And the second one

A collection of textile samples lay spread out on the table – Samsa was a travelling salesman – and above it there hung a picture that he had recently cut out of an illustrated magazine and housed in a nice, gilded frame. It showed a lady fitted out with a fur hat and fur boa who sat upright, raising a heavy fur muff that covered the whole of her lower arm towards the viewer. Gregor then turned to look out the window at the dull weather.

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One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin. He lay on his armour-like back, and if he lifted his head a little he could see his brown belly, slightly domed and divided by arches into stiff sections. The bedding was hardly able to cover it and seemed ready to slide off any moment.

 

Introduction

One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin. He lay on his armour-like back, and if he lifted his head a little he could see his brown belly, slightly domed and divided by arches into stiff sections. The bedding was hardly able to cover it and seemed ready to slide off any moment. His many legs, pitifully thin compared with the size of the rest of him, waved about helplessly as he looked. “What’s happened to me?” he thought. It wasn’t a dream. His room, a proper human room although a little too small, lay peacefully between its four familiar walls.

 

A Skee-Phi Wedding: Brother Ryan and Soror Allison

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Brother Ryan Gilbreath is a Spring 2009 initiate of the Beta Gamma Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity at Virginia State University and a current member of Nu Lambda, the alumni chapter of Petersburg, Virginia.  His bride, Allison, came to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority via the Sigma Omicron Chapter at Virginia Wesleyan University.  Their wedding took place on May 25, 2014 at the Founders Inn and Spa in Virginia Beach.  Below the jump, Brother Gilbreath talks about Alpha’s role in his wedding, his family, and in his life.

The brotherhood that I have with my frat brothers is amazing. All of my groomsmen were Alphas and I regard them as actual “brothers” and not just members.

I am [the only Alpha in my family]. My dad is a Sigma from Alabama A&M who pledged back in the 80s.  Me and my dad joke around about that all the time.  But I told him that when I was looking at fraternities, Alpha really connected with me.  I want to pass down my legacy to my son one day, but I will always respect his choices because at the end of the day, it’s his choice.

I loved my college experience after crossing; nothing like it!   There is such a legacy that you have to uphold and you learn that it’s not about you but more about the fraternity. People look at you as a leader when you cross Alpha.

Alpha for me has always and will always be a pivotal area in my life.  Alpha has taught me resilience and perseverance when it comes to life’s ups and downs. To always do what is right and to never give up; be a servant to all and to teach and uplift our communities.

Transferring to Nu Lambda [the alumni chapter in Petersburg, Virginia] for me was like coming home in a sense.  The chapter has a mix of older and younger brothers and I gained great wisdom from both sides.  I learned how to be an Alpha man even more, if you know what I mean.

For a wedding reception, Beta Gamma is known to put on a show! We performed a step from our 2009 neophyte show show and a party hop we learned from our big brothers.  Five years later and we still had the show down pat.  It’s still ingrained in me to this day.

I really wanted to incorporate the hymn with me and my wife in the middle. It was a very touching moment for us both and my wife teared up while I joined my bros. There is nothing like it.  Our Greek roots (for me and my wife, who is an AKA) are part of our story.  Also, if you did not notice from the video [below], our wedding colors were salmon pink and old gold!

My brothers have been there for me and I have been there for them. It’s deeper than the letters and the parties.  I regard them as family.

I will never forget that wedding experience for the rest of my life!

Ryan + Allison | Founder’s Inn, VA Wedding Videographer | Delta Studio Productions | Virginia Wedding & Corporate Videographers from Delta Studio Productions on Vimeo.

Cool video post

One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin. He lay on his armour-like back, and if he lifted his head a little he could see his brown belly, slightly domed and divided by arches into stiff sections. The bedding was hardly able to cover it and seemed ready to slide off any moment. His many legs, pitifully thin compared with the size of the rest of him, waved about helplessly as he looked. “What’s happened to me?” he thought. It wasn’t a dream. His room, a proper human room although a little too small, lay peacefully between its four familiar walls.

A collection of textile samples lay spread out on the table – Samsa was a travelling salesman – and above it there hung a picture that he had recently cut out of an illustrated magazine and housed in a nice, gilded frame. It showed a lady fitted out with a fur hat and fur boa who sat upright, raising a heavy fur muff that covered the whole of her lower arm towards the viewer. Gregor then turned to look out the window at the dull weather.

A collection of textile samples lay spread out on the table – Samsa was a travelling salesman and above it there hung a picture that he had recently cut out of an illustrated magazine and housed in a nice, gilded frame.By Some Thinker

One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin. He lay on his armour-like back, and if he lifted his head a little he could see his brown belly, slightly domed and divided by arches into stiff sections. The bedding was hardly able to cover it and seemed ready to slide off any moment. His many legs, pitifully thin compared with the size of the rest of him, waved about helplessly as he looked. “What’s happened to me?” he thought. It wasn’t a dream. His room, a proper human room although a little too small, lay peacefully between its four familiar walls.

Ultra Amazing One

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No Fancy Content

The bedding was hardly able to cover it and seemed ready to slide off any moment. His many legs, pitifully thin compared with the size of the rest of him, waved about helplessly as he looked. “What’s happened to me?” he thought. It wasn’t a dream. His room, a proper human room although a little too small, lay peacefully between its four familiar walls. A collection of textile samples lay spread out on the table – Samsa was a travelling salesman – and above it there hung a picture that he had recently cut out of an illustrated magazine and housed in a nice, gilded frame. It showed a lady fitted out with a fur hat and fur boa who sat upright, raising a heavy fur muff that covered the whole of her lower arm towards the viewer. Gregor then turned to look out the window at the dull weather.

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The Plot

One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin. He lay on his armour-like back, and if he lifted his head a little he could see his brown belly, slightly domed and divided by arches into stiff sections. One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin.

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The Jungle

One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin. He lay on his armour-like back, and if he lifted his head a little he could see his brown belly, slightly domed and divided by arches into stiff sections. One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin.

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Some Greek Life Photos

I take pictures.  Here’s a short gallery of some of my best work in Greek Life.

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Man listen….these AKAs rightchea!

Post by Veda Jairrels.

Just over the rainbow

One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin. He lay on his armour-like back, and if he lifted his head a little he could see his brown belly, slightly domed and divided by arches into stiff sections. The bedding was hardly able to cover it and seemed ready to slide off any moment. His many legs, pitifully thin compared with the size of the rest of him, waved about helplessly as he looked. “What’s happened to me?” he thought. It wasn’t a dream. His room, a proper human room although a little too small, lay peacefully between its four familiar walls.

A collection of textile samples lay spread out on the table – Samsa was a travelling salesman – and above it there hung a picture that he had recently cut out of an illustrated magazine and housed in a nice, gilded frame. It showed a lady fitted out with a fur hat and fur boa who sat upright, raising a heavy fur muff that covered the whole of her lower arm towards the viewer. Gregor then turned to look out the window at the dull weather.

Photo by Unsplash

 

Introduction

One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin. He lay on his armour-like back, and if he lifted his head a little he could see his brown belly, slightly domed and divided by arches into stiff sections. The bedding was hardly able to cover it and seemed ready to slide off any moment. His many legs, pitifully thin compared with the size of the rest of him, waved about helplessly as he looked. “What’s happened to me?” he thought. It wasn’t a dream. His room, a proper human room although a little too small, lay peacefully between its four familiar walls.

A collection of textile samples lay spread out on the table – Samsa was a travelling salesman – and above it there hung a picture that he had recently cut out of an illustrated magazine and housed in a nice, gilded frame. It showed a lady fitted out with a fur hat and fur boa who sat upright, raising a heavy fur muff that covered the whole of her lower arm towards the viewer. Gregor then turned to look out the window at the dull weather.

The Plot

A collection of textile samples lay spread out on the table – Samsa was a travelling salesman – and above it there hung a picture that he had recently cut out of an illustrated magazine and housed in a nice, gilded frame. It showed a lady fitted out with a fur hat and fur boa who sat upright.

A collection of textile samples lay spread out on the table – Samsa was a travelling salesman and above it there hung a picture that he had recently cut out of an illustrated magazine and housed in a nice, gilded frame.By Some Thinker

One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin. He lay on his armour-like back, and if he lifted his head a little he could see his brown belly, slightly domed and divided by arches into stiff sections. The bedding was hardly able to cover it and seemed ready to slide off any moment. His many legs, pitifully thin compared with the size of the rest of him, waved about helplessly as he looked. “What’s happened to me?” he thought. It wasn’t a dream. His room, a proper human room although a little too small, lay peacefully between its four familiar walls.

Winding Down to Wind Up

Thanks to the generosity of a dear friend, I am heading out of town this week for a short urban retreat.  I will be heading to a city in the northeastern US to just kick back, relax, eat well, and spend hours and hours writing Blood of a Dark Nation, the next installment of the Dark Nation series.

I have had a lot on my plate recently.  Gamma Xi Phi, the professional fraternity for artists, is still a very important volunteer experience for me and I recently joined the Georgetown University African American Advisory Board.  Though I’ve still been writing, it hasn’t been with the intensity that I usually do.  However, I think this trip will be an excellent way to kick-start the next portion of developing this book.

Just time…in a different environment…with no interruptions.  Exactly what Justin and Dante need to get the rest of their story told.

I’ve written about 50 pages of the novel and I’m guessing it will be about 200 pages total.  Covenant was also a short novel, but it gets to the point.

Blood of a Dark Nation will have a lot of action.   I’m excited to introduce several new characters, including Annette Mitchell, Dr. Leung, The Butcher, and of course, The Jackal.

Spoiler alert:  There will be blood.

That said, I will be scaling back my blogging and social media updates unless it has to do with the writing of this book, from next week through the end of August.  Since Blood of a Dark Nation is totally outlined and 50 pages are already written, I don’t think it will take longer than nine weeks to finish the rest.

I would *like* to publish the novel by the end of the year, retaining my annual publishing streak.  But I can’t promise that because the editor and cover designer still need to be paid as well as the company which formats my work for e-books.  (I could do that myself, but I really am not that good at it.)

I might pull a Beyonce and just surprise y’all when it drops.  That does take a LOT of pressure off me when it comes to the promotion leading up to a launch.  Like, dropping a book is much like planning any other special event.  But really… like really really…. I don’t make a lot of money off my books in the first place, so why not take the risk of a “surprise” publish date?  My super readers follow me on this blog and social media so there’s little risk that anyone would miss the announcement.

Just rambling at this point.  Haven’t made any decisions yet.

Y’all take care!

Fraternal Friday: Maybe the inactive members have it right

On Facebook over the holiday weekend, a Facebook friend posted the following:

it absolutely burns me up to see a “brother” buy a new vehicle and the first thing put on it is a fraternity tag. Mind you, these same brothers won’t come to meetings, pay dues, or support any cause of the fraternity. If you’re not about what you’re advertising, don’t advertise. I’m tired of these letter wearers.

First, a fact:  A majority of initiates into my fraternity are currently inactive.  That is probably the case for every fraternity. Let me underscore the fact that the judgment of inactive members is a huge pet peeve of mine.  I have been inactive and I have been active.  I went from neophyte of the year to inactive member the very next year.  And when I came back to activity, I became a national committee chair.  And I am currently inactive again. This does not stop me from wearing paraphernalia.  My ‘nalia reminds me of good things and of friends I made.  It allows me to connect with people I wouldn’t ordinarily connect with, even if only fleetingly.  And I look rather good in black and gold. For me, my current reason for being inactive is financial.  I just don’t have the $150 to pay the fraternity for the benefit of a magazine that is consistently late, if it comes out at all.  That’s pretty much all I would get. I haven’t been a member of a chapter for many years.  I wasn’t a member of a chapter when I was a national committee chair, either.  Rather than go into those reasons, I want to share with you a list why people might be happy to represent their membership but loathe to become an active member of a local chapter:

  • The members of the chapter aren’t nice.
  • The grad chapter/grad members had an adversarial relationship with the undergrad chapter.
  • They are tired of being hit on at fraternity functions.
  • The local chapter is just wack/socially awkward/inept.
  • Tired of the scandals at the national level.
  • Don’t want to be begged for money at every chapter meeting.
  • Extremely difficult to be a leader in the chapter due to cliques or generational differences.
  • The chapter treated them poorly when they were a member – before you even joined the chapter yourself.
  • Don’t agree with the direction of Greek life as a whole anymore.
  • The local chapter is homophobic.
  • The local chapter is full of closet queens who won’t change the status quo.
  • The member is an introvert.

But none of those reasons impact the fact that said member’s life was changed when they became a member of the organization.  Becoming a member is a rite of passage to be proud of and a symbol of prestige in the community.  It’s possible to be proud of what you are and hesitant to be engaged at the same time. Nobody wants to be around smug people who think they’re better because they have the money and the time to be engaged.  And perhaps that’s what some of our organizations have become.   There are some people that I look at and praise their activity because they really do enjoy it.  Quietly, I am placing bets on when they, too, will be burned out from the drama and foolishness and become engaged in something else. A radical change in the culture of Greek life has to occur before the majority of the inactive members come back.  So long as the leadership and the rank-and-file alike are harping on this sense of “obligation” to be active, we will stay away, our time will go to other endeavors, and our money will go to other causes. Having been both engaged and disengaged, I can’t say that the inactive brothers have it wrong.  I’m proud to BE… and I’m happy to stay away from the mess I have encountered inside chapter walls.