Did you ever get someone or a group of people just stare at you for no good reason? I don’t mean kids, because that’s their natural tendency. I mean adults. I’d understand if I was breathtakingly handsome, but I consider myself cool, at most photogenic. Of course, people offer different opinions on that matter. Personally, I think their assertions are outrageous, but what can I do?

For example,

I’ve never been the head of a multi-million dollar rap label, nor have I ever sold millions of albums based on my street rhymes, though I’ve thrown up that ubiquitous diamond sign whenever a few of this guys’ songs comes up.

I’ve never stood next to the Notorious B.I.G., money has always been a problem for me, and I’ve never endorsed any acne prevention medicine on T.V.. I only make 1/2-assed attempts at preserving my sexy.

Yes, I am somewhere between 5’8″ – 6’2″, wear a hoodie often, Black / Latino male, Black hair, jeans, and sneakers, but no I did not rob or assault the liquor store, grocery store, Macy’s, McDonald’s, Burger King, convenience store, 99c store, little old lady, the church, or any of that ish, and I definitely did not shoot the sheriff or the deputy.

I don’t have an album coming out on September 11th, I’ve never been on the cover of Rolling Stone with a ring of thorns around my head, but I don’t wear a backpack or Louis Vuitton anything, but I’m pretty sure George W. Bush does not like Black people.

I’ve never had a CD containing my train of thought, though I do believe there is a beautiful struggle, and I do consider myself a Black Star (/sarcasm).

But, if you do mistake me for “that one teacher’s boyfriend,” “that guy’s brother,” “that dude I saw on stage for my welcoming event,” “my older brother’s / sister’s / cousin’s former math teacher,” or even “the guy who used to write for this blog,” then I’m totally for that.

jose, who’s thoroughly excited about the following information

For anyone in the NYC area, I have an event coming up on the 15th of September. Check it:

Tavern of Creativity

feat. Rob Bless,Cathy Delaleu, Melissa Falcon, Celeste Doaks, Aminah Love, Nnmandi, Sam Adewumi, Stephen E. Jordan, a.ka. Bougie, and Jose Vilson

Stain Bar
www.stainbar.com
(718) 387-7840
766 Grand Street
4th Stop in Brooklyn, off the L Train
September 15, 2007 – 6:00 -11:00 PM

Art & Poetry books will be sold.  (but not mine because I don’t have a book … yet ;-)) …