Evolution of a Mancombining the profound and the inane.

it took me a week, but…

will on February 27th, 2009

i finally finished the puzzle i’ve been working on! WOOT!

twas fun!

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blue sky

will on February 24th, 2009

i had a very refreshing, inspiring and educational day today! despite it being too cold for my taste outside, it has really been a wonderful day.

fat tuesday, for me, started really early- 7:30am. it’s been a very long time since i’ve had to get up that early, and i was kinda scared that i would miss my wake up call; but i awoke before my alarm went off feeling very energized. i think i was just really excited to be getting out of the house during rush hour again. i got out of bed, showered and putzed around the apartment for a bit, and then i headed to the city to attend a meeting. for the past few weeks i’ve been working with a music artist development company- learning about the business and exploring the industry a bit more. today, we met with a couple of guys who represent artists requiring personal and career development. the meeting went very well, and a later conversation between my associate and i really put into context for me what hard work and persistence can get you in the entertainment industry, and really, in life.

part of my struggle, in this transition of going from a corporate to a more freelance-based career, has been with my willingness to start from the bottom. my turning 30 this year has really got me thinking a lot about my life and, being at “mid career” level, a part of me feels like i shouldn’t have to start from scratch. and really, i don’t want to. but the reality is that although i have great experience in many things, one of them is not entertainment- and so i cannot expect things to fall in my lap so easily. the conversation i had with my colleague made that clear. but it also fine-tuned my focus on the two entertainment career prospects i have going for me right now. i’m excited about something again, and it feels a bit like i’ve returned back to normal.

***************

in addition to all that sweet goodness, i was recently introduced to a very successful alumnus of my undergraduate alma mater, uc berkeley. he’s an older gay gentleman who made a name for himself a while ago on wall street, and now comfortably lives on the upper west side (at the Dakota, no less)- working for himself and enjoying life. he took me out to lunch today at cafe luxenbourg- an upscale restaurant on the UWS- where we chatted about both our lives, the economy, and how the city of berkeley as well as its university has changed in recent years. i sat perched on my chair almost the entire meal- leaning on every word to gain insight, advice and inspiration. he gave me a lot of great ideas, but also stated that in these difficult times- when the bottom hasn’t even fallen out yet- the best thing to do is to stay positive, patient and faithful about the future while doing what you can to increase your talent and find sustainable work.

in our conversation he acknowledged that i seem to be very self-aware, and that knowing the impact i want my life to have speaks very highly of me and really helps when it comes to finding my passions and starting a fulfilling career. when i got home, there was an email from him in my inbox- an invitation to join a berkeley alumni networking group of people in the arts, media and entertainment. boo-yow! this is fantastic! it’s an amazing opportunity continue to meet people in the industry and network- hopefully successfully enough to result in finding work.

ahhh, the clouds are peeling away and, once again, i can see a bit of blue. life is beautiful!

p.s. i was the only black person in that entire restaurant. wait staff included. i haven’t experienced that in a while… it took me back, lol.

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gainfully unemployed!

will on February 17th, 2009

last week i got a canned email from meetup.com informing me that a new group had been created by the name of “gainfully unemployed.” a social outlet for casualties of the current fucked up economy, the group seemed quite the opportunity for me to get out of my apartment, meet new people and explore more of NYC. i signed up immediately.

[sidebar- i'm writing this post on the subway and a woman just sat down next to me with a very cracked iPhone screen. inside, i'm crying for her.]

today was the first excursion for the gainfully unemployed, and i cannot say enough about how great a time i had. the outing was a historical tour through central park- a perfect kick-off to the upcoming spring season. we met at the park dairy around 65th street and, guided by a member of the conservatory, were given a short but comprehensive tour of the dairy, the sheep meadow, the mall, and bethesda fountain. surprisingly to the tour guide, we were all in very good spirits- she several times commented on how happy we were considering our being unemployed. hey, it is what it is… why fret about it.

after the tour was over, a bunch of us went over to the boathouse for lunch. there, we chatted it up- getting to know each other a little more. one thing i love about living here is that there are SO many different types of people. new york is such a melting pot of people with various backgrounds, interests and aspirations, and everyone’s got a story to tell. in my recent, self-imposed isolation, i’d forgotten how much life you can get simply by talking to and meeting other people.

future excursions of the “gainfully unemployed” include ice skating and visits to museums around the city. i must say i’m very excited. i was desperately looking for an outlet to kick start me back to life again, and it feels really good to have found something to do, and cool people to hang out with.

meetup isthe sh*t, y’all. get on that!

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on the impact of my life!

will on February 9th, 2009

most people go about their careers first figuring out what they want to do with their lives, and then, if at all, realizing and acknowledging the impact that those actions will have on the world. me? i’m just the opposite. in the last week i’ve done quite a bit of soul searching, and although i do not yet know which actions to take, i have become clear on the impact that i intend to have on the world around me.

it all boils down to this: i want my life to have meaning! i don’t want to leave this world as someone who accomplished and excelled, but never gave back. i want to positively impact the lives of millions of people all around the world, and it is my desire and intention to do so in the following ways:

1. i want to help people. helping people makes me happy! the question i need to answer at the end of every day is, “what did i do today to make someone’s life better?” these things can be as simple as opening the door for someone whose hands are full, or as complicated as starting a scholarship program so that tomorrow’s youth can attend college. regardless of the task, it is my intention to spend every day of my life helping others in any way i can.

2. i want to entertain people. i am an entertainer. always have been and always will be. the happiest and most exciting moments of my life thus far have been spent entertaining others, and i miss that feeling. i am not quite sure in what form my entertaining the world will take, but it is my intention to spread insane amounts of joy, laughter and happiness around the globe many times over.

3. i want to motivate and inspire people. i believe the ultimate joie de vivre comes from the ability to share your experiences with others and be yourself in the face of everything and everyone. although i still struggle with the latter, i’m becoming more and more comfortable in my own skin as each day goes by. i am happiest when i am myself, and it is my intention to empower others (especially members of the LGBT community) with that sentiment, and motivate them to follow suit and live their best lives.

there ya have it! that’s the impact i want my life to have on others, and really, on the world. again, i’m sooo not sure of how all of this will manifest as far as my career is concerned, but i am put at ease with the sense of purpose that i have found and created for myself. i have faith that a career of purpose will present itself when the time is right. in the meantime, though, i will continue to search for a “job” and keep my eyes peeled for purposeful opportunities.

so, what impact will you have on the world?

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reflections on a lesson learned

will on February 5th, 2009

i learned a very valuable lesson the other day: love yourself & be encouraged!

update:

God is good, y’all! he always makes a way out of no way. last night i was given an opportunity to try once again to control my feelings and salvage a friendship, and i succeeded. i agree that some time and space needs to be put in between us (read: i don’t have to see/be with him everyday… we’ve got lives to live), but i’m glad to know that when the time does come for us to hang out again, i won’t be an ASS!

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