Watching Movies, Cookouts, and Wrestling:The Weekend Wrap-Up

Friday:

I got off work, ran some errands, and watched Evan Almighty. I thought it was a good movie. Some of the critics are giving it a C, and saying that it was too sappy, but so what? What's wrong with a good family film? I like Steve Carrell (The Office, Bruce Almighty, Little Miss Sunshine), and I like Lauren Graham (Bad Santa, Gilmore Girls). Plus, you have the incomparable talents of Morgan Freeman as God. I didn't find it sacrilegous. I liked it. Wanda Sykes (New Adventrues of Old Christine, Pootie Tang) was also funny. After that, I went home, chilled out, and watched Friday Night Smackdown!! Ah, wrestling. It is truly sports and entertainment rolled into one.

Saturday:

I got off work, went home and changed clothes, and hung out over Arnold Edwards' apartment. Arnold Edwards is a good friend and director that I work with. Shout out to his girlfriend, Dayna Hinkle (Divine Manipulation, Delusions), Jarrod, Glen Ring (Dollars and Signs, Rommel's Crossroad), Wasabi Jones (Curbside Confessions, Eat), and the rest of Arnold's family and friends. We played a little volleyball, cooked some hot dogs, chitchatted, and I watched people play Mario Cart and Guitar Hero II. A few of Arnold's friends were shocked because I don't drink (what else is new?), but it was cool. I left Arnold's place at, like, 2 in the morning. I haven't been in his apartment in a long time. Arnold's been busy editing Curbside Confessions. I believe in Mr. Edwards and I believe that the movie will be great. I haven't seen anything, but I know Arnold's work ethic and character.

Sunday:

I went to Jordan's for a little Sunday afternoon karoke. Imagine my surprise when there was a party being held on the karaoke side. It was a little crowded, but I still sang "Used to Love You" by John Legend (I was pitchy), and "All Night Long" by Lionel Richie. Some of the young kids shocked me, though. This one African-American boy sang "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk", a country song about a woman with a large posterior. That shocked me!! These other girls sang "Holidae Inn", "Laffy Taffy", and "Lady Marmalade". Underage girls singing a song about prostitution? A little creepy.
After that, I went to my friend Shomari's house and watched the WWE pay-per-view Vengeance. It was kinda crummy, but I enjoyed the fellowship.

I am "between gigs" now, and many of my friends are editing, but I am definitely looking forward to the weekend. My job will be closed from June 30-July4. I return to work on July 5. That will be awesome!! Be easy, readers

PS Happy birthday to 90s rapper Candyman (he's 39) and actor Jimmie "JJ" Walker (he's 60).

Festivals, Wedding, and Wrestling: The Weekend Wrap-Up

Friday:

I got off work, ran some errands, and I went to my friend Tony's birthday party that was held at the Bartlett Lanes. Yes, it was a bowling party. No, I didn't bowl. Not a big fan of the sport. Tony is a HUGE Superman fan, so I got him an action figure of an Evil Superboy. It was based on a comic book storyline. I hung out there for a little bit, but then I went to see Oceans 13. I enjoyed it greatly. I thought that it was much better than Ocean's 12. After that, I called it a night.

Saturday:

I got off at 1 PM, then I went to the Lil' Film Fest 6. The theme of this one was "Say What? Freedom of Speech". I was in 3 shorts. I was an extra in Melissa Remsen's short Quiet. It was about people being shocked over something this guy said. The guy was played by her husband, Adam Remsen (Eat). I was also in a short directed by Timm Scalita, Moon Landing. It was about a newscast in a world with no censorship. It was kinda wrong, but it was fun. My character is called the "N" word twice, but he shoots the people that call them that. Man, that felt good!!! That's what I feel like doing when I hear that word now. The "N" word is not nice. Stop using it!!! That goes for everybody!!! Shout out to Timm Scalita (Last Call Lovin') for acting in the short, and shout out to Monica Summerfield (Eat, Intense Black Men),who was also in the short. I was also in the winning short, Shades of Gray, directed by Jon Sparks (www.jonwsparks.blogspot.com). We won the Audience Prize. Sparky's short centered on a musical debate between the Commercial Appeal's Wendy Thomas (played by LaVita Brooks) and Three Six Mafia (played by myself and Joe Smith). LaVita sang her points to the tune of a song from "Pirates of Penzance", while our rap was to a generic hip-hop beat. In order to stay on beat and make sure that the words were clear, we had to use an old-school 80s rhyming technique. Of course, this further makes me look like I can't rap, especially coming on the heels of the last Lil' Film Fest, where I had to intentionally rap bad for a short (Intense Black Men and Bitchy White Women). Those are roles, people. I have dabbled in spoken word, and I am more than capable of "spitting rhymes". If you doubt me, try to battle me. I dare ya, clown!!!! Okay, I'm done with that. Shout out to Willie Murray for his piece (Euphemism), Angel Ortez who won the Jury Prize (decided by judges before the event). Booo to Wendy Thomas, who was invited, but declined because Sparky told her beforehand that she did not agree with her opinion. I guess she can dish it out, but she can't take it. For the record, they both annoy me. Three Six Mafia profit off of ignorant lyrics and promoting stupidity, but Wendy Thomas' holier-than-thou attitude works my nerves!!! For those keeping score, that makes two shorts that I will now have in this year's Indie Memphis Film Festival: Happy Artistic Freedom Day and Shades of Gray, both directed by Jon Sparks. I am trying to equal or surpass my record-breaking 8 film appearances in last year's festival. My nemesis, Brett Magdovitz (Eat), held the record with 5, but he vows to regain his title. It will never happen, Magdovitz. I have two already, have you even acted in anything this year?! Eat my dust, man!!
Shout out to Laura Hocking-McCoy and Chris McCoy for attending, and shout out to LaVita's son DJ for being a Production Assistant on Sparky's short. Shout out to the evil genius Damarico Fowler for showing up, supporting, and voting.

After this, Damarico and I decided to go to a Hip-Hop Festival on the University of Memphis campus. Unfortunately, attendance was low, so they hadn't performed by the time we got there. Eventually, weather caused the performances to be canceled. Shout out to Kevin Youngblood aka Ptah Maximus (www.myspace.com/ptahmaximus), The Iron Mic Coalition (www.ironmic.net), and others that came out. Shout out also to my girl Nysha and her son Cameron that came through. Shout out to Memphis Dread for selling me the dope Okayplayer t-shirt (it's a music site: www.okayplayer.com), and shout out to Infinito (www.myspace.com/infinito2017) and singer/actress Latoya Baker for coming through.

After this, Fathom-9 of the IMC and I were headed toward Spin Street so I could buy him a DVD for his birthday, Black Samurai starring Jim Kelly (love that Blaxploitation!!), and the cops stopped me on Patterson doing 35 in a 25. Middle finger to the cop who stopped me. Catch a criminal, you maggott!!!! We still went to Spin Street along with Infinito, then we went to Perkins and ate and chilled out. Infinito is a cool dude, and he works fast, whether it his art or his music. I like his work ethic.

After that, I went to Jordan's for some karaoke. Shout out to my man Joe Smith (Arrogant Dead People, Elvis), who was celebrating his birthday. He and I performed "Nuttin' But a G Thang". Once again, we rocked that song!!! Shout out to Ritchie "The Mayor of Frayser" Pierce (www.mayoroffrayser.com), Forrest Pruett (Behind the Eight, Forty Shades of Blue), Uncle Ricki, Niki, Jamie, Alena, Nancy Jordan, Jeff Jordan, Terry, Quinn, and the KJ Tony. I also sang "Erotic City" by Prince. Forrest suggested that I sing some Prince. I did. I also helped out a woman named Emily on "Don'tcha Wish" by the Pussycat Dolls featuring Busta Rhymes. I tried to do Busta Rhymes' verse. I kinda know it. Good times were had.

Sunday:

The parents came by, and I gave my father his gifts. I had forgotten his birthday in May, so I got him two DVDs; Hang 'Em High starring Clint Eastwood, and John Wayne's The Sons of Katie Elder. My brother bought cruise tickets for both of our parents. I accompanied my parents to the wedding of one of my childhood friends, Dredrick Murden. I hadn't seen him in a while, so I was happy for him. Dredrick's twin brother, Fredrick, was his best man. I saw a few people that I hadn't seen in years, so it was cool. Fortunately, Terrence Sanders was not there. He was a friend of the twins that pushed me around a lot in high school. I was not going to have it yesterday. Ol' Terrence would've gotten a chair to the back of his head. I am serious. Fotunately, he didn't show, and I didn't have to beat anybody up.

After that, I went over my friend Shomari's house and watched the TNA (Total Nonstop Action) Wrestling pay-per-view. Former Tennessee Titans player Frank Wychek was in a match. My people came through, and it was cool.

This week, I may or may not be filming on something, we will see. King Indie (me) is still on a quest to keep acting and honing my craft. Be easy, readers!!!

RIP Mr. Wizard

By LYNN ELBER, AP Television Writer 43 minutes ago
LOS ANGELES - Don Herbert, who as television's "Mr. Wizard" introduced generations of young viewers to the joys of science, died Tuesday. He was 89. Herbert, who had bone cancer, died at his suburban Bell Canyon home, said his son-in-law, Tom Nikosey.

"He really taught kids how to use the thinking skills of a scientist," said former colleague Steve Jacobs. He worked with Herbert on a 1980s show that echoed the original 1950s "Watch Mr. Wizard" series, which became a fond baby boomer memory.
In "Watch Mr. Wizard," which was produced from 1951 to 1964 and received a Peabody Award in 1954, Herbert turned TV into an entertaining classroom. On a simple, workshop-like set, he demonstrated experiments using household items.

"He modeled how to predict and measure and analyze. ... The show today might seem slow but it was in-depth and forced you to think along," Jacobs said. "You were learning about the forces of nature."
Herbert encouraged children to duplicate experiments at home, said Jacobs, who recounted serving as a behind-the-scenes "science sidekick" to Herbert on the '80s "Mr. Wizard's World" that aired on the Nickelodeon channel.

When Jacobs would reach for beakers and flasks, Herbert would remind him that science didn't require special tools.
"'You could use a mayonnaise jar for that,'" Jacobs recalled being chided by Herbert. "He tried to bust the image of scientists and that science wasn't just for special people and places."

Herbert's place in TV history was acknowledged by later stars. When "Late Night with David Letterman" debuted in 1982, Herbert was among the first-night guests.
Born in Waconia, Minn., Herbert was a 1940 graduate of LaCrosse State Teachers College and served as a U.S. Army Air Corps pilot during World War II. He worked as an actor, model and radio writer before starting "Watch Mr. Wizard" in Chicago on NBC.
The show moved to New York after several years.

He is survived by six children and stepchildren and by his second wife, Norma, his son-in-law said. A private funeral service was planned.

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

Friday:

I got off work, ran some errands, went to see Knocked Up, which I loved. Everbody keeps asking me "Is it silly?" "Is it stupid"? Hello? It's a comedy!!! I liked it. After that, I went to see some wrestling at the Capleville Gym. It was cool. Shout out to Jason Turgeon and the rest of the ESPN-AM 730 Wrestling show staff that was there. Some of the wrestlers started giving them grief because they wouldn't interview them. Shout out to Clint Boyland, his brothers, his wife, and their little girl. The wrestling got a little too crazy. People were really bleeding, and dripping blood everywhere. Also, several fights spilled over into the crowd. At one point, they ran into the bleachers where I was sitting. They were fighting outside near people's cars, and it was a little too dangerous. At some points, we formed crowds around some of the out-of-ring combatants and started yelling, "Whoop that trick!!!" It was fun, but they need to contain it a little bit.

Saturday:

I got off work and I was interviewed for a show called Detours. It was organized by a guy named Nick Davis. Shout out to Timm Scalita (Last Call Lovin, Touching You) who was working the camera, and Bryan Newcomb who was working the other camera. Shout out to filmmaker Arnold Edwards (Curbside Confessions) and his girlfriend Dayna Hinkle. Arnold and Dayna were also interviewed, as was up-and-coming producer Jonathan Butler, actress Monica Summerfield (Eat), and Don Myers (Eat, Rommel's Crossroad). Shout out to Kim Skipper (Imagine, What Goes Around), a good friend of mine who was interviewing us. I really enjoyed that. It will be on WPTY in October. Shout out to Chris Byerly (Intense Black Men, Last Call Lovin), who is editing the program. After that, I ran some errands, and I saw the movie Severance. This is a British horror film that has some humorous moments, like Shaun of the Dead. Basically, people from a company go to a cabin in the woods for a team-building exercise, but they accidentally go to a cabin where psychotic killers were hiding out, and chaos ensues. I plan to buy this movie when it is on DVD.

After that, I went to my girl Tamara Wick's birthday party. Shout out to Clint and his wife once again, Rudechild, his fiancee, Yolandalyn, and everybody else. I bought Tamara the debut CD by a group called Foreign Exchange entiteled Connected. Foreign Exchange is a collaboration between Phonte, an MC from North Carolina that is in a group called Little Brother, and Nicolay, a Dutch producer. They would send tracks back and forth over the internet. They didn't meet until they started promoting the album. I've been trying to expose Tanya to some real hip-hop.
I was exposed to R. Kelly's new album, Double Up. It was catchy, but it seemed kinda bufoonish. R. Kelly appeals to the lowest common denominator and succeeds. Good for him, I guess. I bought the new Carl Thomas CD this week. That's mature R&B.

I left from there and went to Jordan's Karaoke Bar. I joined David H. on Gym Class Heroes' "Cupid's Chokehold". He rapped, I sang the hook and did the ad-libs. My boys Joe Smith (Elvis, Delusions) and Ritchie "Mayor of Frayser" Pierce (www.mayoroffrayser.com) performed "Nuttin' But a G Thang". Normally, I would perform with one of them. It felt a little funny watching them do it, but they rocked it. I also performed Tom Petty and the Heartbreaker's "Free Falling".

Sunday:

I went to to the Brooks Museum and watched this film called "Killer of Sheep". It was directed by Charles Burnett for his Master's Thesis in Filmmaking. It was completed in 1973 and released in 1977. It had recently been restored and they are touring the country with it. The imagery was interesting, particularly the killing of sheep: The main character worked in a slaughterhouse killing sheep. Nothing significant really happened, though. I kept waiting for the plot twist or major confict. It was just a slice of life film, I guess. I will still get it on DVD. Shout out to Jeff Pope (Eat, Black Snake Moan) ,who came out to see the film as well. After that, I ran into my boy Scott Lynn (www.myspace.com/brosundzguudx). He was in town visiting family and selling mixtapes. I bought his new mixtape. We were at the home of Kevin Youngblood, also known as Ptah Maximus (www.myspace.com.ptahmaximus) and he was making hip-hop beats with another local MC/producer, Empee (www.myspace.com/empee808). They have an collaboration album coming out soon.

After that, I made it back to Jordan's. I sang New Kids On the Block's "Please Don't Go, Girl", Patti Labelle's "If Only You Knew", and I dueted with David H. on Jay Z and Linkin Park's "Numb Encore". I did Jay-Z's part, he did Linkin Park's part. That was cool.

Monday:

El Hakim the poet (www.elhakimthepoet.com) was at my day job today. He was talking to two of my coworkers who were helping him promote himself. He also sold me his new spoken word CD, El Hakim "The Poet" Presents The Charlie Marlow Commentary. I will definitely check that out. Shout out to "Angry" Nick Jones for stopping by the job and giving me a late birthday gift, yet another CD. He bought me a CD by the Hieroglyphics entiteld "Full Cirle". They are an independent hip-hop group based in the San Francisco Bay area. They have their own label and studio and book their own tours and sell their merchandise. The only thing they don't do is distribution to store around the country. He had been trying to get me into it for a while.

I am looking forward to this Saturday's Lil' Film Fest. The topic is "Say What? Freedom of Speech". I have speaking parts in two shorts, "Shades of Grey" and "Moon Landing". I am also an extra in Melissa Remsen's short. Hopefully, "King Indie" will win another one and get one more film in this year's Indie Memphis Film Festival. Take that, Brett Magdovitz!! Be easy, readers.

Happy Birthday to Me!!

Today, June 5 is my birthday. I thank God for letting me live to see another year, and I thank my friends and family for the kind thoughts and well wishes. I am getting a little older, and I can't hang out late for consecutive days like I used to, and I also have a few aches and pains. I still thank God for living and being here. I hope I learn more and I hope that I take steps toward my true purpose. Also, I still hope to one day be king of the world...from an entertainment standpoint, at least. Be easy, readers!!

Dinners, Acting, and Cool Gifts: The Wednesday-Monday Recap

Wednesday:



I worked on a short for Jon Sparks. Joe Smith and I did some acting and audio work for Sparky's entry in the next Lil' Film Fest. I can't wait for you guys to see it!!!



After that, I went to the Kroger on Bartlett Boulevard and ran into Keenon Nikita (Just the Two of Us) and Travis Stone (Ray). They were hanging out.



Thursday:



I went to the karaoke spot. This one Caucasian girl screamed out "That's my ni---a!" to another Caucasian girl and I felt a little weird. Of course, sadly, all that disappeared when she came up to me and asked me to help her and her friend sing, "This Is How We Do It" by Montel Jordan. I was hesitant, but she was well endowed. Yes, I traded in my principles because she has giant hooters!!!! Al Sharpton will be protesting me tomorrow.



Friday:



I met up with this guy named Rock who wanted to shoot a short for BET's Rap It Up Aids Awareness Campaign. I realized that Rock used to work on songs for a former roommate of mine, and we have another mutual friend, Bryan Litaker. I worked on the narrator part for his short, and we decided to film on Sunday.



Next, I went to a wrap party for the movie Rommel's Crossroad. Director John Fuess was there, as was lead actress Alisa Nave (Blue Tail Fly). I also met Twana Thomas, who was in the movie and is interested in getting into the business. Shout outs to Glen Ring (Dollars and Signs) and the rest of the crew.
After that, I went to Jordan's karaoke bar. These guys kept performing raps, like the Beastie Boys' "Brass Monkey" and Young MC's "Bust a Move". They even performed Vanilla Ice's "Ice Ice Baby". So, I performed Notorious B.I.G.'s "Big Poppa". I even helped one of the guys out on OutKast's "The Way You Move". The guy started beatboxing. It was hot!!! By then, I was a little tired so for my last song I sang Sheryl Crow's "The First Cut Is the Deepest". Versatility is wonderful. After that, I went home.

Saturday:

I got off work, and by brother and I went out to the country to celebrate my Uncle Eugene's 60th birthday party. He has a lot of land and food was served. It was good to see my parents, my cousin Robert, cousin Sam, cousin Rachel, and others. Boo to my cousin Sonia Saine. She was still bringing up how I talked too much during the John Legend concert. She said that if I stand in front of her again, she was gonna "break my nose". I don't like it when people say that stuff, even in jest. That goes back to my childhood. I dismissed her quickly. The food was good and greasy (typical African-American diet), and the weather was kinda crazy. It was raining while the sun was shining. Many rural southerners refer to this as "The Devil beating his wife". After that, my brother dropped me off at home so I could make it to Bennigan's for my birthday celebration. It was cool. I hung out with my people, and I requested the Bennigan's birthday song after they sang it for somebody else. My boy Terrance and I started doing dances in our chairs when they started and they were like, "Pump it, pump it!" Shout out to Terrance, his girlfriend Jill, and Donovan for attending. Now, my gift breakdown and shoutout (gifts in parentheses): Shout out to Shomari Gant (to be determined), Terra Hollis(Miller Lite Man Law shirt), Courtney Wright (Undertaker WWE t-shirt), Paul West (Shaun of the Dead DVD), Denna Greer (Maroon 5 CD), and Fowler (bootleg copy of Casino Royale and a Japanes film, on one disc).
After that, I ran into Paul Briggs who got tied up doing something else and missed the dinner. Paul gave me a nice polo-style shirt. After that, I ran into Rod Pitts and we went to Perkin's. I had a piece of Wildberry pie (no sugar added), and he ate a meal. We ran into Ennis Newman aka rapper Fathom 9 (www.myspace.com/fathom9thebrotherhoodofdoom) and Kevin Youngblood aka Ptah Maximus (www.myspace.com/ptahmaximus). Rod and I sat with them and chopped it up. After that, Rod and I went to the computer lab at the University of Memphis for a minute. After that, Rod gave me his gift: a CD bu this new cat, James Morrison. I was pleased.

Sunday:

I went over Rock's house to attempt to shoot the Aids Awareness piece, but there were technical difficulties and scheduling conflicts. We will not make BET's deadline, but we will work together again.

After that, I went over Shomari's and watched a wrestling pay-per-view.

Monday:

The day before my actual birthday, I had a little drama. I got a ticket outside of my house because I was parked too close to the mailbox. Seriously, go catch a criminal!! If the cop was a man, I hope he gets male pattern baldness. It it's a woman, I hope she wakes up with a five o'clock shadow on her face. That policeman was lame!!
After that, my pants ripped at work and I had to go home and change. Luckily, I only live eight minutes away. After that, my mom showed up to give me her gifts. She bought me Sidney Poitier's memoir and some khaki shorts (Lord, please let them fit). Also, El Debarge of the group Debarge turned 46. For the unitiated, here's more info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Debarge

Be easy, readers!!!

Well, that was a recap of the past few days.