So It Begins Again
Neo's Law #1: Know Thyself.
A man by the name of Gandhi once said, "Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will."
With this being a new year and having so many excellent new readers-- *waves* HI EVERYBODY-- I thought I'd do an introductory post. I may future date it later so that it appears at the top of the blog. I'll probably be updating this regularly as well.
I'm neo_prodigy but you can refer to me as Denny if you like. I launched this Livejournal 8 years ago. I'm in my 20s and will be forever. I'm a former journalist, a former college professor, and I currently work in an office as a small cog in the machine that is Corporate America. My true passion and purpose is storytelling. I'm a freelance digital artist, writer, and photographer. Over the years I've been an online columnist and I've published a few pieces over the years. My audio short, Stranger Than Fiction can be found on Sniplits and an assortment of short stories, interviews and articles can be found over at Drops of Crimson. You can also refer to my boy Kale Naylor for additional publishing references.
An 80s kids (HE-MAN!!!!), I am huge sci-fi fantasy geek and a hopeless comic book addict. Get me on a discussion of comic books and you won't get me to shut up which is saying a lot (no pun intended) because I'm very quiet and reserved in real life.
I was born and raised in the South and being a minority, I have no love for that region (save for Atlanta) or the rest of America. I come from a working class family and overcame more than my share of adversity to get to where I am today. Said adversity is something I may allude to or hint at from time to time but it's not something I like to open up about a lot as I'm still pretty raw in those regards. But I keep on keeping on. I thank God for my blessings and I do keep in mind that some folks have endured worse. I may be a survivor but refuse to be anyone's victim.
My nanna is probably hands down my biggest inspiration and my best friend. She always taught me the true values of patience, love, compassion, seeing the potential in people and what true Christianity really is. Always encouraging, I never had to prove myself to her to win her love and always accepted me for me. When she advised or corrected me, it's because she genuinely wanted me to be the best I could possibly be. She believed in me when even I didn't. She just loved me for me and that's rare in this world. I shudder to think what I would've become if I didn't have her in my life.
In regards to belief systems, while I identify as a progressive Catholic, I believe there are multiple paths to God/Truth/Enlightenment be you Christian/Jew/atheist/agnostic/Hindu/Buddhist/Pagan/Muslim/Wiccan/Deist/etc. I've studied various faiths over the years and have found profound value and insight from each of them. In short, if your belief system makes you a better human being, then ROCK THAT SHIT!!!! I don't challenge other people's beliefs or question their intelligence or sanity so I expect the same respect in return.
Politically I identify as a liberal albeit a moderate one. I despise the GOP and I'm not the biggest fan of Democrats either. Not one to tow the party line, don't be surprised if you find me calling both parties on their BS. I believe in offering a pragmatic perspective and some good old fashion common sense.
Personality in real life: I'm very stoic and very quiet and live in my own head, a lot.
Let me put it to you this way, I was the overachieving golden boy who was on the never-ending quest to prove himself an island. When I was a teen, my parents used to lecture me on how I needed to loosen up and have fun. PARENTS DO NOT LECTURE TEENAGE BOYS ON LOOSENING UP AND HAVING FUN!!!!!
I'm also a good boy with bad boy tendencies. I'm immensely precocious and uptight, unless I'm comfortable around the folks I'm with and then I'm just a geek and a certifiable snarky smartass. Think Doctor Who's Ten/Cyclops/ Simon Tam/Clark Kent/Ianto Jones/a bit of Jack Harkness/Brian Kinney/and Bruce Wayne and throw in Zoe Washburne and you pretty much get me or a fraction of me.
I'm not a black man. I am man who is black. There is a difference for me. I'm proud of my African heritage (just as I am my Native American heritage) but my ethnicity does not encompass my entire identity. Being black is a part of who I am and it has contributed to my experiences (same holds true for whites) but it isn't all that I am.
The Chronicle is just that. It's the story of my life where a myriad of issues (but certainly not limited to the following) are discussed: my views, my life, my thoughts, politics, social issues, art, sex (I love it and make no apologies for it), relationships, work, education, sciences, philosophy, religion and the speculative genre.
This weblog is intended for a mature, intelligent and sophisticated audience.
The Chronicle has best been described as poignant, funny and just a little bit sad.
Adult discussions are had here. Adult language and the occasional adult content is featured. Think of it as FX or HBO. High caliber and artistic but viewer discretion is advised. This blog is brutally and unapologetically honest. It is not for the faint-of-heart, the overly sensitive, the deluded, the self-entitled or those who view life through coke-bottled and rose colored glasses. You may be an awesome person and this blog just may not be your cup of tea. That's cool too. In any event, proceed at your own risk. Don't say you weren't warned. I don't expect you to always agree with me, I'd be worried if you did. Good faith discussions and exchange of ideas are always welcome. However flaming, trolling, personal attacks and discussion derailment is not. Also you're entitled to disagree but don't think you're going to roll on this blog and dictate how it's run. I've had folks try that in the past, it didn't end well.......for them. This is my space and I run this bitch. If it's not your cup of tea, cool, keep scrolling and keep it moving.
Some of what I write may disturb you, some of it might incense you, but as long as I challenge you to think with an open mind and an open heart, then my job is done.
A lot of people have asked why I frequently make so many socially conscious posts, particularly in regards to racism, homophobia and other forms of institutional oppression. Longtime readers are aware that I didn't always discuss these issues but with so many factors--living in a conservative town, dealing with the religious right, and our first black president--these issues have been brought to the forefront. I always worried that by constantly harping on racism and homophobia, I would be viewed as a one-dimensional caricature, but the truth is bigotry is systemic in our society and these are issues that myself and countless others have to endure every day in a society that is supposed to be fair and just. I speak on them not to whine or play victim but to educate others and to strive to be a force of good in the world.
If I have one super power it's an indomitable spirit to strive to evolve and grow and be the best that I can possibly be in all things. Keyword being striving.
Friending policy: I always enjoy meeting new readers and making new friends. So if you enjoy my blog and think we might be a good fit, feel free to add me and I'll do the same.
Also, take most (if not everything) I say with the biggest grain of salt. I'm a grandmaster of facetiousness and sarcasm and most people don't know when I'm being serious or making with the satire. I don't take myself too seriously on here and I try to keep the blog fun and enjoyable for my readers.
All that said, welcome and thanks for reading.
Feel free to add me if you like and if you have a question, just ask.