Beginning the Journey of Correcting my Teeth-Invisalign.

September 2019

On September 11, 2019, I began my Invisalign journey.

When I was younger, I wasn’t crazy about getting braces.  The dentist had suggested them multiple times.   

Most of my life, I’ve been shy when it came to girls/women, and I thought having braces would kill my confidence more so.   My best friend in high school had the metal braces, and I remember him sitting behind me in class breathing funny. 

I never found myself attractive to the public, but privately I like the way I look.  Artists and painters brushstrokes are unique.  I consider all of us being the works of a unique illustrator(G-O-D, our sky buddy).  In saying this, having a big nose, going bald in my 20’s, my crooked teeth, I've come to accept.  

July 2019

I learned that one’s teeth shift throughout their life, and as I’ve gotten older, it’s affected my dental health.  My biting myself(inside my mouth) happened often and severely.  Grinding my teeth when I slept, didn’t help either.

This process of correction will take up to 2 1/2 years.  Some teeth will have to be shaved, I was told.  Let’s see how this goes.

Jillionaire's Chicken and Beer Party 2019. Brooklyn, NYC

I've been to this party for the last two years, and it's never disappointed. With these recent party videos, I've been trying to be more intentional in capturing friends and familiar faces.  Why? Because of Micro Don's passing.  Here today, gone tomorrow.  We never know how much time we have left on this planet.

Events like this make me so happy to be alive. To dance amongst friends have the best of times.  Moments like these are what I feel make life worth living.

When it comes to dancing at parties, I admittedly can have an ego.  I want people to follow me, all eyes on me.  When I don't get that I, sometimes, might feel less than.   It's something I'm trying to work through.

I wanted to thank and give credit to DJ Fade, Dutty the French, and the gentleman behind the 15th Parish documentary for shooting this event from their point of view.  Max Glazer for a beautiful speech honoring Micro Don's memory and making us dance.  Jillionaire for continuing to put on this annual summer event.  

Finally, I want to show love to all my friends, acquaintances and familiar faces I see at these functions.   These events are made better because of you.

Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance REVIEW

I saw the 1982 movie(on Netflix)in preparation for this series and found it lacking, which is weird because the world is so full of substance.    But as this series presents, there was more to be explored.

This Netflix exclusive takes place before the movie, but I preferred Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance to the film.   Fleshing out these characters, the unraveling of the story, the history of the world was wonderful.   However, I admit it didn't grab me until the 2nd episode.

I was surprised at how many times I got emotional watching this.  Specifically, the parent-child relationships.    Reinforcing the power of the human voice evoking emotion, whether it would be in an animated film like 'Up' or a series made with puppets showcased here.

The fantasy world first introduced back in 1982 is more realized in this show.   If you're a fan of Lord of the Rings trilogy, you won't be disappointed.   One of the locales called 'Stone in the Wood' reminded me of the Shire with the homes being inside small hills.

The Skesis are probably the most entertaining, scary, dark characters.    I wouldn't be opposed to having a mini-series focused solely on them. 

I  watched the 'making of' documentary after the series and was amazed at how much work it took to put this production together.    

With most TV series, multiple directors head up different episodes.    Here Louis Letterier leads all ten chapters.   He directed films such as 2008's Incredible Hulk, Clash of the Titans(2010), and Now You See Me(2013) to name a few.

The voice cast was vast and surprising.   With such actors as Taron Egerton, Lena Headey, Nathalie Emmanuel(both from Game of Thrones), Simon Pegg, Awkwafina and many more.     Check the IMDB page here for the entire voice cast https://imdb.to/2kiDBSJ.   The puppeteers act out the scene the voice actors come in after to breathe more life into the performance.

One of my favorite series this year.  Fantasy wise(on TV), this is the one for 2019.   

Carnival Row on Amazon Prime was good, this was great.   I want more.

It Chapter 2 SPOILER REVIEW

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE

Jason G and I saw It Chapter 2.    We both enjoyed it but felt the first film was superior.    

Some of Jason's thoughts(THERE ARE SPOILERS BELOW):

-He's read the book and said this movie was too faithful to the book, comparing it to the Watchmen film.    This isn't a good thing.

-Jason enjoyed the ensemble of the adult Losers' club even saying, if there were an Oscar nomination in this category, this would win.

-Stephen King connected universe?    He shares some insights he's learned regarding this story being related to Mr. King's Dark Tower book.

Late night movie review

 My thoughts:

-This film wasn't necessary.    Unless you're a completist and want to discover how the rest of the story plays out.

-Is Pennywise and alien?    This wasn't explained well.

-The movie does drag at points.

We discuss all this and more in this episode.    Please post your comments and feedback below.

It was my birthday on September 8.   Jason got me this great gift.    A book summarizing Quentin Tarantino's films.    Very cool.

A birthday gift from Jason G

Want to read Stephen King's It book?    Do so here. https://amzn.to/2NVRRgO

Haven't seen the first(fantastic)film?    Do so here. https://amzn.to/2O0YxKi

These are affiliate links.

Terminator Stalks Deathlok-Action Figure Drawing

In this drawing, the T-800 is stalking Deathlok, but he is ready for him.    The figures I used in this piece are the Marvel Legends, Sasquatch BAF, Deathlok figure.    The second is the Neca Terminator, Kenner Tribute, T-800, with the Power Arm.

Time lapsed video of this drawing.

The Alien films inspired the setting.    Those movies often take place in dark, steamy, dirty corridors of a spaceship which has been on a mission for some time.   

The challenge I run into with these pieces is the lighting on the figures.    Its doesn't always fit the mood.    

After loading the photo(of the action figures)into the Procreate app on the Ipad, I tend to freestyle it, pouring out whatever environment comes to me.

With a little planning, I'm sure I can fix this.

Here are affiliate links for both figures.

Deathlok https://amzn.to/2N25KKC

Terminator https://amzn.to/2ZWiGDG

Thoughts, comments, please do so below.    

Conversations with Friends

Listen to the Podcast Here:

On this episode, I have a conversation with various friends and co-workers.   

These recordings are another form of photographs.    A record in time which says we were here at this date and had a conversation.    A beautiful way to remember someone, in my opinion.

The first conversation is with Paula.   A co-worker in her twenties who wants to grow into the person she wants to become right now.

The second is with a manager who is moving on from the current job. He shares his excitement and fear of what's to come.

Thirdly, my friend Mami(yes that's her name).   We talk about a member of our small dancehall circle who passed recently passed on. 

Finally, I speak with a friend who is HIV positive.    He talks to me about his life currently and the stigma which comes along with his status.

Thoughts, comments, please do so below.

Irredeemable. Fantastic comic, with Memorable Quotes.

 Irredeemable is a recommended series.   The full run is available now on Comixology Unlimited.    The premise?    The story asks what if Superman became a villain and went to war with the world?    Except writer Mark Waid uses his creations to fill the roles.   Two quotes from this comic made me reflect on my own life.  

-The Eleos in issue 32 

'For if there is anything we learned about humans...it is that some never tire of punishing themselves.'

Why are we so critical of ourselves?   Why not realize how much power we have?    Why not reinforce what we focus on, becomes our reality?

Another observation, I've found that if I treat someone poorly, this is how I talk down to myself.

-Modeus in issue 27

'The great and tragic paradox of the human soul,' 'is that while it constantly longs for something better, it cannot help but gravitate towards the familiar.'

Why is it so hard to change?    We know what's best for us, but it requires work that would take us out of our comfort zone.

I, like many, suffer from this.     I wake up in the morning with a full tank of willpower telling myself today is the day to start eating right.    By the end of the day, I'm going back on my word, eating crap, and regretting it later.

Rob Dial said 'to grow, you must do what you don't want to do.'   I.e., get uncomfortable.    Very tough to do.

I'm grateful for these quotes and this excellent series.    If you don't have Comixology Unlimited you can find out more on that here: https://bit.ly/2lReCX1

Check out Irredeemable here.   https://amzn.to/2NKLBbo  This is an affiliate link.