Herecy!

You may have a hard time digesting what I'm about to say: I...am...GOD!

Ok, ok - not in a religous sense of the word. But God nonetheless.

I sit down, stare at a blank screen and create a world. An ENTIRE world. The people, the places, the plants and animals, the cars and trucks and planes. I can make it rain or I can make it sunny. Hot or cold. Optimistic or pessimistic. That's the power I hold in my hand.

I say again: I...am...GOD!

I can make you feel exaclty how I want, at any given moment. If I want you to be afraid, I have the tools to make it so. If I want you to be overcome with joy - POOF! - there it is!

But that's not the best part of what I do. The best part is being able to have a conversation with an audience. To speak freely about my thoughts and feelings, to be able to articulate that through film and have them talk back through their feelings and reactions. When I begin creating this world that may only exist for two hours, I do so with the knowledge that all the tools at my disposal will assist me in being heard.

That's why I make sure that I always have something to say.


HIP HIP LYRIC OF THE DAY:
I roll with the punches, so I survive/I bob'n'weave with my feet from side to side/I'm back, stronger than ever, surprise surprise/they tried to take me out the game, but I's alive!

Track #18, Young Jeezy - The Recession

-I wasn't alive when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on that bus.

-Martin Luther King Jr. marched from Selma to Montgomery long before I came into the world.

-It would be 5 more years before my mother would be born when the Little Rock 9 first marched into Central High School.

I wasn't able to witness those peices of history. But I just witnessed something amazing; the election of the 44th American President, Barack Obama. At this moment, he has collected 338 electoral votes, compared to 156 for John McCain (numbers that will surely change). America, you just did something that I didn't think you would ever do. Not ever! You elected a black man as your President; to lead you for the next 4 years. It is not often that I say this, but I...was...dead...wrong!

I'm going to end this post now, because I'm not sure that there is anything that I could write here that could describe what I'm feeling.

Political Ramblings

Usually, I wouldn't pick so public a forum to voice my political opinions, but since there are probably like 3 people who ready this blog on a regular basis, I figured I'd chance it. However, if I suddenly stop posting and am not heard from in a while, you can assume that someone in a position of power read this, and I've been black-bagged by the CIA, NSA or FBI and thrown in Guantanamo Bay!

There is something on the ballot in California this year that is causing an uproar, dividing households, and pitting neighbor against neighbor.

Proposition 8.

Last year, California passed a historic law making it legal for gay couples to get married and enjoy the same perks that married straight couples enjoy. Prop 8 would basically overturn that law, making it illegal for gay couple to marry. Also it would change the California constitution, making the definition of marriage of a union specifically between a man and a woman.

However you feel about homosexuality in general, I'm not sure why people would vote for a proposition that would take away ANYONES civil rights. If gay couples want to get married, let them get married. They pay their taxes like you and me, abide by the law like you and me, they are American citizens like you and me, but we are trying to tell them that they cannot have the same rights as the guy behind them in the line to vote simply because they were born with an attraction towards the same sex? If that is not the definition of un-American, I don't know what is. The pilgrims came here from Europe because they were seeking political and religious freedom. That is waht this country was founded on. The freedom to be who you are and do what you like, as long as it is not interfering with another citizen's rights.

A lot of people quote bible verses and what not in their arguments in favor of prop 8. The God the I know, is tolerant of all ways of life and sexual orientations. The God I know is infallable; he doesn't make mistakes. And if he saw fit to hard-wire certain people's brains to be attracted to the same sex, then I'm sure he did so with the intent that they be loved and respected by their fellow man. The God and the bible should NEVER be used as the basis for discriminating against people. Again, just my personal opinion.

1Corinthians 6:9-10

'Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.'

Yes, that's right! That is a quote directly from the bible. What you have to understand is that the bible was not written by God. He did not come down from heaven, grab a soda and some chips, sit down with a quail feather pen and spend a couple hours putting his story down on paper. The bible was written by MEN. Men who were, like all humans, fallable. Men who, like all humans, have their own agenda. Like most other people, most other honest people, I treat the bible like a buffet: I study it in depth, take the parts that I feel apply to me, make sense and I agree with, and I leave the rest.

Now, from a totally different angle, it also baffles me that black people seem to be in such a rush to vote 'yes' on prop 8. Let's say that, hypothetically speaking, you stood in line for 5 hours to vote. To cast your ballot and let your voice be heard. To participate in the democratic process. Then when you got to the front of the line, you were told that you couldn't vote because you are black! Surely, there must be a mistake! This isn't the 1920's! 'Niggers can't vote!', calls a voice from the other side of the room. You pay your taxes, you have commited no crime and yet you can't vote becuase you are different in some way from the elected officials who make the laws. Well, that's how things were not too long ago. That's basically what we are trying to do to gay people. 'Faggots and dykes cant get married!'. Black people, if you think it's okay to say that and cast your vote in favor of that message, then I'd suggest that you stop listening to all the analysts and commentators, the opponents and supporters, and sit down in a quiet place and ask yourself:

IS THIS RIGHT?

Moving right along...

I'd like to talk about the Obama-mania going on right now. First of all, congratulations to Barack Obama. Win or lose, he's done some shit that I didn't think was possible during this day and age. IF he does win, he has a hard road to travel and a tough job ahead of him. Black people, let's make Obama accountable for the things that he does and says and the initiatives and acts that he puts into play. Please don't give him a pass just because he is a black man, when we ripped Bush's head off for every slip and tumble that the countrty took. If he does a stand up job and the country is in better shape in four years than it is now, then pat him on the back. But if, he fucks up and doesn't hold up his end of the bargain, I wanna see all you Obama maniacs as passionate about demanding some answers from him.

And conversely, let's not credit Obama for everything good that happens in our everyday life.

-Damn, I finally got a raise at work after 4 years. Obama did it!

-My Phillies finally won the World Series. Obama must've been watching the game and rooting for them.

-This week, I got money for gas AND food. Obama is making all my dreams come true.

IF he wins, he will be the president...not fuckin' all-powerful Zues! Be realistic in your expectations. Expect him to make mistakes. Don't expect him to be the 'Black People's President'.

That is all.

HIP HOP LYRIC OF THE DAY:
I'm the voice of Mike Vick/sayin 'Suck my dick!'/you treat me like an animal/but love them pitts

Hi Haters!

Hate - to dislike intensely or passionately; feel extreme aversion for or extreme hostility toward a person (likely because they are doing what you are not able to do!)

Doesn't that seem like a lot of work? You can't casually hate on a nigga. It takes a lot of effort and energy, and the rewards are...none. So why do people do it? When you are on your GRUSTLE (grind + hustle) and doing it big, some people choose to hate rather than say 'congratulations'. Can someone please explain this to me?

The saddest part about this whole this  is that if these people spent more time worrying about themselves, doing what they need to do to eat and not worry about Mr. Young Gun, then they could be in the same position: making move, puttin' on and getting their head fitted for the crown.

But there is hope for all you haters out there! You don't have to be a hater all your life. If you act now, you can get some of that hate out of your system and learn to get on YOUR OWN grind. Then, you can become the hate-ee, instead of the hater!

Food for thought...now EAT!

HIP HOP LYRIC OF THE DAY: 

you be smiling when I'm frowning/you be frowning when I'm smiling/you be happy when I'm  sad/but when I'm glad/you get mad

-Shawn J, Field M.O.B

Hard Candy

For the love of all things Holy!

If you want to see a wonderful film...go rent Hard Candy!

If you want to squirm in your seat...go rent Hard Candy!

If you want to see a great performance by Ellen Paige, playing a role that's a bit darker and more elusive than the precocious Juno...go rent Hard Candy!

I won't spoil it for you, but Hayley is 14, her suitor is 32, they drink screwdrivers (that's just Vodka and OJ, for all you pups) and have some questionable conversations. There is a camera involved, along with rope, surgical instruments and a murder that never quite gets sorted out!

It's certified...by ME. And that's big shit. That's like a ghetto Oscar! A Leroy!



HIP-HOP LYRIC OF THE DAY:
What happened to the levees/ why wasn't they steady/Why wasn't they able to contol this?
I know some folks that live by the levees that keep on tellin' me they heard explosions!
Same shit happened back in Hurricane Betsy, 1965...I ain't too young to know this!
That was President Johnson, but now it's Geoooooorgia...Bush!

-Lil Wayne, Georgia...Bush

'I just wanna be heard!'

The other day, someone asked me 'Why do you write screenplays?'

My reply? 'I just wanna be heard?'



I remember being in New York to visit my Granny for the summer, and her taking us to the movie theater to go see 'Double Impact'. I'm sure it wasn't the first movie I saw in theaters, but it was the first one that I REMEMBER seeing in theaters. I've been in love with movies ever since (That movie is corny as shit, now that I think about it. But FUCK IT!).

I've always known that there were actors who acted in movies and directors to directed in movies. And there are producers who make sure the who ship stays on track. But I never wanted to be an actor (too much notoriety; I like to play the background). And I never wanted to be a director or a producer. Then one day, during my junior year of high school, i realized that someone has to be WRITING these movies that I see on television and in theaters!

You combine my love for writing, my love for movies, my creativity, my huge ego and my sometimes anti-social demeanor, and you've got a screenwriter. 

HIP HOP LYRIC OF THE DAY:

I promise I will not lose!

-Killer Mike

Dear Negro...My Bad...Love, Uncle Sam

'Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction'

So reads the 13th amendment; the one the effectively abolished slavery. That was 143 years ago. Since then, there have been 27 United States Presidents. On July 29, 2008 Congress issued a formal apology for the atrocities commited against people of African descent during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade and for Jim Crow segregation laws.

The resolution, while not speaking about reparations (thankfully), acknowledges the responsibility of government in correcting the “lingering consequences of the misdeeds committed against African Americans under slavery and Jim Crow.”

Not sure how I feel about this. I'm glad that it finally happened. I'm not glad that it took so long. I'm glad that the United States government is acknowledging that they did whatever they wanted to Black people, with no regard for their wishes, families, feelings or thoughts. However, I'm not glad that they don't acknowledge the fact that they are still doing the same thing today; firing 50 shots at unarmed black man Sean Bell, murdering an elderly woman in her home in Atlanta by way of a 'No Knock' warrant, black teenagers in Jena, La being arrested and charged with attempted murder after a fight at school stemming from a white student hanging a noose from a tree in the school's courtyard.

We don't want your pity, we don't want your understanding, we don't want your reparations. All we want is an acknowedement that you FUCKED us over! And for you to stop pretending that you aren't STILL fucking us over! And for you to STOP fucking us over! That's it. Too much to ask for?

Food for thought. Now eat.

Hip Hop lyric of the day: Lord knows, thangs gon' change for better/Lord knows it can't rain forever/that's what I told my momma/...two days later Masta sold my momma

-Nothing 2 Lose, Field Mob

A Breath of Fresh Air

Oh yeah, do yourselves a favor and go cop that Killer Mike 'I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind, part II'. It's one of the best albums that I've heard since...'I Pledge allegiance To The Grind, part I'.

It's very...complete. Mike is quickly rising on my list of top emcees. I've always been a fan, but I also always felt like he never really lived up to his potential. I don't know what he been doing for last couple years, but now...he's a trained assassin! The album is smart, aggressive, thoughtful, grimey, spiritual and inspiring. Go cop it!

Hip Hop lyric of the day: The curch ladies weep/when they hear ya man speak/they say they see God in me, but I'm in the streets/they ask me why I'm rappin', tell me I'm called to preach/I smile, I kiss 'em on they honey brown cheeks/I tell 'em God bless 'em and their concern for me/but you can never walk on water if you still fear the sea/if Jesus came back, mother, where you think He'd be/probably in these streets with me

-God in the Building, Killer Mike

No Rest For The Hungry...I'll sleep when I'm dead!

What up, world! I was sitting here writing on my latest script, when I decided to take a break and blog a bit.

Lately, I've been working a lot and haven't had as much time as I would like to write. Sometimes I get up early and write, and sometimes I write at night before I go to bed. But I try to ALWAYS write...everday...something...anything! No matter how tired I may be, or no matter how shitty I may discover it to be the next day when I read over it. Why? Because the only place the 'success' comes before 'work' is in the dictionary! A lot of people want to be successful at whatever they have chosen to do in life, but they don't want to work hard and pay their dues. I pride myself on never sitting around and waiting for people to give me things; I got out and get them.

Whatever happened to niggas being hungry and working hard to make sure that they can eat good? Where are those dudes at these days? Because from where I'm sitting, there are only a few of us left. So, if you're reading this, I want you to go take a look in the mirror and ask yourself, 'What is it that I want?' After you answer that, ask yourself 'Am I doing what it takes to get it?'. If the answer is yes, then keep doing what your doing and stay on your grind. If the answer is no, then you either need to re-commit yourself to working like a slave so you can eat like a king, or you need to choose to want something that requires a little less effort.

That's it. Now if you'll excuse me, I've gotta get back to this script!!!

Why So Serious?!?

If you haven't gone to see 'The Dark Knight', go see that shit! It was rediculously good, and I'm a pretty tough movie critic. The action was explosive, but stopped just short of being cartoon-ish. Maggie Gylenhaal (Not sure if I spelled that right. My apologies) is a huge upgrade over Katie Holmes in the part of Rachel Dawes (even though Katie Holmes is waaaaaay more poke-able). And I think Christian Bale is a pretty beleivable Batman. The story took a weird turn towards the begining of the third act, and I felt like the writers left one major loose end, but overall, I was very impressed.

As far as Heath Ledger as the Joker, he played that shit like I didn't think possible. I never thought I'd see a better Joker than Jack Nicholson in the original Batman, but I'll be damned if he didn't pull it off. Go see it and you'll see what I mean. He went out like a champ. Hey, at least his last contribution to Hollywood wasn't 'Ten Things I Hate About You'!

Anyway, I've gotta get up early and write before work, so I'm gonna take a showere and hop in the bed. GONE!

Here I Am...Catch Me If You Can!

Friends, Americans, countrymen...lend me your eyes! I'm back for the first time and getting down to business. I started this blog to keep my friends, family and friends-who-are-like-family in the loop about what's going on in my crazy world. Plus, it just seems like fun! This is just a trial run; meaning I could love this blogging s#!t and do it everyday, or I could hate it and never post another! Only time will tell! 

Onward and upward...the Ivory Tower Awaits!