Well good grief it's been a while hasn't it? Chalk it up to laziness and hard work (is that an oxymoron on what?) So let's get to it.
HOLY CRAP AMERICA VOTED FOR A BLACK MAN AS PRESIDENT!
To say it was one of the greatest moments in my (and many other people's) life is an understatement. I voted early, spread the word about early voting to my co-workers at my survival job, hung out with Generation Obama soaking up their enthusiasm and hoped for the best. Myself and my dear friends Isabel, Gabriel and their family went to downtown Orlando honking horns hi-fiving everybody in sight and saw more black people celebrate with a fervor that hasn't been seen since Mandela got released from prison in 1990. Check out the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD5knRUfznM
HOLY MACKEREL I SHOOK HANDS WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA!
I went to hear Presidents Obama and Clinton at the Heritage Park in Kissimmee, FL last week. In a moment of divine goodness (with lots of help from Isabel) we went straight to the front of the line (actually 2 rows back) from where they spoke. Also heard Jimmy Smits of "LA Law, "NYPD Blue" and "West Wing" fame speak as well. Hearing him speak made me realize even more that actors and politicans are very similar in their talent of inducing a crowd into a frenzy. Seeing Barry and Bubba (I go back a long way with both of them) and hearing them speak was just pure happiness. I was contrasting Bubba's honey dipped voice with Barry's pulsating oratory and hearing them together was like listening to the music of their voices was like being at a concerto. As they were going through the line shaking hands I shook #42's slender hands (which brought back memories of when I shook hands with him back in college over 12 years ago) then came #44 who has massive mitts and a firm grip. What made that night even sweeter was...
HOLY COW THE PHILLIES WON THE WORLD SERIES!
My blessings continue! Before Jimmy Smits showed up I borrowed a hand held TV from a friend of mine and was watching Game 5 of the World Series. Since I was born in Philly then moved to the Philly suburbs at the age of 10 this was a big deal for this Keystone Stater. Since I was in enemy territory I had to play it cool as Floridans keep asking me what the score was. I maintained calmness throughout and when my Fightin' Phills won I yelled out "Yes"! Then told the crowd in a solemn voice that took all the acting skill I could muster "The Rays just lost". I remember when the last Philadelphia sports team won ('83 Sixers) and the fireworks that went off in the apartment complexes behind our home is a memory that still seers in my brain. All hail the 2008 World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies!!!
HOLY SMOKE I GOT PUBLISHED!
Yes it's true my first poem got published in a magazine called "Spotlight on Recovery" out of Brooklyn, NY. They've also accepted 3 other poems of mine and what makes it sweeter is that they're paying me for them. This is a small, wonderful step towards my goal of making my living through poetry in addition to acting. Speaking of which...
HOLY MACANOLI I'M GOING TO BE WORKING AT DISNEY IN THE NEW AMERICAN IDOL SHOW!!!!
There's a new show at the Mouse called "The American Idol Experience" and it works like this... guests at Walt Disney World will audition for judges and whom ever the audience votes for wins. What they win is all sorts of nice prizes. I will playing the role of one of the judges which will be a hoot. I'll be a sub in the role which is fine by me because they're going to pay me for 7 weeks of full-time rehearsal which will help my financial situation considerably. Also it's another show that I know at the Mouse and the more shows you learn (this will be my 3rd) the more they'll call me to work. I'll also through hard work, positive attitude and networking am going to get a full-time acting gig at the Mouse gosh darn it to heck! I'm still working my survival job at Polo and will give them my 2 weeks notice tomorrow and am still working at Sleuth's Mystery Dinner Theatre as well - a job which I will keep as its flights of whimsy satisfy my silliness.
I still continue to write my fanny off and have read another fantastic book about writing. Anyone serious about the craft need to get thee to a bookstore or library to get "The Right to Write" by Julia Cameron. This book gives detailed, encouraging advice to writers looking to get better at the written word. Also well worth your time is "Writing Down the Bones" by Natalie Goldberg. This gem gently nudges you to get to the pen and pad and get to scribbling through hard earned advice that Goldberg dispenses with love and affection. Last but certainly not least is a book for all you children's poets out there called "Pizza, Pigs and Poetry" by Jack Prelutsky who is our first Children's Poet Laureate. This book literally goes inside this genius's mind to see how he comes up with his poems. His main advice (which can used for all writers) is to keep a journal with you at all times to jot down ideas when they come to you or else try as you might you'll forget them.
HOLY @#$%$$#@! YOU'RE UP TO DATE WITH MY LIFE!
P.S. I'm so proud of my country right now.
