Lake Balboa Stroll

Yesterday, I revisited one of my favorite walking spots: Lake Balboa.

The place is so darn peaceful.

People fish.

Families enjoy picnics.

Folks exercise.

But it's walking around the lake that I love most.

The ducks and geese are always anxious to be fed.

Families paddle on the lake in gigantic swan, paddle boats.

Just a great place.

I always enjoy meeting new people there. Yesterday's favorite was an elderly gentleman who was leaving the golf course as I walked by him. We exchanged warm greetings, a little small talk, then kept on our merry way.

I'll be back soon!

You can bet your bottom dollar!

Hello, Old Friend

Last Sunday I met up with a dear, dear, dear friend in the City of Manhattan Beach.

I hadn't physically seen Trisha since 2014 or so during my last visit to NYC.

But here she was, visiting Southern Cali for a couple nights.

I drove down to Santa Monica, picked her up, then drove her to Manhattan Beach. I like the vibe in that beach community far more than I do Santa Monica.

She agreed.

We walked the pier, and The Strand, gawking at all the gorgeous beach houses.

And we talked.

And drank.

And talked some more.

Oh, it made me so happy to hear how well her children are doing, and how good she feels about her current romance.

Yes, she asked about my romantic life, and I had to tell her like I tell everyone who asks: that aspect of my life is dormant. But I'm open to romance. I truly am. Well, at least, I think I am. :)

We drank at The Strand House, an upscale restaurant/bar only a hop and a skip away from the beach. I've eaten there before, and I reckon I do recall it being pricey, but I guess I forgot just how pricey!

We ordered two drinks each: Malibu Bay Breeze and The Strand House Margarita.

We didn't care for either! Before tax, the drinks cost $56.00. With tax: $61.32.

When the bartender presented me with the bill, which was on an electronic tablet instead of paper, he had already highlighted a 25% tip. I changed the tip to 18%, which is farrrrrrrrr more than I would have given the bartender had I paid in cash. If I had cash on me, he would have gotten $1.00 tip per drink. FOUR DOLLARS!

Instead, I tipped him 18% for drinks NEITHER of us liked, which brought my grand total to $72.36.

GEEZ!

Oh, well, lesson learned.

Seeing my old friend was worth the price of a MILLION drinks at that joint!!!!!!!!!!

p.s. But if I ever go back there, I'm gonna order FOOD only! Haaaaa! :) :) :) 

Strike A POSE

Last Saturday night, I attended a Q&A screening of the hit FX television show, POSE. The show is the first of its kind for employing multiple transgender actors as series regulars.

The main cast members and series creators were in attendance. All of them spoke candidly about their journeys to the show. And about their lives overall.

It was interesting to hear Ryan Murphy explain that when he began his career working alongside Steven Spielberg, he desperately wanted to be taken under Steven's wing and be mentored, but that didn't happen. I got the distinct impression he believes that that didn't happen because he's gay.

Janet Mock

The episode screened, "Love Is The Message," was co-written and directed by series producer Janet Mock. She discussed being initially doubtful she possessed the skill set to pull off the directing task. Well, by now, she she knows she not only pulled it off; she CRUSHED it!

Billy Porter

I never tire of hearing Billy Porter discuss the incredible highs and lows of his career. He talked about his early attempt at being an r&b recording artist, and how he was told over and over again to hide his sexuality. In essence, be someone he wasn't. And just like many an up and coming artist, he tried to do what he was told to fit in. It comes as no surprise that eventually, misery became his best friend. After years of couch-surfing and learning to love himself AS himself, the tide turned. And he began to book gigs that aligned WITH his sexuality.

Today, he clearly sees that he achieves his greatest successes by BEING Billy; not SUPPRESSING Billy.

This screened episode was my first time seeing the show. Based upon what I saw, I'll revisit it.

And even better than that, I'll recommend it to other folks!

Oh! While at the screening, I ran into the delightful Miss Mary Jo Boyd-Miller, who attended elementary school with me back in Indianapolis! What a great, great lady!!!!!!!!!!

Vegan Street Fair 2019

This past Saturday I had a blast, checkin' out the Vegan Street Fair in North Hollywood.

It was my first time there, but I can tell you now, I'm goin' back!

The place was jam-packed with vegan food trucks, food kiosks and merchandise. I bought my lunch from Cena Vegan. I ordered a "chicken" burrito bowl. And, boy, oh boy, was that dish yummy. I'm not really sure what the chicken substitute was, but I AM sure it tasted delicious! I forgot to take a pic of my meal, so above is a pic of Cena's Nacho Boat! Yum, yum, yummy!

Every vendor and their grandparents wanted us to know their goods were plant-based. I was invited to the event by Tyshawn Bryant, the owner of Green Regimen. As you can see, he allowed me inside the Green Regimen booth to pose next to his likeness! From the looks of the fella, I'd say his Elite Protein powder works! Haaaa!

Although I have no immediate plans to give up meat, it's nice to know that if I choose to partake in vegan meals from time to time, there are some truly delicious options available!

Happy Birthday, Mama/St. Patrick's Day

In my family, remembering our mother's birthday was simple because it fell on St. Patrick's Day!

March 17th is such a great birthdate, the entire country celebrates it!

So, if she was alive, she'd be celebrating her blessed 87th!

She's been physically gone for 34 years...

But lives on VIVIDLY in our hearts!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We Fall Down

All over news broadcasts and social media famous people are being brought to their knees.

Scandal after scandal after scandal.

Jussie Smollett!

R. Kelly!

Michael Jackson! Again!!!

And there are a host of others. But this post is about how there seems to be a conspiracy theory that "the man" aka white people, are deliberately targeting famous black men. 

Black icons.

To prove their point, they're saying that famous black men are arrested, and their reputations destroyed in ways white men who commit the same or similar offenses are not.

People have mentioned Woody Allen, Harvey Weinstein, Elvis Presley, etc. All white men who have allegedly committed offenses that the country denounces, yet, have not been crucified in tv interviews and had their artistic contributions to the world eradicated from various forms of media display.

What I know for sure is that the disparity in punishments doled out to blacks and whites is a real issue. 

I believe that wholeheartedly. 

But I don't want to take the heat off the offenders. Whatever their race. 

The fact still remains that if an offense has been committed, there's a price to be paid.

And another fact remains: whatever it is we do, regardless how heinous, we can turn our lives around.

We can pick ourselves up from the depths of despair and work our butts off toward making a positive change!

I believe that wholeheartedly.

As humans, we fall down.

But the truth is, we don't have to stay down. 

We can get up.

Jussie can get up.

R. Kelly can get up.

Michael Jackson's professional legacy can get up.

For a saint is just a sinner who fell down...

And got up.

I believe that wholeheartedly.

Go Union!!!!!!

It has become glaringly obvious that unless an actor is a marquee name, he will be paid as little as possible by producers.

Period!

SAG-AFTRA has had an ongoing fight with several commercial advertising agencies that simply do NOT want to pay SAG-AFTRA members what their contribution to commercials is worth!

A decade ago, a commercial actor could earn enough money to purchase a house. Today, if we're not spokesmen for a product, we'd have to book a dozen or more spots in one calendar year to live semi-comfortably in L.A.

When I was bumped up to a principal performer on a Nespresso commercial featuring George Clooney and Danny DeVito, I just knew I was gonna make bank.

WRONG!

I might have made $15K on that spot. If that! And it ran nonstop!!!!!!

One agency that has parted ways with a SAG contract stands out ahead of the others.

BARTLE BOGAL HEGARTY, do the right thing!!!!!

When You Make an Ad, Make it Union!!!

#StrikeBBH

@BBHblacksheep