Just Thinking About Tomorrow

Well, the New Year is rapidly approaching.  And, in it, there are any number of goals I'm gonna work my heinie off to achieve.  Physical goals.  Professional goals.  Personal goals.  There's much work to do.  And through the grace of God, I'm physically and mentally capable of doing that work.

2014 takes me into a new decade and I'm 100% convinced, between 50 and 60, this ol' dude is FINALLY gonna come into his own.

FINALLY!

I'm lookin' hella forward to it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Lost In Animation

Ohhh, so THIS is what's meant by the term, "new money."  :)

2014 Goals

If I put them down on paper this computer, they're REAL, and out there for the ENTIRE world to see!

So, I'm gonna list 'em right now and look back at this list on December 29th, 2014 to see what I've accomplished!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In no particular order of accomplishment, my goals are:

1.)  Begin knocking out any debt!
2.)  Film at least one of my moderating gigs @ HollyShorts Film Festival.
3.)  Moderate a SAG and/or NAACP film screening.
4.)  Hire Chef Tom Symon to cater a meal for ME and 11 guests!
5.)  Earn money in FRONT of and BEHIND the camera being ME (like Ryan Seacrest and Tom Bergeron do)!
6.)  Visit family in Indiana.
7.)  Make myself truly available for romance.  (It's been a minute, so I hope I can remember how it all works). :)
8.)  Do some kind of exercise each and every day (even if it's just walking briskly).
9.)  Go to bed by 11 PM each night.
10.)  Awaken by 8 AM each morning.
11.)  Continue my volunteer work with the elderly.
12.)  Continue to be THANKFUL for my HEALTH, MIND and those who adore me!
13.)  Enjoy a drink or a bite with a Facebook friend at least twice per month.
14.)  Make my "house" a home.

True Story

FACTS are FACTS.  #truestory

Count Me In

The time has COME!  Just paid for my membership subscription!  Hey, if this organization has the power to make "it" better (whatever "it" is), count me IN!!!!!!!!!!!

Keepin' It One Hunnit

They say that HONESTY is the BEST POLICY.

So, I'm just puttin' this out there.  :)

HALF a CENTURY YOUNG

The day has arrived!

I am NO LONGER the young boy I used to be!

I am OLDER.

WISER.

STRONGER.

MORE TALENTED.

MORE EVERYTHING.

And I'm THANKFUL to GOD for being ME.

As I usher in this new milestone---50 years old---I PLEDGE to rid myself of DOUBTS.  FEARS.  ANYTHING that, and ANYONE who DOESN'T, UPLIFT, EDIFY and/or ENLIGHTEN me.

Today, I am 50 years old.

And I am OLDER.

WISER.

STRONGER.

MORE TALENTED.

MORE EVERYTHING.

And I am THANKFUL to GOD for being ME.  FIFTY.

And, of course, FABBBBBBBBBULOUS!!!!!!!!!  :)

The Devil Wears PINE

Christmas sure is lookin' FASHIONABLE these days!!!!!  :) :) :) :)

Way Back When...

Circa early '90s @ MACY*S, Herald Square  

Let's see, this was probably sometime between 1990 and 1993.  I was working at MACY*S Herald Square (in NYC).  I was living in a beautiful, quaint (euphemism for TINY) studio condo in Jersey City.  Well, actually, it wasn't too small for my needs.

My hair was on its way out.  My glasses were by Alain Mikli, purchased at a sample sale.  I thought I was sharper than a tack in that outfit.  Loved the pool balls tie.  Couldn't tell me NOTHIN'!!!!  :)

And, oh, my beautiful thick eyebrows and mustache were compliments of...

What A Dane!

I live in an apartment and my landlords will NOT allow pets.  But, man, oh man, would I love to have a dog.  But I don't want a little dog.  I want a REAL dog.  A dog that can make me feel protected if someone tried some dumb ish with me!

Just look at the head on that BLACK BEAUTY!!!  Regal.  Majestic.  Simply STUNNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  This Dane comes from the breeding camp of Longo Miller Breeding.

Well, I'm STILL HERE, so buying property on which I can love a dog can STILL happen!  A brotha has HOPE!  :)

1st Grade Picture...It's A Wrap!

Today was a GLORIOUS day for me, for it was the FIRST short film of mine to be filmed!  Yippeeeeeeee!

I trekked over to Woodland Hills this afternoon to watch the filming of my short film, "1st Grade Picture," which also happens to be an episode of the hot web series, Front Seat Chronicles.

I truly enjoyed meeting my cast:  Brandon Espy and Ginger Marin.  I listened to their performances as they breathed life into the words I had created.  Honestly, the day couldn't have been much better.

Since we didn't have a permit, we had to be diligent about filming.  On two occasions, someone from the office building where we were filming, stepped out to the parking lot to tell us we had to go.  I hope and pray we shot enough to get terrific footage to patch together for a phenomenal final product!  Please, God, let us have what we need.

I've written a second episode for the series, so I'm looking forward to the shoot day for that one!!!  Until then, I am eternally thankful to writer/director/producer, Allen Sowelle, for deciding to shoot my little film.

The ONLY phrase I can think of to describe this day is...

Cat's In The Cranium

I don't #@$! with cats!

Never have!

Never will!

And THIS is why I won't!!!!!!!!!!

Fox 2 News Headlines

Eric E. Ita

ERIC E. ITA

Eric's dad by Eric Ita Photography

Portrait of a boy by Eric Ita Photography

I "discovered" this young fella on Facebook and was blown away by his photographic artistry.  As I followed his page, I learned that he's also quite adept at cinematography, playing a box guitar, singing, etc.  I mean, the kid does EVERYTHING.  And appears to do all those things rather well.  Of Nigerian birth, ERIC E. ITA is truly a renaissance man.  I have yet to meet him in person, but when I do, I'm gonna tell him to his face what I've been saying "behind his back" since I "discovered" him:  he ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Check out his personal website HERE!

Lavender Of The Field

I'm not 100% sure where this exquisite lavender field is, but my Google search has me thinkin' it's in France.  Well, wherever it is, it appears to be one of the most beautiful and peaceful-looking places I've EVER seen!  EVER!  Heck, I'd love to just walk through it with a friend or two (I'm talkin' alcoholic beverages, thank you very much), but a human or two could also tag along!  Haaaa!

Breakin' Through

Last Monday night, I walked into Breakin' Through Acting Workshop and had NO IDEA what to expect!  BOY oh BOY was I BLOWN AWAY!  There were 22 actors in class and ALL 22 took to that stage (MULTIPLE TIMES, mind you) and BLEW the ROOF OFF that space!  I sat there thinkin', WHATTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!  Mr. Choice Skinner is NO JOKE when it comes to putting his TALENTED group thru their paces!!!!!  I was THOROUGHLY ENTERTAINED!!!!!  Truth be told, I haven't witnessed such FEARLESSNESS in AGES!!!

BRAVO to the ACTORS and BRAVO to Choice Skinner for making it all POSSIBLE!!!!!

With a HAPPY ENDING

Ain't NOTHIN' like a good ol' BACK MASSAGE!

Truly NOTHIN'!!!!  :) :) :)  :) :) :) :)

Good Night, Michael

Michael Maddox

Today was the passing of fashion show producer and runway instructor MICHAEL MADDOX.  I have never actually met him, but once, I sent him an e-mail, telling him how much I enjoyed watching a YouTube video of him and a group of young models he had helped put on the road to realizing their professional dreams.  I recall he sent me back a polite note and that was that.

Since my e-mail to him, though, I have heard some not-so-flattering things about him and have read some really incredible tributes to him posted to his Facebook page.  So, whatever the real story is, I hope and pray his transition into "The Other" world was painless.  Cancer is what took him outta here.  What a wicked, wicked disease.

Anyway, I hope those who loved him will find some peace in his being spared from any more pain and suffering.  All deaths aren't tragic.  They're simply inescapable.

God rest his soul.  He was born the same year as I.

The Avenger

This past week, I've been driving a white, 2013 or '14 Dodge Avenger.  I can't say that I've ever really heard much about the model, but I like it.  Not as much as I like the 2014 Chevy Malibu, but hey, it'll do!  I'll return it Tuesday and pick up something else on Wednesday.  I sure hope a Chevy Malibu is on the lot, 'cause that dang car was/is NIIIIIIIIICE!

But, heck, as my mama used to always say:  "Beggars can't be choosers."  She also said:  "You pay the cost to be the boss."  So, since I'm paying, I reckon I can request a Malibu if I want one!  Yep!  :)  

New BEGINNING

As long as God feels a need to AWAKEN me from slumber, I shall begin anew.

Every...

Single...

Time.

To Whom It May Concern

I can introduce you to someone SPECIAL.
But what I can't do is make you APPRECIATE him.

Perfect "Strangers"

SUSAN LEVINE

I spent Thanksgiving night with a family the outside world would deem, "strangers," because I had never met them before.  Well, to me, they were simply people.  People just like me.  People who want to love and be loved in return.  Therefore, they weren't strangers to me.  They were extensions of me.  Heck, truth be told, they were kind.  And generous.  And Susan, the matriarch, cooked her heinie off!!!!  If they invite me back on New Year's Eve, I'm goin'.  Happily.

I have NEVER met a "stranger."

OPRAH & Tyshawn Bryant's GREEN REGIMEN

Don't ask me how I know, but I feel supremely confident that one day Tyshawn's GREEN REGIMEN smoothie idea is gonna take him places he's never been.  And Introduce him to people he's never met.  And assist him in living the life he truly wants.

If the Law Of Attraction is in his favor, his projection of the image above (despite it being "sweetened"), might very well come to pass.  I sure hope so.

I wish him the best.  And love him dearly.

We Are

Sometimes I have to remind others (and MYSELF).

Ultimatum

SAY SOMETHING...or I'm giving up on you.

Where I Wanna Be

Honest to goodness, I have absolutely NO problem staying in...

Just know that MY lane covers a helluva lotta space!!!!!!  :) :) :)

SOMETHING

Christina Aguilera & A Great Big World

Now, I've been blown away by another song.  I tell you, music is EVERYTHING.  Well, VOICES are everything to me!

This tune, SAY SOMETHING, by A Great Big World, featuring Christina Aguilera, is simply...well...simply EVERYTHING!

All Mine

It isn't ANYONE ELSE's reponsibility to LOVE me.

Sing, Boy, Sing!

CAM ANTHONY

I first came across a video of this little, 12-year-old boy, CAM ANTHONY, singing his face off months ago, but lately, I've been seeing other videos of him.  All I've gotta say is every video I see gets better than the one before it.  What a voice!

I see that the kid has been signed by ATLANTIC Records.  That's cause for concern in my book 'cause I believe a child should be a child.  Why not allow him to wait until he's been graduated from high school first?  I mean, the record business will still be there.  I think.  :)  Anyway, I hope and pray he always sings because he WANTS to and NEVER because he feels he HAS to!

God bless him!!!  WHAT A VOICE!!!!!!!!!!!  Check him out on YouTube!

The Buff Brits Trio

This weekend is FITNESS AMERICA WEEKEND in Las Vegas and bodybuilders from all over the globe have descended upon Sin City to show off their physical wares.  From the looks of things, Brits Ulisses Jr, Simeon Panda and Ty Ogedegbe are gonna be the trio to beat!  WOW!

Good luck, fellas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just gotta post ULISSES JR by himself because his stance is soooooo dang POWERFUL!!!!!!!!