The Greatest USC-UCLA Basketball Game Ever

"Both SC and UCLA were doing well enough to be talking March Madness on February 28, 1985, when they met at Pauley Pavilion, UCLA’s historic gym.

In the match-up earlier in the month, SC beat UCLA by a point in two overtimes. This time, they slugged it out in four overtimes before UCLA missed a couple of free throws and lost.

I’ve been to countless basketball games in my life, as a fan, as a player and as a cheerleader, but that was the greatest basketball game I’d ever experienced.

The arena was packed--both bands, both cheerleading squads. Everyone stood for hours, leaning in so intensely, the gym felt like one of those high school barns you see in the movie Hoosiers. And I was right there, knowing it was my last USC-UCLA battle of any kind as a participant.

Even though we lost, it never mattered. I had just witnessed the collective energy of two universities move through my soul, starting with the 13,000 people in the joint that night. Moments like that were why I chose a big-time school. Times like that were why I had been a cheerleader."

—from Walt Loves the Bearcat
by Randy Boyd
A Lambda Literary Award Finalist for Best Romance

"Warm-spirited ... resonates with soulful queries into the nature of love and life." Bay Area Reporter

America, Get Your Trikke On!

It's the joyride of the 21st century and the coolest invention since the humans invented the wheel. It's freedom like you've never experienced, plus a great workout that feels more like fun than exercise.

It's a life changer, folks, and I'm not alone in my childlike giddiness for my favorite new toy.

See what the fun is all about in the blocks labeled Trikke Randy, now and forever at Randy Boyd's Blocks.

O Canadians

"Canadians possessed an inner peace most Americans didn’t. Canadians weren’t always looking over their shoulder, or glancing sideways, or through you.

"They had ambition but weren’t power-hungry. They enjoyed modern comforts but not to the point of obsession. Canada was like America with the edge taken off."

—from Walt Loves the Bearcat
by Randy Boyd
A Lambda Literary Award Finalist for Best Romance

"Warm-spirited ... resonates with soulful queries into the nature of love and life." Bay Area Reporter

Best Photo of My Dog Ever

It happened by accident, as do many of life's greatest moments.

I was playing with my new digital camera, taking pictures of a blank white wall. The dog comes in and begins nosing around. He sniffs the lens, which is level with his face. The camera captures him in extreme closeup.

One look at the results and I'm convinced: My dog Boomer is America's Next Top Dog Model.

Where the Boyd Is

Comment? Question? Friend? Media Request?

Click here to email author Randy Boyd

When Essex Speaks

Essex Hemphill is the late poet whose musings about race and sexuality resonate well into the 21st century.

Perhaps the best evidence of his legacy is the numerous times his name appears in online profiles under favorite authors.

All the more reason it gives me great pleasure to digitally preserve my Q&A with this literary legend in Interview with Poet Essex Hemphill (1957-1995).