Q's & Don'ts
new talent
Sep 7th
dude is on point with his impressions. would love to see him on snl.
EXCLUSIVE and DEVELOPING! The Comic’s Comic has learned that Jay Pharoah, a young stand-up comedian from Virginia’s Tidewater who has a full arsenal of impersonations — including one of President Barack Obama (and yes, he’d likely do it instead of Fred Armisen!) — is just about a done deal to become the fourth new cast member to join the on-air ranks when SNL’s 36th season begins on Sept. 25, 2010.
He’ll be joining Vanessa Bayer, Paul Brittain and Taran Killam as the cast newbies. This would represent the biggest single infusion of new talent into the show since 2001, when Lorne Michaels also hired four new featured players for the 27th season (trivia answer: Seth Meyers, Amy Poehler, Dean Edwards and Jeff Richards).
But what about Jay Pharoah, you ask? His bio says he’s 22, but began working on his impersonations as early as junior high and in local comedy clubs in the Tidewater by the time he was 15. He says he would like to meet his comedy idols, Eddie Murphy and Chris Rock, both of whom rocketed to fame via SNL. Looks like he may get his chance sooner rather than later. Pharaoh flew in to NYC twice in August for screen tests and meetings with Lorne. Click here for the full article.
Sep 4th
This is the first time in a long time that R has released a song that I am not ashamed of loving. Kudos Kells. Lovin’ the clean cut too.
And of course it’s only fitting to follow “When A Woman Loves” with a throwback from when I wasn’t ashamed to sing along. Before all the personal drama: ”When A Woman’s Fed Up”
dopeness
Sep 1st
So, my younger brother is dope. That is pretty much all I want to say today.
See below. He is the only one with (slightly) more color in the photo. He makes me so proud (as do all of my siblings)
**gleaming with pride**
News Releases
19 Americans Sworn-in as Peace Corps/Liberia Volunteers
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WASHINGTON, D.C., August 30, 2010 – Nineteen Americans were sworn-in as Peace Corps/Liberia volunteers on August 27 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Monrovia.
President of the Republic of Liberia H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf delivered remarks at the ceremony and was joined by Minister of Foreign Affairs Olubanke King-Akerele and acting Minister of Education Matthew G. Zarzar. Karl P. Albrecht, charge d’affaires for the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia, swore the volunteers into Peace Corps service.President Sirleaf’s remarks may be read here.
Fourteen of the newly sworn-in volunteers are serving in regular two-year assignments while the other five are serving in short-term, high impact assignments as Peace Corps Response volunteers. While Peace Corps Response volunteers have been serving in Liberia since October of 2008, this is the first time since 1990 that two-year volunteers have served in Liberia.
Before being sworn-in to service, the two-year volunteers lived with local host families and participated in a seven-week technical training that familiarized them with teaching in Liberian classrooms. As part of their training, the volunteers helped run a summer school program for almost 150 students in Kakata where they developed lesson plans, taught in classrooms, issued and graded homework assignments, and administered an exam. The volunteers received language training in Liberian English and a number of local languages including Kpelle, Grebo, Mano, Vai, Gio, Gola, or Krahn.
The two-year volunteers will teach math, science, and English to middle and high school students in eight of Liberia’s 15 counties.
Over 3,800 Peace Corps volunteers have served in Liberia since the program was established in 1962. The program was closed from 1990 to 2008. Peace Corps Response volunteers returned to serve in the education and health sectors in 2008. Peace Corps Response provides opportunities for returned Peace Corps volunteers to serve again by utilizing their skills and experience in places around the world where they are needed the most. Since its inception in 1996, Peace Corps Response has sent over 1,300 returned Volunteers to more than 50 countries. Peace Corps Response service provides returned volunteers opportunities to obtain career-focused experience while accomplishing tangible results in a condensed period of time. To learn more, go to: www.peacecorps.gov/response.
As Peace Corps approaches its 50th anniversary, its service legacy continues to promote peace and friendship around the world with 7,671 volunteers serving in 77 host countries. Historically, nearly 200,000 Americans have served with the Peace Corps to promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of 139 host countries. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age.
the battlefield
Jun 7th
half the battle if showing up. i am reading The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. the book is about the reality of Resistance. what we all have inside of us that prevents us from creating. prevents us from pursuing the mastery of the art that calls to each of us. prevents us from winning.
it’s an enjoyable read albeit a quick one. i started reading and didn’t put the book down until i was halfway through. it’s inspiring more than anything else. but not inspiring in the typical self-help-book sort of way in that it doesn’t inject you with self-esteem. it doesn’t stroke your ego or pet your pride. conversely, it kicks your ass. it reminds you that you ain’t shit. at least the way you are carrying on presently. it makes you want to prove it wrong. and furthermore gives you the tools to do so.
i woke up at 7am today and free-wrote for ten minutes then jumped on here to update this blog and will (after a quick caffeine run) work for an hour or two on my screenplay. none of that is particularly impressive. no huge feats here. but it’s not about that. it’s about showing up. being present to do the work. committing yourself to your own art the way you commit yourself to slaving for the success of others.
and the book hasn’t just affected my writing. i ran 3 miles before retiring for the evening after a full day yesterday. my november marathon isn’t going to run itself and i’ve finally decided to show up. not just to the race but to the training. to the conditioning. to the mental preparation. to the work.
i would definitely recommend picking up a copy of Pressfield’s book. if for no other reason than to remind yourself that you are loser. and begin the work required to truly win.
Feb 22nd
a friend of mine shared this video with me. i am a fan of any artist who can use words in the less literal sense. who can mesmerize with layers of delightful images laid by similes and metaphors. but this brother, Gregory Porter, has a voice to boot. these lyrics, and this melody, have muted me on this day that i awoke with fire in my veins. like balm to my wounds, soothing, it lends to my opinion that good music, good art, is absolutely medicinal.
Be Good Is her name As I sing my lion song And brush my mane She would If she could So she pulled my lion tail and caused me pain She said lions are made for cages Just to look at and delight You dare not let ‘em walk around Cause they might just bite Does she know What she does When she dances around my cage And says her name Be Good. Be Good. She dances around and says her name I trim my lion’s claws and brush my mane And I would if I could But Be Good treats me the same She said lions are made for cages Just to look at and delight You dare not let ‘em walk around Cause they might just bite Does she know What she does When she dances around my cage And says her nameLOVE IT
Nov 19th
I love the Jay version but I’m SO feeling this version.
Speaks straight to my NY soul. Stirs up teenage memories. There’s no other place in the world like it. Sorry. There just isn’t.
lupe wants to end the fiasco
Jul 14th
So this clip may be old to some but, I’m posting it because 1. I’ve always been a fan of his, 2. I am kinda geeked about the fact that according to this clip he will be dropping an album in December, and 3. I appreciate the message (he always comes correct.) Enjoy:
dwele’s mj tribute
Jun 30th
this is dope. dwele was just chillin at home and decided to put something together. he adds each sound to the loop as he goes. very nice