A lot’s happened since October. I started two new jobs — one full-time (communications specialist for a national nonprofit) and the other part-time (senior editor at a global hip-hop journal). Though the former, more so than the latter, leaves me less time and energy to blog here, I couldn’t be happier. With both positions, I make a living doing what I love: writing. And they help me get my work to a larger audience, even if — at times — with the the full-time gig, I’m a ghostwriter.
They’re also the reason this Christmas is special, why it’s the first one — in a long time — of which I’m excited. It took me working a regular schedule to appreciate this week off. I took advantage of the break and knocked out my holiday shopping before the last minute rush. I also baked an eggplant parmesan, worked with my wife on a gluten-free veggie lasagna and assisted her with baking four 7-Up cakes and dozens of muffins (the 7-Up replaces baking powder, helping the cake to rise).
This morning, I’m looking forward to the chicken and waffle breakfast with Kirk Franklin’s gospel Christmas album on repeat. I’m looking forward to sipping hot cocoa and to eating dinner at my parent’s with my wife, siblings and my niece, Anicia — who, as I’m writing this, fills the house with her sweet sounds, bugging “Nana” and “Poppa” for attention. (This is Anicia’s fourth Christmas and the third she’ll actually remember).
In addition to my new jobs, I started my newsletter, The Hourglass Flow, of which I snatched the title from a friend’s poem inspired by MF Doom’s verse on De La Soul’s “Rock Co.Kane Flow“: “…to write all night long/the hourglass is still slow/flow from hellborn/to free power like Wilco”. (Check out the back issue and the holiday sale I got going with said buddy that will continue through New Years, then subscribe to the newsletter).
Besides inspiring the title, Doom’s verse also alludes to the love and energy we bloggers put into our posts, especially since we’re willing “to write all night long” because we have something to say. Every time I wonder how long I’ll keep this up, I think about how fortunate I am to have a platform that promoted several authors and helped a film student raise funds for his feature-length thesis film.
I’m fortunate for a platform to post my articles and essays that would otherwise sit somewhere, collecting dust. I’m grateful to have this platform, without which my ramblings would stay idle voices echoing in my head.
So here’s a short post, checking in, and a long way of wishing everyone happy holidays. I’m excited for what the new year will bring such as, among other things, a piece I wrote on an amazing photographer that will debut in the next Words Beats & Life hip-hop journal. I’ll keep you posted on when the new issue is out. Also, if you have anything you want promoted in The Hourglass Flow, hit me at nyckencole@hotmail.com with “Newsletter Item” in the subject line, and it’ll go out in next month’s newsletters (it’s bimonthly). Peace!
Alan W. King 
I am digging how you find great joy in the simple things of this holiday: your family, being with your wife, a simple meal of waffles. In a way writing allowed you to be able to slow down and think about things that are important because much of the time we don’t. We are lost in the rhythm of the day. Congrats on the work. A writer, as any writer knows, has to figure out how the lights will come on in the morning. Once that happens, the rest is the writing. Be well, Mr. Writer.
Thanks, man. Tosin and I were just talking last night about the simple joys. We don’t need much. Thanks for the warm and encouraging words. Merry Christmas to you and yours, Mr. Writer 🙂 I hope the new year will be as fruitful as this year has been. Thanks again. Peace.
Alan, I too am experiencing a simple joy by “hearing” the joy in your words. I’m truly happy for you, my friend. You clearly understand how appreciating the “little things” in life is the key to true happiness. Too many people wait for the “big things,” which are few and far between, to define their joy. Finding joy every day is a wonderful gift to have — and you not only have that gift but share it with others.
Cheers to that and to you, Alan 😉
Thanks, Ned 🙂