Beauty: What Makes you feel beautiful?

Over the course of my many years living, learning and working with youth, I have come to realize many general things about us as a age group and a culture. One thing that really interests me is this age of superficial beauty. I’ve always wondered about beauty. I mean, is it truly in the eye of the beholder? If so who are your beholders? Many people have attempted stories and articles about this very thing, but for some reason or another; it just doesn’t get very far. I guess I’m going to write about a different side of the rock.
Many girls say that they want to look beautiful. A black girl wants to have long, straight hair. A white girl wants to have curly full hair. An Asian girl wants to have long eyelashes and tanned skin. But a Spanish girl wants to have thin eyebrows and a petit waist. I find it interesting that many people just don’t realize how beautiful they are? I recently had a conversation about this topic with a group of girls. Some said that they just want to ‘impress’ guys and so that’s why they wear the fake nails, make up, hair, eyelashes etc. But when you think about it; there are lots of guys out there who don’t care about those kind of things. Who really care about how beautiful you think you are and your self-confidence. In my opinion, if you’re a girl who wants to go out with a guy who wants you to lose ten pounds, or wants you to wear a new weave every week, your going out with the wrong guy. Maybe the answer is just finding somebody who is going to appreciate you for you?
But that is something deep and challenging within itself. I mean, how many girls these days, beautiful girls, have such low self esteem. Many girls I’d thought had every reason to be confident; nice personality, great looks, popularity and smarts. But the truth is many have low self esteem because they are afraid of being the imperfect masterpiece that God created them to be. In a way, you’re calling God an idiot for making you the way you are? Maybe instead of investing 3 hours and thirty dollars a day on your hair and makeup, you should just look within yourself and find out what you think is beautiful? And not care about anybody else’s opinion?

I’d like to end with a challenge that I gave to one of my peers. If you tend to wear makeup or tight fitting clothes, or something you think enhances your look, girl or guy. Try going to school/ work out just going out without it. If you can’t, maybe you need to re-evaluate what makes you beautiful, and start on the road to recovery.

Tis the season of giving.

I’ve always been a person that enjoys both getting and giving. I love the feeling you get when you brighten up a person’s day but better yet, the knowledge that that small, insignificant sacrifice that you made, blossomed into a tree bearing fruits of gratitude, hope and joy.

Being an artist I always find my self-asking; ‘what can I give the audience?’ Recently it has been more like “what can the audience give me?’ I have been able to let the audience minister to me. To evoke a reaction from somebody tells you about the emotional and spiritual state that they are in and comments on their ability or inability to respond. This has been a revelation for me because its cognoscente of many forms of expression whether it be art, preaching, motivational speaking or counseling. Giving somebody joy, peace or sympathy through any of these mediums can be a gift that never perishes.

This Christmas I am a new person. I find my self not wanting…much. And the things that I want to give far outweigh the things what I want to get. I say this not to boost up my self-esteem but to compliment the simplicity of giving and receiving. And to magnify the immense gift that we humans are given each day. When we wake up in the morning and are able to breathe, or when we arise in the beginning of the day feeling energized and joyous. I believe I live in a society and culture where complacency plagues the hearts of many and redemption is rich in abundance for the few who seek it.

I thank God for the opportunity to give, maybe that opportunity is all the gift that I need. Merry Christmas.

Virtuous Girl

These days the world is changing. Virtue is frowned upon like its the plague and "church girls" are seen as uncool. But I really hope that some can stay on the right path. I've only had the privilege of knowing a few but I tell you, theres something about a virtuous girl.

Virtuous Girl

She wasn’t just another girl

She was a one of a kind, a one in the world

She was a nice slice of cake dressed in impeccable virtue

I said to my self be careful or she’ll hurt you

She wasn’t perfect but she was sure sweet

Kind of girl to rock your world and sweep you of your feet

She was so in touch with God her riotousness was her glory

Seemed like that proverbs 31:10 type of shorty

Like sporty spice she gave wise advice

Dressed modest and nice and in love with Christ

She spoke I’m telling you you’d want to hear it

She was a tree blossoming with the fruits of the spirit

She has spiritual beauty

Cutie

With her I didn’t care about the beauty

I fell in love with what her virtue did to me

Kind of girl who made a man want to be better

And I’m telling you in a million years I would never forget her

I thanked God for that blessed day in which I met her

Because If I saw her again I swore that I would tell her

How she made me smile at all my pain

Through her God gave me peace in the storm and the rain

I would be her lion and I’d wear her like a mane

Every roar is a war cry proclaiming Jesus’ name

But is funny how life just turned around again

Because in the end

We ended up friends

But till this day she makes me want to sing

I guess we’ll be friends until I buy that ring.

A Christmas Redemption

Have you ever had an experience that changed your life? Not just a personal level but a spiritual and artistic level? I’ve recently been blessed with such an experience. I had the amazing privilege of acting in a main stage play called ‘A Christmas Redemption’ written and directed by my acting coach, the illustrious Kim Thomas. The show was powerful. Not only did I have an absolutely life changing experience as a cast member, photographer and stage helper; I was blessed by the message.

The play confronted issues that people go through. Issues like emotional and verbal abuse, unemployment, vanity and the number one Christmas theme Jesus Christ. We watched as the lives of the leads were deconstructed and restored by grace through faith. It was inspiring. I cried as I heard the alter call after the play and I heard the pastor recognizing those who had turned their lives over to Jesus. The first ‘yes amen’ that I heard made it all worth it. The countless hours of rehearsal; the crazy hours and extreme commitment were all worth it knowing that we were able to impact even one person at all. God is certainly good.

Something special happens when we are able to let God speak through us using art. I believe that art is one of the most organic forms of spiritual and emotional expression. And I now know that art has the power to be a catalyst for change in a person’s life.

I am truly thankful that God was able to speak through me, even if, in my minor roll, through a still small voice. God was absolutely in the building and every person felt it. Even the cast members were ministered to. And although the play is over (for now) I believe the message is one that can transcend a lifetime and impact generations to come. 

Richard Pryor is Now a Part of My Life...

So, the Plan?

I plan on writing my monologue from the perspective of Richard prior when he was in his mid to late 30’s after filming Grease Lightning (1977). Richard had been struggling with cocaine and alcohol and was on the verge of turning his life around when he was diagnosed with cancer. My monologue will be based on the life and demise of Richard. His opinions on how he lived/ lives and the turning point in his career and life.

Mini Biography & Artist Biography

Highly influential, and always controversial, African/American actor/comedian who was equally well known for his colorful language during his live comedy shows, as for his fast paced life, multiple marriages and battles with drug addiction. He has been acknowledged by many modern comic artist's as a key influence on their careers, and Pryor's observational humor on African/American life in the USA during the 1970s was razor sharp brilliance. He was born Richard Franklin Lennox Pryor III in Peoria, Illinois on December 1st 1940, the son of a prostitute, and was abandoned by his mother at ten years of age, after which he was raised in his grandmother's brothel. Unfortunately, Pryor was molested at the age of six by a teenage neighbor, and later by a neighborhood priest. To escape this troubled life, the young Pryor was an avid movie fan and a regular visitor to local movie theaters in Peoria. After numerous jobs, including truck driver and meat packer, the young Pryor did a stint in the US Army between 1958 & 1960 in which he performed in amateur theater shows. After he left the services in 1960, Pryor started singing in small clubs, but inadvertently found that humor was his real forte.

Aids Awareness.

HIV and Aids. It’s a deep issue. Due to the increasing aids awareness campaigns in the world new cases of HIV and Aids has dropped by 20%. We are on the road to finding a cure, and were pretty close. I am extremely stricken with compassion and guilt for those with HIV and Aids. They live amongst us as semi-functioning members of society but they are burdened with a heavy weight on their sholders.

I cant imagine being diagnosed with Aids. I mean, what would I do? What would I say? I have no clue at all. I do believe in the strength and power of faith and prayer. But some don’t. what must if feel like to be diagnosed with adisease that cankill you so easily, to have no hope, faith or belief in better days to come?

I think its important for everybody to look deep within ourselves and see the root of out compassion. Out pity is our humanity. When we are able to understand the fear and pain in others, redemption for ignorance of these things can begin. I do believe many of us live in ignorance. Not only about people with HIV and Aids but for all those in life. Everybody has struggle. Somer more than others and some have it harder but everyone goes through trials and tribulations. I think that it is exremly important that we try to become people of knowledge and wisdom in our relationships with others.

 

Imagine co-workers that you do not like, people at school that spread rumors aboutyou, family members that rub you the wrong way. Everybody has trials that they go through. And just like you, sometimes the stress of these trials makesroom for mistakes and infuences behavior. We all have the capacity to sin. So lets stop being so judgmental and start looking at solutions to conflict, hope for the hopeless and redemption, for all.

The Problem

I recently acted in an incredible written scene called 'The Problem' in my acting for TV and film class. I must say, I did have an exceptional time. My scene was about an a man being fired who worked for a law firm. The scene took place his (Darryl Watson's) and consisted of a conversation with another co-worker and friend trying to explain to him that the reason he got fired was because he is a drunk. The problem is he is in denial and does not want to admit to the problem at first.

The scene is powerful. I believe that it commented on many different lifestyles but very subtly. When one ponders on what it must be like to be a drunk; to be caught in a mess so hard to escape; to be trapped in this perpetual state of abuse and addiction, sympathy is not commonly an immediate feeling and it is hard not to look down your nose at somebody in that position. When you think about it; its just another addiction. And sometimes the reason people start drinking is because they are looking to fill a hole that cant be filled.

All of these things had to be taken into consideration for my scene. And in a way; it changed me. It changed my view and perfective on those involved in addictions. It changed my opinion on why people even start and changed the way I look at those searching for happiness but looking in the wrong direction. What about having compassion for those who are, inevitably, less fortunate instead of comparing yourself to them.

Food . For . Thought

~J-Maali :-)

My Dream

I am a man of many dreams. If there’s anything good about growing up in poverty is that you are forced to do one of two things; dream or give up. Fortunately I have been elected to choose the latter. I remember daydreaming of better days to come when faced with adversity. And in those dreams; the most creative and magnanimous solutions to my problems arrive.

I want to be a man of multiple streams of income. Over a long period of 10 years or so; my plans have changed several times. At first it was “I want to be a basketball player”. And for a long time the riches and success that came along with a professional career in sports was very appealing to me. But that wasn’t where God wanted me to be. Than it was “I want to be a veterinarian”. That stemmed from a deeply rooted interest in animals. Although the passion is still there, the desire to go to veterinary university was just not there. Soon after I decided that I wanted to be an actor. That is where it all started. As I grew and matured I realized that my passion steed from the arts. Soon after I decided that I wanted to be a good person that loved God and enjoyed his life. I wasn’t have a career that I enjoyed. Now I cant wait to see where I get in twenty, thirty years Because I wasn’t supposed to be where I am today. Tomorrow will be another day of impossible possibilities.

Music, From Heart to Hustle

Music. Some say its from the soul. Some say its an extension of human expression. A lot say that it has changed. Over the years music has changed from the great artistic lifestyle to a hustle. Influenced by the moneymakers that changed it. Music used to be about life, love, struggle, faith and over all expression. Now music is more like a business. And the integrity of the art that it is, is vastly overshadowed by the value of money it makes

I am music

This marks the first session for the honest rapper

I think you find my antics quite dapper

You will probably find me quite familiar

I’m kinda silly now but watch me get sillier

Most of you have my lines memorized

You lie memorized as I kiss your eyes,

Your life jeopardized as I get these lies, in you.

Truth is I spin you, I win you over an over

I play your heartstrings like a violin with a butcher knife

Tugging and cutting every thing that holds you together

Hopefully I can steal kill and destroy your whole life

So I can keep you in my master’s clutches forever

I speak ignorantly because you can relate

Say things that you love and your so-called god hates

But I keep you drifting on the waves of my lyrics

My lyricists work hard so you can hear it

You fear it but I smear it all over you mind body and spirit

You feel educated with university and college

But I keep you in a blissful state of lack of knowledge

So you can close your eyes to the signs of the times

And how do I get to commit these heinous crimes?

I put it in line than pollute your minds

And have you believing it because it rhymes.

I find it easy to turn you against each other

Like I did slaves pinning brother against brother

Using money and chains in the 1700’s

To colonize nations that I’ve conquered and plundered

One question that we’ve always wondered

Is why you deprive your spirit when it has always hungered

Now I use chains and money as the envy of the rap game

Keep you in bondage bet tell you you’re free so you act the same.

I find it funny that you let me write about your entire face

Rhyming about your brothers and sisters is like a self inflicted slap in the face

And I don’t even really need to hide

Because I’ve convinced you I’m right and I have you on my side.

I do find myself hiding, arriving in your lives

Gliding under the lines of rappers that have fame

My workers say its fun putting sin in their verses

What’s worse is there sinning, stunting like their daddy’s

And beginning generational curses

I hope you’re happy

I’m just rapping, or am I just wrapping packages like hidden bombs

Impregnating moms

Through my imperfect songs

 Look at each other boys and girls

And stay tuned to this poisoned world.

.

The 'L' Word...

What is love? That’s an incredibly loaded question. It’s a question not to often asked but far too often answered. It’s a question that shapes us, changes us and most often influences us. We often find that love is something we want, but not necessarily something available. But what is love?

I’ve always been interested in love. I grew up in a household where I-love-you’s were more common than the reality of the words being spoken. In other words, I was very used to hearing it, but not as much feeling it. Its interesting that from an early age we were thought to say I love you to people close to us, people who are ‘deserving’ of our love. What I find interesting is not the ‘deserving’ part but the ‘undeserving’ people in our lives when it comes to love. I mean if we classify love as an action, or a willingness to serve whole-heartedly, than who are we not to love?

For a word that is so deeply complicated and heavily loaded, we to use it quite sparingly. It seems that the past few generations have lost track of the definition of many things. And as a result of the lack of definition when it comes to many things, the significance has been lost. And when something loses its significance, hasn’t it lost its value? Love is something to be cherished, and valued so much. But with it being the basis of our society for so long, having such an electronic, virtual, media run world, maybe we have lost the value of true love. Its significance has been boiled down to basic human desires and wants. That is where I think we went wrong. There’s still time for change but its got to happen fast. Or we might lose the message of love al together. That would be a sad, sad day.

Stereotypes; the inevitable perpetuation of discrimination

Stereotypes are talked about a lot in the media. Let’s face it; there all around us. We face stereotypes on the bus on the way to school or work, we face stereotypes when applying for a job, or simply walking down the streets. And more often than not, we face so many stereotypes, that not only do we believe them whole heartedly, we help to make them a reality.

Imagine walking home from work  at around nine o’clock in the evening on a long, very quiet back road. The street lights are on and you are reflecting on the stresses at work or that boss that got on your nerves today. All of the sudden you look about thirty meters in front of you and you see three young men. They are winter jackets and baggy jeans. As you begin to closely look at these three males, their jovial, bouncy way of walking, their rough and jagged looking apparel and their strong and abrupt voices in the silence of the night; you begin to create an escape plan. Just in case, you start to think about all of your personal belongings and what you should do should these rowdy gangsters decide to turn their attention you poor defenseless you. You begin to think about how hopeless you would be if the decided to rob you. And without even thinking, you cross the road and walk on the other side. ‘just in case’.  Are you a racist? Was that discriminatory or prejudice? Did you prejudge someone because of the way they looked? Or were you just making sure that you didn’t get robbed. After all you have a phone, $35.00, and iPod and that watch your mother gave you last Christmas. The last thing you want to do is risk it by walking past the crowd of potential killers.

I can speak so vividly about these types of things because all my life I’ve been that black guy down the street. A six foot five inch young man in a winter jacket ready at any time to leap out of my reserved manner and rob you for all you’re worth.  I’ve had to watch countless people walk to the other side of the road, follow me into isles in the supermarket asking ‘can I help you?’ in a concerned but obviously pre-conceived way. And if I had anything to say to all these people who were instinctively racist and discriminate, I would say; Hi, my name is Jordon.

Beauty, Real or Fake?

Over the course of my many years living, learning and working with youth, I have come to realize many general things about us as a age group and a culture. One thing that really interests me is this age of superficial beauty. I’ve always wondered about beauty. I mean, is it truly in the eye of the beholder? If so who are your beholders? Many people have attempted stories and articles about this very thing, but for some reason or another; it just doesn’t get very far. I guess I’m going to write about a different side of the rock.

Many girls say that they want to look beautiful. A black girl wants to have long, straight hair. A white girl wants to have curly full hair. An Asian girl wants to have long eyelashes and tanned skin. But a Spanish girl wants to have thin eyebrows and a petit waist. I find it interesting that many people just don’t realize how beautiful they are? I recently had a conversation about this topic with a group of girls. Some said that they just want to ‘impress’ guys and so that’s why they wear the fake nails, make up, hair, eyelashes etc. But when you think about it; there are lots of guys out there who don’t care about those kind of things. Who really care about how beautiful you think you are and your self-confidence. In my opinion, if you’re a girl who wants to go out with a guy who wants you to lose ten pounds, or wants you to wear a new weave every week, your going out with the wrong guy. Maybe the answer is just finding somebody who is going to appreciate you for you?

But that is something deep and challenging within itself. I mean, how many girls these days, beautiful girls, have such low self esteem. Many girls I’d thought had every reason to be confident; nice personality, great looks, popularity and smarts. But the truth is many have low self esteem because they are afraid of being the imperfect masterpiece that God created them to be. In a way, you’re calling God an idiot for making you the way you are? Maybe instead of investing 3 hours and thirty dollars a day on your hair and makeup, you should just look within yourself and find out what you think is beautiful? And not care about anybody else’s opinion?

I’d like to end with a challenge that I gave to one of my peers. If you tend to wear makeup or tight fitting clothes, or something you think enhances your look, girl or guy. Try going to school/ work out just going out without it. If you can’t, maybe you need to re-evaluate what makes you beautiful, and start on the road to recovery.

Wicked, an Unforgettable Evening

So I had the opportunity to see the musical production called Wicked about the Witches in the Wizard of Oz Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West and their relationship behind the scenes of the land of Oz. ‘It was as if you were watching the movie and somebody turned the camera and showed you what was going on over here.” And what a masterpiece it was.

The musical was amazing. As with every production I go to I entered the theater with an open mind and an open heart. In the darkness of the theater I willfully suspended my disbelief and walked right into the world that was created for me. I had a great time. I was sitting in the third row left of center. But somewhere in between seeing the amazingly smooth, majestic and spectacular set changes, listening to the live band play flawlessly in unison and believing every moment of the lives of the characters on stage I knew; my seat, my outfit or the person sitting next to me didn’t matter. All that mattered was my spirit connecting with the rich and beautiful art on stage and living through the whole story. I was not simply an audience member. I was a part of it. I was a munchkin in the land of Oz. And amazingly, for some crazy stroke of luck I was able to witness the entire story unfold before my eyes.

Vintage Shopping!?!!

I walked, and walked and walked. I looked down at my map, than up back at the long street in front of me, through the white cloud of warm air that has left my slowly cooling body into the freezing air that entered my lungs with every heavy breath that I took while trying to reach my destination. I was vintage shopping. And what a blast it was.

Although it was cold I had an amazing time doing it. It was actually a class assignment. We had to create a scene with a certain theme (i.e. 60’s or grease etc.) and go vintage shopping for the clothes or the costume of the scene which would later have to be the ‘hook’ for the scene for under $10.00 per group member. I had a great time. My group decided to do fresh prince. So we had to find retro clothes. After walking for a long time we finally found what we thought to be the perfect store. We all got our costumes and made a break for the finish line. We made it there with two hours to spare and realized we were way too early. After doing some journalism on the streets of Toronto we met up with the other groups. Only to find out that both groups went to the Salvation Army got more than we did. This was kind of disappointing but never the less we are confident in what we got.

But back to vintage shopping. At first I didn’t understand the concept. I mean the idea of putting on somebody else’s clothes let alone buying them was a bit of a stretch for me. But as I got into the swing of it I realized that it was really fun. And I saw some really neat stores that I do plan on revisiting for some clothes of my own! Of all the stores I went to I enjoyed Black Market Vintage the most. It’s a great little store on Queen just west of John that had a variety of retro style clothes that were in my opinion; priceless. I must admit when it comes to fashion; my intellect is lacking but I do have a style. And it will only get more defined as I do more shopping. I was never really a fan of shopping bit I did have a good time. Maybe next time I will bring some more cash and have some fun!

Riches to Rags

I had the opportunity to spend some time downtown today (Friday). It was great, I had time to shop in some vintage stores and I had a great time people watching. I observed many things...

The eyes are truly the windows to the soul. But some souls have been so beaten up, it’s easy to assume you are looking into an empty abyss when gazing into the eyes of a tired soul. It’s interesting when you approach somebody. You look at a person and recognize their position or relationship with you and most often you pose a question or salutation and assume a response is coming. But perhaps the richest conversations are when it is not necessary or even wanted. Sometimes the greatest conversations are even not spoken rather told with a look or a gesture.

Imagine staring into the eyes of a homeless widow, who fell from glory when her successful husband passed away and whose fortune the government swallowed up. Who has been living on the streets for ten years. Who knows struggle better than love. Whose only daily wish is some decent food and a slightly warm place to sleep. Now imagine her hand stretched out to you and with an optimistic but painful disposition she asks if you have any spare change. And you, with your bags of vintage clothes and $3.67 in change walk right by as if that plea was unworthy of an act of kindness.

What a story.

 

Whats Cookin Good Lookin?

So I'm reading this amazing book called Action Professionally by Robert Cohen (great book for all potential actors). I read a section in chapter 1 called What You Will Need. The section was about looks.

Let’s face it. Your looks are important. I’m not going to be the regular voice and tell you that you need drop dead gorgeous looks to become a successful actor/ actress. The truth is, looks are a big part of it, but as wit can beat strength in a fight, talent can outshine looks, but not often.

What’s interesting is how much more looks matter for females than males. Especially when the majority of consumers of media products like magazines, online subscriptions, DVD’s and tickets to see plays and the ballet are females. What is it about women that make us feel like they can’t be successful without a sexy body and beautiful hair?

We can’t just blame the directors or even the writers of these movies and TV roles for making such degrading roles for women because they are in the business making money. I think the real person we need to look at is ourselves. I’m not going to make you admit it in public but don’t you support all these degrading roles? By buying movie tickets, purchasing their music? Wearing their clothing lines? My question to you is where do you stand? Are you a supporter? Or are you counter culture?

All I can say is; if you say that you’re counter culture, be counter culture, if you aren’t willing to give up some things for the greater good; accept the fact that you are a supporter of these degrading themes in media and live with it!

Blessings

J~Maali

Why all the Sex?

Sex sells. Sexy women sell. Sexy men sell. I want a sexy girlfriend and she wants a sexy boyfriend. Sex is the pinnacle dating and the most fulfilling thing a pagan can do with his life. Our generation is plagued with some serious issues; sex being arguable the biggest, if not the most influential.

Whenever I think about my culture and sex's influence on it, I get amped for Christ. I see so many things that need to be changed. I see more and more that sex and everything wrapped up in the pursuit of it is depressing and oppressing. My youth culture is plagued with expectations. Expectations to fail, drop out of school, have sex and have kids, lose jobs and money and end up dead or in jail. Expectations often box and limit us as people. And the serious thing about my generation is how much we peruse sex and how much the roots of sex (lust and temptation) are openly and commonly accepted and almost encouraged.

Take for instance the average television show on Family channel or YTV. Relationships are the common thread that ties all the stories together. Boyfriends and girlfriends are a household item. How than can we expect our young men and women to grow up and make all the right decisions; when we start selling sex to them at the earliest 'appropriate age'?
 At the end of the day, we need to be able to differentiate between what is ‘acceptable’ and what is right. Because clearly there is a big difference. And because we have started to accept things that are unhealthy and immoral we need to begin to take big steps as a society to change our minds and start cleaning up our kids!

Soo, I Read This Article...

Will I refuse bad language or sexually explicit scenes? Will I reject negative storylines or less than moral stories to act in? These are all questions I ask myself often.


So I read this article on Theactingroom.com - (for all those who are looking for great acting resources, theactingroom is a great blog!). It was called Staying True to Standards in the Acting World.

The article pretty much talked about being a Christian in the acting world and not only staying true to acting standards but to your own, and if that is a possibility. That is really interesting. I mean, when I am a successful performer, will I want to be known as the person who 'wont' do any 'cool' roles? I mean the real issue is who am I?
do I know my standards? And if I do know my standards am I willing to behold them? Even if it means lack of success in the acting world?


The article was great. It put into perspective the struggles faced by so called 'Christians' in the acting world. More often than not Christians bow under the pressure. They often trade in their standards for success. But it depends on your definition of success and where your heart lies.

As a Christian actor, am I trying to be rich and famous? Or am I trying to advance the kingdom of God? Will I find success when I strike my first major million-dollar movie deal? Or will I find my sucess when I win millions of souls for Christ? Just a thought.

~J-Maali :D

A Giant in the Promise Land!

Denzel Washington is and has always been my favorite actor. I have admired him for a long time. I remember when I was nine, I actually got the chance to meet him and act in a movie of his called 'John Q'. Even though I was an extra, it was a spectacular experience. I spoke to him and got the chance to explaine to him that I wanted to be an actor when I grew up. He told me I would be. He told me he saw something in my eyes and in my attitude that was rare. That stuck with me closer than white on rice. What an experience!!!!

 

Denzel is an iconic, amazing, legendary, and a breakthrough actor. Born in Mount Vernon New York of a Prenticoltal minister for a father and a Beautition of a mother; Denzel's intention was to become a journalist. But the acting bug stayed in the back of his mind like a nagging ear wig. After attending Fordham  university and moving to San Francisco he joined the American Conservatory Theater and got into acting with his first major role one year later in Carbon Copy with George Segal. Currently Denzel is working on his 49th title. That in and of it self is an amazing feat. Denzel's ability to portray a character in front of a camera with such conviction and realism seperates him from the pack. His roles are most often well written and he never settles for anything other than greatness. He is truly an Iconic Actor.

 Now Denzel is a great among actors. He transcends perfection in acting and is not only an actor, producer and director but a leader and a true visionary. Denzel is Only the second black actor (after Sidney Poitier) to win the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role (for Training Day), Poitier received the honorary Academy Award that same year. I hope to be able to meet him again one day, but maybe, this time, he will be meeting me!

Thanksgiving

What an interesting thanks giving I had. Going into this long weekend I had a lot to be thankful for. A good house, great family, amazing parents, successful education, blossoming dreams, amazing mentors and promising future to say the least. But something amazed me. many times we treat thanksgiving like a day that we all look at ourselves for the truly greedy, selfish and unthankful people we are. And I must admit I did do some introspective investigation in that field and I am still examining my heart when it comes to that subject. But my thanksgiving was so much more meaningful than a dinner and some self pity.

I spent Sunday waking up at 6:30 as usual to get to my film mentor's house for 6:58 sharp to pack the van and film KBM Live TV at my church, like I do every Sunday. I have always said I am more thankful for that opportunity than I am tired of waking up so early. After church my sisters and I went to my father’s house and had a spectacular thanksgiving dinner. A first for my father (having all of his kids at thanks giving) and a first for all of us kids. The emotions were so present, laughter and tears communicated messages beyond time or meaning.

I woke up on Monday morning sick as a dog. I didn’t see it coming at all but for some reason, although I had a pounding head ach my mind was at ease. I spent the majority of the day home alone in bed while the rest of my family went to thanksgiving dinner. My step father picked me up and drove me to my grandmother’s house where my family was around four o’clock. I ended up spending all that time curled up on the couch, than the bed. But I was so thankful for all my family who was there for me, to bring me tea, to pray for me, to get me orange juice or to rub my back. And although I was sick, I felt better than I'd felt in weeks. What an amazing weekend!