Phone Sex

Talk about a revelation... My youngest son, Jevon, approached me with the most outlandish comment I've heard in quite a while.. I was having a conversation, and I had mentioned that I was going to call a friend of mine -- I'd just obtained his phone number. Out of nowhere, Jevon says (loudly): "Daddy, YOU'RE gonna have PHONE SEX!"

(pause) (mouth drops) (did this boy just say what I THOUGHT I HEARD HIM SAY?)

So I sat him down and asked him, "where did you hear such a thing?" Answer: He heard it from the RADIO. (I sat in disbelief...) So I probed further and asked him: "What exactly IS phone sex?" Answer: Phone sex is when you get on the phone (with a girl, he says) and "talk about sex..." For example: "I wanna have sex with you..."

My response: "You will NOT be having phone sex with ANYBODY until you're an adult -- and even then, you will NOT have it on MY TELEPHONE!" And with that, I sent his little seven year-old butt to bed...

Can u believe it? Phone sex. Lord, have mercy...

AC

Newness

Hey there:

I figured I'd hit you up with some new tunes. It's about damn time, eh? I know, I know... But hopefully you understand that this is just the beginning of a major outpouring of music from yours truly. Visit my MySpace page (www.myspace.com/aaroncarl) and have a listen...

"If We Were Alone" by Keite Young and N'Dambi. I remixed this for Hidden Beach Recordings -- Jill Scott's label. A special thanks to Kerry Webb for the co-production.

"You Have The Right" by Scan 7. I recently did this remix for them and it's featured on their double 12-inch remix package. It's funny -- Mine is the ONLY HOUSE remix on the EP! Represent, baby... Represent!

"Individual" by Yolanda Johnson. It was so much fun doing this remix. As you know, the original version is featured on BET's Night Grooves show. (I think that's the name) Ms. Johnson is a total sweetheart, and it was an honor to do this mix for her.

Alright y'all.. Give me feedback. I'm working on my own new album, which looks like it will be released at the beginning of the year. And yes, I've found a couple of different working titles. You'll just have to find out later.

OH, and a bit of other news... How could I forget to tell you this??? House music maestro QUENTIN HARRIS is recruiting ME to work with him on an upcoming project. Do you know how freaking STOKED I am? Quentin Harris and myself TOGETHER??!! We will HURT somebody... Look out!

Also in the works, an upcomng project with Dan Diamond and John Acquaviva. You are SOOOO gonna trip out when you guess what it is. (Hint: It involves a video!)

That's enough news for now. Stay in touch, and we'll meet again soon.

LOVE ON U...
AC

Recovery

After 8 wild and crazy days in the hospital, I've finally made it home. The last two days were so unbearable, I broke down and cried. Not because of the pain, per se. But because of the lack of information that I was given!!! They kept coming into my room, taking blood from me -- the IV was stuck in my arms for so long, my veins would collapse. This would sometimes happen while I was sleeping, and I'd wake up to blood in my IV tube. Most of the time, they would just flush the tube -- meaning they would push a saline solution (at top speed, I might add) into my arm. Talk about a burning sensation from HELL... OUCH!!

On a brighter note, they did an ultrasound on (what Dana calls) "the gymbags." No more infection. The swelling (yes, I'm still quite swollen) will go down in about a week or two, but in the meantime, let's just say that I have "Beer Can Boogie" syndrome! Mind you, if it weren't so damn painful, it would be a WONDERFUL thing... LOL! But nah. I was fine before this staff infection ever started.

So now I'm home. But life hasn't stopped. I have TWO gigs tomorrow (Sunday) night, and I'm still not certain if I can make them. Of course the money is nice, but I can't kill myself trying to be out there in the world...

We just got a new house! (We're moving on up, to the East Side...) I knew we were moving, and it pisses me off that I didn't get to physically SEE the house yet. But I saw pictures, and wow. I'm in love... So yesterday was a wonderful day. I finally got to leave the hospital, which I would imagine was similar to someone getting out of prison. I was like, "DAYLIGHT!!!" I was so happy to breathe fresh air, y'all wouldn't believe it!!! THEN on top of that, Mel gave me the keys to my new house. YAY!!! I'll definitely need to hire movers, because I cannot lift anything even remotely heavy -- for obvious reasons...

On that note, I'll end this blog and lay back down in the bed. My phone has been ringing off the hook with well-wishes and love. THANK YOU ALL!!! My throat is quite sore, thanks in part to all those damn antibiotics I was taking... But I cannot complain. I am HOME.


PS: (and you know who this is directed to...) While laying in the hospital, I thought about calling you -- especially after reading your birthday response in my blog. It kills me that you were simply 'waiting' for the right time to say something to me... I kept thinking, "what if this was it?" What if I didn't make it? What if you ran out of time to find me and say what you wanted to say? That has already happened ONCE in your life. Would you want to experience that again? But I digress... As I said earlier, I'm home, and I'm recovering. Thank God. And as of next week, I'll officially be moved into the new house -- and it just happens to be a LOT closer to where you live now (and yes, I know where you live now...). My phone numbers are still the same. If you wanna talk, I'm here -- please don't wait until it's too late.


PPS: My old friend Christene just called me today. Her mom and daughter got into a terrible car accident. Her daughter came out alive and okay... Her mother didn't make it. I feel so bad for Christene right now, and all I want to do is be there for her and hug her. As I grew up with Christene, I got to know her mother, Nancy, very well. It hurts my heart to know that she's gone. It also brought back the familiar feelings when I lost my own mother.


Please, y'all... Let this be a testament. PLEASE LOVE YOUR LOVED ONES WHILE YOU CAN, because you NEVER KNOW when their time is up. And yes, like Christene's mom AND my mom, it can happen in the blink of an eye. (Mister, do you hear me?)


That's it for now. Thanks again for all the love, y'all. I need it. Truly I do.

-AC

Hospital Room

Today will mark my 6th day in the hospital. What started
as a "pimple" that I busted, turned into an entire swollen
abcess. I went to the emergency room last Thursday, after
I couldn't sit, stand OR walk because I was so swollen.
The swelling increased once I got here -- first the right
side, then the left side, until the ENTIRE groin region of
my body had swollen up like a grapefruit. Sounds gross?
Trust me, it IS gross. ..and of all the places for it to
occur! (I took pictures, but I'll spare you.)

I finally had surgery on Sunday, where they made two
incisions (you know where) to let the abcess drain. Mind
you, this is the first surgery I've ever had to have in my
LIFE! (When I do things, I do them big, I guess... no pun
intended) Anyway, I just discovered that I could use my
laptop here in the hospital, so here I am, typing to you
from my hospital bed.

Right now, I'm feeling okay... I'm not in much pain but
I'm still rather swollen. I'm sure it's because of the
surgery, but I'm gonna also ask about that. Pain and I
don't get along. They kept me pretty calm, sometimes
sedated... OMG, I even had a Spinal tap right before
surgery. Baby, I couldn't feel my legs -- or anything else
at all! I'll gladly spare you the other details... Trust
me, y'all do NOT wanna know. LOL!

Remember that wake-up call that I said I needed to kick
myself into shape? Well, this would be it. I have
officially been kicked.

My abcess got pretty infected, so the doctors had me on 3
antibiotics that I take through an IV tube. As of today,
I'm off of TWO of the antibiotics. The other one, the
doctor's waiting for my test results (culture) to come
back, and he'll tell me whether or not I can start taking
my antibiotics by mouth. If so, I can go HOME!!! Either
today or tomorrow, we should know for sure. I'm getting so
damn restless, sitting up here in this damn bed all day!
However, I DID have some wonderful folks who came to see
me.... BJ (Posatronix), Timika (Cratesavers), Sheralyn
(Ms. Love, thank you!!!), my lovely litter sister MELVA,
JULIAN (DJ Nasty, my bestest friend), DANA (my bestest
BESTEST friend forever)and Norman, my Aunt Michelle (who
looked so fabulous), and of course, where would I be
without the complete and total support of MEL
(WINMILL)!!??!!

Day after day, no matter what the weather was... I
appreciated your presence more than you might ever know.
For my first REAL time in the hospital, I can truly say
that I felt LOVED!

I didn't forget about the folks who called me, especially
after calling my mobile phone and hearing the messge I left
for y'all.. So again, I thank you. It seems I'm ALWAYS
thanking somebody for SOMETHING lately... Guess it just
means the blessings are flowing.

Well, it's 7 a.m. right now. I should try and get some
sleep. It was hard sleeping through the night, being in a
strange bed, etc. But I'll log on later and check my
messages.

Talk 2 y'all soon...
Love Always,

AC

Courage

So I've figured out that along with age and experience, comes courage and strength. While my birthday party (Aug 19) was very nice, I admit I was a little disappointed at the people who did NOT show up. NO, I shouldn't focus on the bad stuff... And after I write it out here, I won't. But y'all know me... If I keep my feelings bottled up inside, I'll go crazy.

Speaking of crazy, you know who I expected to walk thru my door and surprise me? Yep, you guessed it... T*dd. We haven't spoken to each other since our public "falling out." I hear things in the streets though. I know he's still pretty pissed off about what happened between us. Well, shit. I've tried on MANY occassions to man up and apologize for my part in all of this. I even went so far as to make a VERY PUBLIC apology to him. Did he respond? Nope. And I remember him complaining once that I never bothered to call him directly to apologize -- well, I've done THAT a few times as well... I've left text messages, I've sent e-mails... Nothing. But I kept holding on, I guess. I held onto the hope that all of this would blow over. I even put a picture of us on my myspace page with a caption that said, "It wasn't always bad... I miss him and our friendship..." No response. So, because I cannot wallow around in sorrow forever, I've done one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. Today, I let him go. I'm sure this means nothing to anyone but MYSELF, but trust me... I couldn't just walk away like that. I held on for dear life. He cut the strings and left me for dead. I went through my stages of depression, my anger, my guilt. I hoped for the light @ the end of the tunnel, y'all... I really did. And I know that he's a stubborn man. I "knew" he'd have to calm down on his own, before he realized just how much was destroyed. I just hoped he'd come back. And then I realized, he's not coming back. It's really the end. Kiss... I love you... I always have... Goodbye.

Thus my courage... The courage to finally accept what I cannot change. Yes, I know the old "serenity" poem. But even moreso, I lean on the words of Sinead o' Conner. ..."The whole time I'd never seen, all I needed was inside me... Now I feel so different..."

I'll write more soon.
AC

Beautiful Bittersweet

Saturday night was probably the most surreal experiences that I've had as a DJ... Earlier that day, I DJed the 2nd annual Urban Groove House Picnic. Overall, the vibe was very good. Mel, the kids and I all went together. My sister Melva also came to join in on the fun. Trench and his girlfriend were there for a while... Even Mike Banks and UR showed up -- it was like one big family reunion. Good food, lots of barbeque!!! Everyone was in a lovely mood. I wish we could have more days like this in Detroit. Maybe we do, and I'm just too sheltered to see it. Nah... We definitely need more days like THIS in Detroit!

I DJed at around 7:30 pm... Of course, folks were dancing and loving the tunes. I dug DEEP into the crates (yes, VINYL, bitches!) and pulled out some GEMS. I'm talking Ken Collier days... It was wonderful, and folks were feeling it. The spirit called me, and I had to play Jocelyn Brown's "It's Alright, I Feel It!" Sometimes you just need to hear a word of encouragement. Lord, I NEEDED it... And when the music broke down, and Ms. Brown started to testify, baby... It was total church up in there -- at least it was for me. I'd like to say that my set was the peak of the night, but it wasn't... I was only paving the way... Ms. COREY -- I know her from somewhere!!! Ms. COREY politely asked me if she could play a couple of records... I said SURE. I am certainly not one to hog the decks, and I was curious to hear she she had to offer... BABY, she got on those decks and turned it OUT... I mean, the floor was PACKED PACKED PACKED!!! And she worked those EQs like she OWNED them. I stepped back... "oh shit..." This woman -- this beautiful woman, let us HAVE IT!!! Do you hear me? She "beat those bitches down..."

After that party, I had another gig to go to. I've done 2 charity events so far, but this gig in particular, was a paid gig. Well, the promotor (J.) had promised me payment before I even hit the turntables... I guess around town, he has a reputation of promising payment to his DJs, but not delivering. Hmmm... I was never one to pass judgement, although I had to hunt him down @ the last party I spun at (for him). And I do mean HUNT... I waited around until 6 in the morning for my fee -- it was not pretty... It was for THIS REASON, he promised to pay me BEFORE I spun any records.

I arrived at the Labrynth, nearly 30 minutes before my scheduled set. I asked around for J., no one could find him. It turned out the he was playing at the same time I was, only on a different floor. He left me a message to see him AFTER my set, and he'd take care of me. SOOOOO, like a professional, I played my scheduled set.

The venue wasn't packed on this particular night, but something in the air made everything cool... Everyone was feeling my deep house vibes, and again... I played Ms. Brown... Something told me that I HAD to play it.. This time, I noticed a black man standing in front of the DJ booth, as if he had the Holy Ghost... He hung onto every word from Ms. Brown... So did I. I closed my eyes, lifted my hands to the sky, and let her words consume me. I didn't care WHO was watching... But then again, everyone was watching.. And they understood. They felt me. They felt Ms. Brown. And it sounded like a black Baptist church up in there!!!

When my set was over, I ran into a friend of mine (my Girl, ASHLEY!)... She said to me, "there's a guy here who just lost his mother 2 nights ago... and he's HERE now... and YOU touched him with your music." (I'm paraphrasing, but the point was, he just lost his mom... I touched him with my music.. and somehow got him to take his mind off of things for a minute, and just DANCE...) I told her to FIND this friend of hers, and bring him to me. I HAD to meet him. I sat down at a table, and when she arrived, she brought this SAME BLACK MAN that I saw on the dance floor! Wow!

I immediately said to him, "Look... I know EXACTLY what you're going through. I just lost MY mom too... And it doesn't get easy at all, trust me! But hey... if you need ANYBODY to talk to, at ANY TIME -- and you will, believe me... Call ME. I'm HERE. I PROMISE... " And I gave him my card, and a huge hug. We cried together for a second, as I held his head in my arms. I swear, I couldn't have planned a deeper connection that night... THIS meant more to me than worrying about J., the promoter-- who still hadn't paid me.

After the guy and I talked (I still can't remember his name, just his face and his spirit), I made my way around the dance floor. I shook some hands, gave some hugs, have a few good laughs... And then I sat back down. Someone approached me and told me that the venue didn't make enough money, BUT... they would make arrangements to pay me my fee later on in the week -- I don't remember what else he said, because at that point, I tuned him out. He gave me his e-mail address, and I politely told him that it was no problem. We could settle this later. I wasn't gonna let this issue spoil my night. So on that note, I left. I went home, feeling BOTH like I was on top of the worlld (because i KNOW I helped somebody!) and like a piece of shit (because I KNOW I got shafted for my fee -- and THIS time, I NEEDED it!)...

While I won't go into what else happened this night, because believe me, THIS is enough for one blog; let's just say that I'm a damn good friend. Those who choose not to recognize it are blind... Those who take advantage of it are CRUEL... But here's the killer part: I'm stronger than that. Really, I am. Shit. I'm TOO strong of an individual to let other people's actions get the best of me. (sometimes!!!) But today, it's a strong day. And I realize that NOBODY can do anything to me that I DO NOT ALLOW them to do. If you take advantage of me, I ALLOW YOU. If you use me for my money, etc., I can't bitch about it, because I'm ALLOWING this to happen. I could easily be a dick. I could easily say NO... But in the interest of caring for others (my so-called friends), I rarely, if ever, say no -- even if it hurts me. And in the end, it usually does...
It stems from that attitude, "if I give him (them) what HE needs/wants, he'll give ME what I need/want." Sounds simple, eh? YES it does! But 9 times out of 10, I'm the one who DOESN'T get what I want. And over the years, you'd think I'd be some sick, jaded bitch because of it. But I'm not. Oh well... That's what I write songs for. lol!

That's it for now. Do leave your thoughts. Better yet, I'd appreiate if you just stopped by to say hello.

Love on u...
Aaron-Carl

Resurrection

First, let me apologize for not writing sooner. As you may have guessed, lots of things have been on the horizon. I've had to overcome some personal struggles in my life -- losing (what I thought was) a (never-ending) friendship was very hard for me to deal with. After a bitter, ugly breakup of sorts, somebody had the nerve to CHALLENGE me in a public forum... They told me that if I was TRULY a good person; one who was truly sorry for my role in our friendship's demise, then I would make a public apology on the forum -- for ALL to see. So what did I do? I accepted the challenge. I swallowed a whole lot of pride, that's for sure. But I got up there, in that public forum, and I did the hardest thing I've ever had to do. (www.detroitluv.com was the forum -- if you check the "Dear Whitey" section, you'll see it for yourself.)

The experience was both liberating and painful. I felt like a HUGE weight was lifted off my shoulders. Even in the apology, I stated that I didn't expect anything from him. I meant that, but at the same time, I'd HATE to be out there hanging, while he just says "whatever, Aaron... fuck off..." Or something to that effect. It's painful because ever since this public apology, I've been expecting a phone call -- an email, SOMETHING from him acknowledging my efforts. To date, nothing. And I guess that's my answer in itself.

Yes, it's easy to go along with my other friends, and sport that "fuck him" attitude. But when the lights go down, and nobody's around, I still remember what used to be between him and me... And NOBODY can get me over that except ME. I remember the good times -- the times we were the closest to each other; the way we were when nobody else was around... And yes, I've even learned to forgive him for HIS issues...

I heard he tried to defend me recently, while someone else (a hater) was talking shit about me, to a friend of ours. But you know, as of today, my apology still goes unaccepted. He's hurting, I'm sure. So am I.

With all this being said, now you know why I haven't really been around. It's more than just this incident, of course. As for the biggest emotional roller coaster I've had in a long time, this would be it. But I'm alive. And to quote the new song of my life, "my good days outweigh my bad days... I won't complain."

MUSICALLY, it's been quite a journey! I've taken some time to fully work on my new album. I've got some House songs written, of course... I have some ghetto-tech/electro songs written, of course... Then I have some CRAZY, off-the-wall shit that will probably make people go WHAT?!

When I wrote "Uncloseted," I literally wrote and recorded a song every day, until it was finished. I took a bit more time with "Detrevolution," but NOW, I feel like I'm have a creative storm (no pun intended) again... Every day, I have new ideas that could turn into some awesome songs. ALSO, I'm finally taking the plunge... I'm officially going to reconstruct and re-record a few of my older songs, because it's time... It's time to breathe NEW life into these tunes. Have you ever said "if I only knew THEN what I know NOW?" That's exactly what I'm doing...

And before you ask me WHICH songs I plan to re-do, I'll say this... Rumor has it that I'm re-doing "Wash It."... I won't confirm or deny that. I'll simply tell you this... Certain songs from THAT ERA will be given a new life. I want it to be a surprise for you... (What?! I'm a Leo, baby! I LOVE to tease! But just remember, I ALWAYS come through...)

OOOH... I WILL ask you this, though... WHAT should I name this new album? I've had a few working titles in mind, among the best being "Soul Graffiti." BUT after doing extensive research, I've discovered that there are books AND PEOPLE with "Soul Graffiti" as their name. Mind you, nobody has an ALBUM with that title, but nope... I wanna be original. "Uncloseted" was not a word, obviously -- not until I made it one... "Detrevolution" was just fucking awesome. I loved everything about that word -- what it meant to me, how it sounded, how it LOOKED on an album cover... But I digress. Oh yeah, and I can't forget about my VERY FIRST album, "STORM" -- which wasn't really talking about thunder and rain... It was an acronym... Somewhere There's One Right Man. (You didn't know that, did you?)

Well, that's it for now. If you have any ideas for a nice title, toss them my way. In the meantime, keep your ears open -- I am still out there spreading the sound. You'll be hearing some new music from me very soon. Promise...

Love Always,
Aaron-Carl