Uncle Beany...

...sure loves his nephew, CHARLES!!!  The youngun has been here "visiting" me here in CALI since Wednesday.  He's flyin' out on Tuesday.  Truth is, he's been havin' the time of his life visitin' a couple of chicks he knows!!!  And, you know what?  That's all right with me.  He's a kind and jolly, young chap, so I want him to have a terrific time while he's here.  Even if that means I only see him no more than an HOUR!!!  Lol!!!!!

Yosemite CAM

I think I'm gonna take a journey to Yosemite National Park in northern California, or to some other great park like that before too long.  On today's OPRAH, she and Gayle went to Yosemite to campout overnight and looked like they had a blast!!  The show came about because Oprah received a series of letters, over the course of six years, from a black ranger at Yosemite.  He told her that of the thousands and thousands of people who visit the park, only about one percent are black people.  He wants to change that.  So, being two, black folks who hadn't visited a national park like Yosemite, Oprah and Gayle made a pilgrimage!  Today's episode was pretty entertaining as getting those two together usually is.  I love parks.  Love them.  But I haven't stayed overnight in one since my Boy Scout days years and years ago.  It's high time I change that.  Thanks, Oprah!  And thanks, Mr. Shelton Johnson (Yosemite Park ranger)!

Driving Mr. Beany

Just returned from a gig down at South Coast Plaza. Whew! It took damn near two hours to get there!  Two hours! Luckily for me I was riding along with my friend, Brian; talking, laughing and learning.  And I say, learning, because one can't be in Brian's presence without learning something. He's a walking, talking encyclopedia. Honestly, he amazes me with his intellect. He came down pretty hard on President Obama today, but, hey, I welcome my friends' opinions. Even if I don't agree with them!!!!!  After he dropped me off at home, he sent me a text that said he considers me an inspiration. Wow! In this instance, I happily receive my friend's opinion. And soooooooooo agree with it! Haaa!

I Will Remember...

Enjoyed dinner and conversation last night with one of my dearest friends.  Since the day I met her back in January 1985, I have adored her.  Even if I forget most everything else in my life, I will ALWAYS remember her.

Day One

Today was my first day at my new, volunteer gig with the elderly.  I'm there from 11 AM till 3 PM.  The first half, I spend my time with the assisted living residents, leading them in exercises, then helping in the dining room for lunch.  After lunch, I go to the floor for residents with dementia/Alzheimer's.  There, I simply lead mind exercises and talk to them.  I can already see that working with these, particular residents will be the most challenging.  I even saw a former, television star on that floor, visiting his elderly mother.  The staff and several of the residents sang my praises as I departed, so I'm feeling very optimistic about the experience.

Almost IS Close Enough!

Man, I was mindin' my own business, walking to the grocery store and, before I knew what hit me, I had to take a leak somethin' fierce!  It was one of those situations where you actually run 'cause you think that'll slow up the urge.  Well, needless to say, I realized I couldn't make it to the grocery store without having an accident, so just a block away from the joint, I ran into a restaurant and asked one of its employees if I could use their restroom.  Before the dude could even answer me I felt my bladder tellin' me it had waited long enough.  Noooo, I didn't actually have an accident, but I was literally seconds away from it!  I'm tellin' you, the moment I have any kind of alcohol (wine, this time) I have to relieve myself almost instantly.  I reckon I should count my blessings as always, 'cause I could've suffered the same fate as two folks I know.   One of  'em pooped her pants en route to the restroom.  At her WORKPLACE, no less!  And a male friend did the EXACT, SAME thing while standing in line for the restroom at DENNY'S!!!  Lawd, have mercy, I LAUGHED MY BUTT OFF when both folks told me their stories.  Both of 'em tossed their soiled clothing into the trash basket in their respective restrooms.  Ugh!!!!

Cleaning House

I started this morning off by recording some additional material for my first, voiceover gig!!  My call time was 8 AM!!  After that, I came straight home and started cleaning this joint!  I mean, lately my apartment hasn't smelled as fresh and clean as I like, so today I was determined to change that.  And I'm happy to say I've done just that.  I've scrubbed the kitchen counters, stove and bathroom counter with a lemon Lysol product!  Smells fresh, fresh, fresh!  I've mopped the floors and scrubbed the toilet, tub and sinks.  Capped the cleaning off by plugging in one of those Air Wick fresheners!  I already smell it working!  My laundry is in the dryer.  After it's dry, I'm walkin' to the grocery store to stock up on staples and maybe a treat or two.  Then, I'm gonna begin constructing my book proposal!  Yes, a brotha has to do what a brotha has to do to get his life back on track!!!  And he chooses to do it in a spic and span house!!!!!!

My Three Sons

My brother has a daughter who is NOT enjoying her freshman year in college at the moment.  I, on the other hand, have three "sons" who aren't feelin' too bad about THEIRS!  Okay, so they aren't my actual sons, but we have great relationships and all three keep me updated on what they're doing at their schools.  One attends Texas State.  Another is at Arkansas Tech.  And the other is at Loyola University in Maryland.  Anyway, I hear from all three quite regularly.  And each has different problems.  One of them calls to complain about all the crap fraternity pledges have to endure.  Having been in a fraternity myself, my advice is always the same: "As long as what they ask you to do isn't bad for your health and well-being, suck it up and go!"  Another calls to complain about his love life.  His high school sweetheart dumped him just before college started this fall, then contacted him and possibly wants to reconcile.  Of course, this is earth-shaking to him, so I listen to him and...well, just listen; 'cause nothin' I say will matter to him.  He knows more than I do about high school relationships apparently.  The final "son" just wants to get laid.  PERIOD!  So, his calls always center around one subject:  what does he have to do to get a girl in a horizontal position?????  Lol!  All three guys are great, so I relish receiving their calls.  It's just dang nice to feel needed!  Wonder what their SOPHOMORE year is gonna bring!!!  :)     

I Remember When...

I'd be in my apartment in Jersey City, feelin' like I was the happiest sucka alive whenever this song came on the radio!!!  I just knew it was God's way of telling me how to behave once professional fulfillment embraced me!!!  Haaa!

You Never Miss The Water Till...

I wonder how he's doing.  I honestly do.

"Now you're doing well, from stories I hear tell.
You own the world again.  And everyone's your friend.
Although I never hear from you, still it's nice to know
You used to love me so when your life was low.
Always remember, my friend, the world will change again.
And you might have to come back through everywhere you've been..."
Old friend. 

7:00 AM Call

Awoke damn early this morning to get my butt over to a clinic to get a tuberculosis shot!  Can't begin my volunteer work with the seniors this weekend without the test!  I'm sooooo dang happy the assisted living facility paid for it!  I have to go back on Friday for the result.  The young lady who gave me the shot told me that if my arm doesn't bump up where she inserted the needle, I'm good.  Thus far, I don't see anything, so I reckon I'm clean as a whistle!!!  Whew!!!!

No Dad, No Dad

Just got this book from the library and shall begin reading it shortly!  My finances are nonexistent at the moment.  Okay, the bill collector has a thing or two to discuss with me, but that, too, shall pass.

Money Can't Buy Peace Of Mind

On today's OPRAH Tyler Perry spoke about being molested by four, different people as a child.  Three males and one female.  He also spoke at length about the horrific verbal and physical abuse he received from his father.  The same father he financially supports to this day.  No, he didn't speak specifically about any homosexual experiences he may have had willingly, but he did make it known that he went through a lot of "acting out" in his twenties till he "found himself."  If everything he said was true, my heart goes out to him.  I know many probably envy all the money and material possessions he has, but never concern themselves with the emotional baggage he carries.  I don't envy anything about him.  I simply wish him well; 'cause, if he's happy, he'll treat others well.  And treating others well is all that matters to me.

Be Careful What You Wish For

I'm sure there are any number of pastors over the years who have quietly and/or loudly professed a desire to run his/her church "like the Crystal Cathedral."  Right about now, I suspect said folks have changed their minds!!!!!!  'Cause the Crystal Cathedral is BANKRUPT!!!!

Our Children, Ourselves

Yesterday's OPRAH show was disturbing.  It was about a sixteen-yr-old boy who is serving time in jail for the gruesome murder of his molester.  The older man met him when the boy was twelve years old.  He befriended the boy and eventually began wooing him to have sex.  I know that I live in a world where single, childless men over 40 years of age are probably deemed to be gay by society.  I get that.  But what bothers me is when someone like the molester actually turns out to be the predator many people think he'll be anyway.  I feel bad for the boy, of course, because he trusted and admired the older guy initially.  Well, this case moves me so intensely because I am a single, childless man over 40 who regularly volunteers with children.  And it pains me to the core of my soul that people might be lumping me into the same boat as the aforementioned, young boy's molester.  -- I wish the best for the young boy.  I hope he can take whatever lessons he's learned from this experience and grow to live a fulfilling life.  His molester is gone.  Forever.  And that's a good thing.  I hope that all the people on this planet who are in positions to truly help others, but demand sexual favors in exchange, pay attention to this tragedy.  And I say that because sooner or later, the abused WILL fight back.  And oftentimes, the result of that fight is deadly.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

The bar mitzvah gig is over but I sure like the prediction from it for what my life is destined to become!!!!!  Haaaa!

Party Time

I have attended enough Bar & Bat Mitzvahs to last a lifetime!  Heck, I may as well convert to Judaism!!  Haaa!  Anyway, tonight I'll be working yet another bar mitzvah.  And, yes, he's the son of a Hollywood bigwig as ALL of them have been!!!  This won't be one of those gigantic parties like I worked for the Sapersteins years ago.  But, at 150 guests or so, it won't be miniscule either!!!  I'm thankful for the work!!!  That's about all I've got to say on the subject!

Accept & Transcend

I haven't read this book yet, but I clearly see I need to.  The more I hear on the news or read in the news or hear about my own flesh & blood, the more I realize people are hurting.  And they need to know that they're not alone.  And that they CAN transcend their pain.  If they want to!!!  In this book, psychiatrist and author, M. SCOTT PECK, said it best:

"Life is difficult.  This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths.  It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it.  Once we truly know that life is difficult--once we truly understand and accept it--then life is no longer difficult.  Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters."

Leftovers Leave Me Wanting More!

I've got my leftover pizza slices in the oven heating up.  I already know I'm gonna love 'em.  And I already know they're gonna make me wish I had MORE!!  'Cause just three pieces left over AIN'T gon' TIDE ME OVER 'til dinner!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's That Time

Now that my novel is written it's time to write the book proposal so I can get an agent and/or publisher!!!  There are millions of books on writing a book proposal, but what I'm gonna do is simply write from my heart.  I'm sooooo sick of listening to everybody else tell me how to live my life.  Yes, I'll adhere to many of the suggestions listed in the books, but I'm adding my own twist to those suggestions.  I want my proposal to sound exactly like ME!!!!  Wish me luck!  I've got my work cut out for me!

Icky Icky Feeling

I was just on a friend's Myspace page and clicked on his photo.  Immediately one of those anti-virus icons popped up as if it was ready to download its software onto my computer.  I immediately turned off all power to the computer and rebooted.  Of course I ran my malware detection software, too.  I wonder why people have been so mean and created these viruses, worms and trojan horses to destroy our computers.  Why???  It's things like this that make me truly wonder what man's basic nature is.  I mean, if the truest test of a man's character is seeing what he does when he thinks nobody's watching, then I might very well already know man's basic nature.  I just don't want to admit it. 

Be Still, My Beating Heart

Yesterday I received the results back from my latest, cholesterol testing.  194!!  That's better than the 222 I tested back in June!  I'm on 80 mg of Lipitor!  The HIGHEST dosage of the medication, mind you.  I just talked to my brother about it and he said, and I quote:

"We only live once!  Do we die of high cholesterol or do we die worrying about it?  My choice is high cholesterol.  I will not die worrying about dying!" 

That said, I just might be placin' a phone call to PIZZA HUT later this evening!!!!!!!!!!!  Haaaa!

Throw Your Hands In The Air!

Very shortly, I'm gonna recreate this image with the pink shirt and all!!!  And, yes, the cash WILL be MINE!!!!!!!!!!!  ALL MINE!!!

Shhh...I'm Listening

And the reason is because MY ship is just about to come in!!!

WTF!!!!!!!!!

Yet another teen, Aiyisha Hassan, has taken her life as a result of not being able to deal with the stress of being gay.  I mean, honestly, my heart goes out to all the recent teen and early 20s suicides.  But, really?  Where is the internal strength as seen in generations past?  If these people can't deal with name-calling and threats of physical assault (or actual, physical assaults), would they EVER have made it through ANY decade before the 2000s?  I suspect their deaths answer that question for me.  I hope & pray that people---young and old alike---one day accept that not everyone has to think and/or live the same way they do in order to respect and appreciate each other.  We are NOT clones of each other.  We are all different.  Uniquely and marvelously different.  And that's a GOOD thing.  No.  Correction.  That's a GREAT thing!!! 

C'est La Vie!

growth (grōth) noun
1.)  The process of growing.

I feel confident that a dear friend of mine for the past twenty-two years has decided to grow on without me.  No, I don't love the feeling I have as a result of his decision, but I do wish him the very best.  Life in California suits him.  He has come alive in this town in ways New York City never allowed him to.  I hope and pray that one day our paths cross again.  And, when they do, I hope we talk, laugh and enjoy a couple of cocktails like the old times!!!!!!!!!!!!

Would You?

A couple days ago, one of my friends asked me what I'd do if I was told that I could look into my future to see what my life would be in ten years.  I thought about the scenario for a few moments, then answered resolutely:  I wouldn't look.  And the reason is simply this:  if what I saw distressed me, I'd be depressed from that point forward.  So, no, I don't want to know what my future holds in ten years.  Or even ten hours.  What I do want to know, though, is how to make my PRESENT as much of a GIFT as I can!!!!!!!!!

Everything OLD Is NEW Again!

I've just returned from my tour of the assisted living facility I'll begin volunteering at in a couple weeks.  The young lady who showed me around, Jennifer, is an absolute doll!  She'll be there on the Sundays I'm there.  Anyway, while walking around the facility, she introduced me to several of the tenants.  I was particularly impressed with the floor for tenants with dementia/Alzheimer's.  One elderly lady, in particular, was attached to a doll.  I think she thought it was a real baby.  I'm sure I'll learn more about her as I spend more time in the facility.  I will tell you this, though:  as I walked around the place and observed the tenants, a part of me could only think about my own mortality.  My own aging process.  I wondered if I'd be like the people I saw.  If I'd even be able to afford a place like this.  'Cause that place looks expensive!!!  My mind and heart are open to whatever my volunteer work at this facility brings me.  Being there will be my way of spending time with Daddy.  Wherever he is, I hope he knows and sees that his namesake is thinking of him.

Higher Education??? Haa!

Very seldom am I moved to read anything voraciously!  However, the recent Sex List written by a recently graduated, Duke University co-ed, is RIVETING!  I read it like it possessed THE sure-fire way of making MILLIONS of dollars.  Oh, what a way to show the world that women enjoy sex as much or more than any man.  The guys she slept with who performed to her standards are rewarded with written praise.  Those who don't---well, they get what they deserve, too!!!  Allegedly, big-time publishers are knockin' at her door to get her to write a book.  Oh, is THIS what I have to do to get my book published?????  Anyway, you can read it and see the guys HERE.

Politics As Usual My Brown *ss!

This political race for governor of California is gettin' on my last nerve!!  I'm so sick of seeing all the "He/She's bad and I'm better" commercials from opponents.  ALL the suckas are primarily interested in adding another "success" notch to their bedposts!  And I say bedpost instead of belt 'cause ALL of 'em are trying to F*CK us---OVER!  I truly mean it when I say that the first politician whose campaign is built solely on telling us what he/she intends to do and NEVER mentioning his/her opponent, gets my vote.  Regardless his/her platform!!!!!!! 

Bloody Bubbly

I'm sittin' here drinkin' a mixture of bloody mary mix and champagne!  And you know what?  I like it!!!!!!  Truth be told, I like mixin' stuff.  Food stuff.  Drink stuff.  Stuff stuff!  Lol!  I just like mixin' stuff!  So, I'm gonna take myself another sip right about now!!!!  Yum!!!!!!!!!!

On The Up High!

Just a bit ago I watched a very interesting episode of Oprah about black men living heterosexual lives openly and homosexual lives secretly.  This episode was in many ways a part two to an episode she hosted back in 2004.  Anyway, the first guest was a woman who contracted HIV and was told by her husband's doctor that she had given the virus to her husband.  Of course, the reality was that he had given it to her.  He had been sleeping with men---lots of men---for years.  He wound up contracting full-blown AIDS.  Anyway, she sued him in civil court and was awarded 12 million dollars.  She hasn't seen a penny of it and is in fact living on public assistance at present.  One thing I really applaud her for was when she stopped Oprah, in mid-sentence, from using Magic Johnson as a poster boy for living a happy life with HIV.  She told Oprah that Magic is unlike most living with HIV because of his access to the best of everything.  Oprah was so moved by the woman's admonishment that she extended an apology of sorts and agreed with the woman wholeheartedly.  It saddens me to hear the stories of women who were duped by their men and wound up contracting an STD.  This particular woman sounds good when she speaks, but she made it clear that the life she has now is not the life she wants.  She didn't sugarcoat that belief for one moment.  I wish her well.  I wish everyone well.  And I fully intend to ask as many questions as I can of any fella I know or may know who sleeps with both sexes and only comes clean to the males.  Living life on the downlow has to go.  Living life up high is the way to fly!   

Telephone Repair

I'm sitting here waiting on an at&t repairman to pay me a visit.  I was told he'd be here between 8 AM and 6 PM.  It's 4:45 PM as I type.  Whatever!  Whenever it rains in this town, my phone line gets crazy.  So, I'm waitin' on someone to come fix it.  I've endured this wait far too many times!!  At this point, I'm feelin'---whatever!

Call Me, Mr. Voice!

Today I filmed my contribution to the video being made to drum up funds for the Saban Free Clinic!  I've been a patient at the clinic for the past, three years.  It was my pleasure to sit and be filmed reading the lines they gave me, and sharing my own testimony.  The place is a godsend. Without it, I'd be in dire trouble.  Health care is in such a state of turmoil these days.  I hope and pray that those who can, do give to the clinic.  And I also hope and pray that I will one day be able to give a great deal of money, too.  Until then, I'm simply honored to have given my voice.