The Fruits of My Labors: The Labor-Day Weekend Wrapup

Friday:

I chilled out at home.

Saturday:

I got a haircut, chilled out at with my buddy Bryan Newcomb (Mail Call, Just the Two of Us). Bryan pointed out a pretty fly Memphis Red Sox shirt (that was our Negro League team), so I bought it. I went to the mall, but I didn't really find anything. I dropped Bryan off, and went back to the hip-hop stores on American Way and bought a Mecca t-shirt that said, "Chase Dreams, Not the Competition". I had to buy that. I strive to keep my motives pure in the midst of cutthroat competition. Afterwards, I went to Border's and used my thirty percent off coupon to purchase The Dusty Rhodes Story. He's one of my favorite old-school wrestlers. By pressing a button on the front of the DVD, you can hear random "Rhodisms", or some of his favorite sayings. Later, I went downtown and checked out the Center for Southern Folklore festival. I ran into Ekpe, a musician and poet who was performing. I bought a copy of this compilation that he was selling called the World Soul Project. You can buy it at Tower Records or from Ekpe himself. I also saw a performance from a drill team and drum corps called the Isisettes. I assume the name comes from the Eqyptian goddess Isis. The girls were good, but I was a litte concerned: Today's drill team girl could be tomorrow's shake joint (strip club) dancer or video "actress". I ran into Howard Feelgood, who assisted Lisa Lax with casting "My Blueberry Nights" and my fellow extra from Blueberry, Nick.

After the drill team left, there were some hip-hop performances. Willie Firecracker performed first. He looked like somebody's uncle trying to rap, but his hip-hop blues style was pretty tight. His album is available at the Center for Southern Folklore. Next up were my friends the Iron Mic Coalition (www.ironmic.net). They rocked it, they had a huge crowd and people (like myself) dancing. Jason "Da Hater" Harris jumped off stage at one point and grabbed me and another guy and we danced around in a circle, it was crazy, but fun. I also bought Jason's album "Hating In Its Finest Hour". You can buy it from him. The Iron Mic Coalition compilation "The First Edition" is available at Tower Records, cdbaby.com, and the Center for Southern Folklore. After my boys rocked it, Kavious came up. He is a pretty well-known local rapper. I am not big on a lot of the commercial rap, but he was cool.

After that, I made it back to Jordan's for karaoke. I performed "Let's Go Crazy" by Prince, and I assisted another guy on the Beastie Boys' "Fight For Your Right to Party". I also assisted my friend Ricky on "Regulate" by Warren G and Nate Dogg. After that, I called it a night.

Sunday:

I really wanted to support Ekpe and Valencia Robinson (www.myspace.com/valenciarobinson) who were performing at the Center for Southern Folklore, but I was tired. I stayed in the Bartlett Area. I went to Jordan's for lunch. I also performed "Keep Your Hands to Yourself" by the Georgia Sattelites and "I'll Be" by Edwin McCain. Then, I went to the Bartlett 10 and checked out Da Vinci Code. It was cool, but complex. I returned to Jordan's and performed "Beat It" by Michael Jackson, then I performed "Here Without You" by Three Doors Down. My last song was "Jack and Diane" by John Mellencamp.

Monday:
My brother and I went out to Oakland, Tennesse (the country, ya'll) for a Labor Day family gathering at my uncle Ray's house. We chilled out, ate unhealthy food, and watched HBO. Spike Lee's documentary "When the Levees Broke" was on. I have to get that on DVD. Very powerful, and very informative. It was cool seeing my little cousins, they're funny. It was also cool to watch them ride this horse. I really felt family warmth and togetherness and the rest of that mushy crap.

Now, I am awaiting Lindsey Roberts' call about an audition time for this new pilot that will be shot here. Lord willing, I will get chosen and make some more extra money and add to my resume. Be easy, readers.