A Damn Shame

I tell ya, it's hard out here!!!!!

I hope the thief gets what he deserves!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stupid Cancer

I just sent a text to a dear friend. Her immediate response was that one of her nephews was receiving his last rites.

A few days ago, she told me that his cancer had returned and had spread to his brain stem.

He's 21 years old. 

A college senior.

And he's been read his last rites.

Let me just let that sink in.

In just a short while, 

He'll enjoy no more ice cream.

No more pizza.

No more hugs.

No more kisses.

No more laughing.

DAMN!

What I am happy about is that he has a family who loves him dearly.

And he KNEW it!

And that makes all the difference.

Death is mandatory for all the living.

But what isn't mandatory is being loved while alive. 

But GRIFFIN can go to Glory knowing he was immeasurably loved while alive.

May his happy soul eventually rest in eternal peace.

And may those who love him forever cherish the great memories of having him for the short while they did.

And may we as a society one day soon rid ourselves of...

Stupid cancer! 

Bartenders Spill the "T"

Ahh, I remember my bartending days and nights well!

And I'm dang happy to talk ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL about 'em!

Haaaa! What a HOOT!

Lone Wolf

The media has a way of falsely making some people feel like they're the reason God created the Heaven and the Earth.

And making others feel like they're alone on an island. Totally forgettable. Totally irrelevant.

Well, the NBA Draft is upon us again and the media has clearly chosen its SUPERSTAR: 18-year-old basketball phenom, ZION WILLIAMSON.

And its AFTERTHOUGHT: 19-year-old GOGA BITADZE.

I was blown away by the blatant disregard of Goga's appearance at the press conference. Look at him, just sitting there observing the spectacle that surrounds Zion.

It'll be interesting to see how their respective NBA careers pan out. Will Zion fulfill the lofty expectations the media and pro basketball fans have for him?

Or will Goga rise to the top and obliterate any achievements Zion procures in the league? That's the thing about sports, one can never really know how an athlete will fare until a season ends.

I wish the very best for both boys. They're young, athletically gifted and blessed.

Once the press conference concluded, Goga spoke on what he felt during that hubbub. I clearly see he believes he's got some heady work ahead of him. God bless him.

Queen Erivo

In my humble opinion, actor/singer/songwriter Cynthia Erivo is a supreme talent.

I could listen to her sing all day.

And all night.

During last Sunday's Tony Awards, she performed the In Memoriam tribute song.

And SLAYED it!

Her star is rising every day. Soon, she'll be known to the masses as a film actor; not just to the Broadway theater devotees.

I wish her the very best!!!

Take Your Shot

This young lady rented a billboard to get Tyler Perry's attention.

She really, really wants to work in one of his productions.

Well, turns out she did indeed get his attention, although his response below undoubtedly wasn't exactly what she sought.

"Auhhh.... soooooo......here’s the deal. This is not the way to get my attention if you’re looking for a role in one of my shows. Please DON’T DO THIS, SAVE YOUR MONEY!! This is the third time that someone has done this. PLEASE STOP! To audition is FREE!! I’m sure you can use that money for a better purpose. I love that you want to work with me, and I love that you invest in yourself. But when you do things like this it puts my team on high alert and makes me look at you sideways. I know the message that you want to send is a positive one, but this comes across as the opposite. Again, the best way to work for me is to AUDITION and it’s FREE! We post breakdowns all the time for actors. JUST COME AND AUDITION. And by the way, you were great in THE NIGHT OF! It was my favorite show a couple years ago. I ALREADY SAW YOU!! So just audition and keep your money!! Again, I appreciate your effort, but that’s not the way to work for me. God bless you dreamer. I have no doubt you will make it one day!!" 

In a television interview, she said his casting people reached out to her and asked her to submit a self-taped audition, which she did.

So, now, what will be, will be.

I gotta give her kudos, though, for stepping out on faith and betting on herself.

Believe me, nobody wants to wake up one morning at 55 and wonder what could have been had they just gone for whatever they wanted.

I wish her the very best!

The Making Of A Mogul

Tyshawn Bryant and Green Regimen Elite Protein

My dear, dear friend, TYSHAWN BRYANT, is truly making a valiant go at making his company, Green Regimen, a force to be reckoned with in the health and fitness industry.

His Green Regimen Elite Protein is making a name for itself in the crowded, protein powder market.

And who better to advertise the vegan, nutritious and delicious product than Tyshawn himself?

I mean, just look at the dude!!!!!

If Green Regimen Elite Protein can help make HIM look like that...

Just think what it can do for YOU!

Get your Green Regimen Elite Protein HERE!!!!

Jason Alexander Wentt (1974-2019) R.I.P.

Jason Alexander Wentt

While scrolling down my Facebook timeline a couple days ago, I learned that one of my favorite Facebook buds had passed.

Tragically!

He was riding his motorcycle, exiting the freeway, when he ran head-on into some fool who was driving the WRONG way on the exit ramp!

Just like that, he was gone.

Forever!

On my siblings' group text, I told them to use their good china every day, 'cause one day, they won't be able to! I'm gonna take that advice for my dang self. Tomorrow isn't promised.

Hell, TODAY isn't promised!

My exchanges with Jason were always joyful! He loved cooking!

Motorcyles!

Gin & Tonic!

And New York style cheese pizza!

He HATED wedge heels! Haaa!

JASON ALEXANDER WENTT, those who love you will always love you.

And those of us who know you via Facebook will always remember you.

May your incredible soul rest in eternal peace.

Doctor, Doctor, Give Me The News

I just reached out to my primary care physician to arrange a psychotherapy session for me. I've been thinking about talking to an objective person about life.

My life.

My professional life.

Well, my lack of professional fulfillment to be precise.

I want to get to the bottom of why I've been professionally stuck since...well...since...my entire adult life.

A part of me feels pretty strongly I know why. But I wanna talk it over with a mental health professional to hear what he/she thinks.

So, I've made the first step and requested a session.

And the wise man knows, the journey to EVERYWHERE begins with the first step.

We'll see what we see.

Deb & Ellie

In 1990, shortly after my eldest sister celebrated her 40th birthday,

She passed.

She succumbed to breast cancer.

I was living in Jersey City, NJ at the time. She was in Indianapolis. For whatever reason, I didn't return home for her birthday celebration. I returned before she passed, thank goodness, but not for her birthday celebration.

I regret that.

I just stumbled upon this video about a woman named Ellie who also had breast cancer.

And also celebrated her 40th birthday...

Then passed.

The entire time I watched the video, I thought of my sister.

In the immortal words of Ellie: "Be HAPPY. Be KIND. Be JOYFUL. Because this may be your last day."

I intend to continue doing ALL those things.

For the Universe.

For Ellie.

For Me.

And for my beloved and immeasurably missed sister DEB.

May their beautiful souls rest in eternal peace.

When They See Us

Last night, I finished the fourth and final installment of Ava DuVernay's When They See Us on Netflix.

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The miniseries is simply a WOWWWWWWWWWWWW!

The series is based upon the notorious Central Park Five jogger case in New York City. A female jogger was brutally attacked and raped in NYC's Central Park back in 1989, and five boys were arrested and imprisoned for the crime.

The only thing was: the boys were INNOCENT.

This series illustrates the lengths law enforcement will go to to solve highly scrutinized cases. The lying, the coercing, the intimidation and everything in between.

After years of imprisonment, the true rapist came forward, and the boys were eventually exonerated of all charges. But their childhoods were gone. The city of New York awarded them a multimillion dollar settlement, but that still couldn't bring back their youthful innocence.

 

Ava DuVernay

Ava DuVernay's body of work moves me. Period! Her attention to detail is incredible. I mean, her precise storytelling, and ability to find the most talented actors around speak volumes. I found the performances in this series simply impeccable. Especially the performance of Jharrel Jerome!!!!

 

Jharrel Jerome

The young man is supremely talented! In this series, he portrays both the younger version and adult version of his character, Korey Wise. It's hard to believe he memorized lines. Every word he uttered, and every move he made appeared to come from a place of authenticity. Honestly, his work is truly brilliant. My first introduction to him was in the Academy Award-winning film, Moonlight.

By the time the credits rolled on the final episode, I heaved a heavy sigh of relief that the five boys were given their lives back. That justice had finally been served. Truth be told, for people who look like me, particularly male people, this country can be brutal. And often is, actually. But we continue to fight with everything we have.

And everything we are.

This film is a triumph. I strongly recommend it to one and all.

Especially to those who harbor an innate fear and anxiety WHEN THEY SEE US.