Evolution Of A Man

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.

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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.