People have been hounding me to write lately. So I am.

There is a new link under the category lateral disquisition that is called “virtual editing.” Click here to get right there.

There are many chapters of many stories nestled on my hard drive. The one you will find on my website, however, is the one I want to work on first. Comments and critiques are welcome, but I’m not blogging the story. As the sign says on the front door, you know how to reach me.

George Chun, who heads our recording department, celebrated his (mumbletieth) birthday last night with a grand surprise party at Ryan’s (his regular hangout). Andrea, his assistant, did a superb job of keeping several entertainers, a slew of family members and our entire staff from spilling the beans. When George arrived, he looked like the proverbial deer caught in the headlights. I think he enjoyed himself thoroughly. It was good to see him smiling that wide.

Sitting with me last night was an entertainer I have greatly admired through the years, Jan Brenner. I first met Jan a long time ago when she sang at a fundraiser for Tom’s then-secretary, Liz Hudson. Not only was I blown away by her beauty and personality, the woman could belt out a song like nobody’s business. A few years ago she married my friend Steve Ozark, who caters all the concerts that matter for every promoter in the state (ask me about his barbequed chicken…go ahead, ask me), and while the marriage recently ended, Jan remains on my top ten list of favorite people I know. It’s not like we hang at each other’s house or anything, but an opportunity to visit with Jan at any social function is spiritual refreshment for me. Plus I’m so jealous of her naturally curly hair.

Part of our conversation centered around my writing as my form of worship. It’s what I do that brings me joy, and I’ve always viewed it as a gift from God. Most of you see my writing all the time, it’s not as if I actually hide it from anyone. But I’d never thought of it as a spiritual imperative to expose what lives in my imagination. Jan, also a minister, stated quite plainly that the talent isn’t there for squandering nor is it necessarily to be used in a “non-secular” way. We are supposed to praise and glorify, yes…but we are also supposed to inspire and provoke thought. Can’t light up a room if you don’t set match to candle, so to speak.

It has been eating away at me the past couple of years to get this story on paper. Y’all can judge whether it deserves to get there or not by reading Chapter One.

I’m waiting for Steph’s Chapter One…and Two…and Three… Go sis-o!!!!