Name Change & Recap

I'm an idiot. I can own it.

Apparently I’d been using Shout Out to Tuvok as my writer name, thinking it was my Substack’s name. What might’ve seemed obvious to y’all was news to me. Writing this to say I appreciate you not judging (and if you are, I can take the jokes); I’m adjusting the name on this Substack so things make more sense going forward.

While we’re here, I’ll flag that I’m sharing some big news in a later post this week. More on that as the week unfolds. You will know it’s news when you see it. Keep an eye out.

Recap

I married one of my best friends earlier this summer. The photos are now out. I’ve been in New York for 10 years. This man, Yahdon, has been a part of all of those years. We’ve watched each other learn, fall, grow, and succeed. I’m not where I am now without the things we’ve been through, talked through, worked through. Truly a moment of moments to be with him, my sista, Porsalin, and their family on such a big day. What living is all about: Joy.

photo credit: John Midgley

This wedding also marked a reunion of sorts. Almost 9 years ago my brotha started a book club, Literaryswag Book Club. We’d meet once a month in Washington Square Park (after the club’s first ever meeting at The Strand which I missed), then someone’s home in Soho, a coffee shop (once), The Brooklyn Circus for 5 years, Zoom (the Covid shutdown years), and now Daily Paper.

This book club was a lot different from the ones I’d heard about in college. Most of the folks in the room were strangers to me and each other. Over time we’d get familiar, agree and disagree on the details of books. Learn one another’s mannerisms. Speak before and after meetings. Share inside jokes. Eventually we’d arrange meals together outside of club meetings; go to work events. In life, when the vibes are right, you meet lifelong friends, I call these folks family.

photo credit: Fred Midgley

S/o to the family. Glad we were able to get together and break bread like old times again. Life is something else (somebody grab my rocking chair). One minute you walk into a room hoping to make one friend – just one connection – next thing you know you’re telling folks congratulations on the new addition to their family over Facetime, officiating weddings, and sitting on stage discussing how our careers intersected to bring us to our current moment.

If you learn nothing else from reading my words, do be kind, kind to yourself, kind to the folks around you. We all we got. Eat something for your stomach. Drink water. Get some sleep.

Y’all be well. Speak soon.

RW

P.S. S/o to Tuvok