Simple Blessing

Every day ABOVE ground is a GREAT day to ME!!!!!  Just keepin' it simple.

The Finish Line

Booking lucrative TV hosting and voice-over gigs are an uphill challenge.  But, you know what?  I am a black man, born and bred in the United States Of America.  So, that means there were thousands of people who look like me who endured severely more daunting challenges and came through them WINNERS on the other side!!  I, too, can claim victory as long as I stay the course.  I am made of sterner stuff than most.  I see the finish line.  I've just gotta keep on keepin' on till I CROSS it!  And I shall.  I shall!

A Sacred Union Between Whomever Desires It

It's now OFFICIAL:  same-sex marriage is legal in NEW YORK!!!  Earlier today, the NY state senate passed the law 33 to 29.  This weekend is Gay Pride in NYC, so I'm sure folks will now be celebrating even MORE than usual!!!  It's been said many, many times before, but I'll repeat it again:  where there's a WILL, there's a WAY!!!  God bless 'em all!!!  Read about it HERE.

True Blue FRIEND

My beloved friend, Gretchen, and her hubby, John, and their absolutely incredible, 13-yr-old daughter, Greer, flew out of Burbank earlier today after a four-day, mini vacation.  And I must admit, their visit was a GODSEND!!!  Gretchen had to work during most of the day, so I spent the days with John & Greer.  We drove all over L.A. and beyond.  I accompanied them to Disneyland, Hollywood, The Grove, Beverly Hills, Sherman Oaks, etc.  We had a blast!  Truth be told, I didn't want their visit to end.  I walked from my apartment to their hotel daily.  And, to many, the walk is quite a distance, but, to me, it was just fine.  If they were staying farther away, I would've walked farther.  Gladly. Walking can only benefit me.  Anyway, last night was our final dinner out.  I selected Asia De Cuba, in Mondrian Hotel.  Oh, how I wish Donald was still working at the hotel, so he could've ducked in and chatted with everybody like he used to do.  But, alas, just like in my own life, a change was necessary and he moved on.  --- I've gotta admit that this week I've eaten like a pig.  Without Gretchen & Co., I'm back to my sardines, whole grain toast and raw broccoli.  Yum.  --- I made sure to send Gretchen an e-mail, thanking her for her generosity.  What appears above are the messages I attached to that e-mail.  God bless her for being such a terrific friend.  And, you know what?  God bless ME, too, for being such a terrific friend!!!  Haa!!

The Happiest Place On Earth

Yesterday, I spent the day with a dear friend's hubby and their 13-yr-old daughter at Disneyland.  It was my first time ever stepping foot in the magical kingdom.  For the most part, I had a good time.  I rode several rides and enjoyed a tasty, grilled, chicken sandwich.  I didn't buy a single thing, though.  Yes, my dear friend hooked it up so I wouldn't have to!  Niiiiice!  Anyway, after I left the place, all I could think to myself is that I probably won't be returning anytime soon.  But God bless Mr. Disney for having the imagination to dream up the place.  It is indeed a wonder! 

On My Knees

During church last Sunday, I noticed a very handsome young man named, Cordell, weeping as the choir sang and the pastor spoke.  I watched him as he exited the sanctuary; roll of toilet paper in hand.  His eyes were bloodshot red and watery.  All I could do was wonder what he's going through.  What's causing him pain?  Or was he weeping with joy?  For some reason, I doubt joy was the cause.  When I see him next, I'm gonna ask him how he's doing.  I'm gonna make sure he knows he can talk to me if he'd like.  And I'm gonna hug him.  Perhaps that hug is all he needs anyway.  I'm also gonna refer him to CeCe Winans' song, He's Not On His Knees Yet.  'Cause, perhaps THAT'S where he really needs to be.  Anyway.

I Didn't Forget You, Daddy!

I meant to write a little something on Father's Day, in celebration of CAM Sr.  However, somehow, I didn't.  So, here I am to say, DADDY, I wish you a GLORIOUS Father's Day up in Heaven.  And I hope you tell Mama and Deb and Aunt Pauline I said, HELLO!!!!!!!

33 Years Young!!!

When I first met my dear friend, he was 25 yrs old.  And hadn't been 25 for a full month yet.  Now, here it is, June 18th, 2011 and he has been blessed with the gift of celebrating his 33rd birthday.  Wow!  In the past eight years, he's done a few things and seen a few MORE things.  But he's still here.  And that means he still CAN turn his life into whatever he chooses it to be.  Funny how having breath and hope can propel one into the direction he wants his life to go.  That is, if he chooses to do the work.  The key is, choosing to do the work.  I know.  Oh, boy, how I know.  I wish him the happiest of birthdays.  And I hope & pray the direction he's headed is straight ahead. And straight UPWARD!!  God, please continue to bless him.  I love him.  Happy Birthday, T.Y!!!!

Just To Be Clear...

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this place!  LOVE it!  Could go there every, single day if I could afford to!  Did I forget to mention, I LOVE it?????

Isn't It Lovely???

I saw this bedroom in an article online yesterday and fell in love!!  I mean, I know thou shouldn't covet thy neighbor's house, but what about his bedroom??  What a beauty! --- Interesting, though, that regardless how beautiful this room is, it wouldn't mean a thing if you had to sleep in it alone every...single...night. 

What In The World...??

In Vancouver, the Canucks lost the Stanley Cup and all hell broke loose.  That's the real deal.  What happened afterward blows my mind.  The chaos and utter disregard for others' physical well-being and personal property saddens me.  Are young people's lives so incredibly unfulfilled that they'll do just about anything to make their blood pulsate through their veins???  I hope that video footage of the looting and destruction allows law enforcement to identify many of the fools and apprehend them!  They SHOULD pay for the damage they created!  I'm tellin' you, the more years I live on this planet, the more I think being a human being ISN'T the best slice of the earthly pie!! --- At least ONE couple, though, managed to ignore the chaos and get back to what human beings ARE supposed to be doing!  :)  :)

What Is Love?

I don't really know WHAT the answer to that question is.  But I sure as heck know what it AIN'T...

The Waiting Game

The gig I worked for "Mr. Short, Hollywood Director," back on May 20th, has come and gone.  Yet, the PAY for that gig has NOT arrived!!  I mean, come on!  If it isn't here by this Friday, it will have been a MONTH since I worked for the dude!  This is ridiculous!  I'll not-so-patiently wait till Friday, then, if my mailbox is empty, I'm gonna have to actually CALL the guy who booked me on the gig and ask him---ever so bluntly---"B*tch, where's my money?"  Haa!! 

Hey, Mister, You Got A Dime?

It seems like everywhere I turn somebody wants some money from me.  Go to my mailbox, bill collectors want money.  Go my e-mailbox, utility bills.  If I'm in a car, the man or woman standing at the freeway's exit has his/her hand out.  If I go to the grocery store, the man, woman or child, standing in front of the entrance, has a hand out.  Inside the grocery store, as I'm checkin' out, the cashier wants me to give to a charity.  Honestly, people ask for money everywhere I go.  The next hand I see stickin' out, in hope of me placing money in it, I'm simply gonna SHAKE!  Geez!

Don't Rain On My Parade

In just a few I'm off to be a spectator at the Los Angeles Gay Pride Parade.  I used to watch them in New York way back when and have seen a couple of them since moving to L.A.  It's not the sunniest & warmest of days, but I suspect many of the participants will be damn near naked anyway!  God bless their little ol' hearts!  It's always a great time during and after these parades, so I'm lookin' forward to meeting new people and enjoying folks I've known for years!!!

That's What She Said

During OPRAH's final show, the one tidbit of wisdom she passed down that I shall take with me till I no longer have breath is this:

"What I know for sure from this experience with you is that we all are called.  Everybody has a calling.  And your real job in life is to figure out what that is and get about the business of doing it."

After I complete my postings for today, I'm going to write down what I want professionally and get about the business of getting it.  I truly believe my calling is to talk to people in a very similar way to what Oprah did.  And does.  Now, it's time to get about the business of doing it!!

My Universe

I'm back at the E3 Entertainment Expo, working for Disney!  Yippee!  I enjoyed the experience so much last year that I just had to bother the heck outta folks to get back there again this year.  Today was the first day.  I'm working in the booth for Disney Universe.  The game drops in September.  I'm taking photos of exhibitors and guests.  And LOVING it!  Even took a few photos of my dang self!!!  Haa!  The gig ends Thursday evening, so I'm gonna enjoy it for as long as it lasts!!

Kiss, Kiss

One of my boys is the "star" of a music video.  And I just happened to stumble upon it a couple days ago.  The "interesting" aspect of the video is that my friend's love interest in the video looks like a female, but isn't.  Of course, I watched the video and called my friend immediately afterward.  He told me he had mixed feelings about having performed in the video.  But I told him it's done now, so let it go.  I have to admit, though, I've never kissed a he-she before.  But if I ever do, I wouldn't be so upset if he looked like B. Scott!!  Haa!

The Theory Of Evolution

I know many folks don't buy it, but, man, oh man, other folks TRULY make you wonder.  Geez.

I Wanna Be More

Every time I sign onto Facebook I am guaranteed to read at least one post from someone, stating that he wants to be rich.  Or a millionaire.  Or able to take care of his family.  It's always about acquiring money.  These people want more than they perceive themselves to have already.  One, young man I'm particularly fond of posted something similar the other day.  Below is what I wrote to him in response:

"Jelani, my dear, handsome, intelligent friend, u are ALREADY EVERYTHING u've EVER wanted to be. U ALREADY have EVERYTHING u could EVER need. U are ENOUGH ALREADY...just as u ARE. What u should SEEK, HOPE & PRAY FOR is the REALIZATION that u ARE PHENOMENAL---JUST---AS---YOU---ARE. Challenge yourself to LOVE MORE...LAUGH MORE...GIVE MORE...TRUST MORE...and u'll BE more. I PROMISE."

I hope & pray to BE more myself.  Give more OF myself.  I have EVERYTHING I need.  I am EVERYTHING I've ever dreamed of being.  I...AM...ENOUGH...ALREADY.  And so are you.

Good For You

I just listened to a politician in Atlanta announce to his constituents that he's gay.  He called a press conference to do so.  He made this announcement because the ex-boyfriend of his current boyfriend sent e-mails to everybody and their mamas, alleging that the politician used his office to solicit sexual favors from folks.  Really?  Just like some of my ancestors had to be willing to take a bullet or dog bites or risk being lynched so that their offspring, and their offspring's offspring, can be free, some of us gay men will have to do the same.  The day WILL come when NOBODY will hide his/her sexual preference.  It WILL.  So, those who think being gay is an abomination will simply have to live WITH it.  Or leave this PLANET in protest.  Democratic Rep, Rashad Taylor, good for you.

Big Bash Against The Head

As I type this post I SHOULD be in Crawfordsville, IN, attending my 25th, college reunion!!  That's where I SHOULD be.  But I'm not.  I had to cancel the visit and feel kinda sick about it.  As I take my stroll through the neighborhood in a few moments, I'm sure I'll think about why I'm not there.  I loved my four years at Wabash College. Honestly, I did.  I wanted to return to visit with Father Reding and Judge Tim Oakes and whomever else is in attendance.  But circumstances prohibited me from doing so.  I hope & pray all in attendance have the time of their lives!  I have to admit, though, I often wonder why most of my class never returns for the reunions.  I reckon for many folks, the past is the past.  Well, to me, the past IS the past.  But I enjoy revisiting it from time to time.

Nightwalker

It's a little after 8 PM and I just finished up doin' some strenuous push-ups.  I prop my feet up onto the kitchen counter and place my hands atop push-up bars on the floor.  The workout is pretty intense.  And I can see that it truly gives my pecs a terrific shape.  Now, I'm gonna take myself on a night stroll through the neighborhood.  I'll walk to Universal Studios, then turn around and walk back.  I like that walk.  During the stroll, I always talk to myself.  And I enjoy the conversation!!  I pretend I'm a successful, talk show host, interviewing people.  I talk to God.  And to my deceased parents.  Everybody.  Well, enough typing.  Let me get ready to go.

Earl Grey

Just returned home from The Academy Of Television Arts & Sciences.  Along with my friend, Gregor, I watched a screening of USA Network's series, Covert Affairs.  I can't say that I've ever heard of the series.  And, after viewing the first episode for next season, I can resolutely say that I will NOT be watching it.  In a nutshell, just like Earl Grey, Covert Affairs is simply not my cup of tea!!!!!!!!!  But the reception after the screening was just fine!!  :)

Supper Time

Just finished my supper (as my father would say).  Steamed broccoli and carrots.  Period!  I slathered olive oil and garlic pepper on them.  Love the taste!  I'll have dessert in a couple hours after a tv screening I'm headin' to in a bit.  Joining me tonight is a friend who has a Lap Band.  I suspect he'll probably have a piece of dessert, too.  If he doesn't, I'll have to have an extra piece!!  Just wouldn't be right to let delicious, fattening food go to waste...right???  Haa! 

Go With What You Know

When my life is at a CROSSROADS, I always remind myself that my HEART is also a COMPASS.  Then...I FOLLOW it.

Here's The Deal...

I had an aha! moment earlier today while talking to a dear friend.  Whenever I talk to him, the conversation almost always veers toward answering his question: "What have you done today toward becoming rich?"  I finally told him that when compared to the entire world population, I AM rich!  So, I'm not gonna bust my butt, not sleep and do a million things to have millions of dollars.  I'm going to continue living and loving as I live & love.  What will be mine, will be mine.  And what won't be, won't be.  If/When I meet people who only see me as a job, or a house or car, I'll simply have to distance myself from those folks.  I define me.  Nobody else does.  Yes, I one day want to own my own home and my own car, but until I do, I'm gonna celebrate and give gratitude for this apartment and my FEET!  And also for the car rentals I sometimes get.  I love me.  And I love the me I'm working toward becoming.  Nobody is gonna make me feel less than.  For anything.  I won't allow them to.

Umm Hmm...

If I don't wanna see a particular sign posted in the front of my building, I'd better get to coughin' up some loot!!  Lawd, have mercy!! :)