Weekly Written Review
Disclaimer: I'm about two weeks removed from this post and after falling under the weather on Thursday, I'm still in major catch up mode. The motivation for my blog is still lackluster but I'm starting to realize it's better to get this type of thing done in the morning right now.
Let's see how well I can recap this week in the fewest words possible. I landed a straight to callback audition with Ross on my third day back. I haven't heard back since but my audition discipline protocol is in motion and that's promising. At the very least I can confirm that I was one of the better dressed young men at the audition. I started actively declining background work with Central Casting and that was a very wise decision. I would of certainly, had a few major conflicts if I accepted them. My background days are over and I'm still sticking to that.
On Thursday, I became under the weather. It was pretty bad. I didn't want to do nothing but sleep. I slept for at least 24 hours straight. I slept so much that my head started to hurt. I barely ate too. I tried eating soup and I couldn't even finish it. Then thought of having my signature sardines and tuna made me worst. The next day I started to feel a little better but my appetite was still struggling. I was in the mood for tea and a salad. So I made some tea at home for the first time and got me a salad from Subway. The salad wasn't worth the seven-plus dollars but I made it work.
On the way to Subway, I got an email from my agent asking about my shoe size. They told me it was a question from casting. If casting is asking a question that's a great sign for a booking. My immediate thought was the Ross callback. After I ate my salad my agent emailed me again with the subject entitled: Congratulations you booked a commercial with Febreze. I was in shocked. I didn't even audition for Febreze. Turns out they selected a group of people from their casting profiles. The booking got my mind thinking, "Perhaps this has something to do with the Superbowl." I was right and wrong. I was right about it having to do something with the Superbowl but it wasn't going to air during the actual game. It's an online video.
Another highlight of this week is that I booked a featured role in an energy drink spot on Saturday. Another small role I didn't have to audition for. It was quick and simple. Overall this was a great first week back. Becoming under the weather was also a real eye-opener. It made me realize how much better I could be taking care of myself. This also means I need to invest more in myself more. As an example, when it gets cold I wear a short cut out arm sleeve on my forehead. It helps but it slips off way too often while I'm sleeping. I've been doing this for years now. What I should've done is invest in something better for my head or take the time out to see what I already have. I was forced into searching through my bag of hats and behold, I actually own a couple head stocking options. Sleeping improved 25% because of this one action.
Despite becoming under the weather, this was a great first week back. I have less audition ally's then I thought but my audition discipline is in full effect. Most importantly, I believe my loss of appetite is for the better. I started making some major meal changes from this point on. Tune in next week to find out some of my meal upgrades.
Sunday, January 13, 2019
* Arrived back in LA
* Helping Kandace with an audition video
Monday, January 14, 2019
* Rain...
* Low key/relaxing day
* Audition notice
* Fitness Boxing
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
* Hair cut
* Ross audition
* Basketball/Night. 14 points. 6 for 6, 100%.
* I was requested for background work and stuck to my guns. "No" conflict.
* Fitness Boxing
* Audition notice...
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
* Escape the Night audition. People noticed me in an Instagram photo about the audition then came a barrage of questions. I didn't realize how popular that Youtube Original series is.
* Fitness Boxing in the morning
* Discovered Cinereach and submitted
Thursday, January 17, 2019
* 24hours under the weather. All I did was sleep, sleep and more sleep causing a big headache.
Friday, January 18, 2019
* A little better...
* Took a walk for a salad at Subway
* Febreze booking
* Blue LA and Trader Joe's run
Saturday, January 19, 2019
* Energy drink shoot
* Panda Express
* Watching the Laker/Rockets game
* Fornite...
* Still coughing
As the quest continues...
The future of Late Night
Motown Maurice
After much success and disappointment from hosting live talk shows in his hometown Tampa, FL, this seeker relocated to Los Angeles, CA on September 19, 2010 to begin an epic journey that does not consist of a plan B. Virtually unknown in the entertainment industry, this brave man is in pursuit of one goal & purpose; to become a nationally syndicated late night talk show host. This is the quest of Motown Maurice. Remember his name, for he is The Future of Late Night Television.
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
Monday, January 28, 2019
Week 434: Grind Ready
Weekly Written Review
Disclaimer: I'm about 3 weeks removed this post and I became under the weather in week 435. My recollection might be a little jaded. In addition to that, I don't have the fire for blogging right now. Either way, I'll muster whatever I can to get through it.
This week represents my last full week in Tampa before I return to LA. As usual, the signs are pointing in the "ready to go direction." My head is getting heavy, my father gets carried away with calling out my name all the time and unlike some people, I get overloaded with hearing the name Jesus all the time. It's obviously time to go and get back on my grind. I did have much pleasure in assisting my parents with errands and doing what I can around the house but I know when it's my cue. Besides, I plan to continue doing most of those errands for my parents in the near future, by ordering the things they need online.
Sunday, January 6, 2019
* Basketball with the 2015 crew
* Game night with my aunt and cousins featuring Jack Party Box. The game was on sale...
* Movie/Netlifx: Thor:Ragnarok
* Fitness Boxing
Monday, January 7, 2019
* Blogging...
* Fitness Boxing
* Intensive logline development. It was on my mind all night and I changed it a few times into the late afternoon. I believe it's perfection now.
* Errands, Google Home Mini pick up for my father. After he made a request, he told, "Please, thank you..." lol
* Watching Guardians of the Galaxy V2.
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
* Fitness Boxing
* Year in Review
* Phone calls
* Watching The Dragon Prince
* Developed a TV show idea for TruTV
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
* Audition audio sent
* Errands for my parents
* Show concept complete
Thursday, January 10, 2019
* Altercation with house neighbor
* Cuban Club appointment. They haven't communicated with me since. I'm taking my business elsewhere.
* Banner pick up from my storage
* Panera bread with Carmen
* Jerk Hut with Karate Mac
Friday, January 11, 2019
* More development of my Tru TV concept
* Fitness Boxing
* Playing Fornite...
Saturday, January 12, 2019
* TruTV show concept submitted
* Errands
* New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe pick up. I wasn't going to pick this up so early but I justified my purchase with the hard work I put into my TV show concept.
As the quest continues...
The future of Late Night
Motown Maurice
Disclaimer: I'm about 3 weeks removed this post and I became under the weather in week 435. My recollection might be a little jaded. In addition to that, I don't have the fire for blogging right now. Either way, I'll muster whatever I can to get through it.
This week represents my last full week in Tampa before I return to LA. As usual, the signs are pointing in the "ready to go direction." My head is getting heavy, my father gets carried away with calling out my name all the time and unlike some people, I get overloaded with hearing the name Jesus all the time. It's obviously time to go and get back on my grind. I did have much pleasure in assisting my parents with errands and doing what I can around the house but I know when it's my cue. Besides, I plan to continue doing most of those errands for my parents in the near future, by ordering the things they need online.
Sunday, January 6, 2019
* Basketball with the 2015 crew
* Game night with my aunt and cousins featuring Jack Party Box. The game was on sale...
* Movie/Netlifx: Thor:Ragnarok
* Fitness Boxing
Monday, January 7, 2019
* Blogging...
* Fitness Boxing
* Intensive logline development. It was on my mind all night and I changed it a few times into the late afternoon. I believe it's perfection now.
* Errands, Google Home Mini pick up for my father. After he made a request, he told, "Please, thank you..." lol
* Watching Guardians of the Galaxy V2.
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
* Fitness Boxing
* Year in Review
* Phone calls
* Watching The Dragon Prince
* Developed a TV show idea for TruTV
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
* Audition audio sent
* Errands for my parents
* Show concept complete
Thursday, January 10, 2019
* Altercation with house neighbor
* Cuban Club appointment. They haven't communicated with me since. I'm taking my business elsewhere.
* Banner pick up from my storage
* Panera bread with Carmen
* Jerk Hut with Karate Mac
Friday, January 11, 2019
* More development of my Tru TV concept
* Fitness Boxing
* Playing Fornite...
Saturday, January 12, 2019
* TruTV show concept submitted
* Errands
* New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe pick up. I wasn't going to pick this up so early but I justified my purchase with the hard work I put into my TV show concept.
As the quest continues...
The future of Late Night
Motown Maurice
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
2018 In Review - The Most Important Year Yet
It's the start of a new year and I can now comfortably confirm 2018 as the most important year of my quest to date. I achieved so many unexpected puzzle pieces and ended the year with advanced preparation for 2019. There's so many I've decided to list what comes to mind and write a quick blurb about it.
Joining SAG-AFTRA
Less than two weeks after returning to LA from my holiday break at the start of 2018 I had an audition that led to a quick booking a week later. That project turned out to be a SAG project that required me to join the union. It was a no-brainer because the amount the project was paying was near equivalent to joining fee. The name of the project is called Oishi Demon Hunter and they've run into a lot of technical problems with it since then. Oishi may never see the light of day but I'm grateful because it gave me my SAG card. My SAG card made me a more respected actor, increased my pay rate with background work and provided me invaluable access a myriad of professional workshops. The workshops are a game changer and because of them, I started to see the light. The knowledge I've learned will play a pivotal role in my big bookings in 2019 and beyond.
Producer Meeting
Early in 2018, I was able to set up a lunch meeting with a casting director who had some producing aspirations. It didn't transpire into what I had hoped but she sparked a rewrite of my screenplay. In our conversation she got me thinking in terms of targeting my screenplay to potential Disney audience. Specifically, she also inspired me to write a better ending. My current ending is fire and it was worth the lunch meeting, even though she didn't take on the project.
Screenplay Revival
While I was working on the Oishi project, one of my cast members spent some time talking the pilots he had in development while working on his pitch decks between scenes. I asked him if I could look over his pitch decks and take some notes and he ended sending me what he had. Justin's gift blasted my mind into an unreal realm of creativity. Thus, a pitch deck and sizzle reel for my screenplay were born. A couple of months before I was exposed to the idea of a pitch deck but I couldn't find any examples online. Justin work's inspired some next level greatness. Sometime in 2017, I developed a bunch of documents associated with my screenplay as a result, I was able to easily piece them into a colorful and professional pitch deck.
Central Casting
Since I arrived in LA I heard about the top casting services and immediately signed up. I also heard about Central Casting which focuses on background work and I decided to skip it. I didn't like how they operated and there were a few other reasons I wasn't attracted to it. People often talk about Central Casting but I always avoided that service. During the last quarter of 2017, Hank Braxton, the director of Snake Outta Compton suggested it. Background work was not on my agenda for the future. I totally rubbed it off. A little while later it came up again in conversation. I don't recall how it came up the second time but I finally gave in. December of 2017 was slow I had free time on my hands so in the spirit of staying busy I went through the dreaded process of signing up. This ending up being a great decision. I didn't a lot of background work in 2018 and without it, I would've been a broke puppy. I was even featured in some shows. I retired from television show background work at the end of the year that that's because that mission was accomplished.
Video Game Parties
One of my most powerful gifts is my ability to bring people together. The core of everything I accomplish is with the goal and purpose of unity. In the past, I've brought people together through talk shows, festivals, talent showcases, my web series and this year I added video game parties to my resume. I had the idea late in 2017 and around the start of 2018 I created the Nintendo Switch Couch Co-Op Squad Facebook group. The building process began and it became a mostly quarterly event. I totaled four video game parties in 2018 and it was certainly one of my greatest highlights of the year. It was really nice to bring people together outside of talk shows and heavily structures productions. I don't have any more planned video game parties for 2019 but I'm sure some impromptu sessions will take place. The Nintendo Switch is an amazing unifier and I will continue to use it throughout the years.
Plenty of Sports
This Is America
Being a part of an award-winning music video which is essentially the biggest music video of 2018 doesn't mean a damn thing. It means more for the artist, the casting director, and the production team then it does for the background and/or principal actors. The notoriety among my peers, on the other hand, is priceless. Childish Gambino's This Is America music video dropped on May 5th and people noticed. Every day for the next month people were tagging, texting and giving me shout outs. In the making of the video, I completely discounted the chance of getting noticed. I was wrong and This is America became my most recognized work to date.
Snake Outta Compton
We shot Snake Outta Compton, September of 2016 and two years later it got a distribution deal with Lionsgate and I became apart of a worldwide movie. The red carpet premiere was a blast and it was worth the wait. Having a premiere for a movie is a moment every actor fights for. I enjoyed it and I anticipate and I'll continue to fight for more great moments like this. I did anticipate some type of notoriety from this project but I honestly don't recall having any. It would be nice to know how well the film is actually doing but that's beyond my range of knowing. Only time will tell if there'll be a sequel or not.
Savings, Say What!
Back in 2015-ish, Wellfargo somewhat forced me into this program that randomly takes small amounts of cash from my checking account into a savings account. Behold, for the first time in my adult life I had a savings account. With one dollar I had a savings account and it increased over time. Unfortunately, it never got to chance to remain a savings status. As things became tight, I had to transfer it back into my checking to take care of business. I started 2018 broke. As a matter of fact, I had to use my mom's emergency credit card to take care of my acting bills. Furthermore, I worked a lot in 2018, as a matter of fact, I worked more this year than any other previous year. Most of that was background work but long 12 hour days equals a lot of overtime. Before long, I began to maintain a savings that I didn't have to transfer back over. I'm far from rich. It's probably enough to buy a beat-up used car but it's something I never really had before.
End of The Year Prep
In the past, I would prepare for the new year in January. That was a wrong move. I was also never hyped about the infamous pilot season that everyone gets excited about this time of year. The reason for that is because I was never properly prepped. A series of unexpected things took place during the last quarter of 2018 and it forever altered my mental scope in the direction of success. Between attending professional SAG-AFTRA workshops and finally establishing a team of people to help me audition, I figured out the combination. The new headshots I took in November are also pivotal to my upcoming success. In the past, I would scramble for new headshots when my holiday break is over after returning to LA. Not this time, I got them way before 2018 ended and now I'm more prepared than ever at the start of a new year.
Notable Mentions
1. Meeting a couple of great ladies on Tinder and that's because they have been very helpful with my quest. From helping me with my photo shoot, auditioning and store errands, I'm very grateful for the good people that brought assistance to my journey. Not for any other sick reason that you the reader might be thinking of.
2. In December, someone I met in 2016 referred me to work on a video with the motivational speaker Dhar Mann and I consider this a big win. The pay isn't great but the exposure is rewarding. Its a nice taste of being the leading man and not in the background. Turns out they might have more work for me in the future.
3. I got an unexpected contract renewal for a project I worked on 4 years ago.
4. Lastly, a new breathe of life got blown into my screenplay. My screenplay started thriving at the beginning of the year and it resurrected again at the end of the year. Leading into 2019, I'm keeping its blood pumping until it's made. Big things will happen for my screenplay in 2019.
Into 2019
Above are the reasons why 2018 was the most important year of my quest. From joining SAG-AFTRA at the beginning of the year to seeing the light at the end of the year. Everything I went through for the past 8 years finally makes sense. I don't consider what I was doing as wrong but I now understand what I need to do to make my auditions lead to big bookings. In conclusion, without a question or a doubt, 2019 will be The Year of Motown Maurice. In 2019, the world will get a full taste of who I am for the first time and to some degree, some people might get sick of seeing me everywhere. Lookout from me as the leading man on television and the big screen. These are not predictions, it's already engraved in stone. I will book my national commercial in 2019. After my first, I will sooner after lose track of my amount of national commercial bookings. I'm now more powerful than I've ever been and with my new found knowledge I will only get stronger. I've seen so many people leave LA in 2018 and it's often a shocking reminder of how tough LA can be. Tough or not, I'm on a mission to fulfill my destiny. 2019 also marks 9 years since I created The Motown Maurice Show. That means every day is a count down until it's 10 year anniversary. Sometimes perfecting is something you can't control, perfect timing is ordained.
As the quest continues...
The future of Late Night
Motown Maurice
Joining SAG-AFTRA
Less than two weeks after returning to LA from my holiday break at the start of 2018 I had an audition that led to a quick booking a week later. That project turned out to be a SAG project that required me to join the union. It was a no-brainer because the amount the project was paying was near equivalent to joining fee. The name of the project is called Oishi Demon Hunter and they've run into a lot of technical problems with it since then. Oishi may never see the light of day but I'm grateful because it gave me my SAG card. My SAG card made me a more respected actor, increased my pay rate with background work and provided me invaluable access a myriad of professional workshops. The workshops are a game changer and because of them, I started to see the light. The knowledge I've learned will play a pivotal role in my big bookings in 2019 and beyond.
Producer Meeting
Early in 2018, I was able to set up a lunch meeting with a casting director who had some producing aspirations. It didn't transpire into what I had hoped but she sparked a rewrite of my screenplay. In our conversation she got me thinking in terms of targeting my screenplay to potential Disney audience. Specifically, she also inspired me to write a better ending. My current ending is fire and it was worth the lunch meeting, even though she didn't take on the project.
Screenplay Revival
While I was working on the Oishi project, one of my cast members spent some time talking the pilots he had in development while working on his pitch decks between scenes. I asked him if I could look over his pitch decks and take some notes and he ended sending me what he had. Justin's gift blasted my mind into an unreal realm of creativity. Thus, a pitch deck and sizzle reel for my screenplay were born. A couple of months before I was exposed to the idea of a pitch deck but I couldn't find any examples online. Justin work's inspired some next level greatness. Sometime in 2017, I developed a bunch of documents associated with my screenplay as a result, I was able to easily piece them into a colorful and professional pitch deck.
Central Casting
Since I arrived in LA I heard about the top casting services and immediately signed up. I also heard about Central Casting which focuses on background work and I decided to skip it. I didn't like how they operated and there were a few other reasons I wasn't attracted to it. People often talk about Central Casting but I always avoided that service. During the last quarter of 2017, Hank Braxton, the director of Snake Outta Compton suggested it. Background work was not on my agenda for the future. I totally rubbed it off. A little while later it came up again in conversation. I don't recall how it came up the second time but I finally gave in. December of 2017 was slow I had free time on my hands so in the spirit of staying busy I went through the dreaded process of signing up. This ending up being a great decision. I didn't a lot of background work in 2018 and without it, I would've been a broke puppy. I was even featured in some shows. I retired from television show background work at the end of the year that that's because that mission was accomplished.
Video Game Parties
One of my most powerful gifts is my ability to bring people together. The core of everything I accomplish is with the goal and purpose of unity. In the past, I've brought people together through talk shows, festivals, talent showcases, my web series and this year I added video game parties to my resume. I had the idea late in 2017 and around the start of 2018 I created the Nintendo Switch Couch Co-Op Squad Facebook group. The building process began and it became a mostly quarterly event. I totaled four video game parties in 2018 and it was certainly one of my greatest highlights of the year. It was really nice to bring people together outside of talk shows and heavily structures productions. I don't have any more planned video game parties for 2019 but I'm sure some impromptu sessions will take place. The Nintendo Switch is an amazing unifier and I will continue to use it throughout the years.
Plenty of Sports
2017 welcomed a consistent inclusion of basketball and tennis. I wrote about it in my review and I'm proud to say 2018 also included plenty of sports. I had a lot of great times competing and having fun. It was very rare if a week passed and I didn't get to play basketball twice and tennis at least once a week. In the case of a schedule conflict, I used the weekend as makeup days. Moving forward, I plan to continue my sporty tradition throughout my duration on this planet. A life without sports isn't a life I want to go back to. I do suspect 2019 will bring forth lots of scheduling challenges but where there's a will there's a way. I will always make room for my basketball and tennis.
This Is America
Being a part of an award-winning music video which is essentially the biggest music video of 2018 doesn't mean a damn thing. It means more for the artist, the casting director, and the production team then it does for the background and/or principal actors. The notoriety among my peers, on the other hand, is priceless. Childish Gambino's This Is America music video dropped on May 5th and people noticed. Every day for the next month people were tagging, texting and giving me shout outs. In the making of the video, I completely discounted the chance of getting noticed. I was wrong and This is America became my most recognized work to date.
Snake Outta Compton
We shot Snake Outta Compton, September of 2016 and two years later it got a distribution deal with Lionsgate and I became apart of a worldwide movie. The red carpet premiere was a blast and it was worth the wait. Having a premiere for a movie is a moment every actor fights for. I enjoyed it and I anticipate and I'll continue to fight for more great moments like this. I did anticipate some type of notoriety from this project but I honestly don't recall having any. It would be nice to know how well the film is actually doing but that's beyond my range of knowing. Only time will tell if there'll be a sequel or not.
Savings, Say What!
Back in 2015-ish, Wellfargo somewhat forced me into this program that randomly takes small amounts of cash from my checking account into a savings account. Behold, for the first time in my adult life I had a savings account. With one dollar I had a savings account and it increased over time. Unfortunately, it never got to chance to remain a savings status. As things became tight, I had to transfer it back into my checking to take care of business. I started 2018 broke. As a matter of fact, I had to use my mom's emergency credit card to take care of my acting bills. Furthermore, I worked a lot in 2018, as a matter of fact, I worked more this year than any other previous year. Most of that was background work but long 12 hour days equals a lot of overtime. Before long, I began to maintain a savings that I didn't have to transfer back over. I'm far from rich. It's probably enough to buy a beat-up used car but it's something I never really had before.
End of The Year Prep
In the past, I would prepare for the new year in January. That was a wrong move. I was also never hyped about the infamous pilot season that everyone gets excited about this time of year. The reason for that is because I was never properly prepped. A series of unexpected things took place during the last quarter of 2018 and it forever altered my mental scope in the direction of success. Between attending professional SAG-AFTRA workshops and finally establishing a team of people to help me audition, I figured out the combination. The new headshots I took in November are also pivotal to my upcoming success. In the past, I would scramble for new headshots when my holiday break is over after returning to LA. Not this time, I got them way before 2018 ended and now I'm more prepared than ever at the start of a new year.
Notable Mentions
1. Meeting a couple of great ladies on Tinder and that's because they have been very helpful with my quest. From helping me with my photo shoot, auditioning and store errands, I'm very grateful for the good people that brought assistance to my journey. Not for any other sick reason that you the reader might be thinking of.
2. In December, someone I met in 2016 referred me to work on a video with the motivational speaker Dhar Mann and I consider this a big win. The pay isn't great but the exposure is rewarding. Its a nice taste of being the leading man and not in the background. Turns out they might have more work for me in the future.
3. I got an unexpected contract renewal for a project I worked on 4 years ago.
4. Lastly, a new breathe of life got blown into my screenplay. My screenplay started thriving at the beginning of the year and it resurrected again at the end of the year. Leading into 2019, I'm keeping its blood pumping until it's made. Big things will happen for my screenplay in 2019.
Into 2019
Above are the reasons why 2018 was the most important year of my quest. From joining SAG-AFTRA at the beginning of the year to seeing the light at the end of the year. Everything I went through for the past 8 years finally makes sense. I don't consider what I was doing as wrong but I now understand what I need to do to make my auditions lead to big bookings. In conclusion, without a question or a doubt, 2019 will be The Year of Motown Maurice. In 2019, the world will get a full taste of who I am for the first time and to some degree, some people might get sick of seeing me everywhere. Lookout from me as the leading man on television and the big screen. These are not predictions, it's already engraved in stone. I will book my national commercial in 2019. After my first, I will sooner after lose track of my amount of national commercial bookings. I'm now more powerful than I've ever been and with my new found knowledge I will only get stronger. I've seen so many people leave LA in 2018 and it's often a shocking reminder of how tough LA can be. Tough or not, I'm on a mission to fulfill my destiny. 2019 also marks 9 years since I created The Motown Maurice Show. That means every day is a count down until it's 10 year anniversary. Sometimes perfecting is something you can't control, perfect timing is ordained.
As the quest continues...
The future of Late Night
Motown Maurice
Monday, January 7, 2019
Week 433: No We Can't Tomorrow?
Weekly Written Review
Continuing from where I left off last week 432, my father reluctantly agreed to set up the TV. I touched base with him multiple times before the actual set up. Finally, I came to set it up the evening of New Year's Eve and this guy says "Can we set it up tomorrow?" I couldn't believe. I said, "No more procrastination." He begins to resist and says, "I'm watching the news. After the news!" I said, "This is ridiculous and stupid. I'm coming during the commercial break and I'm setting it up." I couldn't believe he was fighting with me about this. When I noticed the commercials showing I proceeded. He wasn't angry but he certainly wasn't excited. I rolled away the dinosaur tube, swept the area and brought in the new table first. Then I grabbed the 50 inch and his immediate response was, "oh, that's nice." He started smiling. For whatever reason, he thought I got him a jumbo TV that was too big for the room and that's why he didn't want it. When my mom revealed the TV on Christmas night she showed him the box. He judged the size of the TV based on the box which was big but still a terrible excuse not to give the TV a chance. The set up was quick and easy. The only challenging part was getting the remote to control the volume. That took a while but it wasn't nothing I couldn't handle. He instantly fell in love with the TV. It was such an unnecessary fight just to gift him. All I'm trying to do is enhance his life but his stubbornness made him put up a fight in protection of his stone age life.
Prior to setting up the TV he signed a contract. That contract had two requests. One was to agree to watch an inspirational video. I had plans for a while to show him a snippet from a video called The Secret. There's a segment in the video that tells the story about a man who got paralyzed in a plane crash. Doctors told him he would never walk again. The man determination had another plan. He set a date and goal to walk again and he did. I thought this would be a great video for him to watch. Like I said, he signed a contract stating that he would watch it. Then on the night of the TV setup, I told him we'll watch the video later on New Year's day. Once again multiple times I checked in with him about watching the video. First, he said something like, "anytime after I wake up." We agreed to 8:30pm. I continued to check in with him. My mom was also in the plans to watch the video with us. Finally the time came, I walked into the room, told him I was going to set up the DVD player. This man then asks, "Can we watch it tomorrow?" I couldn't believe it. I was in such disbelief that I broke into a rage. I did every but curse, put my hands on him and crash the place. My mom came running worried about what was happening. I essentially told him in a rage that enough was enough and he needs to change. I defended my mom and all the stuff he puts her through and so on. It wasn't a pretty sight but spoiling him with gift didn't work so I allowed my rage to let loose. My mom was worried and I explained to her that I was in control and it's all strategic. She understood but of a course, a mom is going to be a mom.
We finally started setting up the video and I asked my mom to pray first. Then I gave a speech. I was at a point where I didn't even want to hear him sneeze. All he wanted to do was rush the process. I told him he doesn't get to talk right now, just listen. The video was about 10mins long. Of course, he complained about how long the video would be. The DVD player remote wasn't working so I had to play it from my computer. I had one technical difficulty with my computer and I had to restart it but nothing took too long.
Somewhere within the presentation, I told my parents that "I am crazy. I'm crazy enough to believe my parents can have a better life and I'm also crazy enough to put my father in a home if you don't start taking the initiative to better yourself. I ended up unleashing my rage again at the end because said something that went against what he just learned in the video and he started rushing me.
In conclusion, I don't regret any of my actions. I can comfortably say that I've tried to motivate him with kindness and when that didn't work I used rage. Rage didn't work either but I tried. I'm not proud of my moment of rage but my heart is at peace for trying. I'm literally dealing with The Most Stubbornest Man in the World. A big part of my soul has given up with him and those are words I don't use in my life. I don't give up. I do the things I do because I want my father to be happy and live a better life, but I can't force him. Yet there's alway's hope right? The second part of the contract mentions a mustard seed of hope. He'll probably resist even more when that time comes my mom is in agreement and that's all I have in terms of ideas.
Since this dilemma, my father and I have been great. My rage strategies are over, we're at peace and he's loving his new TV.
Sunday, December 30, 2018
* Editing Slates for Actors Access
* Uploading photos/Actors Access
* Won my first Fornite duel with Rodney's son Malcolm/Impulse
Monday, December 31, 2018
* Wal-Mart return...
* Finally got set up my fathers TV. He likes it. Of course, he does.
* Church with MaTown
Tuesday, January 1, 2019
* My father agreed to watch a video today and when it was time he said, "Can we watch it tomorrow?" That question unleashed my rage.
* Casting Network/LA Casting and Casting Frontier uploading
* Walk to the park and playing tennis with a wall
* Phone calling. Had a great conversation with my Aunty Bern
* Established a reunion group for TMMS
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
* Ink Tip submission
* Low spirited day
* Helping MaTown with PaPa and his bed...
* No audition callback notice today. I had a pretty stellar audition before the break. I was pretty confident that I would at least get a callback. I would've found out today. I didn't get the notice. I was surprised but also at ease. I wasn't going to make the trip anyway. I need this extra time in Tampa. It took a while before I started relaxing.
* Wal-Mart...
* Editing marking videos for my profile
Thursday, January 3, 2019
* Uploading photos on IMDB
* Dhar Mann productions inquired about my acting services for an upcoming video. I told them I'm not available and I later found out that they've been looking for a Motown type. There's also a chance they might reschedule for when I get back.
* SAG commercial decline. On the bright-side it looks like my new photos are working.
Friday, January 4, 2019
* Fitness Boxing pick up for Switch
* Picked up Haitian food for my parents
* Switch game night at Rodney's.
Saturday, January 5, 2019
* Wal-Mart list of errands
* At Pam's House. Watched Mowgli and an Episode of Black Mirror on Netflix.
As the quest continues...
The future of Late Night
Motown Maurice
Continuing from where I left off last week 432, my father reluctantly agreed to set up the TV. I touched base with him multiple times before the actual set up. Finally, I came to set it up the evening of New Year's Eve and this guy says "Can we set it up tomorrow?" I couldn't believe. I said, "No more procrastination." He begins to resist and says, "I'm watching the news. After the news!" I said, "This is ridiculous and stupid. I'm coming during the commercial break and I'm setting it up." I couldn't believe he was fighting with me about this. When I noticed the commercials showing I proceeded. He wasn't angry but he certainly wasn't excited. I rolled away the dinosaur tube, swept the area and brought in the new table first. Then I grabbed the 50 inch and his immediate response was, "oh, that's nice." He started smiling. For whatever reason, he thought I got him a jumbo TV that was too big for the room and that's why he didn't want it. When my mom revealed the TV on Christmas night she showed him the box. He judged the size of the TV based on the box which was big but still a terrible excuse not to give the TV a chance. The set up was quick and easy. The only challenging part was getting the remote to control the volume. That took a while but it wasn't nothing I couldn't handle. He instantly fell in love with the TV. It was such an unnecessary fight just to gift him. All I'm trying to do is enhance his life but his stubbornness made him put up a fight in protection of his stone age life.
Prior to setting up the TV he signed a contract. That contract had two requests. One was to agree to watch an inspirational video. I had plans for a while to show him a snippet from a video called The Secret. There's a segment in the video that tells the story about a man who got paralyzed in a plane crash. Doctors told him he would never walk again. The man determination had another plan. He set a date and goal to walk again and he did. I thought this would be a great video for him to watch. Like I said, he signed a contract stating that he would watch it. Then on the night of the TV setup, I told him we'll watch the video later on New Year's day. Once again multiple times I checked in with him about watching the video. First, he said something like, "anytime after I wake up." We agreed to 8:30pm. I continued to check in with him. My mom was also in the plans to watch the video with us. Finally the time came, I walked into the room, told him I was going to set up the DVD player. This man then asks, "Can we watch it tomorrow?" I couldn't believe it. I was in such disbelief that I broke into a rage. I did every but curse, put my hands on him and crash the place. My mom came running worried about what was happening. I essentially told him in a rage that enough was enough and he needs to change. I defended my mom and all the stuff he puts her through and so on. It wasn't a pretty sight but spoiling him with gift didn't work so I allowed my rage to let loose. My mom was worried and I explained to her that I was in control and it's all strategic. She understood but of a course, a mom is going to be a mom.
We finally started setting up the video and I asked my mom to pray first. Then I gave a speech. I was at a point where I didn't even want to hear him sneeze. All he wanted to do was rush the process. I told him he doesn't get to talk right now, just listen. The video was about 10mins long. Of course, he complained about how long the video would be. The DVD player remote wasn't working so I had to play it from my computer. I had one technical difficulty with my computer and I had to restart it but nothing took too long.
Somewhere within the presentation, I told my parents that "I am crazy. I'm crazy enough to believe my parents can have a better life and I'm also crazy enough to put my father in a home if you don't start taking the initiative to better yourself. I ended up unleashing my rage again at the end because said something that went against what he just learned in the video and he started rushing me.
In conclusion, I don't regret any of my actions. I can comfortably say that I've tried to motivate him with kindness and when that didn't work I used rage. Rage didn't work either but I tried. I'm not proud of my moment of rage but my heart is at peace for trying. I'm literally dealing with The Most Stubbornest Man in the World. A big part of my soul has given up with him and those are words I don't use in my life. I don't give up. I do the things I do because I want my father to be happy and live a better life, but I can't force him. Yet there's alway's hope right? The second part of the contract mentions a mustard seed of hope. He'll probably resist even more when that time comes my mom is in agreement and that's all I have in terms of ideas.
Since this dilemma, my father and I have been great. My rage strategies are over, we're at peace and he's loving his new TV.
Sunday, December 30, 2018
* Editing Slates for Actors Access
* Uploading photos/Actors Access
* Won my first Fornite duel with Rodney's son Malcolm/Impulse
Monday, December 31, 2018
* Wal-Mart return...
* Finally got set up my fathers TV. He likes it. Of course, he does.
* Church with MaTown
Tuesday, January 1, 2019
* My father agreed to watch a video today and when it was time he said, "Can we watch it tomorrow?" That question unleashed my rage.
* Casting Network/LA Casting and Casting Frontier uploading
* Walk to the park and playing tennis with a wall
* Phone calling. Had a great conversation with my Aunty Bern
* Established a reunion group for TMMS
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
* Ink Tip submission
* Low spirited day
* Helping MaTown with PaPa and his bed...
* No audition callback notice today. I had a pretty stellar audition before the break. I was pretty confident that I would at least get a callback. I would've found out today. I didn't get the notice. I was surprised but also at ease. I wasn't going to make the trip anyway. I need this extra time in Tampa. It took a while before I started relaxing.
* Wal-Mart...
* Editing marking videos for my profile
Thursday, January 3, 2019
* Uploading photos on IMDB
* Dhar Mann productions inquired about my acting services for an upcoming video. I told them I'm not available and I later found out that they've been looking for a Motown type. There's also a chance they might reschedule for when I get back.
* SAG commercial decline. On the bright-side it looks like my new photos are working.
Friday, January 4, 2019
* Fitness Boxing pick up for Switch
* Picked up Haitian food for my parents
* Switch game night at Rodney's.
Saturday, January 5, 2019
* Wal-Mart list of errands
* At Pam's House. Watched Mowgli and an Episode of Black Mirror on Netflix.
As the quest continues...
The future of Late Night
Motown Maurice
Friday, January 4, 2019
Week 432: The Most Stubbornest Man In the World
Weekly Written Review
This time last year (December 2018) my father was in really bad shape. He lost a tremendous amount of weight among a myriad of other problems. I recall having that talk with him. He told me he didn't think he was going to make it. He referred to me as a man, as if he was passing me down a level of responsibility. That was a very scary moment. After leaving his room, all I could do was wipe my eyes and pray. We ended up taking him to the hospital. He got a little better, then got transferred to a health care center for a while. Four months later he returned home. Throughout the year I would talk to him over the phone. Some conversations he sounded better than others but my mom always kept me posted while in LA. Eventually, he started sounding like himself again and my mom sent reports of him gaining his weight back. Fast forward to Christmas day and I was elated to see him full and plump again.
My father's story is complicated. As open as I am about my life/journey, the story of my father/family is one I'll probably never share publicly. I've shared it with very few people in my lifetime and the reason for that was because I knew beforehand that they would directly or indirectly understand. Since I have no intentions of sharing my family's backstory, I'll at least reveal how stubborn he is. My father is a man that doesn't want to change and is intensely apprehensive about trying new things. This is especially true when it comes to him taking the proper action to better himself. Anything that has to do with him being proactive about improving his health becomes an unnecessary argumentive stupid fuss.
Here's a prime example of what I'm talking about. My father has been through a lot for the past two years. He's restricted to a bed and he's getting his entertainment from a medium size dinosaur television set. He enjoys his TV and I decided months ago that he should enjoy his programs on a 50-inch flat screen. Early December I ordered the TV and table and had it sent to my parent's house. My mom was in on the surprise. I started telling him weeks in advance that I had a surprise for him but I didn't give him a clue about the TV. I arrived on Christmas day and got it all set up by the end of the night. My mom and I entered his room and before I even started he began complaining that I better not take talk too long talking. First, I gave a little speech about myself, the developing success of my career and the direction I plan to steer my family into. Finally, I alluded to his gift as a symbolic representation of how big I want him to start thinking from this point on. I muffled a musical note and my mom came back in the room with the TV box. He seemed surprised and said, "wow" multiple times. My mom suggested I set it up now and that's when all the chaos started. He shouted, "No!" with more integrity than how he said, "wow." I faced my mom and told her it was okay. My father is so allergic to change I knew in advance that he would find a reason to complain about the gift. I anticipated his reaction months ago. Making matters worse, I found out through my mom the next day that he complained about the TV being too big. That triggered something in me. I was really troubled from that response and the whole ordeal broke me down spiritually. I spoke to him the day after Christmas and he said absolutely nothing about the TV. He avoided any mention of the TV as if it never happened. My mind began entering a very cloudy place. When I overheard my mom convincing him to accept the gift I shut down completely. I didn't like what she did but at the same time, her efforts actually lifted my spirits a little. I had visions of going off on him and her actions subsided those thoughts. As a result, I avoided him the next 3 days. He called my name and I didn't answer.
The negative outcome of this sad situation has little to do with the actual TV. I couldn't care less about the TV or how much I paid for it. However, the level of stubbornest from this man is unfathomable. Call it fear or whatever, but he's so comfortable with rickety TV he doesn't want to change it even if it's 100 times better. Moreover, my mom was really adamant about him accepting the gift. I suggested returning it and she wasn't having it. I told my mom, he needs to bring it up in conversation before I set it up. Pushing through this whole fiasco, I ended up writing a long 4-page letter addressing his problems and a plan of action. The next day I realized he's not going to read it or follow through with the demands. I soon after had an epiphany and simplified it into a contract of sorts. My mom liked the contract idea better and its terms. I wrote it on Saturday morning-ish, left the house and when I returned I was shocked to notice a signed contract on the dining room table. My mom later told me he resisted a lot. She explained it wasn't easy to get him to sign it. It was a fight but she mentioned something that probably struck a cord. She told him something I wrote in my original letter about the relationship he had with his father. That probably got to his center and led to him signing it. After I noticed the signed letter, I immediately said hi to him for the first time in a few days. After all that, everything is solved, right? The next step should be easy sailing setting up the TV, right? Double nope! Nothing is easy with this man. Things only got worse. Turn in next week to find out happened.
Sunday, December 23, 2018
* Played some 3 on 3 basketball at The Y. Lost the first game, won the second and I was not pleased with the last lost. My terrible played terrible together and the last two shots were in my face.
* Poster design gift for my landlady.
Monday, December 24, 2018
* Errands: Staples, Dollar store, Walgreens...
* Tennis...
Tuesday, December 25, 2018
* Departed for Tampa
* Playing Switch with family members
* Talk with Papa and presentation drama
Wednesday, December 26, 2018
* I found a 37 dollar check that was 4 months old when I came home. I ran to the bank first thing after waking up. Thankfully it deposited safely.
* ISA submission
* Heavy headed about making a serious decision about my father
Thursday, December 27, 2018
* Throwing away old mail
* I thought my mom agreed with my plan about my father but she derailed it. I didn't agree with her side talk with my father but it did relax my spirit. The issue isn't about the TV. I letter decided to write my father a letter instead of addressing in face to face.
* Went for a walk, made some phone calls and ended up playing some 2 on 2 basketball. Myself a very little boy played together. I had to teach these youngins a lesson.
I sent the rest of the night at Pam's new house and playing the demo of Switch Boxing Training and a couple songs on Just Dance
Friday, December 28, 2018
* A lot is on my mind. Spent a little extra time sleeping. I wrote a long letter for my father with some demands. My mom read it and liked it but we agreed he's not going to read it. I decided to trash the letter and present a contract instead.
* Blogging
Saturday, December 29, 2018
* Family contract writing and he signed it
* Snake Outta Compton last video edit
* Playing Switch with Jennifer
* Signed up for Discord to use for Fortnite
As the quest continues...
The future of Late Night
Motown Maurice
This time last year (December 2018) my father was in really bad shape. He lost a tremendous amount of weight among a myriad of other problems. I recall having that talk with him. He told me he didn't think he was going to make it. He referred to me as a man, as if he was passing me down a level of responsibility. That was a very scary moment. After leaving his room, all I could do was wipe my eyes and pray. We ended up taking him to the hospital. He got a little better, then got transferred to a health care center for a while. Four months later he returned home. Throughout the year I would talk to him over the phone. Some conversations he sounded better than others but my mom always kept me posted while in LA. Eventually, he started sounding like himself again and my mom sent reports of him gaining his weight back. Fast forward to Christmas day and I was elated to see him full and plump again.
My father's story is complicated. As open as I am about my life/journey, the story of my father/family is one I'll probably never share publicly. I've shared it with very few people in my lifetime and the reason for that was because I knew beforehand that they would directly or indirectly understand. Since I have no intentions of sharing my family's backstory, I'll at least reveal how stubborn he is. My father is a man that doesn't want to change and is intensely apprehensive about trying new things. This is especially true when it comes to him taking the proper action to better himself. Anything that has to do with him being proactive about improving his health becomes an unnecessary argumentive stupid fuss.
Here's a prime example of what I'm talking about. My father has been through a lot for the past two years. He's restricted to a bed and he's getting his entertainment from a medium size dinosaur television set. He enjoys his TV and I decided months ago that he should enjoy his programs on a 50-inch flat screen. Early December I ordered the TV and table and had it sent to my parent's house. My mom was in on the surprise. I started telling him weeks in advance that I had a surprise for him but I didn't give him a clue about the TV. I arrived on Christmas day and got it all set up by the end of the night. My mom and I entered his room and before I even started he began complaining that I better not take talk too long talking. First, I gave a little speech about myself, the developing success of my career and the direction I plan to steer my family into. Finally, I alluded to his gift as a symbolic representation of how big I want him to start thinking from this point on. I muffled a musical note and my mom came back in the room with the TV box. He seemed surprised and said, "wow" multiple times. My mom suggested I set it up now and that's when all the chaos started. He shouted, "No!" with more integrity than how he said, "wow." I faced my mom and told her it was okay. My father is so allergic to change I knew in advance that he would find a reason to complain about the gift. I anticipated his reaction months ago. Making matters worse, I found out through my mom the next day that he complained about the TV being too big. That triggered something in me. I was really troubled from that response and the whole ordeal broke me down spiritually. I spoke to him the day after Christmas and he said absolutely nothing about the TV. He avoided any mention of the TV as if it never happened. My mind began entering a very cloudy place. When I overheard my mom convincing him to accept the gift I shut down completely. I didn't like what she did but at the same time, her efforts actually lifted my spirits a little. I had visions of going off on him and her actions subsided those thoughts. As a result, I avoided him the next 3 days. He called my name and I didn't answer.
The negative outcome of this sad situation has little to do with the actual TV. I couldn't care less about the TV or how much I paid for it. However, the level of stubbornest from this man is unfathomable. Call it fear or whatever, but he's so comfortable with rickety TV he doesn't want to change it even if it's 100 times better. Moreover, my mom was really adamant about him accepting the gift. I suggested returning it and she wasn't having it. I told my mom, he needs to bring it up in conversation before I set it up. Pushing through this whole fiasco, I ended up writing a long 4-page letter addressing his problems and a plan of action. The next day I realized he's not going to read it or follow through with the demands. I soon after had an epiphany and simplified it into a contract of sorts. My mom liked the contract idea better and its terms. I wrote it on Saturday morning-ish, left the house and when I returned I was shocked to notice a signed contract on the dining room table. My mom later told me he resisted a lot. She explained it wasn't easy to get him to sign it. It was a fight but she mentioned something that probably struck a cord. She told him something I wrote in my original letter about the relationship he had with his father. That probably got to his center and led to him signing it. After I noticed the signed letter, I immediately said hi to him for the first time in a few days. After all that, everything is solved, right? The next step should be easy sailing setting up the TV, right? Double nope! Nothing is easy with this man. Things only got worse. Turn in next week to find out happened.
Sunday, December 23, 2018
* Played some 3 on 3 basketball at The Y. Lost the first game, won the second and I was not pleased with the last lost. My terrible played terrible together and the last two shots were in my face.
* Poster design gift for my landlady.
Monday, December 24, 2018
* Errands: Staples, Dollar store, Walgreens...
* Tennis...
Tuesday, December 25, 2018
* Departed for Tampa
* Playing Switch with family members
* Talk with Papa and presentation drama
Wednesday, December 26, 2018
* I found a 37 dollar check that was 4 months old when I came home. I ran to the bank first thing after waking up. Thankfully it deposited safely.
* ISA submission
* Heavy headed about making a serious decision about my father
Thursday, December 27, 2018
* Throwing away old mail
* I thought my mom agreed with my plan about my father but she derailed it. I didn't agree with her side talk with my father but it did relax my spirit. The issue isn't about the TV. I letter decided to write my father a letter instead of addressing in face to face.
* Went for a walk, made some phone calls and ended up playing some 2 on 2 basketball. Myself a very little boy played together. I had to teach these youngins a lesson.
I sent the rest of the night at Pam's new house and playing the demo of Switch Boxing Training and a couple songs on Just Dance
Friday, December 28, 2018
* A lot is on my mind. Spent a little extra time sleeping. I wrote a long letter for my father with some demands. My mom read it and liked it but we agreed he's not going to read it. I decided to trash the letter and present a contract instead.
* Blogging
Saturday, December 29, 2018
* Family contract writing and he signed it
* Snake Outta Compton last video edit
* Playing Switch with Jennifer
* Signed up for Discord to use for Fortnite
As the quest continues...
The future of Late Night
Motown Maurice
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