This was my first professional entertainment card. (Both logos for Ridah Ridah Records & Publishing were created by Aaron Lester, but I did the logo for Ridah Ridah Publishing) I oooowwed and awwwwed at it after I picked them up for Office Depot in Bakersfield, Ca. I looked at and read many music business books and read about presentation and tools needed to present one's self and...Got up the nerve to seek funding from family and frendz. I never wanted to ask anybody for anything, but I think my dream is worth helping along.

I was shooting for the starz... Literally, I was unstopable. I imagine greatness and feel like it is my right when I'm moved by something I believe in. These cardz weren't just cardz to me, they were confirmation that I left a mark in the world. Confirmation that I spoke with someone about what my dream is and was. They were reciepts to my dream conversation...
Dream Conversation
I don't know you but I want to meet you.
I feel like I have something to give you and you have something to give me.
Can we share?
I would like to tell you about myself and I would like to learn about you too.
I want to hear the stories of the world and you are a story teller.
Let me tell you my story.
I am interested in your story.
What is your story?
I want to laugh and make you laugh too.

I would sit on an Amtrak train from Bakersfield, CA and ride all the way up to Oakland, Jack London Square station. I had my bag with; my laptop, my CD player, my recorder, my half-pint of Hennessey Congniac, my pens, my pads, a suitcase of clothing...etc, my plane ticket to Indianapolis, Indiana, my energy and my box of colorful dominoes. I would walk up and down the trains and ask, "Anybody wanna play some bones?"
I road the Amtrak at least once a month for two years, but there was a three month gap at one point..., but when it ended all resumed. The train employees knew me and depending on which train I took, they didn't really mind my presence. I had the train laughing and slamming bones and drinking to conversation about my dreams and their own. I passed out cards and CD's. Hell, I gave away more of my music than I did sell. I figured promoting myself now will pan out later and it slowly but surely is.
I reached for the stars and met many along the way.
I reached for community and found myself surrounded by transient folks like myself.
I sat in planes, trains and the solitude of my automobile and dreamed the present and dreamed beyond now to later now.
I imagined the people on the trains and planes and rest stops and cities would remember my name and remember my tools, but remember me.
I dreamed conversation could build community.
I passed out reciepts to dream conversations.
www.myspace.com/atiim
www.myspace.com/blackbomani
www.myspace.com/blackulah