Family, Movies, and Wrestling: The Weekend Wrap-Up

Friday:

I got off work, went to some buffet on Stage Road(it wasn't very good) and met up with my mom, my cousin Nakia, my cousin Makeva, her daughter Kelby, my great-aunt Velma, my aunt Mary, and my cousin Kamaria. We chit-chatted, reminisced, and talked about upcoming family events. That was pretty much it for Friday.

Saturday:

I got up early in the morning and got a haircut. My barber was a little disappointed because I did not have my usual amount of sports knowledge. I didn't know that he would take the knowledge that I gave him and share with is patrons. I made excuses (sickness, busy at work, dog ate it), but he was not sympathetic. Wow, you shoot your mouth off on a few topics, all of a sudden you're "the expert". I will endeavor to be more knowledgeable by May 24, when I plan to get my hair cut again. After that, I went back to sleep, then I went to the church that my good buddy Jesse Lipford attends. It was Jesse's birthday. I just came by real quick and dropped off a gift. I bought him a "Before they were Stars" DVD about a popular African-American wrestler, Booker T. After that, I went to the comic book store. I got a free pass to see Son of Rambow on March 20. It seems to be a movie about some kids filming a sequel to Rambo. It appears to be set in the 80s, and the trailer piqued my interest. I'll check it out.
After that, I went to Hastings on Germantown Parkway and looked at the cool DVDs and CDs. After that, I saw the new David Mamet film Redbelt. Chiewetel Ejiofor, a Black British actor, was the main character. He was a martial arts instructor who was manipulated into competing in mixed-martial arts tournament to get out of debt. Mamet also wrote the film. I was told that his dialogue can be weird, and I agree. I did enjoy the film. Ejiofor did a good job, and Tim Allen had a serious role. It was different, but it was cool. After tht, I called it a night.

Sunday:

My brother and I went to Brooks Chapel, my home church, to be with our mom on Mother's Day. Elder Eugene Anderson (my uncle) gave a humorous yet uplifting sermon, and one of the church mothers kindly chastised me about getting back in church and getting right with God. I could only nod my head and thank her because I had been feeling the same way about everything she told me. I need to get back into church. It makes me feel better. After church, we went over my parents' house. I gave my mom her Mother's Day gift and my stepfather his birthday gift (his b-day was last week). My mom received the movie Clan of the Cave Bear on DVD. I remembered her reading the book series when I was younger. I gave my stepdad a DVD collection of the Lonesome Dove miniseries. As always, I am economic yet thoughtful. My aunt Mary, her daughter Kaci, her husband Cedric, and their children (Katerius, Jamarius, Kamaria, and Kameran)came over. The kids were cool (except Kamaria), but they ask some difficult questions. A few times I had to say "ask your parents that". I also loved the fact that I could win any argument with "You can't whoop me" or "I'm grown!!" Adulthood does have some perks to counteract the health issues and debt. Yay.
After I left my parents' house, I went over my boy Shomari's house and watched the TNA (Total Nostop Action)Wrestling pay-per-view. We tripped out and reminisced over old-school sports games and other topics. It was cool.

I don't really have any "official" acting gigs coming up, but I hear some things are in the works. Time will tell. Be easy, readers!!!

Readings, Recordings, and Films: The Weekend Wrap-Up

Friday:

I got off work and made it to a table reading for David:Valley of Shadows. I found out that Keenon (not Nikita), a fellow actor, was in the film, as was Jean Henderson, who attended the University of Memphis around the same time as me. It was an exciting read. I have been congested since Sunday, but I made it through.
Part of me wanted to go to MusicFest, but money and trying to recover from this cold ruled that out. It was raining, and I couldn't get sick the day before recording. I was told that the main group that I wanted to see (The Roots)canceled anyway. Maybe next year.

Saturday:

I was at the studio around 10 AM. Keenon and other cast members were there. We chilled out and watched Saturday morning cartoons until it was our turn. I struggled in the beginning, I guess I'm just so used to acting with someone. One of the crew had me grab their shoulder for added emphasis. We rehearsed it one time with me grabbing him, and I got it. The next recording, I was able to give them what they wanted without interacting with anyone. That was cool. The experience was humbling. It let me know that "King Indie" can still learn some new things. I also received my check that day. It was promptly deposited.

Next, I went to Comics and Collectibles. It was Free Comic Book Day. Stores all around the country receive these free comics (usually previews of different companies' upcoming storylines in different books). You can get as many free books as you want by purchasing one comic. I was happy for the C&C staff from a business standpoint, but it was crazy. There were WAY too many people in the store. Shout out to my good buddy Chris Haley, his girlfriend April Steele, and my buddy Damarico "Black Supervillain" Fowler, who I ran into.

I went home, napped, then I went to the 6:30 screening of Iron Man. I really enjoyed this film. Robert Downey, Jr. is excellent as Tony Stark/Iron Man. Gwyneth Paltrow also shined as his assistant. I hadn't seen a lot of her work, and I was impressed. Paltrow was also looking kinda sexy in those corporate outfits. Terrence Howard did a good job as James "Rhodey" Rhodes, Tony's best friend. Jeff Bridges was also vicious as the main villain Obadiah Stane. I am always glad to see GOOD comic book films. If you watch it, stay until after the closing credits. Without giving away too much, let's just say that there is a scene that hints at a future Marvel film.

Sunday:

I pretty much chilled at home and watched b-ball until the evening. I gave my buddy Bryan Newcomb his birthday gift, since he'll be out of town on his actual birthday. Afterwards, I went to the Karaoke Smackdown at the Vault on Highland. I gave Joe his birthday gift. I sang quite a few songs. I did a duet of Eminem's "Stan" with Kim. She rapped Eminem's verses, and I sang Dido's hook. It was awesome!!! My last song of the night was Snoop Dogg's "Sensual Seduction". Shout out to David H., Sean George, Joe Martini, and the rest of the Vault regulars.

Now that the cartoon is over, I feel a little empty. There are not a lot of productions taking place in Memphis right now. Our independent film scene is real slow right now. Many of my friends have moved or are planning to move out to California. I think I need to move somewhere. So far, the "Sellout Initiative" has resulted in two paid gigs, which is two more than I had last year. I really need to sign with an agency. I keep putting that off. Of course, inevitably, I am going to have to either move or be content with doing this mostly "for the love". I feel like that is the limit in Memphis. I have to formulate a plan. Be easy, readers.

Gifts, Karaoke, and Movies: The Weekend Wrap-Up

Friday:

I went to the comic book store, then to Hastings on my side of town. I bought my (step)father the Lonesome Dove miniseries on DVD. Hey, he likes Westerns. I write (step) father like this because I only use this term to differentiate from when I am talking about my birth father. My (step)father has never treated me differently because we were not blood relative, and I love him for that. After that, I went home and chilled out.

Saturday:

I chilled out most of the day until about 5:45 PM. I saw Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins. Martin Lawrence playd a successful talk show host who returns home after several years for his parents' 50th wedding anniversary. James Earl Jones played his father, Michael Clarke Duncan played his brother, and Mike Epps played his cousin. Mike Epps is foolish. I enjoyed it. After that, I sang a little karaoke at Jordan's. It was cool.

Sunday:

I chilled out until about 6:35. I went to Burger King and then back to the Bartlett 10 ($2.50 discount movies) and watched Step Up 2: The Streets. The acting wasn't the greatest, but the dance moves were awesome!! After that, I called it a night and watched the end of the Dallas-New Orleans basketball game.

My weekend was realtively low-key. I should rehearse and then record my part in the animated feature David:Valley of Shadows this weekend. My first cartoon!! Hopefully, I can start getting some more voiceover work. Be easy, readers!!!

RIP Soul Singer Al Wilson

Soul singer Al Wilson, who topped the U.S. pop singles chart in 1974 with "Show and Tell" died on Monday, local media reported.

Wilson succumbed to kidney failure in a hospital in Fontana, a city about 50 miles east of Los Angeles, said the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. He was 68.

The Mississippi native issued his first single "The Snake," in 1968. "Show and Tell" spent one week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hit 100 singles chart in January 1974. The romantic ballad was written and produced by prolific songwriter Jerry Fuller, and first recorded by Johnny Mathis.

DVDs, films, and NBA: The Weekend Wrap-up

Friday:

I went to this store on Germantown Parkway called Hastings. This store is awesome!! They have new and used CDs, DVDs, keyboards, funny t-shirts, blank CDs and DVDs (for recording), magazines, books, and a special comic book and graphic novel section. They also have anime and other DVDs for purchase and rent. I love this place!!! If I had a son today, his name would be Malik Hastings Seaberry. That's how much I love this place!!! They had a little sale on, where you could buy one used DVD and get another one (equal or lesser value) for a penny. I found an old cartoon from the 80s on DVD named Blackstar. It was kind of a prototype for He-Man. I got the entire series for $9.99, then I also got Body Rock, an 80s breakdance movie starring Lorenzo Lamas, for a penny. I have a soft spot for cheesy dance movies. I also bought a used CD single. It was the maxi-single for "Baby", a song from Brandy's first album. I bought it because the last track is the "I Wanna Be Down" remix. Brandy had this remix with all these great female emcees on it: Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, and Yo-Yo. I left very pleased with my acquisitions.

Saturday:

I chilled out, watched the Cavs beat the Pacers, then I left during the Suns-Spurs game to go see Forgetting Sarah Marshall. It was produced by Judd Apatow and was about a guy who is dumped by his actress girlfriend and goes to Hawaii to get over her. Of course, his ex-girlfriend is also in Hawaii at the same time. It wasn't as funny as "Knocked Up" or "Superbad", but it had its moments. After that, I went to Sonic, then Hastings again. I bought "Superman:Doomsday" on DVD for only $7.99. I then got "TMNT", the latest Ninja Turtles movie, for a penny. Hastings rules!!

Sunday:

I chilled out, watched some more NBA basketball (the Magic beat the Raptors), and then I went out later in the evening. I also played a little "Rock Band". I was the singer, but once everybody started playing on Medium, I was a liability because I couldn't hit the notes precisely enough. I bowed out. Oh, I almost forgot: I did go to GameStop on Germantown Parkway. They have a buy 2 used Dvds, get 2 free sale. I found a used copy of the Chris Benoit DVD. Benoit was a WWE wrestler who murdered himself and his family. That was bad, but he was a good wrestler and I really wanted to have his DVD. I am not endorsing genocide!!! I also got "Undercover Brother" on DVD, and got "Matchstick Men" and "The Cooler" for free. GameStop is going to stop selling used DVDs. I had to take advantage, of course.

That was pretty much it, no acting, not a lot of traveling around. I will be recording on "David: Valley of Shadows" soon. Be easy, readers!!!

New Videos that I like

I came across these, and I liked them, so I'm sharing. The first video is by Playaz Circle, a group affiliated with rapper Ludacris. Joining them on this song is Phonte of the group Little Brother. Although primarily a rapper, Phonte sings the hook.

Playaz Circle featuring Phonte-Paper Chasin'/We Workin':





Next is the new video from veteran rap group Wu-Tang Clan. On this single, they are joined by soul singer Erykah Badu

Wu Tang Clan featuring Erykah Badu: Heart Gently Weeps:



I liked them, and maybe some of my readers will,too.

Be easy, readers!!!

A Recap of the Last Few Days.....

Wednesday:

I went to a cast and crew premiere of a local film that I was in called Curbside Confessions. The film was directed by Arnold Edwards II. The film starred a lot of loca actors: Hardy McNeece, Michael McClendon, Aaron Jones, Wasabi Jones, Dayna Hinkel, Patrick Cox, Ty Tarver, Forrest Pruett, Jon Sparks, Amy Weatherford, Bevan Bell, Trent Dee, and so many others. Please forgive me if your name was just not mentioned. I played a drug addict named Tyrone Broomfield. I was pleased with the film, and people seemed to like my role. For more info on the film, go to www.myspace.com/curbsideconfessions . We ate at Boscos later. I had a good time. That was the hardest I ever had to work on a film. I was tied up, beat up, and I had to deal with some emotional material. I feared that people would not accept me in a serious role. I was pleasantly surprised.

Friday:

I chilled out and watched TV. Yay!!!

Saturday:

I got a haircut at about 6:30 in the morning (Shoutout to Jabo's on Germantown Parkway), I went to the bank and deposited my check for appearing in The Open Road (money is good), and I chilled out for a while. Later, I went to Comics and Collectibles. I ran into my fellow wrestling fan Jeff, and we went to Cici's Pizza, where I left my Memphis Tigers hat (bad move on my part), and then to his house to watch some wrestling. Yes, I still like wrestling. Leave me alone!!! Jeff knows where to get that good independent wrestling, not that WWE or TNA stuff. I have definitely got to invest in the indie DVDs.

Later, I went to Jordan's Catfish and More for some karaoke. It was a packed house, so I sang two songs. Eh, it beats being at home all night.

Sunday:

I pretty much lounged around until the evening. I finally finished watching all the special features on the About a Boy DVD. It's a pretty good film about a thirtysomething slacker (Hugh Grant) who meets a little kid. They form a friendship and help each other grow up. Rachel Weisz (The Mummy) and Toni Colette (In Her Shoes) is also in the film. Rod Pitts got it for me for Christmas. At first, I was sceptical, but once I really paid attention to it, I enjoyed it.
Later in the evening, I ate some Mexican food at My Favorite Place Restaurant. After that, I saw Smart People at the Cordova Cinema. Dennis Quaid plays a self-absorbed, arrogant college professor that nobody likes. Through a series of events, he is reunited with a former student (Sarah Jessica Parker) and his adopted brother (Thomas Haden Church). These two characters help him to grow and work on his relationship with his son and daughter. Ellen Page played his daughter. Her character was basically a Young Republican version of Juno, but I liked it. Okay, I have a bit of a crush on Ellen Page. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the film.

I don't know if I'll get a role before I do my voiceover work for David: Valley of Shadows. Oh, well, at least I have gotten paid once this year, and David will be my second paycheck. That's two more checks for acting than I got last year. The artistic hustle continues. Be easy, readers!!!!