Jason's Lyric

It might be too early to say, but I suspect I'm probably right when I refer to JASON COLLINS as, "former NBA center..."  I'd be surprised if he's hired by another NBA team for next season.  And, honestly, not because he has just publicly stated his sexual orientation.  But because he's gotten too old to be as effective in the game as younger players.

In today's blogosphere, Jason's interview with Sports Illustrated is everywhere!  He's gay.  There you have it.  Gay advocates all over the country are ecstatic because they never seem to feel complete unless famous heterosexual or famous seemingly heterosexual people validate their existence.  Listen, I'm happy for the man if telling the world he's gay makes him feel better about himself.  But, personally, I couldn't care less.  His admission doesn't make me feel any wiser, stronger, richer, poorer, etc.  It doesn't get me a new job, a new house or a new attitude.  Heck, it doesn't even get me a new boyfriend!  Haaa!  All it does is tell me that a man I had never heard of before today is gay.  Um...great for him.  Let him sing his "freedom" song 'til the cows come home!  Seriously...great for him.   

Be My Guest

As summer rapidly approaches, everybody and their mother wants to come to Los Angeles for a visit.  I live in a two-bedroom, one bathroom apartment, so overnight guests aren't a staple here.  However, I long to have a space large enough to comfortably house three or four guests at a time.  In fact, I think about it all the time.  I think a part of me plays the lottery just so I can buy a place for that reason!  Haaa!  I'd kill for a comfy and attractive guest room!!!!!

I'm sneakin' up on 50 with a quickness.  So, I've only got but so much time to buy a place.  It's comin'.  I don't know when, but it's comin'.  Until then, though, the welcome mat is still placed in front of the door!  One doesn't actually need a castle to live as if he resides in one!  Word!!!  :)

Money Can't Buy You Love

Brooklyn Mclinn

Nefetari Spencer

Tracy Taylor-Dwyer

Gotta love Facebook.  I "discover" the most incredible videos and photographs there.  Today, for instance, I stumbled upon the little gem below:  PENNIES, starring BROOKLYN MCLINN & NEFETARI SPENCER.  It's a verrrrry short film written and directed by TRACY TAYLOR-DWYER.  And I LOVED it!  Just goes to show that when a writer has something to say, he/she doesn't need an HOUR to say it.  Just a sweet, sweet, lil' film.

Something Old

Today's visit with the elderly was truly terrific.  I witnessed a breakthrough.  One of the residents was recently moved from the assisted-living population into the Alzheimer's/dementia population.  I've noticed that since her move, she's been looking happier.  I mean, I see her smile so much more now than ever before.  Well, today the Wahlbangers Drum Circle paid us a visit and, right before my very eyes, I watched the resident dance.  I'm talkin' a full-out, smooth groove kind of dancing.  Of course I had to join her.  Then, one of the residence's employees joined her.  It was a joy to watch her face light up as the drums' rhythm beat louder and louder.  Heck, who knew she had DIMPLES???  I don't think I had ever really noticed.  Oh, how I wish her son was there to see what I saw.  It would have made his day.  I just know it.

Volunteering at this residence has changed me.  I can't put my finger on the precise change(s), but I know I've been changed.  Honoring and respecting the elderly is more than a notion to me.  It's a way of life.  My life.

I pray for everyone and every "old" thing.  :)

Forward, March!

Doesn't matter how many different ways I read and/or hear it, I CAN and WILL get to the place(s) I wanna go as long as I...

Amen.

No Boston Tea Party

Earlier today, during the Boston Marathon, (2) explosions ruined the entire day!  Both explosions occurred around the finish line.  Currently, there are (2) confirmed deaths and up to a hundred or more wounded.  I know many people are asking, what is this world coming to?  Well, I don't think it's coming to anything that it hasn't always been for quite some time.  There are too many people who don't care about other people.  Period.

If I've said it once, I've said it a million times:  man is the BEST and WORST of God's creations.  My prayers and well-wishes go out to the dead, the survivors and the family of friends of both groups.

I know many people are asking, when will this death and destruction end?  Well, I don't think it's going to end until there are no human beings left on the planet.  'Cause, for some reason unknown to me, there are too many people who don't care about other people.  And I don't know how to get those people to start.

Read about the explosions HERE.

48

48 years ago today my beloved, late mommy, Miss Juanita, gave birth to a little boy she named, Dwayne.  He arrived just some 16 months after I had.  For most of our young lives, we were pretty much grouped together.  We attended the same schools.  We were in Boy Scouts together.  Just a host of things.  I couldn't get rid of the kid.  Fast-forward to today and I rarely see him.  And hear his voice only a little more often than that.  But, let the record state, I adore and respect him beyond measure.  I want nothing but the absolute best for him.  So, Happy Birthday, little brother.  48 ain't so bad!!!!!  :)

42

Chadwick Boseman

Harrison Ford

Nicole Beharie

Just returned from seeing 42, the movie about baseball great, Jackie Robinson.  I've gotta say, I truly enjoyed it.  I found myself sittin' on pins & needles every time the musical score reached a crescendo.  The performances by Chadwick Boseman, as Jackie, and Harrison Ford, as Branch Rickey, were sensational.  Each actor brought a warmth and vulnerability to his performance.  I'd be remiss if I didn't also give a shout out to the terrific performance of Nicole Beharie as Rachel Robinson.  I haven't seen Nicole since I saw Steve McQueen's Shame.  And I thought she was absolutely terrific in that film, too. So, two thumbs up for me and this film!

P.S.  I will add this, though:  here it is 2013, more than 60 yrs since Jackie Robinson integrated the major leagues, and racism is still a hot topic in this country.  Still!  How many more years before people are judged by the content of their character instead of the color of their skin?  Or gender?  Or sexual preference?  And the list goes on and on and on and on and on and...Well, one day I hope and pray, as a nation, we slide into LOVING & RESPECTING others simply because they EXIST.  Period.

Gettin' There

For the past week or so I've been working on perfecting this exercise on the pull-up bar.  I saw Hannibal For King do it (that's he in the photo) for his abs and thought, okay, I can do that.  Well, I've since learned that it isn't nearly as easy to pull off as he makes it look.  So, I have to practice.  And practice.  And practice some more!  But I'm happy to say, I'm gettin' there.  By the end of this summer, this ol' boy's body is gonna look better than it ever has.  And I'm NOT neglecting my chicken legs, either.  I'm doing lunges and isometric squats!  Folks are gonna see a noticeable difference in my body within the next couple months.  What this shows me is that I can see noticeable changes in my LIFE if I apply the same mindset and DO THE WORK!

Amen!
  

Sharing His Gift

Keith Harris

Tonight, at the ARC, I was fortunate enough to hear the testimony of monstrously talented KEITH HARRIS.  Keith is a phenomenal drummer, keyboardist and producer who hasn't even seen his 40th birthday yet!  Geez!  Talk about an over-achiever!!!  He is the drummer for Black Eyed Peas.  He also produces some of their songs and those of other artists, too.  Simply a Jack of all trades!

Keith talked to us about his journey from Chicago to Boston to Brooklyn to Hollywood hotshot!  Whew!  What struck me most was his message that he was simply doing what he loved.  Even when it meant driving four hours each way from Brooklyn to Boston every weekend to play at his church.  While attending Berklee College of Music in Boston, he presented some of his music to Bad Boy Entertainment's (now Bad Boy Records) Rich "Younglord" Frierson.  And the rest, as they say, is history.  Keith's mentoring and eventual career took off from there.

After Pastor Tourè Roberts's Q&A with Keith, the audience was allowed to pepper Keith with questions.  My heart was warmed through and through as I listened to young person after young person pour out their hearts to Keith.  All I heard was youth seeking wisdom from an elder.  As it should be.  We live in a world today where everybody caters to the whims of the young.  When, in actuality, it should be reversed.  Heck, we older cats have lived long enough to TEACH.  Not to CATER to!  Don't get me started.  Anyway, Keith responded to all questions as sincerely as he could.  By the time all was said and done, I'm sure 100% of the audience felt they learned some valuable information in regard to being centered first, then pursuing their purpose/passion in life.

Life truly is an amazing phenomenon, 'cause, back in March 2011, I actually WORKED Keith's wedding.  I was there with An Catering.  Despite the fact that working for An was a drag, I thought the wedding was sensational!  :)

In Transition

As I work on making the transition from unfulfilled to fulfilled, I choose to pair action with chanting my new mantra:

"The truth is, I'm tired.  It's time to make a change.  Take me to the KING."

Pure, Unadulterated J-O-Y

This show has ALWAYS brought me such JOY.  Well, every season except Season 9.  Roseanne winning the lottery was just too dang silly!  In fact, I found that plot device so silly I stopped watching.  I didn't really come back to the show 'til the final episode.  But, I must admit, the first few seasons were simply a TREASURE to me!!!  Season 1 got me hooked!  God bless 'em all!!!!

P.R. Blitz!

Stefan Williams

First, BOSSIP.  Second, ESSENCE.  Third, SANDRA ROSE.  Next up is...

...WHEREVER non-stop begging God takes us!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats, STEFAN WILLIAMS, with your Herbalife-livin' self!!!!  We're GONNA build your brand, if it's the last thing we do!

Photo Credit:  Copyright © 2013 PJ Russ Photography.

Ephraim Sykes...Dance!

Ephraim Sykes

A couple of nights ago I watched a film called, LEAVE IT ON THE FLOOR.  I had heard about it a year or so ago, but had never gotten around to seeing it.  Well, now, I have.  When it started, I stopped it within ten minutes and thought, this isn't for me.  The next day, I found myself sitting in front of the computer and decided to give the film one more look-see.  Honestly, I'm glad I did.  'Cause I wound up truly enjoying the performance of one of the leads, EPHRAIM SYKES.

After googling Ephraim, I see that he is a seasoned, Broadway performer.  So that means that really was his own singing voice used in the film.  I know it was his own, terrific dancing.  I sent him a Facebook message, telling him how much I enjoyed his performance.  I've received no response, but, you know what?  I didn't send it for a response.  I sent it simply to tell him the good feeling I got from watching him.  God bless him.  I look forward to seeing whatever he does next.

 EPHRAIM (Solo Dance)
 

Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am?

I just finished watching an excellent documentary about Alzheimer's on HBO:  The Alzheimer's Project:  Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am?  Maria Shriver was the host.  Her father, Sargent Shriver, died with Alzheimer's.

Honestly, my current, volunteer work with Alzheimer's sufferers is probably the single, most rewarding and interesting volunteer work I've ever performed.  Every time I walk into the residence I wonder what I'm going to find.  And I brace myself for whatever comes my way.  The death of my mother almost 28 years ago prepared me for the loss of people I enjoy.  However, when I walk into the residence and am told that one of my favorite, elderly residents has died, I feel something move inside me.  Something that chips away at my strong desire to keep my chin up.  The feeling passes quickly, but it still makes its presence known every time nonetheless.

Truth be told, at 49 years old, I clearly see something happening within my own head in regard to memory loss.  I now see that my incredibly vast vocabulary of old doesn't seem so incredibly vast anymore.  I consciously have to think about what I'm going to say before I say it.  Yes, that's probably a good thing, but I used to be able to summon up words without notice and roll them off my tongue with precision.  I can't do that anymore.  More oftentimes than not, I find myself either stumbling over my words or simply not able to recall the word I want to say.  And, honestly, that scares me.  It really does.  What happened to my ability to spout out the quickest and wittiest responses known to man?  Really, what happened?  Heck, I've read somewhere that people who live alone for long periods of time are prone to Alzheimer's.  Well, I've lived alone for years.  And although someone is renting a spare bedroom from me, for all intents and purposes, I still live alone.

I don't know what the future holds, so I won't fret about it.  But I know that unless my finances change drastically, living with Alzheimer's is not an option for me.  Of course, some would say that if I ever contracted the wretched disease, it wouldn't matter to me if I had any money, 'cause I wouldn't know what was going on anyway.  To that, I say, God bless us all.  'Cause none of us want Alzheimer's.  Not one of us.

If you can, check out this breathtaking, HBO documentary right HERE.  Or below.