The Choice Is Ours

RuPaul

Where we begin...

And where we end...

Can be two, distinctly different places...

If we want them to be.

The choice is OURS!

Inventing David Geffen, You Say?

I just watched a terrific documentary on the life of mogul, DAVID GEFFEN.  I've posted it below.  When I think of him, I think of a man who has achieved incredible, professional success, but seemingly no real, deeply penetrating romantic affection.  No pun intended, thank you very much.  I don't know him personally, so that's why I say, seemingly.  Anyway, I've been in the same room with the man on several occasions.  Always during a catering gig, of course.  I've even worked a bartending gig at his palatial estate once.  Four years ago.  It was a celebration of his boyfriend's 25th birthday.  They've since broken up.  At the time, though, David was 65.  Curiosity got the best of me that day, so I asked one of the many, beautiful, young guys at the party how he came about his invitation to the soiree.  He told me that it was in fact he who, at one point, had dated David and eventually introduced him to the 25-yr-old, birthday boy.  He told me that the age difference was just too much for him.  All I thought was, wow!

Now that David has stepped away from Dreamworks and the music business, I hope & pray he's enjoying his remaining moments on this planet, living and loving as mankind was created to do.  God bless him.

Watch Inventing David Geffen on PBS. See more from American Masters.

I'm Thinking

Surfing YouTube is one helluva past time for me.  I could surf for hours and discover somethin' new every single minute.  Well, in my latest surfing session, while looking up videos of RuPaul Drag Race's Shannel, I stumbled upon a song I had never heard.  It's called, LET ME THINK ABOUT IT.  It's performed by a gorgeous, Danish woman named, IDA CORR.  This song is on FIRE!!!!!!  Makes me wanna dance my black butt off!!!  Geez, Louise, I'm glad I have a high speed internet connection!!  Haaaa!

I Am What I Am

When I think back on my former work as a talent manager, I realize that to an extent, I've been doing that kind of work years before I ever gave a name to it.  And I'm still doing it.  I clearly see now that I delight in assisting others to bring about a desired outcome for them.  And I usually do this by utilizing my writing skills.  I've written countless numbers of bios and poems and cover letters and other material for people.  And I've done it because I'm good at it.  Correction:  because I'm GREAT at it!  I now have to figure out a way to make some money from it since facilitating the realization of others' dreams comes as naturally to me as breathing.  Hmm.  It's good to know what I am, though.  :) :) :)

Like That Janet Jackson Song

Patrik-Ian Polk

When I saw Patrik-Ian Polk's The Skinny, I was more interested in the soundtrack than what I saw on screen.  So, it makes my heart jump for joy that he has uploaded the songs from the film onto YouTube.  This, particular song caught my attention.  Very catchy if I say so myself.  And borderline seXXXy!  Patrik-Ian is a talented cat!

Gimme Moore, Gimme Moore II

Fitness entrepreneur, DAVID MOORE, has finally hit "the big time."  His feature on Essence.com hit the world wide web this morning!  And he and I are overjoyed!  It was just a little over two months ago that I sent his pic to a Facebook page (without his knowledge, mind you) and once the page posted it, his MooreFitLiving Facebook page lit up like a Christmas tree.  That jolt gave him the momentum to jump-start his page and to embark upon all the professional adventures he's seen since!  I'm proud of him.  This Essence publicity is just the beginning.  It's amazing what one can accomplish with a defined vision and a trusted team!  Onward & Upward, #TeamMooreFitLiving!!!!  

I Am Anointed

Today's church sermon was about living in your anointing.  Pastor Touré said that we can be good at many things but won't be great at anything until we pursue that which God has anointed.  My anointing may not have been in talent management; thus, I was good at it, but not great.  My anointing may rest in public speaking.  I seem to be damn excellent at moderating film festivals.  Or maybe it's writing creatively.  Although none of my screenplays have been produced, they still move me in ways nothing else seems to.  Perhaps it's time to have a staged reading of one of my pieces to see how it works out loud.  Yeah, that wouldn't cost an arm and a leg.  To hear real people bring the words to life would make a world of difference.

After leaving church today, my thought was solely to walk into my anointing and exploit it as much as I can.  'Cause, truth be told, a part of me is getting a little nervous that if I don't embrace some kind of professional fulfillment soon, I'm gonna miss the boat.  But when I think about my film festival moderating gig, I realize I must really love it, 'cause I commit to multiple days of the work at eight-hr shifts.  For FREE!  All volunteer.  And, for the most part, if we're not interns, we only do for free what we love doing.  SAG and film companies haven't yet hired or simply called me to moderate the big films during awards season, but they will as soon as they know I'm here.  And that my work as a Q&A moderator is anointed.  So let it be written.  So let it be done.

Doin' Nothin' Feels Sooo Good!

I awakened this morning and knew immediately that I wasn't gonna do much of anything today.  I just lay in the bed, giving gratitude for all the things and people I'm thankful for.  Then, I just let my mind drift wherever it wanted to go.  I eventually watched The First 48 Missing Persons on the computer.  From the bed, of course.  Then, I watched an episode of the new Dallas.  Also while lying in the bed!  I felt like watching it because the great, Larry Hagman, passed away a day or two ago.  I'll always remember him as one of tv's most reviled and beloved villains of all-time!  So long, J.R. Ewing!  On this lazy Saturday in November, it was a pleasure watching you again in the same role that made you a colossal, tv star back in the '70s!!!!  Nothing lasts forever.  Not even this incredible, lazy day!

Trader Joe's, Johnnyswim & Me!

One of my favorite tunes on my YouTube Playlist is a song titled, ANNIE.  It's performed by the married duo, JOHNNYSWIM.  Well, I was on my way into Trader Joe's an hour or so ago and who do I see walking across the street from the place?  Yep!  Johnnyswim!  I was on one side of the street and they were crossing away from me to the other.  So, I did what any child of God would do when he can't suppress his kind thoughts about someone:  I ran into the middle of the street and stopped them!!!  I told them that I'm a YouTube surfer who stumbled across their music and wound up LOVIN' it!  I told them my favorite tune of theirs is, Annie.  They were incredibly gracious and seemed equally as happy to meet me as I was to meet them.  Oh, how I hope & pray their music gets more mainstream airplay so that others can discover what I have:  that Johnnyswim is talented AND kind!

I've posted this video before, but, dangit, now that I've met the duo face-to-face, I'm postin' it AGAIN!!!!!  

"If I told you I was changin', would you love me more?"

This Is My Truth

I just walked into a smoke-filled apartment because the "girlfriend" of the guy I rent my spare bedroom out to is cooking.  I casually told him that there'd be no smoke if he simply cooked with low heat.  He has opened the front doors and windows, turned on the air conditioner fan and closed the door leading to the hallway because the smoke surely engaged the fire alarm.  What does all this mean to me?  That I had better earn/get/win some money soon, 'cause livin' alone suits me.  It truly does.

Gobble Gobble!!!!!

The Authentic M-to-the-E!

I'd be the STRONG, CONFIDENT, INCREDIBLY CREATIVE & PROFESSIONALLY SUCCESSFUL man I was BORN to be!  THAT'S who!
And, the "you" I'm referring to is...

My Definition of SUCCESS

Forget about having millions of dollars, owning a large house or driving an expensive car.  At 48 yrs of age, I now define success for me as simply being able to use the bathroom by myself with complete & total ease.  Every other good thing/person/experience in my life is simply icing on the cake!!!! 

Doctor, My Eyes

Dr. Andy Kongsakul O.D.

Today I did something I've been meaning to do for months, but kept putting it off because of cost.  Well, the wait is over.  At 5 PM today, I was thrilled to be examined by optometrist extraordinaire, Dr. Andy Kongsakul, O.D. @ El Portal Optometry, Inc!  I wasn't happy about the $135 charge, but I'm ecstatic to now have a new, contact lens prescription and a new pair of lenses!!!

When I sat down and underwent the eye exam, I can't describe how truly happy I was to be sitting in that room.  After I was fitted for my new lenses, I went into the restroom, got down on my knees, and thanked God for the entire experience. Taking care of my vision is of the utmost importance, so I can't wait another 11 yrs between checkups.

I walked out of the place, carrying my old eyeglasses, my new Acuvue Oasys contact lenses, a small bottle of Opti-Free Pure Moist cleaning solution and wearing the biggest grin I've worn on my face in ages!!!!!!  Hallelujah!

Salad Days

Ahhh, tonight I prepared one of the most delicious salads I've ever eaten!  And I ate the entire, friggin' bowl!  It was composed of romaine lettuce, solid chunk white tuna, chunk white chicken and pomegranate seeds.  Yep, I sliced a pomegranate into halves, submerged the halves under water and separated all the seeds.  I didn't learn about submerging the fruit under water until a couple days ago.  I'm so glad I did, because seeding the darn things can be sooooo dang messy otherwise.  I'm tellin' you, the salad was delicious.  Truth be told, I probably consumed four, regular portions.  But, guess what?  I don't care.  I loved it!  I have another pomegranate left, so I'll have to eat that one in a day or two.  Those seeds are great for you and they taste hella good!  

My Truth

A couple of days ago I received an immensely touching Facebook e-mail from a young actor whom I met the first day he visited the church I attend.  We talked a good bit that day.  Since then, he's become a regular at the church and we've talked even more in depth.  Anyway, his Facebook message thanked me for showing such a genuine interest in his acting career and in his overall person.  He said that on the evening he sat next to me during a church sponsored seminar, the woman sitting next to me overheard our conversation and apparently liked what she heard.  Turns out she's a talent agent and has now agreed to sign him as one of her clients.  Yes, this all happened weeks after the event, but it was the conversation she overheard that swayed her to meet with him at her office.  How about that?

Time and time again I question myself and God about my purpose on this planet.  Am I supposed to be a famous performer?  A famous writer?  A famous, talk show host?  What?  As time goes by, I clearly see that helping others realize their dreams is something I'm damn good at!  I helped the young actor.  I help another young actor by reading his sides with him before big auditions.  I'm helping a young, fitness entrepreneur.  I'm helping everybody!  Well, everybody except myself.  Of late, I've let my workout regimen falter.  I've wasted time online that should be used toward getting my writing projects completed.  I seem to be happy helping others until I realize I'm comin' up on the short end of the stick.  Well, I'm making a concerted effort this week to make me my #1 priority.  Even if it just places me an inch and a half in front of the person behind me.  I can't be of much help to others if I'm not living my highest life, too.  Yes, I'll continue sharing what I know with those who are diligently working toward bettering their lives.  But I'm gonna put me in front of them for a change.  I'm gonna make some room for me to exploit my talents, too.  The way I see it, in order to be a blessing, I have to work on my person so that I'm also worthy of being blessed.  Amen.    

Semantics

Pizza Hut Original Pan Pizza

I ordered my usual, chicken pan pizza from Pizza Hut last night, but I have to ask the bigwigs in their corporate offices if perhaps they might be using a verrrrry loose interpretation of the word, "pan."  'Cause I think the folks in Chicago know PRECISELY what I mean when I order a pan pizza!  Umm...Pizza Hut...y'all need a friggin' DEEPER pan!!!  :)

Chicago Style Pan Pizza

Sooner Rather Than Later

Soon and very soon.  So, let it be written.  So, let it be done.

If You Live Long Enough...

...you'll see that the changes in our physical appearance are ASTONISHING!  So, no need fighting 'em.  They will be what they will be.  God bless him.

Pretty Brilliant!

Stephen Slates

Every time I go to see a stage play, I always walk away with at least one line of dialogue that blows me away!  Well, tonight was no exception!  I just recently returned home from seeing, WAITING ON THE RAIN, written by and starring, STEPHEN SLATES.  The play depicts the journey of a small-town boy from Tennessee who moves to La La Land with his gorgeous girlfriend to make their names in Tinseltown.  Their plans don't go quite as expected.  But regarding the line I'll always remember?  It was spoken by another, terrific character in the play to the woman who just dumped him:

"At the end of the day, the only thing you're giving is pretty.  And you're almost out of that."

Ahhh, what a BRILLIANT line!!!!!

My Civic Duty

I just returned from voting!  The precinct was literally only two blocks up the street on my same street.  How convenient was that???  Anyway, I went through the entire ballot and voted on everything listed.  I have to admit, though, that I actually stood for about three or four minutes wondering whom to cast my vote for in regard to the presidency.  'Cause, although I respect both, major candidates, I had to pause and think about the outsider candidate who just happened to star in my all-time favorite sitcom!!!!!!!!  Hmmm.  Decisions, decisions!  :)

Flying High

Nadine Velazquez

John Goodman

The frugal man that I am absolutely refused to pay full price to see Denzel Washington's latest film, Flight; so, I jumped up early this morning and caught the 10:45 AM showing for the much more reasonable matinee price of $6.00.  Whew!  The first part of the film had me on pins and needles.  I mean, I felt like I was actually aboard the plane!  My heart raced.  And I almost climbed into the chair next to me!  Haaa!

The first part of the film really kept me alert and anxious.  After Denzel's booze & drugged up character goes to live at his father's old farm to get away from the media spotlight, I found my eyelids becoming cinder block heavy.  A lot of talking and not a lot of action.  However, the gods of cinema must have heard my near-dozing plea, 'cause the latter part of the film slapped me back into complete consciousness and returned me back to wondering what the heck was gonna happen next.

This film is part action flick.  And part morality play.  Could one do the action and maintain his moral integrity afterward?  Hmm.  That's the million dollar question.  All in all, I had a good time.  It was great seeing a 58-yr-old man look like a 58-yr-old man.  I'm glad Denzel didn't hit the gym like a fiend to look like a man his character probably wouldn't look like in order to maintain Denzel's movie star status.  Heck, he's undoubtedly cemented it more by daring to make his character appear as flawed as he actually was.  Bravo, Mr. Washington!  And bravo to the young actress, Nadine Velazquez, who portrayed his on-the-job fling.  She was flippin' sexy as f#*k!  And as for John Goodman, fuggedabout it!  He was simply SENSATIONAL!  After he exited his first scene, the audience celebrated his tour de force performance with a hearty round of applause!  Who knew my beloved "Dan Conner" had it in him????  I knew!!!!  :)

Bang The Drum All Day

Judi & Chris Wahl

Yesterday was quite the festive day at my volunteer gig with the elderly.  We were entertained by a sensational drum circle group, Wahlbangers Drum Circle Organization.  The group consists of its founders, Chris Wahl and his lovely wife, Judi.  And for extra support, there's his mom, Donna, his sister, Steff, and her hubby, Fritz.  The lot of them provides music therapy for the elderly and others.  We assembled Chris & Co. on the floor with our memory impaired residents.  After the staff and I got the residents seated behind a set of drums, we took our places, too.  I'm tellin' you, I beat on those drums as if I was Travis Barker.  Chris told me that I made his day with my participation.  Many of our residents played along as long as they could, but when they were pooped, I kept going.  I almost forgot the exercise was for THEIR therapy.  Not mine!  Haaa!  Anyway, Chris & Co. are due back on Dec. 2nd, so I'm gonna have to practice what beats I want to perform by grabbing some chopsticks and banging away on my wooden, tv dinner stand!  Hey, the wise man knows that practice makes perfect!

Wahlbangers Drum Circle Organization is a not-for-profit endeavor, so they'll happily accept donations.  You can do that HERE!

"I don't wanna work.
I wanna bang on the drum all day."