What the What????

I tell ya, virtually NOTHING is as it seems.

Correction: ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I reckon some guys just can't handle losing their hair. Well, now, they don't have to be bald, if they don't want to be. Men are wearing weaves these days just like women.

I'm absolutely fine with keeping my head bald.

But, I gotta admit, for those who aren't, MICKEY DA BARBER is the answer!!!

That dude is talented as heck!!!!!!!!

Absolutely Never

I hope and pray it never comes to this.

Absolutely NEVER!

But, at the rate we're goin', it's not lookin' so good for the good ol' USA.

In Loving Memory Of Brian (I'm so sorry)

This song by for King & Country really moves me. Years ago, I knew a stunningly beautiful young man who outwardly seemed to have it all. But what he didn't have was what we all need to live a thriving, healthy life: inner peace.

Brian Leo Bianchini (1978-2004)

For whatever reason, Brian was haunted by demons of some kind. One night, he called me and wanted to see me urgently. To talk, he said. At the time, I was living with a partner who possessed jealous tendencies; so, I didn't allow Brian to come over. He practically begged. And still, I said I couldn't see him.

Fast-forward a year or two, and I found out he had died.

Suicide.

I often wondered, could I have made a difference if I had allowed him to come over to talk?

Could that conversation have been THE conversation that saved his life?

I'll never know.

God only knows.

GOD ONLY KNOWS by for King & Country 

Wide awake while the world is sound asleepin'
Too afraid of what might show up while you're dreamin'
Nobody, nobody, nobody sees you
Nobody, nobody, nobody would believe you
Every day you try to pick up all the pieces
All the memories, they somehow never leave you
Nobody, nobody, nobody sees you
Nobody, nobody, nobody would believe you

God only knows what you've been through
God only knows what they say about you
God only knows how it's killing you
But there's a kind of love that God only knows
God only knows what you've been through
God only knows what they say about you
God only knows the real you
There's a kind of love that God only knows

There's a kind of love that
There's a kind of love

You keep a cover over every single secret
So afraid if someone saw them they would leave
But somebody, somebody, somebody sees you
Somebody, somebody will never leave you

God only knows what you've been through
God only knows what they say about you
God only knows how it's killing you
But there's a kind of love that God only knows
God only knows what you've been through
God only knows what they say about you
God only knows the real you
There's a kind of love that God only knows

There's a kind of love that
There's a kind of love
There's a kind of love that
There's a kind of love

For the lonely, for the ashamed
The misunderstood, and the ones to blame
What if we could start over
We could start over
We could start over
Oh for the lonely, for the ashamed
The misunderstood, and the ones to blame
What if we could start over
We could start over
We could start over
'Cause there's a kind of love that God only knows

God only knows what you've been through
God only knows what they say about you
God only knows the real you
But there's a kind of love that God only knows
God only knows what you've been through
God only knows what they say about you
God only knows the real you
There's a kind of love that God only knows

There's a kind of love that
There's a kind of love
There's a kind of love that
There's a kind of love

God only knows where to find you
God only knows how to break through
God only knows the real you
There's a kind of love that God only knows

Songwriters: Joel David Smallbone / Jordan Reynolds / Josh Kerr / Luke Smallbone

SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE: 800.273.8255 (Available 24 hours Every Day)

Urban Light

Man, I sure do get my wear outta my (2) identical Disney shirts! And when the natural lighting is perfect, my selfie game is tight!

I'm standing outside the Los Angeles County Museum of Art!

Chris Burden, the artist who designed this popular "Urban Light" sculpture of street lamps, passed away in 2015.

So Talented

Scott People

I met this young man way back in 2000.

He was singing karaoke at a bar.

And boy, oh boy, was he singing.

Stevie Wonder's OVERJOYED and a funk mix of Alanis Morrisette's YOU OUGHTA KNOW never sounded so good!

Well, fast forward to today and he's singing with the phenomenal cover band, Society Music and Sound (SMS). The band sounds terrific and its playlist includes rock, soft rock, pop, soul, standards and a bit more.

No, the world doesn't know Scott's colossal talent the way it knows Beyonce's. But you know what? It doesn't need to. Because those who love and appreciate his talent, love and appreciate his talent nonetheless!

SCOTT ANTHONY PEOPLE, I wish you the very best, both professionally and personally.

I will ALWAYS sing the praises of your singing talent!

ALWAYS!

Because the way Scott sings...

Is what I like!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Humans Of The World

For the past few years, I've been madly in love with the Humans Of New York page on Facebook.

Brandon Stanton

The creator of the page, Brandon Stanton, now travels around the world to photograph and interview random people precisely as he does in New York.

The candid interviews are oftentimes uplifting, sometimes heartbreaking and everything in between.

This grandpa's interview truly moved me because of his no-holds-barred honesty. At 96, he's ready to go home to Glory. Wow! That's one helluva admission, particularly since we live in a world in which most folks think being alive has to be better than not being so.

I hope to live as long as I can consciously love and be loved in return. If that's 96, fine. If it's 66, that's fine, too. I just wanna always be able to mentally know what's what, and to physically be able to carry out whatever task I desire to undertake. Is that asking for too much?

This gentleman's testimony affirms everything I think about growing old:

It ain't for the faint of heart.

It takes true grit and humility to endure it.

God bless him.

God bless us all.

Oil Slick

For years, I've noticed that I have oily facial skin. I mean, my face is oftentimes as shiny as a new penny. And when my head is freshly shaved, it glows!!!

Well, I won't fret about my oily skin because I just read some truths about such skin, and I don't mind 'em one bit. 

The Avalon School of Cosmetology's website explained the advantages and disadvantages of oily skin, and the advantages sound so good to me, I think I'll embrace my oily skin with gratitude! :)

Advantages of Oily Skin

Stays moisturized and soft: Oil is a form of moisture so having oily skin will keep it naturally moisturized and, in result, also make it softer. This saves you the time and money you spend on moisturizers since you don’t have to use as much.

Tans easier: People who have oily skin tend to tan easier and more evenly due to the extra level of moisture that the oil gives. Tanning is bad for your skin regardless as it dries out the skin with cancer-causing UV rays but having that layer of oil protects your skin more than normal or dry skin. This doesn’t mean that you don’t have to use sunscreen because UV rays will still reach your skin and can cause significant skin damage, premature aging and skin cancer.

Slows down the aging process: The moisture that oily skin produces slows down the aging process. Also, oily skin reduces the appearance of fine lines so you do not have to spend as much money on anti-aging creams, products, or treatments.

Protects against the environment: The oil acts as a barrier against air pollution, wind, and sun. It doesn’t entirely block out these environmental conditions but the shield of oil sure does help.

Disadvantages of Oily Skin

Clogs pores: The biggest disadvantage of oily skin is that it can clog pores which often results in acne.

Makes your face look shiny: Some say that oil gives skin a beautiful natural glow but it often goes beyond the “glow” and is just straight up shiny and greasy. Several women with oily skin cannot go a full day (or even a half day) without wanting to wash off all the makeup and start over because the oil buildup and excess shine.

Can’t skip a wash: Those who have dry skin can forget to wash their face from time to time but, with oily skin, it is important to wash your face every day because the oil buildup along with all of the makeup and dirt will clog up your pores and very possibly cause a breakout.

We Fall Down

Million Dollar Question

For me, the answer is...

Delicious FOOD!

Frozen MARGARITAS!

At least one PERSON to laugh with!

A DOG to cuddle!

And RAIN!!!!!!!!

The Train

Just let this sink in.

VegFest L.A.

My boy, Tyshawn, repping his company, Green Regimen, is at one of my favorite parks, Woodley Park, hawkin' his Elite Protein! Today is the annual VegFest L.A.! All sorts of vendors are there, selling their goods!!!

I'm off to volunteer with the elderly, so I don't know if I'll be able to swing by, but maybe I will!!

It's just a matter of time before he sees his company make some money! I believe that to the core of my soul! He's really putting in the work, so something HAS to give! Right???

Well, HAPPY VEGFEST DAY, all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wound up making my way over to Veg Fest L.A., and hung out at Green Regimen's booth the entire time. I tell ya, my boy, Tyshawn, is gonna be HUUUUUGE in the fitness/health business soon enough. The way people respond to him is amazing! I truly enjoyed meeting the guests to his booth. Next up is Fit Expo in Anaheim. I reckon I'll have to drive down there to check it out!!!

Oh! I like Green Regimen's new marketing model, too! She reps the brand well, if I say so myself! :)

What a Hoot(ers)!

Last week, I drove up to Vegas to attend a birthday dinner for a friend who used to live here in L.A. He got married, had two children, then hightailed it out to Vegas because the cost of decent housing here in L.A. is ridiculous!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When I drove into his gated community, I immediately knew he had made a very wise decision to get outta Cali. The streets were immaculate. And the homes were simply beautiful. His home, in particular, is a real stunner.

His wife and he have completed some major renovations, but have a few more renovations ahead of them. The new front door they installed is huge and hella impressive. Once you walk into the house, you're met with an open floor plan. A breathtakingly beautiful open floor plan to be precise.

Honestly, his wife, Irene, and he have quite the eye for detail; because the lighting, flooring, kitchen appliances, railing on the staircase, the master bathroom, all of it was simply gorgeous!

Irene took me on a ride around the neighborhood so I could see the interesting architecture of their neighbors' homes. Again, breathtaking! I'm looking forward to returning in October because that community really goes all out for Halloween.

Heck, maybe I'll have to eventually relocate away from L.A. I want some bang for my buck!

We'll see. :)

Machu Picchu

I had never heard of Machu Picchu until my friend, Madeline, told me she and her sons were going there for a vacation.

I looked it up on the History channel and this is what I learned:

"Tucked away in the rocky countryside northwest of Cuzco, Peru, Machu Picchu is believed to have been a royal estate or sacred religious site for Inca leaders, whose civilization was virtually wiped out by Spanish invaders in the 16th century. For hundreds of years, until the American archaeologist Hiram Bingham stumbled upon it in 1911, the abandoned citadel’s existence was a secret known only to peasants living in the region. The site stretches over an impressive 5-mile distance, featuring more than 3,000 stone steps that link its many different levels. Today, hundreds of thousands of people tramp through Machu Picchu every year, braving crowds and landslides to see the sun set over its towering stone monuments and marvel at the mysterious splendor of one of the world’s most famous manmade wonders."

Madeline told me she really enjoyed touring the place. Her son, Alexander, told me he enjoyed it so much he could see returning. Perhaps I need to see what's going on over in Peru my dang self!

Madeline has seen to it that the boys travel out of the USA so they can be introduced to different cultures. I sure hope they appreciate her incredible parenting. I regularly remind them that they are immeasurably blessed to have her as their mother. I mean, for the most part, she has raised them on her own. Their father passed away when they were little fellas.

Next up on their global journeys is Egypt. Who knows, maybe I'll have to join 'em!

Who knows????? :)