The brilliance of Myriam and meeting Dorothy Allison

Thanks for continuing to read GHETTOPOLITAN. I recently reached 21,000 hits which is astounding to me. I really do appreciate your support.

So a lot has been going on with me. In case you haven't heard, I am the subject of a documentary which I think is totally cool. Please check out and follow the documentary blog @ tinysuperstars.blogspot.com. One of us (meaning Bridget, the film maker or the one and only TJ) tries to post everyday so you can follow our adventures on a regular basis.

I am happy to report that even though there were a few bumps in the road--today was seriously one of the greatest days of my life. Not only did my beautiful wife BRING DOWN THE HOUSE with her amazing performance at the Art Theatre, I also got to meet and spend some time with Dorothy Allison.

Myriam, my partner of nearly 14 years, is an amazing writer/storyteller/badass. Her most recent book "Wish You Were Me" is a book of short stories, one liners, and inappropriate comments. She also wrote the award winning novella "Dahlia Season" and is currently working on yet another masterpiece. Tonight Myriam gave her finest performance to date and literally had the entire Art Theatre enjoying the ride that is her inappropriate journey. They frickin loved her, and she lit up the stage in a way I can only hope to someday do. I'm so proud of you Myriam. You inspire me every single day.

Dorothy Allison (for those that do not know) is the greatest queer writer of all time. Raised southern white trash--she speaks to my soul. Her book "Bastard out of Carolina" just had its 20th anniversary. I know exactly where I was when I read it in 1992. I had just "come out" for the second time (long story) and I remember knowing that I would eventually be ok with myself as long as I did the following: fought hard, stayed true to who I was, and shared my story. I realize that my posts usually are not this serious or sappy or inspirational or whatever but I'm in the moment now so y'all should just deal with it. As I am writing this post--I am genuinely filled with both sheer joy and pained sadness. I can only smile and cry as I talk about how much Dorothy's books have changed my life--and well--getting to meet and spend some time with her AND having her give me a shout out on stage while reading my favorite book is just about the coolest thing that has ever happened to me.

Here is a list of her books. I believe everyone needs at least a little Dorothy Allison in their lives. If you want a book but cannot afford it---let me know and I will buy it for you. That is how much I believe in her stories. My two favorite books are Trash (specifically the story entitled Gospel Song) and Two or Three Things I know For Sure (specifically every single page) 

• The Women Who Hate Me: Poems by Dorothy Allison (1983)
• Trash: Short Stories (1988)
• The Women Who Hate Me: Poetry 1980-1990 (1991)
• Bastard Out of Carolina (1992)
• Skin: Talking About Sex, Class And Literature (1994)
• Two or Three Things I Know for Sure (1995)
• Cavedweller (1998)
• She Who (TBA)

I really don't have much else to say today. I guess I just wanted to share this night with my readers because it was unbelievably amazing. I'll leave you today with a few of my favorite lines from Two or Three Things I know for Sure. "Two are three things I know for sure, and one of them is what it means to have no loved version of your life but the one you make."  "Let me tell you a story. If I could convince myself, I can convince you. But you were not there when I began. You were not the one I was convincing. When I began there were just nightmares and need and stubborn determination," and finally, "Behind the story I tell is the one I don't. Behind the story you hear is the one I wish I could make you hear.

Thanks for reading everyone. Shout out to all my supporters who truly believe in me and who will never give up on me. Deuces!!