Since my last post I've been spending quite a bit of time with my son Rory, The Youngest Younger. He just celebrated his first birthday and I'm so glad that I've been able to spend a great deal of time with him during that first year. Not having a day job has it's privileges and contrary to the popular image of being a comedian, he doesn't allow me to sit on the couch and spend the day watching daytime television in search of new comedy material. He has however become my hero. There's so much to admire about him that inspires my art. As an actor I'm inspired to be in the moment because he's totally capable of doing just that and displays it when he starts to cry abruptly when he drops his favorite toy but becomes the happiest baby on the face of the earth when I pick it up and put it back in his hand. I also like his spirit. The spirit that allows him to fall down, hurt himself, cry with all the passion he can muster but get back up and go try to do the same thing that made him fall in the first place.
Tonight I came so close to not writing this post. I think one of the main reasons that I almost walked away from completing this entry tonight is that I usually open each post with an update on what I've done in my career since the last post and I really didn't think I had much to report, but I realized that was not a good excuse. It made me think about all of the things I say to myself when I'm in between gigs or I'm waiting for the next great thing to happen in my life. One thing I've realized in this journey of artistic pursuits is, there is always preparation involved with creating. Some of that preparation is us getting ready and some of it is in the hands of outside forces. One thing I like to say is, "before you book that gig, there are some people in a room talking about you when you don't even realize". While you think no one is thinking about you, there are people speaking highly of you who are about to give you your next job.
Another form of preparation for the next great thing is the inner preparation that we must do. I've found that great things tend to not happen for us until we realize our greatness. That's a hard thing for most of us to swallow because we spend all of our life trying to not let people feel that we think we're "all that". We're told that we have to be humble, but eventually to achieve a great thing we have to tap into our greatness. We all have greatness within us. We're great creations even if we never achieve anything great. Just living is a manifestation of greatness.
Most "great" people can tell a story of knowing very vividly that they were meant to do something great. It's just a knowledge they have. Most can remember the first inkling of it in their childhood. One thing for certain is that they were able to achieve greatness because they realized their greatness. I say all that to say, stop holding yourself back. Most of the time when we play humble it's only for the benefit of someone else, so they don't feel so bad or so that we don't look like we think we're better than anyone else. That's the thing, you have to realize that you are great. You are good and you're worthy to be the person who achieves the "great thing".
Monday, October 26, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Keep At It
Since my last blog post, I shot a commercial for T-Mobile, attended the Urban Mediamakers Film Festival for the screening of my film "Whistle and Snap" and made another appearance on the "Today Show" on the recurring segment, "Guys Tell All".
I've been sitting in front of the computer for quite some time trying to do this post that you're reading. Yes, you are reading this, even if you're the only one. I made the mistake of opening other windows as I attempted to start blogging. I've chatted and checked e-mails, stopped to eat, poured myself a glass of wine all to finally decide to get started. I guess that's also makes up the Life and Times of a Renaissance Man, the starting and stopping and the journey one has to take to create. It can be a circuitous route that one takes to the final product but it's a great journey with every inch of it necessary to get to the final destination.
I recently attended a writing workshop where the instructor discussed how most creative people spend a large percentage of their time tearing down their own efforts. I have to admit that I've definitely witnessed it amongst my artistic colleagues. We allow our inner critic to shoot down whatever we attempt before we dare unveil it before the world. Another thing that she shared with us is that anyone who still has artistic aspirations after the age of 12 is truly extraordinary because we're presented with so many obstacles that make us feel that we'll never be successful. I guess I'm sharing that info to pass on some encouraging words. Don't let your inner critic or any outer critics stop you from doing what you want to do. The visions and aspirations in your mind are messages from God telling you what you can achieve if you don't give up. Following your dreams can be a lonely road. There are times when you have to go alone, but that's a part of the journey. It's your dream and with that said, you have to do it for yourself. Just keep at it, just like I did tonight to finally complete this blog post!
I've been sitting in front of the computer for quite some time trying to do this post that you're reading. Yes, you are reading this, even if you're the only one. I made the mistake of opening other windows as I attempted to start blogging. I've chatted and checked e-mails, stopped to eat, poured myself a glass of wine all to finally decide to get started. I guess that's also makes up the Life and Times of a Renaissance Man, the starting and stopping and the journey one has to take to create. It can be a circuitous route that one takes to the final product but it's a great journey with every inch of it necessary to get to the final destination.
I recently attended a writing workshop where the instructor discussed how most creative people spend a large percentage of their time tearing down their own efforts. I have to admit that I've definitely witnessed it amongst my artistic colleagues. We allow our inner critic to shoot down whatever we attempt before we dare unveil it before the world. Another thing that she shared with us is that anyone who still has artistic aspirations after the age of 12 is truly extraordinary because we're presented with so many obstacles that make us feel that we'll never be successful. I guess I'm sharing that info to pass on some encouraging words. Don't let your inner critic or any outer critics stop you from doing what you want to do. The visions and aspirations in your mind are messages from God telling you what you can achieve if you don't give up. Following your dreams can be a lonely road. There are times when you have to go alone, but that's a part of the journey. It's your dream and with that said, you have to do it for yourself. Just keep at it, just like I did tonight to finally complete this blog post!
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Sunday, October 4, 2009
What's Next?
I've been away for a couple of weeks, but I haven't been idle. I went to 2 film festivals with the film, "Souled Out Comedy" , found out that "Whistle & Snap" has been selected to the Urban Mediamakers Film Festival, shot an episode of the F/X series "Damages", and booked a T-Mobile commercial. In addition to all of that, "Souled Out Comedy" won the Audience Choice Award at the Friars Club Comedy Film Festival.
I have to say it's been an exciting time. It feels nice to see your efforts rewarded and to feel like you're making progress as you live your dreams. I also have to admit that it makes me think. I spend a lot of time thinking and observing in general anyway. I'm always observing to find deeper meaning in life's everyday occurrences. One of the things about being a comedian is that I'm always observing life and human behavior. I've come up with a conclusion(not based on any real facts, just strictly my observation and conclusion), that most human beings are looking for an opportunity to stop working. We work hard hoping for some type of recognition so that we can continue to do what we love at a higher level with greater compensation and with less effort. We want to get a promotion so we can get more money and do the job that's a little higher up the totem pole and allows us to tell someone else what to do. Even as an entertainer, we're hoping to book the gig that pays more money, gives us a personal assistant and allows us to just show up, hit our mark and go home.
It's the "Human Nature Trap"(I totally created that name for it)! Feel free to sing Michael Jackson's, "Human Nature" in your head as you continue to read. It's a trap I struggle everyday to fight. I realize as I achieve more things in life and in my career, that it's a result of hard work. Hard work that I have to continue to put in if I want to continue to rise. I can't help but believe that many people who don't realize their full potential are probably guilty of not continuing to work because they reached a comfortable place.
Maybe it's easy to just relax after you reach a certain point. It's a lot of pressure to keep producing. What if what you do next isn't as good or well received as what you've already done. There's also a lot of pressure once people start realizing that you exist. Before you get recognized for being good at something you have the luxury of being good quietly without judgment and expectation, not to mention all of the critics that come out of the woodwork once you have a more public platform. Then of course there's the ultimate "no pressure" question, "What's Next"? That's the question that really works on your mind. "What's Next?, does that mean that what I've already done isn't enough? What if I'm totally satisfied with what I've already done and want to quit right here and now?"!
I just said all of that to say, I'm not gonna put pressure on myself. I'm just gonna trust that the gifts that God has given me will continue to produce more good stuff. So I don't know what's next. I'm just excited to keep working and let what's gonna happen, happen. Trust me, I'll probably be just as surprised as you are, at what comes next. But here's a little hint, THINK BIG!!!
I have to say it's been an exciting time. It feels nice to see your efforts rewarded and to feel like you're making progress as you live your dreams. I also have to admit that it makes me think. I spend a lot of time thinking and observing in general anyway. I'm always observing to find deeper meaning in life's everyday occurrences. One of the things about being a comedian is that I'm always observing life and human behavior. I've come up with a conclusion(not based on any real facts, just strictly my observation and conclusion), that most human beings are looking for an opportunity to stop working. We work hard hoping for some type of recognition so that we can continue to do what we love at a higher level with greater compensation and with less effort. We want to get a promotion so we can get more money and do the job that's a little higher up the totem pole and allows us to tell someone else what to do. Even as an entertainer, we're hoping to book the gig that pays more money, gives us a personal assistant and allows us to just show up, hit our mark and go home.
It's the "Human Nature Trap"(I totally created that name for it)! Feel free to sing Michael Jackson's, "Human Nature" in your head as you continue to read. It's a trap I struggle everyday to fight. I realize as I achieve more things in life and in my career, that it's a result of hard work. Hard work that I have to continue to put in if I want to continue to rise. I can't help but believe that many people who don't realize their full potential are probably guilty of not continuing to work because they reached a comfortable place.
Maybe it's easy to just relax after you reach a certain point. It's a lot of pressure to keep producing. What if what you do next isn't as good or well received as what you've already done. There's also a lot of pressure once people start realizing that you exist. Before you get recognized for being good at something you have the luxury of being good quietly without judgment and expectation, not to mention all of the critics that come out of the woodwork once you have a more public platform. Then of course there's the ultimate "no pressure" question, "What's Next"? That's the question that really works on your mind. "What's Next?, does that mean that what I've already done isn't enough? What if I'm totally satisfied with what I've already done and want to quit right here and now?"!
I just said all of that to say, I'm not gonna put pressure on myself. I'm just gonna trust that the gifts that God has given me will continue to produce more good stuff. So I don't know what's next. I'm just excited to keep working and let what's gonna happen, happen. Trust me, I'll probably be just as surprised as you are, at what comes next. But here's a little hint, THINK BIG!!!
Monday, September 14, 2009
What Do He Don't Do?
In keeping with the theme of letting you know of the Life and Times of a Renaissance Man I guess I should let you know what's been going on since last I posted to my blog. This past weekend(Sept. 11-12) was a whirlwind of performance. I went to Kansas City, MO with Comedy Cures. I love working with them because it's an opportunity to use my comedy for good, not evil(pronounced eeee-vil). Working for Comedy Cures also challenges me as a comedian because we do shows in places that you wouldn't expect to see stand-up comedy and for diverse groups that are usually a mix of ages and ethnicities that makes one have to really think hard about what will work on such a diverse crowd. I did 3 shows in Kansas City. The first 2 were on Friday morning at 2 different elementary schools. That was a challenge. Although I don't curse in my act, it doesn't necessarily mean that my content is something that an elementary school student will understand. I had to sift through my material to find what I thought might work. I figured it out, and just in case you find yourself in a situation where you have to entertain elementary school kids, here's what you should include in your act; music, funny faces and falling down. I channeled my inner zaniness and was able to pull it off. Later that evening, I told jokes to a group of alumni from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. A very different group than the morning group. I chose to cut out a large percentage of the funny faces and falling down(didn't cut out all of it, because who doesn't love funny faces and watching people fall down). I pulled that one off too, although they were a more cerebral crowd and chose to applaud some of the humor in lieu of full belly laughter.
When I got back to NY on Saturday I had very little time to relax before I had to go to the Bronx and perform at a show hosted by Rev. Run's daughters, Vanessa and Angela Simmons. This audience was not only ethnically and culturally diverse, it also had an age range from little kids to grandparents. I actually had moments on stage this weekend where I was very conscious of the fact that I'm pretty good to be able to make such a broad range of people laugh. Someone told me this week that I have a God-given gift. I know that's right!!! I'm glad to use it to touch people and make people happy.
After I finished with that show, I jumped in my car and drove to Connecticut to sing at a wedding reception. I know what you're saying, "What do he don't do"? I know!!! A Renaissance Man indeed.
In addition to all of that excitement, I was also notified that "Souled Out Comedy", Younger Child Productions' documentary feature has been chosen to screen at the Friars Club Comedy Film Festival. The screening date is Friday, September 25th at 8:30PM at The Paley Center for Media. If you find yourself in NYC on that day, I hope to see you there.
When I got back to NY on Saturday I had very little time to relax before I had to go to the Bronx and perform at a show hosted by Rev. Run's daughters, Vanessa and Angela Simmons. This audience was not only ethnically and culturally diverse, it also had an age range from little kids to grandparents. I actually had moments on stage this weekend where I was very conscious of the fact that I'm pretty good to be able to make such a broad range of people laugh. Someone told me this week that I have a God-given gift. I know that's right!!! I'm glad to use it to touch people and make people happy.
After I finished with that show, I jumped in my car and drove to Connecticut to sing at a wedding reception. I know what you're saying, "What do he don't do"? I know!!! A Renaissance Man indeed.
In addition to all of that excitement, I was also notified that "Souled Out Comedy", Younger Child Productions' documentary feature has been chosen to screen at the Friars Club Comedy Film Festival. The screening date is Friday, September 25th at 8:30PM at The Paley Center for Media. If you find yourself in NYC on that day, I hope to see you there.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Something Great Is Coming
Since my last post, life has been pretty nice. Not because of anything extraordinary or new, but simply because I just have a feeling that some very exciting things are coming my way. Have you ever had that feeling? If you haven't you should just try to imagine that some of your wildest dreams are coming true. Feel that excitement. That's the feeling that I get sometime and have been getting all of my life. Whenever I feel that way, great things happen. So the next time your feeling optimistic, don't suppress it or write it off. Go with it!
Since my last post I've returned to NBC's, "Today Show" on the recurring segment "Guys Tell All". I also appeared on the weekend edition of "Today" in a segment called, "He Said, She Said". We talked about guilty pleasures. I had to admit that my guilty pleasure is KFC Original Recipe chicken. I didn't want to come across as some type of stereotype, but if loving KFC Original Recipe is wrong, I don't wanna be right! Whoever came up with that recipe of 11 herbs and spices was a culinary genius(whether it's Colonel Sanders or his black maid who he stole the recipe from and went on to die penniless). There's something about that secret combination and a true KFC impressario can always tell when any of those herbs and/or spices are missing. Sometimes you'll go to some bootleg KFC that never seems to have the combination right. But I digress.
You can also see me on HBO.com on the webseries, "Got No Game with Paul Mecurio". I'm one of the Black Guys(that's my character name, Black Guy#2) in the comedic short, "Race In Sports".
Since my last post I've returned to NBC's, "Today Show" on the recurring segment "Guys Tell All". I also appeared on the weekend edition of "Today" in a segment called, "He Said, She Said". We talked about guilty pleasures. I had to admit that my guilty pleasure is KFC Original Recipe chicken. I didn't want to come across as some type of stereotype, but if loving KFC Original Recipe is wrong, I don't wanna be right! Whoever came up with that recipe of 11 herbs and spices was a culinary genius(whether it's Colonel Sanders or his black maid who he stole the recipe from and went on to die penniless). There's something about that secret combination and a true KFC impressario can always tell when any of those herbs and/or spices are missing. Sometimes you'll go to some bootleg KFC that never seems to have the combination right. But I digress.
You can also see me on HBO.com on the webseries, "Got No Game with Paul Mecurio". I'm one of the Black Guys(that's my character name, Black Guy#2) in the comedic short, "Race In Sports".
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Count Your Blessings
I'm back and it only took a couple of days. It seems like whenever I post to my blog another good thing happens for me to blog about. That should be incentive for me to increase my blogging frequency. The latest good thing is that I just received notice that my film, "Souled Out Comedy" has been chosen to screen at the Mid-Atlantic Black Film Festival. "Souled Out Comedy" is the documentary about the show that I produced and performed on with some of my favorite comedian/friends. It stars Marc Theobald, Dean Edwards, Leighann Lord, Wali Collins, Mike Yard and Rick Younger(yeah that's me, I love to take every opportunity I can to speak of myself in the 3rd person).
It seems lately that things are going pretty well for me. Although that may seem like something that a person should be able to clearly see and acknowledge, I find myself having to remind myself about how blessed I am. I'm sure I'm not the only person who sometimes has a hard time enjoying the ride. My ambition often has me so busy looking forward to the next accomplishment that I totally miss what is right before my very eyes. I guess I'm just saying this to remind myself that I'm living the dream and I have to wake up and keep my eyes open to see how great the dream is. It's like when an artist is working on his masterpiece, he periodically has to step back and take a look at the big picture and take it all in. That's an important thing to do because if you can't be happy along the journey to your ultimate goals, you'll find yourself unhappy once you reach your goals. I definitely don't want to be the guy who's making $20 million plus a film and driving people crazy because I'm still not satisfied(that's right I'm gonna make $20 million plus a film, remember you heard it here first). Right now as I write this I'm singing a song to myself that we used to sing in church when I was a kid, "Count Your Blessings". After you finish counting your blessings you always seem to see that you're way more blessed than you realized.
It seems lately that things are going pretty well for me. Although that may seem like something that a person should be able to clearly see and acknowledge, I find myself having to remind myself about how blessed I am. I'm sure I'm not the only person who sometimes has a hard time enjoying the ride. My ambition often has me so busy looking forward to the next accomplishment that I totally miss what is right before my very eyes. I guess I'm just saying this to remind myself that I'm living the dream and I have to wake up and keep my eyes open to see how great the dream is. It's like when an artist is working on his masterpiece, he periodically has to step back and take a look at the big picture and take it all in. That's an important thing to do because if you can't be happy along the journey to your ultimate goals, you'll find yourself unhappy once you reach your goals. I definitely don't want to be the guy who's making $20 million plus a film and driving people crazy because I'm still not satisfied(that's right I'm gonna make $20 million plus a film, remember you heard it here first). Right now as I write this I'm singing a song to myself that we used to sing in church when I was a kid, "Count Your Blessings". After you finish counting your blessings you always seem to see that you're way more blessed than you realized.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Taking Things Into My Own Hands
It's been a few weeks since I blogged. A lot has been going on, mostly moving into a new apartment. Moving as an adult with a small child is hard work. In this day of cyber-friends and social networking, it really drives home the difference between cyber-friends and real friends. A real friend is someone who helps carry a dresser or a sofa, or anything that's so bulky that it might impale you. Not to say that I only have 4 real friends, but the other real friends who didn't help carry heavy stuff probably have been there for other "heavy" situations that maybe kept me out of jail or helped greatly reduce a fine. My point is that after a while, you find out that real friends are few and far between and they're there for you when you really need them.
Since my last blog entry some other exciting things have happened too. My film "Whistle & Snap" screened at the Roxbury Film Festival and was well received. I was so nervous as I watched and listened to the audience watch our film. It's really different when you have written, produced and star in your own project. When I do someone elses material as an actor, I can always seperate myself from people's reaction and reception of the material. I can always say, "hey, I just do what they put on the paper, I did the best I could with what they gave me". Also, unlike when I do stand-up, I can improvise and adjust according to the audience I'm in front of, but with a completed film all I could do is see how what we produced came across to the audience at hand. The ice was broken when I heard the first laugh from the audience. It was actually quite exhilirating. I was both encouraged and inspired to continue creating and producing. It made me feel empowered and let me know I'm doing the right thing by taking my fate in my own hands and becoming a producer and writer. I'm looking forward to Younger Child Productions' next project(s). I have a feeling that directing is in my future!
Since my last blog entry some other exciting things have happened too. My film "Whistle & Snap" screened at the Roxbury Film Festival and was well received. I was so nervous as I watched and listened to the audience watch our film. It's really different when you have written, produced and star in your own project. When I do someone elses material as an actor, I can always seperate myself from people's reaction and reception of the material. I can always say, "hey, I just do what they put on the paper, I did the best I could with what they gave me". Also, unlike when I do stand-up, I can improvise and adjust according to the audience I'm in front of, but with a completed film all I could do is see how what we produced came across to the audience at hand. The ice was broken when I heard the first laugh from the audience. It was actually quite exhilirating. I was both encouraged and inspired to continue creating and producing. It made me feel empowered and let me know I'm doing the right thing by taking my fate in my own hands and becoming a producer and writer. I'm looking forward to Younger Child Productions' next project(s). I have a feeling that directing is in my future!
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
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