left in a rush before the results came back."

“You could have affected me? And now you tell me? Is this some sort of a joke?”

“First of all, we always used protection.” I defended.

“And?”

“And, as soon as I found out, I came and told you.”

Leon shot up from the table, almost knocking over his wine.

“Now I have to take time out of my life to go get tested, and Rick too, because you weren’t smart enough to keep up with your records and so help me, if I am sick, I will ruin you.” He muttered in my ear. I sighed out of frustration and stood up to meet him.

“I suppose that this will be the last time I ever see or hear from you again.” I asserted quietly and forcefully, “But I would’ve thought you would have been more understanding to my feelings.”

“Fuck you.” He hissed and walked out of the restaurant. I slowly sat down at the table and rested my head on my left palm. The waiter returned all apologetic.

“Is everything okay?” he asked.

“Just keep the Merlot coming,” I informed, swallowing the rest of my wine and reaching for Leon’s glass. Yes, I never could understand why men do the things that they do or say the things they say. And it was conclusive that they were not going to stop amazing me even after Leon had left.

B-TV #4

Jonny B. Mitchell gives you the heart to heart story of his life and reminds you never to give up.

D'Angelo: What the Hell Happened?

written by David Peisner




Thanks to that video, D'Angelo was poised for superstardom, and the R&B renaissance he led was about to change the world. Instead, he fell into a spiral of substance abuse and arrests -- and virtually disappeared. Eight years later, his friends and colleagues reveal where he's been and what it's going to take to bring him back.

Click here for the full story on D'Angelo Archer.

A Solobeatz Production Commercial

The Bicentennial

written by Ebony

Within the power

of a dream

is the power

to make it come true.

Follow your heart,

and your dreams

won't be left behind.

A Day in the Life

So I went to the bookstore today and came into an ephiany that the laws of attraction are REAL. That if I want a man to come to me, and I want him to have the things I desire, I first need to change myself and make myself more attractable. We are all looking for Mister Right to come knock at our front doors and sweep us away, but what are WE doing to be that Mister Right for THEM? How are we attracting these perfect (in our sense) specimen of men? So I began to put on my thinking cap, my hope cap and my wave cap and stripping myself of the old, rugged me and dressing up in a new me. Not only do I have a new standard for me (i.e., not meeting people off BGC or A4A no more,) I have a new look on my life. I said at the beginning of the year I was going to be more like Bree Van De Kamp and I am sticking to it. You think its silly? Well, if you knew anything about her, you would know that its a good change for me. I will keep my house clean daily, always smile, and cook more. I want to do all this for my future man, so why not send out the message to the Universe that I am at least trying?

So the laws of attraction are not only real, but they work. I will become a better person for me, to love me, to enjoy me so when another man who is as whole as me arrives, We will make a huge force with each other.

Excerpt from 'U, Sex and the Town' Episode 3

The door to Deandre Archer’s apartment opened slowly and he looked at me with a look of confusion. Deandre, who goes by his middle name Chris, was my neighbor and an ex client of my down at the Arbitrary firm. He had his rectangular glasses on his head and he wore a tank top, revealing his athletically built, mocha frappuccino looking skin. Any other time, I would have came all on myself, but his energy was giving off a kill joy mood.

“Kenny, what are you doing here?”

I looked down to the ground and then over to my right, catching my best friend Junior Ross getting on the elevator after I told him to leave.

“Kenny?” Chris called as I snapped in attention to him.

“Oh, yeah, I just needed to talk to you real quick.”

“Who was that guy I’ve been seeing you all over? Was he the one who told me to get out?” I could sense a bit of jealousy in his voice but it didn’t make any sense to me why he was even getting to that point. It was flattering to see he still remembered that situation in my house.

“That’s William, we are going to try and rekindle our relationship.” I defended quickly, “But I need to talk to you about something more important.”

His eyes faded into attention on the wall behind me and his mind seemed to be distant but I continued talking anyway.

“Seeing how you wanted friends’ in the building, I wanted to be the first to accept that invitation.” I smiled nervously but I got no response.

“Well,” I continued softly, “I just got some news that got me a bit down and I need some support. I just found out that I am HIV positive.”

His eyes fell on me quickly, angrily and mixed with concern.

“Aren’t you gay?” he coldly asked as if it was a matter of fact.

“Yes? What does that-"

“Well, I’m sorry to hear that.” He muttered.

“I don’t need pity, just support.”

“Oh, well, then, I can’t help you.” He finished emotionlessly and closed the door right after. I was stunned, appalled and let my mind race with all kinds of questions. Was something wrong with him? Did something happen in his life? Was William making him jealous? It was too confusing and was making my head hurt.

From MLK to Today by Director Antoine Fuqua

MLK Day of Service

In recognition of MLK Day and in prepration for Inauguration Day, A Solobeatz Production brings you the 'Day of Service' video, inspiration by President-Elect Barack Obama's words calling Martin Luther King day "A day of service."

Excerpt from 'U, Sex and the Town' Episode 2

“Damn, it’s huge!” I heard a voice exclaim. Immediately I shot up and wrapped my towel around my waist. When I saw who made the comment, I was stunned to see my locker partner, Jeremy Hendricks, staring profusely at my semi-hard dick. He was black and Latin mix, short, about five two and stocky built with a hi-top fade. There was this strange smirk across his face when he looked up at me. He saw that I was freaking out, even though I hadn’t moved an inch since I shot up, so he chuckled and said,

“I’m sorry bro, did I wake you?”

“What the fuck you mean? Someone could’ve heard you!”

“Ain’t no body in here, Junior. Calm down.”

“Calm down? You fuckin lookin at my dick! I ain’t into that faggot shit man!” I yelled as he stepped into my face. I was breathing hard out of fear, anger, embarrassment and pleasure.

“I didn’t say you were.” Jeremy whispered.

I broke out in a sweat as he slowly grabbed my crotch area and before I knew it, he had kissed me. I’m talking, serious tongue action on my lips and all over my neck. I was breathing hard from pure pleasure now as he gently dropped my towel and was stroking my dick. So many things went through my mind at this time. Was this right? It felt right. Was I going to be kicked off the team if anyone found out? Abruptly, there was a slam in the distance and we both jolted in different directions. After that, I never spoke to him again and the next day I changed locker partners. On graduation day, he tried to talk to me, but I pretended I didn’t hear him and walked away. I regret being an ass like that because he didn’t do anything to me but confirm in me what I already knew. The University of California, East Bay accepted me and my sophomore year there I heard that Jeremy had died in a car accident back in Jackson. I would never forgive myself for not apologizing to him before he left the earth.

Obama May End Military's Ban on Gays

Sixteen years after Bill Clinton tried to end restrictions on gays in the military, the U.S. armed forces under Barack Obama may be forced to give homosexuals the same welcome as non-gays.

Under president Clinton, the policy that once saw homosexuals discharged from US military service evolved to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," allowing gays to remain in the military so long as they did not reveal their sexual orientation.

Obama has pledged to overhaul current law.

"The key test for military service should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve. Discrimination should be prohibited," reads an entry on the president-elect's transition website.

Shortly after taking the oath of office in 1993, Clinton originally moved for an outright ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation in the military.

That step, for better or worse, prompted an outcry among top military brass, along with many Republicans and a significant segment of the public.

Clinton quickly came up with his "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" compromise, allowing gays and lesbians to serve in the military as long as they did not speak about their sexual orientation.

The law however still has seen a large number of dismissals of gay service members. Since its enactment, some 12,500 soldiers have been sent packing for acknowledging their homosexuality or after being outed as gay.

Those booted included some 800 key jobs such as Arabic translators, medical staff, pilots and intelligence personnel, according to the Service members Legal Defense Network, a group which is fighting to end all restrictions on military service based on sexual orientation.

Backers of reform said the move toward loosening restriction reflects a change in societal attitudes.

"There has been a sea change in the way this issue is viewed, especially in light of our national security needs," said Democratic lawmaker Ellen Tauscher.

"We shouldn't be forcing good men and women out of military service," Tauscher told AFP.
The lawmaker is the lead sponsor in the House of Representatives of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, which would replace "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

"The momentum for repeal has already begun. This summer we held first hearing on this issue in 15 years and recent public surveys show 75 percent of Americans believe (homosexual) men and women should be able to serve openly," the California lawmaker continued.

"My bill to repeal the policy last year had 148 co-sponsors in the House. I will reintroduce this legislation in the coming Congress," Tauscher added.

Even a group of some 100 retired generals and admirals recently appealed for "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" to be scrapped.

"As is the case with Great Britain, Israel, and other nations that allow gays and lesbians to serve openly, our service members are professionals who are able to work together effectively despite differences in race, gender, religion, and sexuality," the former military brass wrote in their November 2008 letter.

Many in the traditionally conservative military community continue to have misgivings, but that lack of support should not impede getting rid of the law, opponents said.

"There will always be some people who will prefer the status quo, but people who preferred segregated units (banned in the U.S. military in 1948) didn't leave the military by and large," notes Aubrey Sarvis, director of the SDLN.

Obama will have to be firm in his commitment to ending discrimination against gays in the military, he warned, despite a full agenda of burgeoning crises.

"Of course, the economy has to be the first priority, but it's a matter of developing a plan on how to move forward successfully," said Sarvis, who predicted a new law within the year.

"I take the president-elect on his word," he said. "I think he'll do it."

Tell me, who doesn't love Obama more now?

'U Sex and the Town' Publication

Episode One


Episode Two

B-TV #3

Broadcast Television brings you the third installment of the series. Join Jonny B. Mitchell as he brings you the new 'Poetry Corner' and rants on the topic of LOVE. Enjoy

Special Moment (2004)

dedicated 2 Robert

The moment i saw u,
I kept my emotions in.
I never would have craved you so
if the night would have never end.
Your body, so perfect right
became entwined with mine
The music became apart of our soul
your spirit was humble and fine.
I want to feel you inside of me.
With apart of you to take home.
Blessed but in a bind to show;
Africa, Italy and Rome.
"Can you keep up"?
with the feeling I have for you?
To dance the night away again
and discover another clue.
How do i conclude
a poem with much desire.
A person i may never see again
Someone my body admires.

Excerpt from 'U, Sex and the Town' Episode 1

The ride to Muir Beach usually consists of just me and Junior, but since Teddy didn’t drive to work today, he tagged along. Our last installment to the group of extraordinary people is Tonya Brown, my long time high school friend, meets us up there. Since she lives in Point Richmond, she just takes off the days we head to the Mount and drives the few minutes without coming to the city. The real action is watching the trivial bickering that Teddy and Tonya do. A main reason for it is because, one, they cannot stand each other and two, Tonya is a bonafide bisexual turned lesbian and Teddy is a selfish homosexual who thinks all her men are gay. The only common denominator between the two, other than the rumor of shared men, is me.

After climbing and dodging death on the large rocks and boulders, we made it to the top of the cliff we dubbed ‘The Mount’. The sun was just about to meet the horizon when we had settled and sat on the edge of the cliff. I sat with my legs crossed as Tonya sat on my right, Junior on my left and Teddy on Junior’s left. For once, we all just sat in silence looking at the fuchsia lit skyline kissing the rippling blue ocean. The clouds reflected the colors, making it look like a ring of fire in the sky. Five minutes of silence was around us before Tonya broke it.

“So how’s Leon?” she asked me.

“Is that the only way you guys know how to start a conversation with me?” I asked.

“Well, you tend to focus on one guy when you meet him.” Tonya confessed.

“Especially if you only they option and not they priority.” Junior added.

“Not you too, Junior.”

“Hell, girl, it’s the truth.” Teddy chimed in, “You are hanging onto a whim and a prayer with this guy, hoping he’ll what? Pick you to fuck exclusively?”

“Which will not happen.” Junior affirmed, placing his hand on the back of my head, “Why should it?”

“He makes me smile,” I sighed, tearing up a bit, “And he is nice and wonderful.”

“Nice and wonderful just doesn’t cut it anymore,” Tonya declared, “If he can’t see you for more than a piece of ass then you don’t need him.”

“Is the sex that good?” Teddy asked.

I sighed again.“It’s great.”

“That ain’t enough either,” he asserted, “ I’d rather you mess with your neighbor you met today than with Leon.”

Simultaneously, Junior and Tonya snapped their heads in attention at me.

“WHO?” they sang.

I rolled me eyes at Junior.“You already know, Junior. The guy that came to my job.”

“He came to your job?” Teddy outburst, “Bitch, and you didn’t tell me?”

“It was irrelevant.”

“Don’t throw them two cent words at me.”

“I didn’t know he was your neighbor.” Junior butted in, “How close?”

“Across the hall,” Teddy answered before I could, “Miss Thang had a klutz attack and Prince Charming was at his aid.”

“What’s his name?” Tonya asked.

“Chris.”

“Chris?” Teddy pondered, “He sounds familiar.”

“Because it’s a common name you idiot.” Tonya exclaimed.

“Really? Let’s count how many Chris’s and Christina’s been up in your pussy. And that counts Chris with a C and a K. Christians’ and Christophers’. Chris spelled with an H and without an H.”

“Boy, shut up.” Junior snapped and then turned to me, “Anyways, so are you going to apologize for being a bitch to him?”

“How surprising,” Teddy commented.

“Oh, get this, he likes him now.” Junior gossiped to Teddy.

“You know, Judas must have taken lessons on betrayal from you.” I said, evil eyeing Junior, “But I will apologize tonight cause my boss wants me to cancel the meeting we are suppose to have.”

“Wait, which means, he’s married?” Tonya remarked with astonishment, “Guy or girl?”

“Girl.”

“A married man? I thought you were against that sort of thing.” Teddy yelled with a sense of smug in his voice.

“He’s getting a divorce but I don’t even know if the man is gay.” I protested, “I just have a crush on him.”

“Don’t do anything stupid.” Junior added, “You know nothing about him. We don’t want another crazed man coming after you like your ex did.”

I gasped softly. I had purposely blocked out my ex, William of five years in the state of Virginia, out of my mind. After he left me for a shorter, more muscular Spanish bottom, he claimed I cheated on him before then and stalked me for months vowing revenge. He left threatening messages, emails and letters saying he would see me dead then with anyone else. I never went to the police because I was scared. However, he never tried anything physical but I wasn’t waiting around till that day came. So I packed up and moved to Oakland. For so long, I didn’t deal with the pain and loss I had over him and it was all coming back at once. I didn’t realize that tears were swelling up in my eyes and some streaming down my face. I felt Tonya’s hand on my thigh and Junior’s arm around my neck. Teddy had gotten up and wrapped his arms around my waist and together we all watched the sun set. Today I was going to rest this pain with the sun and start anew when it rose again tomorrow.

Memories of 2008 End

November is when it started to get a little chilly but not dead on cold. I was still going through the hurricane but was making it through. I am happy for the friends that I had around me to keep me from drowning and to present me faultless to the only wise god our savior (lol inside joke). Around the middle of the month, a facebook friend Steve from Memphis came to visit the San Francisco Bay Area and I offered my place for him to stay to cut down on hotel fees. We had a fun time and it felt good to finally get out of the house. I could finally see the sun breaking through the clouds in my depression and as soon as Steve left, the clouds swarmed around swiftly again. Steve left Tuesday and that Friday I was laid off from my job. I didnt know whether to celebrate cuz I didn't have to travel an hour an a half or cry cuz I was one of the 1.9 million people who don't have jobs. That day I had a date to go on, but my mind was too crowded to even pay attention to him. So, unlike the others, he listened. When I woke up the next day, I filed for unemployment to find out I wont be eligible till January and then went shopping for Thanksgiving. I was finally seeing rock bottom and said that I would not touch the bottom this time. The people that were draining me, I needed to get rid of. Sorry to say, but a few 'friends' from VA got cut off, my 'god father' was cut off, and other wanna be wolves in sheep's clothing were too. The Sunday before Thanksgiving, I went to church (yes bitch) and felt a release and heard the universe tell me that there was a way out. The Tuesday after, I changed my number and gave it to people that I wanted to have it and immediately felt lighter. I erased all contacts of the said named people and blocked them from trying to contact me. And when Thanksgiving came, I cooked and finally exhaled (so cliche but hey, it fits). I restarted my blogsite and made a new YouTube show. My hurricane was officially over.

In December, I rekindled a flame with a date I met back in March who said he didn't want to talk to me cuz I didn't shop at Barneys or Macys and that I wasn't high maintenance for him. This time, he said he had changed and wanted to be with me at all costs. However, he had left the Bay Area and had moved to Wisconsin where he wanted me to come. He said that he would take care of me and we would be happy. But later on found out that people don't really change, they jus pretend they do. He didn't want me to be Wiccan and he wanted me to cut my hair and he wanted me to leave my house in CA for him and my happiness for him, saying we can find happiness together. And for a brief moment, I considered it. My best friends did what any best friends would do, supported me regardless of my decision, knowing if it was a bad one, even though they would be there, I would learn a lesson in it. It wasn't until I was listening to Beyonce's 'If I Were a Boy' and thinking oddly somehow that's how I was feeling, that I was making a rash and ultimately a wrong decision. Percy, a long time crush of mine, called me and we talked for 3 hours and he told me what I wanted to hear from others, 'Don't do it.' Then when he said he missed the old, funny, happy go lucky Jonny, I cried. It had been a long time since I had smiled and it hurt to finally realize it. I volunteered at the local High School's telecommunication program and started seeing my doctor regularly. I started to feel good about myself. Come the holiday week, I was on a new high on life. I spent it with my friend Maurice, then a date, then a party at my friend's friends house on Saturday and ended with a swift vacation in Santa Cruz with my closest friends on Tuesday.

Now today I look up and smile. The eyes that were watching God can finally see him clearly and feel her around me. My friends that all have been there for me, I thank so much. My brother, Your little bro loves u, my sisters too. Two thousand and eight was a year of many discoveries and revelations. YES! Many of them but the one last discovery that I found was that I have joy again and this time, I wont let it slip. Even if it was at the last blinking moment, I got it. Let's take one last look at the past, *looks back*, and WE ARE OFF!

Happy New Year!