Good Riddance

Yesterday I walked out of a catering job only 3 1/2 hrs into it.  I left because I was tired.  Tired of feeling bad whenever I worked in the venue.  Tired of feeling less than who I was born to be every time I work for the company.  It was a wedding. 125+ guests.  And only five waiters.  I have only myself to blame for going to the event in the first place.  My gut instinct had been telling me all week prior to cancel the gig.  Even as I walked up to the restaurant I kept asking God to help me change my attitude so that I could get through it.  Well, I didn't change my attitude.  And I didn't get through it.  As I moved tables and moved chairs and filled water pitchers and filled empty, water glasses all I could think about was walking out right then and there.  Then and there came 3 1/2 hrs after my arrival.  I left before the salads were placed on the tables.  I left before the inevitable pandemonium broke out in the kitchen.  I left before I felt like my life was less than zero.  No, I'll never work for the company again.  I've sealed my fate there.  But that's okay with me.  'Cause I walked away from that restaurant with my head held high and my self-esteem intact.  Yes, I'm thankful for whatever dollars I've earned from the company over the past year or two.  And I'm even more thankful to have finally told them, GOOD RIDDANCE!

"Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road.
Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go.
So, make the best of this test, and don't ask why.
It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time.
It's something unpredictable, but in the end, it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life." --- Green Day

I didn't.  So, I walked away.

At The Movies

One of my friends stopped by last week and gave me two movies to watch.  THE MUDGE BOY and NORMAL.  Both films were right up my alley.  Realistic.  Touching.  And illustrations that compassion truly saves the day.  I had never heard of either film; but it's safe to say that my friend truly knows me to the core of my being.  After viewing the films, he just knew I'd love them.  And indeed I did.  So, both are my recommendations to any and everyone who wants to curl up in a warm and cozy bed or chair to watch a terrific movie about people you can actually know.  No flying people.  No car chases.  No explosions.  Simply real people with real, human issues.  Two thumbs up for me!!!!!!

Dream A Little Dream

One of my dear friends, who is damn near 50 yrs old, just told me he had a friggin' wet dream recently.

WTH!!!!

Isn't he 35 yrs too old for that sort of thing?? All I've gotta say about that is, God bless him!!!!

And God bless his sheets and underwear too!

Haaaa!

Somebody's Watching Me

My week-long gig for a CBS, reality show has come and gone, but I will ALWAYS remember the gang who worked alongside me!  Enjoyed each and every one of 'em!!!!!!!!!

Welcome

I've often said that my life is truly a living testament to spontaneity.  Honestly, I rarely know from day to day what I'll be doing or with whom.  Today has been no different.  This morning, I received a phone call from the young lady who got me booked for the reality tv gig I've been working for the past six days.  Anyway, I wasn't able to answer the call, so she sent a text to call her.  When I could, I did. And lo' & behold, she told me she wanted to stay overnight at my spot so she could attend a concert tonight at Universal Studios' Gibson Amphitheater.  She said she'd travel back to her home in San Diego in the morning.  Well, I haven't hosted an overnight guest in...well...forever!  I don't have any furniture, per se, so I never really entertain.  It didn't take me long, though, to toss the "no furniture" excuse out the window and give her my address!  I threw a load of laundry into the wash, dusted, wiped down the bathroom mirror, lightly scrubbed the front stoop, then was open for business!  Lol!  She arrived safely.  A little over an hour ago I dropped her off at her concert.  I'll pick her up as soon as she texts.  And all is well in the world.  This unexpected guest has brought me an unexpectedly terrific evening!  God bless her.

That's What I Believe

 

--AND--

 

A Day In The Life

Yesterday was day #2 of my reality television work.  And, I have to admit, that some contestants truly have fragile psyches.  The thought of winning a lot of money blinds folks to many of the unpleasantries of exposing themselves to the world.  All I can say about a couple of the contestants I've met is that perhaps doing the show wasn't the best decision they've ever made.  I wish them the best nonetheless.  

A Closer WALK With Thee

Yesterday was my first day workin' for the production company of a certain, CBS, reality show.  I'm off today, but will be back tomorrow morning at 8 AM.  What did I think of my first day?  Actually, it was interesting.  My official job title is, "Handler."  That means I'm a chaperone of sorts to one of the contestants.  I sit with him in his dressing room and walk him here and there.  I closed out the night by walking him to his hotel room and making sure he was safe and sound inside before I left.  He's a terrific guy.  Full of life and ambition.  I wish the best for him.  Although the gig pays peanuts, I'm gonna squeeze every bit of joy out of it as humanly possible.

After I signed out last night, I walked home.  Yep, you heard me right.  Walked home.  And by most folks' standards, the walk wasn't a short one.  In fact, according to Mapquest, it was 3.92 miles.  Of course, throughout that walk home, I sang to myself and talked to myself and observed all the interesting sights and sounds the "after 2 AM" world has to offer.  I made it home safely.  And soundly.  And thankfully.  No, when I can afford it, I will probably not choose long walks over driving.  However, until that time comes, I truly and wholly and deeply thank God for giving me the legs and feet and stamina to walk wherever I choose to go.  You see, I know I'm never walking ALONE.

Day One

Today is day one of a three-day gig I have with a tv, production company.  The pay is abysmal, but my attitude will be through the roof regardless!  I have an idea what to expect, but, of course, won't know for sure until the day ends.  I've gotta make the powers-that-be of this company see what a benefit I'd be to them. With MUCH HIGHER pay, thank you very much!!!!!!  Truth be told, I'm looking forward to this!  What will be, will be.  The future is mine to see.  Que sera, sera.

Hollywood To Dollywood

Today I treated myself to a delightful, little documentary, HOLLYWOOD TO DOLLYWOOD.  It told the story of two, gay, twin brothers from North Carolina who rented an RV in Hollywood and drove across the country to Tennessee to meet Dolly Parton at her Dollywood Theme Park.  They wanted to give her a film script they had written especially for her.  The documentary was directed by, JOHN LAVIN.  I know John because he and I did the cater-waiter thing together back in NYC.  Now, I think he edits film and/or tv.  Oh, and directs at least one documentary.  All in all, I found the piece to be really uplifting as the brothers hope that Dolly will star in their film and that their religious mom and dad will one day come to terms with the boys' homosexuality.  If I should ever run into them here in L.A. anytime soon, I'm gonna ask them how their mom reacted to the film.  That is, if she even saw it.  Bravo to them for getting it made.  Bravo to John for directing and editing it.  And bravo to the amazing Dolly Parton for allowing them to use 14 or so of her songs WITHOUT having to pay her a fortune!  Or anything at all, I've heard!

I Remember Yesterday

On this day back in 2001 I was earning my keep as a cater-waiter for Patina Catering.  I was in the third month of living, for the first time, with a significant other.  I owned a 1984, white Mustang.  I worked consistently for Patina Catering.  I had money in a savings account.  I had money in a checking account.  I worked out four to five days per week at Griffith Park.  I could fly back to Indiana if I chose.  Or fly anywhere actually.  Anyway, I don't recall exactly what time it was, but I recall it being early.  Our home phone rang.  Scott answered it.  The person on the other end asked to speak to me.  Scott handed me the phone.  It was my sister, Rita.  Her words were very excited and loud.  Mind you, nothing unusual for her.  But that time, I could tell her excitement didn't derive from merriment.  Uh, uh.  I heard something else.  She said something to the effect that, "They're burning your city down.  Turn on the television."  I told Scott to turn on the television.  When he clicked the remote, I immediately heard the concern and suppressed terror in the voice of whomever was reporting.  And I saw the ominous images of a smoke cloud-filled sky.  And fire billowing out of one of the World Trade towers.  My heart stopped.  Maybe not literally, but it sure felt like it.  I didn't really understand what was going on.  I would never have thought terrorism.  And I wouldn't have thought it because that was a word only used to describe foreign warfare.  Or so I stupidly naively thought.

As time went on, the other tower was attacked.  And more pandemonium ensued.  I couldn't tear my eyes away from the television.  In fact, I lay in the bed watching the live, news broadcast as Scott scurried off to work.  After he left, I eventually went into the living room, plopped down onto the couch and continued watching news broadcasts all day.  My heart ached for those who lost their lives.  And for those who loved them.  I kept wondering where would I have been at that time of the morning?  Since I had been working catering gigs in NYC only two years prior, I could very well have been in one of the towers that morning.  Heck, I had a standing, Christmas gig I had worked there for two years back in '98 and '99.  I had oftentimes boarded and/or exited the subway under one of the towers.  I could easily have been there that day had I still been living in NYC. The whole thing was just too much to wrap my brain around.

After hours upon hours of watching news broadcasts, I realized I needed to turn off the tv and do something more pleasurable.  That's when I got the grand idea to meet up with Scott after he got off work and treat him to a movie.  Our movie of choice was, GLITTER.  Yep.  Mariah's Glitter.  Folks can make fun of the film if they want, but we enjoyed it.  We sure as heck enjoyed her singing.  To this day, whenever I hear the mere mention of the film, I think back to how much of a relief seeing it was for me.  In fact, for an hour and a half or so, I forgot all about the twin towers.  And the fear.  And the worry.  And the deaths.  Instead, all that mattered to me was Funkin' For Jamaica.

I'll always remember how September 11, 2001 affected me.  And I'll always remember how Mariah Carey's voice helped me forget about that effect.

At least for an hour and a half or so.

Open Road

Spontaneity is a staple in my life.  Sometimes I just go where I go and discover what I discover.  While on these spontaneous journeys, I have never once met a "stranger."  

Upward Bound

2009 saw me take the biggest blows of my life to my ego and wallet and yet I'm STILL standing!  Truth be told, things are lookin' up for this ol' dude!  Before too long, I'm gonna be BIGGER & BETTER than ever before.  Heck, I predict with confidence that sooner, rather than later, I'll even be a first-time homeOWNER instead of a renter!!!  Yep!  I feel it deep down in my bones.  And I'll be traveling the states to visit with all the people I love but haven't visited because of lack of sufficient funds.  Haa!  Sound just like a bounced check notice, don't I?  Lol!

All jokes aside, my life is seeing a reversal of professional and financial fortunes because I finally placed my debilitating pride into my back pocket and asked for assistance.  I never want to ask anyone for anything, but I've finally had to accept the fact that no one can rise to the moon without the assistance of others.  At least, I know I can't.  So, I wanna take this opportunity to thank my guardian angel:  L. VICTORIA THOMAS.  Thank you, Victoria, for showing me the power of FRIENDSHIP.  Thank you from the bottom of my lil' ol' heart.  

Eye Appeal Is Half The Meal

Truly a gorgeous and delicious work of art!!!!!

You Never Know

ROYCE WHITE

This mini-documentary about former, Iowa State basketball star, ROYCE WHITE, as he watches the NBA draft truly moved me.  To the outside world, I'm sure his life is thought to be a bed of roses.  The documentary lets us see it's anything but.  That's why regardless how much money I have or don't have, I still ONLY want to be ME.  'Cause I have NO idea what anyone else is truly going through.  God bless Royce.  May his stay in Houston be more fulfilling than he ever imagined.

Gimme Moore, Gimme Moore

Okay, so I stepped out of the talent management ring officially back in late 2009, early 2010.  Now, it looks like I'm givin' it another go as I formulate a plan of attack to get fitness hotshot, DAVID MOORE, on the map!  The young man's dedication to fitness astounds me.  His YouTube & Facebook pages are blowing up!  I've gotta come up with a plan to get his message out to the masses.  That requires quiet reflection and strategic planning.  So, say a prayer for me.  I recorded the voice-over intro to his promotional video below.  Now, it's time to get to work!!!! 

Revolution Of One

Empty Wallet

#realtalk

AT&T & Me

AT&T and I have gone 'round and 'round about my home phone and DSL service.  They told me if I didn't pay them the $59.00 I owe 'em they were shutting me down!  Over the course of seven or eight years, I have watched my home phone rate go from $10.99 per month for a dial tone to $20.00!  Then add long distance and DSL and they want $50+ per month.  Everybody I know tells me to get rid of the home phone AND the DSL and get cable.  But, truth be told, I don't wanna be bothered.  But I might just have to, 'cause I haven't paid the $59.00, yet the DSL is still working.  I'll just pay the dang money before the DSL really gets turned off.  That would be a bummer.  If I pay online later today, I just might dodge that disconnection bullet!  Whew!