There's No Place Like Home

I don't know what's gotten in to me, but I've become obsessed fixated with a house for sale within walking distance from my apartment.  I mean, I've even gone so far as to drive around it, eyeing it as if I'm a starving man who just stumbled upon a live chicken!  Honestly, the place is simply stunning to me.  2012 is right around the corner.  I have a sneaking suspicion this ol' boy is gonna be buyin' either THIS home or some other before the new year ends.  You gotta SEE it to ACHIEVE it, right?

A True Love Story...

Facebook is all right by me.  It provides me with some of the wisest quotes and some of the most incredibly uplifting videos.  I came across the video below on the Facebook page of the phenomenally talented party planner, WILLIAM P. MILLER.  The video illustrates the power of love between a man and a woman who go through with an elaborate marriage although the wife is literally dying from cancer.  So, to all those in the world who don't believe true love can exist, I say you only believe that because you've been loving or have loved the WRONG person!!!  Wise men and women know that a true love story never ends!!!
--- Read the story HERE.

Keasha & Chris Draft Wedding Trailer from KRJ PRODUCTIONS on Vimeo.

What A Day

I just finished watching an episode of A DAY IN THE LIFE, an original series on Hulu.  The episode was a sneak peek into a day in the life of high school dropout turned billionaire entrepreneur, SIR RICHARD BRANSON.  All I can say is what a fascinating and busy life the man has made for himself.  He is living proof that when the mind has no limits, the accomplishments follow suit!  I'm 48 yrs old now.  A part of me wonders if it's too late to accomplish any of the professional goals I've dreamt of.  I can clearly see that self-doubt is the REASON I've never accomplished any of those goals.  As long as I have breath and am in my right mind, I CAN accomplish many things!  Deep down in my soul I do truly believe that.  --- Watching Mr. Branson go about his busy day with a smile and anxious anticipation makes me want to work harder to do the same.  I know I possess the talent to do EVERYTHING I've ever thought about doing.  I simply have to DO it.   It truly is as simple as that.  And as difficult as that.  The choice is mine.

From Back In The Day

The Daddy

The Mommy

The Too-Good-To-Be-True Kids

Tonight I had a glorious time, chillin' with a fella from high school, his terrific wife and their too-good-to-be-true teenage son!  We went to Saddle Ranch for dinner and truly had a blast!  Back in high school, my relationship with David was in passing.  He was a studly football player and I was...well...I wasn't.  It wasn't until we graduated from college and he called me out of the blue while I lived in NYC that our friendship blossomed.  I allowed him to stay with me in my condo rental for a couple weeks.  We've kept in touch ever since.  He now has a lovely wife, Lisa, and two, beautiful and incredibly athletic children!  Spending time with them truly lets me know that pairing up with a partner and raising children isn't such a bad idea.  That may not be my lot in life, but I'm mighty happy whenever I can spend time with those for whom it is!  

The First Noel

Merry Christmas Eve

I've gone out to my favorite store, MICHAEL'S, and bought a gift or two to give to folks this holiday season.  I love that place.  The merchandise and sales are awesome!!  Anyway, I also went to VON's grocery store to buy a bottle of booze to take to a dinner gathering I'm attending tonight.  I parked my car at a Bank Of America because I had to make a deposit first.  I exchanged pleasantries with the security guard who was standing outside the bank, then I went into Von's.  While picking up a bottle of vodka for tonight, I decided to pick up two, along with a festive, gift bag.  When I walked back to my car, I stopped and visited with the security guard and proceeded to give him the other bottle of vodka, already stuffed into the gift bag, mind you!  He was shocked, of course.  I shook his hand, gave him a hug and told him that the only thing I wanted in return was for him to extend some kindness to someone he had never met, too.  Even if he doesn't drink, I hope & pray he'll always remember my gesture.  And, heck, it's not like I gave  him just any ol' bottle of vodka.  The sucka got STOLI!!!!  Haa!

Merry Christmas Eve to one and all!!!

1963 & I - Oh, What A Night!

Oh, what a night!  Late December, back in '63.  What a very special time for me.  I don't remember, but what a night!!!!!  Haaa!  I've got 48 reasons to sing this song and dangit, I'm SINGIN' it!!!!!  I thank GOD for allowing me to be here to see this day!!!  And I thank Him for MISS JUANITA & MR CHARLES for without whom, there'd be no CAM Jr!!!!!!!

I Quit You

I'm on the Community Advisory Board of this organization because I've been an exemplary and highly thankful patient since 2007.  At yesterday's board meeting and today's actual medical appointment, I have come to the sterling clear realization that I no longer want to be a patient here.  I want to be a DONOR.  Although I am truly grateful for the services I've received at the clinic, I simply don't want to be there anymore.  Reason being:  I don't feel good about myself as a patient there.  I simply don't.

Play It Again, Cam

I know I've posted about this a lil while ago, but the original video has since been deleted.  Well, luckily for me, someone has reposted the performance again.  And, boy, oh boy, I love it as much today as I did the day I first posted it!  SINNNNG, Kelly Clarkson!  Sing!!!!!!!!!!  MTV's Unplugged is simply sensational!  Simply!

Unsung Heroes

Last night I stayed up till after midnight, watching TV One's Unsung documentary series.  The featured acts were SHALAMAR and HEATWAVE.  I didn't know a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff that went down with both groups.  All I knew was that I sure liked a lot of their songs.  What I learned, though, is that if you're an aspiring singer, it appears best to perform as a SOLO act!!!  Groups just provide waaaay too much drama!!!

Wherefore Art Thou, Christmas Tree?

I wish I could say my Christmas tree is up and glistening with lights.  Well, I could say that, but I'd be lying through my teeth!  Truth be told, I've never erected a Christmas tree in any of the apartments I've lived in over the years.  And, honestly, I don't know why.  Because I truly love the look of them!  I told myself I'd get one this year, but alas, I still haven't.  Perhaps I should just get up from this chair and go out and get one now!  Hmmm.  But I won't.  Instead, I'll simply go to someone else's house and enjoy theirs.  I'm sure if I had children, I'd have a Christmas tree.  And, perhaps a lot more Christmas merriment!  Perhaps!  :)

The Winter Blues

According to the calendar, today marks the first day of Winter.  Since I'm not back on the east coast or the Midwest, I welcome Winter in ways I didn't used to.  Meaning:  I never again want to be in snow.  Okay, maybe I could visit someplace with snow, but I don't want to live in it!  Here in Cali, you can have snow if you want and live without it if you don't.  I choose the latter.

New & Improved

Gone are the days when black folks can claim that all white women have flat butts!  Lawd, have mercy!!!!!!!

Christmas Cheer

No, I don't have a Christmas tree up in the living room.  And I don't have Christmas lights up around the apartment, either.  But, dangit, I'm listenin' to a music mix of SWV and Michael Jackson and feelin' mighty filled with Christmas cheer!!!!  Now, all I need is some egg nog (laced with Bailey's) and some warm, chocolate chip cookies.  Wait a minute!  I've got some peanut butter cookies in the fridge, so they'll have to do!  Dang, this mix is HOTTTTT!!!!  

A Stroke Of Good Luck

This past weekend I may have saved a life.  While volunteering at the assisted-living residence, I noticed one of the residents practically face down in her bowl of soup.  I alerted one of the facility's employees, who looked in on the woman and immediately recognized the ol' gal was in trouble.  After engaging several of her coworkers to assist her, 911 was called and paramedics rushed in and took the elderly resident to the hospital.  Turns out she had suffered a stroke.  I hope & pray she's fine now.  Or as fine as can be. --- The employee I first alerted thanked me for being so observant.  Honestly, being on the Alzheimer's floor on that day was kind of tough.  Watching too many of the residents deteriorate right before my eyes each time I'm there is just a bit much to take sometimes.  Young girl scouts came to sing Christmas carols to the residents before I left.  I enjoyed seeing the juxtaposition of the generations there.  The young girls.  Their parents.  And the residents.  If we all live long enough, we, too, might grow to be just like the residents.  The only difference, though, is that most of the people in this country will NEVER be able to afford to live their aged years in a place like this.  Until my day comes, I'm simply gonna keep loving and living as best I know how.  And what will be, will be.  Amen.

My World

When I was a boy, my mother used to always tell me to stop my daydreaming and join everybody in "the real world."  I recall telling her once that I didn't like it in the "real" world because it didn't seem like a great place to live.  Well, here I sit almost 27 yrs after her death and I STILL feel the same way.  Even more so, actually.  Every time I sign onto the internet I read about children being abducted or out-and-out murdered.  Husbands killing wives.  Wives killing husbands.  People simply killing for what seems like the sport of it.  I read about people losing their homes.  And people starving for a meal.  Every day it's something more horrific than the day before.  I don't like it.  I don't like it one bit.  In MY world --- the world in which everybody has a lovely home, and great friends and excellent health --- in MY world everybody is happy to be ALIVE!  Period.  --- If my mother was alive today, I wonder what she'd think of "the real world."  I wonder if she'd even for a moment want to join me in MINE.

Shameless

 

Last night, I watched a riveting episode of The First 48 on A&E.  The story that moved me most was about a 31-yr-old single mother of an eight-yr-old boy who apparently was quite the hard worker.  She and her son lived alone in their house.  One morning, police were called to her house by a neighbor because it was on fire.  Turns out that three, young men had broken into her house, shot her, then burned her body to cover up their tracks.  What did they want, you ask?  Her brand new, 47" flat screen tv and her new laptop.  They shot and burned her so they could steal a tv and computer!!!!!  Really!!!  As I looked at all three, young, black men, my stomach sickened.  How could ANYBODY be so cruel and heartless?  HOW???  Since when has the acquisition of electronic, INANIMATE objects become so important that taking HUMAN lives to acquire them is acceptable???  When?  --- I hope & pray those young men one day realize what they did and feel worse than horrible for doing it.  'Cause what they did was SENSELESS!  And HORRENDOUS!  And SHAMELESS!  

Lyrically Speaking

I can't say it enough.  Adele hit the nail right on the head HERE.

Right From Wrong

If you're gonna BUY 'em, there's a RIGHT way to do it...

And there's a WRONG way.

Stroke Of Genius

I'm not 100% sure HOW he does it, but my boy, HASANI G., manages to get that RIDICULOUS torso of his painted by only the BEST artists!  In the HOTTEST places!  Haaa!

What!

Last night they played the Staples Center.  I think they're there tonight, too.  According to folks on Twitter and YouTube, their concert was awesome.  Even Tyshawn told me it was one of the best concerts he's ever attended.  Well, as far as I'm concerned, they'd have to pay ME to attend one of their shows.  I have ZERO interest in HEARING "Niggas In Paris" or SEEING "Those Niggas On Stage At Staples Center."  What!

Just Askin'

I wonder if there's ever been a fella who has had one on lil ol' ME.  Hmm.

Of Late

Of late, I've had plenty of food and sleep.  Therefore...

Don't Know 'Em

Don't know 'em, so NOT INTERESTED in keepin' up with 'em!

Words Of Wisdom

And so I am.

Just Because

I've posted this pic just because this dog is BREATHTAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL to me!!  I want one!!!!!!!!!

Home Sweet Home

Working as a cater-waiter off & on since 1998 has gained me a bird's eye view of some of the most amazing houses/apartments in this country.  Back in Manhattan I recall loving the apartment of a woman who sold old, movie memorabilia.  Here in Los Angeles, I've loved many.  But my all-time favorite is a sprawling estate with a Los Angeles zip code.

At the time I walked inside this beautiful structure, it was owned by the late W. Howard Lester, former CEO and Chairman of Williams Sonoma. He was gracious. That much I remember.

Just as I remember walking through the big gate in front of the house, and being mesmerized by the lengthy walk up the tree-lined driveway.  I mean, honestly, walking up the driveway was enough to make me wish I never left the property.

The immaculate house was just the cherry on top of the incredibly well-landscaped cake. First, I walked past the guest house/gym to get to the main house. Both buildings are simply stunning.  When I walked into the main house I was immediately taken by the openness of the first floor.

I found a "reason" to venture upstairs, of course. I peeked into the beautiful bedrooms. I then checked out the basement where the game room and wine cellar are located. I'll say it again: simply stunning.

Surfing the web sometime last year, I discovered that Mr. Lester had passed. God, rest his soul. But I wonder who lives in that house now. And I wonder if whomever it is would mind if I just stopped by to walk around the grounds and through the house again. I mean, I only wanna see what the place looks like now. That's all. Haaa!

Since I don't have photos of the house's interior, you'll just have to settle for it's exterior HERE.

p.s. The house is almost directly across the street from the former, Spelling Manor.

Thank You, Lady O

Today I received my Oprah's Lifeclass Journal in the mail.  It looks precisely as it does in the photo above.  Okay, so it has arrived a bit after the fact, but I'm still happy to receive it.  I don't have cable, so I caught several of the shows on Oprah.com.  I'm really happy that Iyanla Vanzant is back in Oprahland.  The ol' gal is truly an inspiration.

This 47er

Friday night I hung out with Tyshawn and his great friend, Jazz.  I'm tellin' you, I haven't had such a good time in AGES!  We went to Pasadena and chilled out at one of Jazz's favorite haunts, THE 35er!  The place is a no-frills, no-attitude joint!  And I LOVED it!  The dj, Jimmy G, played old school r&b and hip-hop from the 80s & 90s.  I danced like I was 25 yrs old again.  And, of course, my legs feel like I've been dancing for a hundred years right now!  Ouch!  This ol' dude can still cut a rug, if I say so myself!  Haa!  I think I'll be making a return visit to The 35er.  For the dancing AND for the ENORMOUS glasses the drinks are served in!  :) :)  :)