Chapter 57

When I say my age out loud, a part of me thinks I MUST be talking about somebody else.

Surely that number doesn't describe ME!!!

I mean, how in the WORLD can I be 57?????

HOW????? 

Well, as of a few seconds ago, I did indeed become 57!!!!

WOWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!

I have lived on my own since I was 24. 

That's 33 years!!!!!!!!!

Over the span of those 33 years...

I've SEEN some things!

I've DONE some things!

And some things have been done TO me!

I've had NO dollars!

I've had a FEW dollars! 

I like having a few dollars better!

I've LOVED!

I've LUSTED!

I've PINED!

I've MISTREATED!

I've been CELEBRATED!

I've been CHEATED!

I've been HUMBLED!

I am THANKFUL for my SIBLINGS and FRIENDS.

I am THANKFUL that regardless what adverse situation came my way, I got THROUGH it!

I am THANKFUL that I live each day treating EVERYBODY I encounter the PRECISE way I want to be treated.

I fully recognize and accept that I have more years BEHIND me than in FRONT.

Therefore, that means that NOW is the time to do WHATEVER it is I desire to do!

SKYDIVE!

DRIVE from CALI to INDIANA and back!

BUY a condo!

DECORATE said condo!!!!

Get a DOG (or TWO)!!!

Visit SAVANNAH, GA!

Visit Culver Academy to meet up with an incredible gang I met when I was 16!!!!!!

Visit KAUAI, HAWAII (the island my brother was married on)!!! I didn't attend because I didn't want to use my credit card! What a FOOL I was!!!!! NEVER AGAIN!!!

Yes, Chapter 57 is gonna be a BLAST! 

And it's gonna be a BLAST because I am DETERMINED to make it so!

After all, it's SOLELY up to me if my life is a JOYFUL DANCE or a DIRGE!!! 

I give GRATITUDE to GOD and The UNIVERSE for allowing me the privilege of greeting 57.

What I know for sure is...

HAPPY 57th BIRTHDAY, CAM Jr!

Now, go out there and LIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And This Too Shall Pass (But Please Hurry)

This damn Presidential election seems like it has been going on for a DECADE! 

Honestly, I'm sick and tired of it! 

ALL of it!

Yesterday, as a nation, we voted.

Only GOD knows when we'll have ALL the results.

Particularly the presidential WINNER.

What I know for sure, though, is that REGARDLESS who wins, I will CONTINUE to treat EVERYBODY I encounter the precise way I want to be treated!

NOTHING will change for me in regard to how I love and respect others.

The fighting and name-calling I've witnessed because of differing opinions and beliefs will NOT be a part of MY day-to-day life. 

No, sirree!!!!

I wish PEACE, GREAT HEALTH and IMMEASURABLE JOY for EVERYBODY breathing!

That includes DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS, ATHEISTS and EVERYBODY else!!!!!!!!

The Mane Event

I lovingly refer to this gorgeous creature as the FARRAH FAWCETT of lions!!!!

Yep! Simply GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!

Eulogy

Heck, I don't want to be dead before folks make it known how much they appreciated me.

I make sure the people I care about HEAR directly from MY mouth how MUCH I care!!! 

Sometimes, I probably even go overboard tellin' them. 

Yep, I want my flowers while I'm ALIVE to SMELL 'em!!!!!!!!!

Thrive! Thrive! Thrive!

I've been living under a statewide quarantine since March.

ENOUGH ALREADY!

Okay, so I want us all to be healthy, but dang, this quarantine craziness has gotten OLLLLLLD!

Today, I met up with four other people and enjoyed breakfast at an actual restaurant! One of our invited guests canceled at the last minute because he didn't feel comfortable being that close to people he isn't quarantining with. 

I've missed out on several commercial auditions because I quarantine alone, and casting has specified that they want to audition people who quarantine together. What the #$@!?

In addition to my quarantine blues, there's the poor air quality when I do manage to venture outside. Numerous wildfires have blanketed the city with some of the worst air we've seen in ages.

Well, I'm gonna keep my optimism cap on and hope for the best!

We WILL get past this coronavirus situation.

We WILL get back to the business of show!

And I WILL continue to...

THRIVE! THRIVE! THRIVE!

Mr. Cameraman

At the conclusion of my walk in Elysian Park the other day, I was stopped by a young dude of Asian descent. 

And when I say young, I mean young. 

He was 17 years old. Soon to be a high school senior.

Anyway, he asked me if he could shoot a couple images of me. Yes, I suppose the request could be considered a little odd to many, but to me, it was simply an artist asking permission to include me in his artistry.

I happily consented!!!!

The two images displayed here are the work of "Mr. Cameraman" aka YIGE LI!

I wish the young man all the success and prosperity one human being can handle!!!!!

In The Shade

Yesterday, I walked up one of my favorite mountainsides in Griffith Park.

It's been a minute since I've done that walk.

When I reached the top, I found a nice, shady area and decided to take a selfie (or three).

I just recently learned that taking naturally lit photos in a shaded area can create some hella nice images.

Well, I like the three images I captured on that mountain whilst in the shade!

And I ain't 'shamed to admit it!

Haaaaa! 

Santa Barbara Dreamin'

This past weekend, I took myself on a little journey up to Santa Barbara.

My destination was Stearns Wharf!

What a beautiful area!

The beach wasn't crowded, so I could walk wherever I wanted, maintaining a strict social distance of course!

There were people dining al fresco, so I decided to join them.

I ate at Longboards Grill on the pier. The service was excellent. The food was all right.

The dessert, though, was OUTTA this WORLD!!!!!!!! That pecan mud pie was as big (or bigger) than my HEAD! Geez!

But I put a hurtin' on it nonetheless! Haaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Taking spontaneous road trips here in California is truly a terrific way to take advantage of all that California has to offer. I mean, one could live here 80 years and never see/experience everything! What a gorgeous, gorgeous state!

Breathtakingly Beautiful Spring 2020

Despite the human ugliness in the world, nature is still breathtakingly beautiful.

And I just have to include one more of this photographer's exquisite pieces of art!!!!!!!!!!!!

Photographs by KEVIN BURTON! 

Don't Punish Me With Brutality

This country is in an upheaval!!!!!!

Actually, that's an UNDERSTATEMENT!

We're divided by RACE!

RELIGION!

GENDER IDENTITY!

SOCIOECONOMICS!

And the list goes on and on!

What I know for sure is that unarmed citizens are dying at the hands of law enforcement!!!!

And the MAIN reason we know what we know is because someone filmed the interactions on their cell phone cameras.

Without the filmed footage, American citizens wouldn't be the wiser about many of the senseless deaths.

At this point, I'm sooooo exhausted by the endless stories of unjustified brutality.

It HAS to STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The death of George Floyd has ignited a barrage of changes in the workplace and how we view some of the revered statues/monuments throughout the country.

Protesters have made it known they even want Mount Rushmore to be dismantled. South Dakota's governor is adamant about that NOT happening on HIS watch!!!

I don't wanna sound all Polly Anna(ish), but I just want EVERYBODY on this planet to be treated with COMPASSION. That's all.

In order for that to happen, though, we MUST, MUST, MUST hold our fellow man accountable for his words and actions.

It isn't enough to NOT be a racist.

We MUST be staunchly ANTI-RACIST!

I'm gonna make DAMN SURE I'm at the polls this NOVEMBER!!!!!!

This country NEEDS CHANGE in our highest political office AND offices!

So, VOTE!! VOTE!!! VOTE!! VOTE!!!!!!

If Marvin Gaye was alive today, I'd know PRECISELY what he'd say!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Question Of The Day

The protests in response to the videotaped murder of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis have attracted looters and arsonists.

Nobody I know personally condones looting and burning down buildings. 

Absolutely NOBODY!

HOWEVER...

It is my humble opinion that WITHOUT the horrible destruction that has taken place, the POWERS-THAT-BE wouldn't truly pay attention to black peoples' pleas for EQUALITY.

For too many decades to count, people who look like me have been BEGGING, PROTESTING and DYING to be seen and treated EQUALLY in this country. And here it is 2020 and we're STILL FIGHTING for that treatment!

Except NOW, the disenfranchised consciously decided not to destroy their own neighborhoods to get their point across. They've moved on to those of their oppressors. 

For whatever reason, most people don't seem to be too terribly moved by actions that they don't believe affects them. But when sh*t lands on your own doorstep, you immediately do something about it. 

You CLEAN it up!

And that's PRECISELY what the protesters want white Americans to do: CLEAN up the INEQUALITY!

I've been asked by a few black friends if any of my white friends have shared their feelings on the nation's civil unrest. I answered honestly---just a few. As for the others, I suspect either the conversation makes them feel too uncomfortable to broach with me...

OR...

They simply don't believe that there's any real inequality.

What I know for sure is that white men and women of my generation and above undoubtedly have no desire to alter the incredible livelihoods they enjoy and have been afforded because of systemic racism. And, honestly, I can clearly see why. But luckily for this nation, their offspring, and their offspring, don't feel the same way about non-white people. The young people see us for whom we are: HUMAN BEINGS who are WORTHY of EQUAL TREATMENT and OPPORTUNITIES.

I applaud MISS HAYLEY C. CLARK for recording this exchange. Whether it's authentic or a reenactment, it's STILL POWERFUL!

After the protests end and this coronavirus madness subsides too, I HOPE and PRAY that people will challenge themselves to treat EVERYBODY they encounter PRECISELY the way THEY want to be treated.

In my humble opinion, that's the ONLY way we can live together harmoniously.

It's a damn shame that it takes burning and looting businesses to have your voice heard.

But sometimes...I reckon you gotta do what you gotta do!

Here Comes The Rain Again

Besides FOOD, DOGS and GREAT SINGERS, my other FAVORITE reason for being ALIVE is...

RAIN, SWEET RAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Work Of Art

In 20 years, this painting is gonna be worth a FORTUNE!!!!!!!

HAAAAAAAAAAA!

#COVID19
#Coronavirus2020

Mental Fitness

As a response to this COVID-19 crisis, countless fitness buffs have taken to social media to share their home workout routines.

There are MILLIONS of 'em! I mean, MILLIONS!

What I haven't seen, though, is even ONE video about MENTAL FITNESS.

It appears that maintaining a svelte body seems to take precedence over maintaining a well-balanced mental state.

And during this unusual health crisis, our mental stability is of the utmost importance!

Fear and anxiety are undoubtedly eating away at more people than not. So, working on ourselves to keep a calm, cool and collected mindset is urgently necessary.

More necessary than taut abs and bulging biceps, if you ask me.

What I know for sure is that I will continue to work on my self-love and self-acceptance far more diligently than on my quads and pecs.

I feel, beyond a doubt, that as a nation, we WILL get past this coronavirus madness.

And I feel even more confidently that I'LL get through it with a sound body AND...

SOUND MIND!

The Prostate Exam

If young fellas are BLESSED to live long enough, they'll know PRECISELY what I'm talkin' about!

HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mindfulness Meditation

Recently, I've been introduced to Mindfulness Meditation.

I find that practicing my mindfulness exercises is best when I'm in a dark room, completely still.

My ideal room would be an otherwise dark bedroom with a large skylight that allows moonlight to fill the room. The only sound I wanna hear is rain beating against the skylight(s).

Oh, my God, that would be HEAVEN to me!!!!

Nothing makes me feel more at peace than the sound of rain beating against windows and car roofs.

Mindfulness meditation compels me to simply feel GRATITUDE for all I HAVE and all I AM.

During this COVID-19 quarantine, I'm immeasurably thankful for my apartment, the food in my cupboards, and my FAITH.

Because it's my FAITH that keeps my mind at peace.

What will be, will be.

Now, let's bring on the rain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's What I Believe

The COVID-19 bug has turned this country upside down!

Businesses closed!

Schools closed!

Churches closed!

Parks closed!

Damn near everything has closed, so people can remain at home and stop the spread of the disease.

California's governor and mayor strongly advise us to only leave our homes to buy groceries and to take care of medical-related business.

SAFER AT HOME is the name of the order advising Los Angeles County residents to stay home!!!

In addition to the grocery store, I also go to the park daily, just to get in some exercise and sunlight. I make sure to stand far away from everybody! Even farther away than the 6 ft distance suggested.

This is gonna be a tough time for many. Especially those of us who earn our livings in the gig economy. If we don't work, we aren't paid. For the most part. Luckily, I have commercial residuals coming in, but by no means enough to sustain me if this quarantine persists more than a few months. Yes, this crisis will undoubtedly compel folks to start saving much more of their paychecks than we currently have.

Now is the time that those of us who profess to walk in FAITH will be put to the test. While talking to my therapist the other day, I told her that despite all the doom and gloom regurgitated on the internet and TV, on an hourly basis, this ol' boy WON'T worry. Because I'm a true believer that: if you're gonna PRAY, don't WORRY; if you're gonna WORRY, don't PRAY.

I WILL PREVAIL over this temporary debacle.

I WILL RESUME my acting and voice-over work.

I WILL earn even MORE money from those pursuits than I earned BEFORE COVID-19 attacked us!

Come HELL or HIGH WATER, EVERYTHING works in MY FAVOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At least...

THAT'S WHAT I BELIEVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#CAMJrIsBlessed
#StaySAFE
#StayHOME

The Plague

Oh, boy, are folks nervous these days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Correction: folks are SCARED SH*TLESS!

Why, you ask?

The CORONAVIRUS Disease (COVID-19)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Per the World Health Organization:

"Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans. Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing."

Two months ago, this was a disease I had never heard of! Heck, I suppose most folks hadn't. Then, all of a sudden, it was EVERYWHERE!

As it stands, the countries hit hardest by this recent outbreak are: China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Germany, France, USA, Switzerland, Norway and Japan!

Here in the states, damn near every event and/or organization that draws a crowd (i.e. athletic events, schools, theatrical productions, conventions, etc.) has been cancelled or postponed 'til further notice.

Actors, service industry workers, convention presenters, behind-the-scenes showbiz folks, and a host of others are undoubtedly gonna feel a significant pinch by the cancellation of gigs. Small businesses, in particular, will suffer if their doors are closed for too long.

I'm simply gonna do what I always do: keep my head up, do what I can to stay afloat happily, and hope and pray for better days! SOON!

As a people, we WILL get through this!

TRIUMPHANTLY!

I do wholly believe that!

I have NO other viable choice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Smell The Flowers NOW!

TODAY, enjoy every single moment, y'all, 'cause this ain't a dress rehearsal!

Smell the flowers NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SAG-AFTRA Radio Plays - "Father Knows Best"

Last week, I made my Los Angeles stage debut!!!!!!!

Yippee!!!

I performed in the annual SAG-AFTRA Radio Play production!

We recreated an old radio broadcast of FATHER KNOWS BEST.

I performed the role of ANNOUNCER.

And I LOVED it!

I was truly in my element: just my VOICE, and a MIC!

We performed two shows!

The entire cast was simply PHENOMENAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Next year, if I'm not booked somewhere else, I'll have to audition for the next productions!

I had a BLAST!!!!!

Jazzy Dame

IRIS APFEL is dang near 100 years BLESSED!

And still as jazzy as ever!!!!!!!

God bless her!!!!!!!!!!! 

My Son, My Son, My Son

One of the joys of acting in Hollywood is meeting incredibly talented people who share my same love of going from set to set and slipping into the lives of someone else.

This young actor, JOSHUA SMITH, has quite a future ahead of him.

I wish him COLOSSAL success in 2020 and BEYOND!

Oh, I wish the same for ME too! :) :) :) 

And folks, stay AWAY from OPIOIDS, dangit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#TruthCampaign 

#SayNoToOpioidAddiction

Rave Review!!!

The other day, I randomly googled "Sunrise Studio City reviews."

I wanted to see what kind of reviews my volunteer spot, the residence for the elderly, received.

Well, glory be, just looked what popped up!

I was BLOWN AWAY!!!!

See, it doesn't cost me a dime to treat people as kindly as I want to be treated.

So, that's PRECISELY what I'll keep on doin'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Volunteerism = Immeasurable JOY!!!!!

I have been a volunteer at this lovely residence for the elderly for the past 10 years.

I've talked, laughed and dined with countless residents over the years.

I greet them warmly when they arrive, and feel a sense of sadness when they leave.

This residence is usually their final dwelling on earth.

2020 is now upon us!

And I intend to be here, continuing to welcome new arrivals, and bidding farewell to many I have come to adore.

#TheCircleOfLife
#SunriseSeniorLiving

What I Know For Sure

As I step into 2020, what I know for sure is:

a.) I like eating at Cracker Barrel.
b.) I like chicks who wear big glasses.
c.) I like a colorful scarf!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

#WhatIKnowForSure
#CrackerBarrel
#MySistersWearBigGlasses
#ColorfulScarf
#HappyNewYear2020