I Am That I Am That I Am

Every day I receive another reminder that I am a BLESSING to people.

I clearly see that I don't need millions of dollars to positively impact someone's life.  Good!  'Cause I fully intend to keep on spreadin' as much guidance and positivity as I can, to as many people as I can.

CAM Jr lives a GIVING life.  And I TRULY believe that, as a result, GOODNESS and MERCY shall follow me all the days of my life.

Amen.

D.O.A.

Ohhhhh, I'd be soooooooooo DEAD.

I mean, I'm down for the count after only (2) shots!  :) :) :) :)

Mother Maya

MAYA ANGELOU (1928-2014)

At one point in her life, she worked as a COOK, a WAITRESS, a MADAM and a PROSTITUTE, but still, like air, she did indeed RISE.

 And so can YOU and I.

#RIPMayaAngelou

Personal ID

It's WHO I AM.

It's WHO I will ALWAYS BE.

"BLESSING" is my GIVING name.

That's why I keep GIVING them to as MANY people as I can.

Amen.

Be The Change

I hear it.  I can read it.  I believe it.

So, it's done!

What I Want

Gimme EMPATHY over SYMPATHY every day of the week!!!!!!!!!

Memorial Day 2014

I wish the best to all those who have served, and to those who are still serving!!!!!!

It's a job I would NEVER want to do.  

NEVER.

Indeed, It Has

This web project has truly changed the trajectory of my professional and personal lives.

Indeed, it has.

Multitasking My A$$!

If I've said it ONCE, I've said it a THOUSAND times:  there's NO SUCH THING as MULTITASKING!!!!!!

Either you do ONE thing WELL, or you do MANY things HALF-ASSED SORTA well!

Simple as THAT!

There's NO Business Like SHOW Business!

DENZEL WELLS

This kid is goin' places in this crazy business called, SHOW.

He stepped in front of a photographer's camera for the FIRST time back in January 2013.

He then went on to grace the cover of a print publication.

Then I had him featured on ESSENCE Online.

After ESSENCE came his turn as a contestant on America's Next Top Model.

And NOW...well, NOW, he's bracing himself for the BIGGEST showbiz experience of his LIFE!  He will be co-starring in a new series that shoots in Atlanta.  Yes, a new series created, written and directed by Mr. Tyler Perry.

  

The kid truly is a NATURAL!  He LOOKS GREAT!  He has a GREAT PERSONALITY.  I mean, he was simply MADE for HOLLYWOOD!  

I HOPE and PRAY that while his AMBITION and TALENT take him as HIGH as the SUN and MOON, his FEET remain planted FIRMLY on SOLID GROUND!!!!!!!

I LOVE the kid!  

I HONESTLY do!

Just So You Know

Well, at least I'm APOLOGIZING!  :)

Stick To It

The KEY to professional success:

 "Be like a postage stamp and stick to one thing until you get there."

Why didn't I learn this years ago?????  :)

Nasty Boys

"Who's that thinkin' nasty thoughts?"

I hope she has this photo tucked somewhere in a photo album, 'cause if she should ever have children, I'd want them to see how PHYNE mama used to be!!!!
Heck, that's the beauty of photographs, right???  :)

College Graduate!!!!!!!!!!

This past Saturday was also the COLLEGE GRADUATION DEBUT of my beloved Madeline's older son, ALEXANDER.

And, from the looks of things, he looked as HAPPY as a SISSY at the "Y."  Lol!  My godson, his brother, JORDAN, looks SUPER TALL!

And, of course, my beloved Madeline looks as TERRIFIC as always!  I'm sure she's thinking, "One down and one to go!"

CONGRATULATIONS, Alexander, for getting through it!

And congratulations, Madeline, for making sure he possesses the tools TO get through it!  

Just Being Honest

I know sooooooooooooo many folks this quote applies to!!!!!!

But I'm sure said folks would love EVERY, SINGLE "BAD" thing!  :)

#NoNamesGiven

Center Stage

Brandon Espy (center stage) and Joseph Alvarez

Lauren Espy, Dave Brown & Sheila Espy

Brandon Espy & Friends

Today, photographs from my film's premiere last Saturday were posted up on Facebook and boy, oh boy, does my lead actor, Brandon Espy, his mom, sister and his friends look GRRRRREAT!!!!!

No, I'm NOT gonna say for the THOUSANDTH time that I wish I was there.  BUT...well, let's just say, I'll be at the NEXT one!  So, THERE!!!!!!!  :) :)

Indie Night co-founder, Joseph Alvarez, posted the kindest message onto my Facebook.  So kind I'm gonna repost it right here:

"Cam Montgomery Jr., it was awesome to meet you, my brother. You are truly one of the most talented writers I have ever met at INDIE NIGHT!  Look forward to seeing more of your work!"

I truly believe I'm going to take that compliment in and live with it for a bit.  Then, I'll pick myself up and begin writing my next short film.

I look forward to making a triumphant return to INDIE NIGHT.  And next time, I'll be there in PERSON!  Not just in SPIRIT!!!!!!

It Be Like That Sometimes

All last week I looked forward to attending the BIG SCREEN DEBUT of my short film, "1st Grade Picture."

Well, yesterday, the time came.

And went.

And I NEVER saw a thing.

'Cause I wasn't there.

'Cause I couldn't be there.

'Cause I was on the set of a commercial.  Day two of that commercial, mind you.

By the time the commercial shoot wrapped, I managed to arrive at the theater damn near a half hour after everyone had gone.  Luckily, the male star of my film, Brandon Espy, was still there.  And so was Joseph Alvarez, co-creator of INDIE NIGHT.  I was able to thank Brandon for being there and for his contribution to the film.  No, I'll never stop thanking him.  Hell, 30 years from now, if I run into him somewhere, I'm gonna thank him.  --- I enjoyed introducing myself to Joseph, too.  And talking to him about my work.  At this point, I'd say he's a new supporter of mine.  He truly liked my piece, so I intend to introduce my new films there, too.

No, I wasn't able to make the screening last night, although God knows I wanted to be there.

However, despite the grave disappointment in missing it, TODAY, it is MY choice to STILL...

I Can't Complain

Last weekend I spent some incredible time with my brother and his wife.  Today, I attended a breakfast as a guest of the Saban Community Clinic.  I'm glad I went.  Tomorrow I'm working background on a commercial, so I'm thankful to be earnin' a buck or two.  Lol!  Everybody and their grandmother is complaining about the unrelenting heat.  But you know what?  I'm soooo THANKFUL to be ALIVE to feel the heat that...

It's Showtime At The TCL Chinese 6

"1ST GRADE PICTURE"

This upcoming Saturday is the BIG SCREEN WORLD DEBUT of my short film, "1st Grade Picture", at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres right smack dab in the heart of Hollywood.  Actually, in the same complex where The Academy Awards are held.  I'm BEYOND THRILLED!!!  This will be a dream come true.  Seeing something I've written up on a BIG screen makes me soooooo HAPPY!  And soooo THANKFUL!  The film is being showcased with other short films on INDIE NIGHT.  A night of short films sponsored by Dave Brown and Joseph Alvarez.

I just received word earlier today that I've been booked to work commercial background on Friday with a possibility of being called in on Saturday, too.  OHHHHHH MYYYYY GGGGGGGG!  You know what?  I am sooooo BLESSED I'm CONFIDENT The Universe wouldn't be so cruel as to have me working DURING the screening, so I THANK The Universe for the background gig and thank it even MORE for getting me wrapped with the commercial work on Saturday in PLENTY of time to make the screening and have the time of my PROFESSIONAL LIFE!!!!!!!  Yep, that's what I believe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Come On, Y'all

This past weekend I had a GLORIOUS time with my brother and sister-in-law who visited from Indiana.  They were here to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary.  I made reservations for them to enjoy an incredible dinner at one of L.A.'s hoighty-toightiest restaurants, but alas, they were so pooped from running around all day, they slept instead.  Oh well, that's just fine.  Spontaneity on a vacation (and in life) is just fine by me.

Not too long ago, I used to tell myself that spending a maximum (3) days hanging out with visitors was all I could muster.  For some reason, I always thought it was an inconvenience to break up my daily routine to fit in time with others.  Even if they were people I love.  Well, my volunteer work with the elderly has shown me CRYSTAL CLEARLY that I should enjoy time with loved ones every moment I can, 'cause when it's over, it's OVER!!!!!  So, that's PRECISELY what I'm doing these days.  And, truth be told, I'm LOVIN' it!!!!!

Having said all the above, let the record state:

THESE are (5) thoughts I NEVER want to have before I take my last breath:

1.)  I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me. 
2.)  I wish I hadn’t worked so hard. 
3.)  I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings. 
4.)  I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends. 
5.)  I wish that I had let myself be happier.

So, if anyone who loves me wants to visit with me one day or 101 days, dangit...

To Mommies Everywhere

This sentiment goes out to some FELLAS, too, 'cause some of y'all are some reallll MOTHERS!!!!  Lol!!

Happy Mother's Day to my beloved late mama, Miss Juanita, and sister, Deb!!!

Nuptials or Nah

Whether folks LIKE it or NOT, I think it's probably best to accept that the necessity concept of MARRIAGE is becoming (or already is) as obsolete as the...

Oh, How I aDOOR Thee

Every time I walk into St. Charles Borromeo Church in North Hollywood I marvel at the magnificence of the front door and the building's front facade.  I mean, just STUNNING!

If I should ever build a house, or simply renovate a house's front facade, I'd want an impressive door like this one.  I love looking at it!

The Lady "O" in Red

With a lil' extra HAIR, HEELS and ATTITUDE, this ol' gal's va-va-voom factor is THROUGH the MUTHABLANKIN' ROOF!!!!!!!!!!!

60 looks HELLA GOOD to ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Belle of the Ball

RIHANNA

This past Monday's Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala had the usual suspects turned out in gorgeous gowns and suits.  But Miss Rihanna took top honors in my book.  The young lady looked sophisticated and sexy all-in-one!

I once worked this event for Glorious Food Catering back in 1999.  It was the first time I had seen Whitney Houston up close and personal!!  God, rest her soul.

See what EVERYBODY wore the other night right HERE!

In The Eye Of The Beholder

The word, "ugly", does NOT describe HUMAN APPEARANCE.

It describes HUMAN BEHAVIOR!

Teacher, Teacher!

Today is NATIONAL TEACHER's DAY and the teacher I'd like to give a HUUUUUGE shout out to is my former 7th Grade English teacher, MRS. LYNNE HURLBUT!

Mrs. Hurlbut was the person who introduced me to the Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT).  She'd actually pick me up and drive me there so I could work as a volunteer usher.  My love for theater began right there.

Well, fast-forward to all these years later and Mrs. Hurlbut STILL keep in touch via Facebook.  Gotta love social media, right?

Happy National Teacher's Day, MRS. HURLBUT!  You rocked THEN!  And you rock NOW!!!!!  

Here We Go Again

CARBON COPY

LATE NIGHT CREEP

Juan Gil & Charles Anteby in LATE NIGHT CREEP

Yesterday, I was on two, different "sets" filming my next (2) short films:  CARBON COPY and LATE NIGHT CREEP.  They're my next installments for the Front Seat Chronicles web project.

I had never met the two stars of Carbon Copy until they showed up to film.  They were a delightful, elderly man and woman.  It appeared that the gentleman had a little trouble memorizing his lines, but I'm sure Allen, the director, will find some tender moments from him when he edits the footage.  The lady was simply sensational.  I loved her from her very first word.

When it came to Late Night Creep, I had met the young star, JUAN GIL, but not the older actor, CHARLES ANTEBY.  In this production, I have to say that Juan's grasp of his lines wasn't as dead-on as Charles', but again, I'm sure Allen will find the sweet moments to piece together.  What's interesting to me is that while I'm listening to the performances, I always remember the words I'd written and feel a slight jab in my heart when the actors don't say them as I wrote them.  Or, heaven forbid, not at all!!!!  Well, let the record state, I always put the filmed story into Allen's hands and feel confident he'll deliver my vision.

I'm lookin' hella forward to NEXT season, so I had better start writin' up my new scripts!!!!!!

Take 2

Today marks the filming of my 2nd and 3rd short films with the outrageously talented folks over at Front Seat Chronicles!

I'm proud of both scripts we'll be filming:  Carbon Copy and Late Night Creep.  I've only met one of the actors of the four performing today.  So, it'll be a hoot to meet the others.

I have yet to direct any of my scripts, but in time, I will.  Until then, I completely trust my chosen director, Allen L. Sowelle, to get the best performances out of the actors and to shoot the film with his incredible eye for story.

As soon as these films are edited and scored, I'll post them for the world to see.  And I'll take them to Dave Brown's Indie Night in Hollywood.  Well, I hope to anyway.  Dave hasn't yet confirmed my first film, 1st Grade Picture, will be shown.  But I'm optimistic it will be!

I'm sooooo excited!

Overkill?

Now, don't get me wrong.  I love a great Bloody Mary as much as the next man.  Or MORE than!  However, even I think THIS concoction is OVERKILL!

But I'd eat and drink the crap out of it!!!!  Haaaaa!

HERE is how this "refreshment" is made at Score On Davie in Vancouver, BC:

Almost Friday

Just because!!!!!!!!