A Check (ChAnGe) Is Come...HAAA

Forrest Gump said it best " Life is like a box of Chocolates, You never know what you gonna get..." Who knew that one day I'd be touring with a black gospel stage play.....

Yup for the past year and half, I've been performing with an amazing, talented group of people in the Michael McCorkle "A Change Is Coming" stage play. We started doing shows throughout the DC area, and just this past summer the show hit the road to ATL, VA ,NC, and ended at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. As this past weekend marked the final performance, I will forever have bittersweet memories of the good/bad experiences.

Well what were the good times?

Ummm...well being able to perform in front of an audience, meet new folks, the soul food restaurants that showed us love on the road, and the traveling!!! I'd trade the cubicle thing for that any day...

And the Bad?

Well...when the curtains close, the lights go out, and all is said and done...Ummm next comes the pay check right???!!!! Nope... we'd (the cast) would go weeks/months without any mention of a paycheck, and when we did finally get paid the math just didn't add up to what was in the agreement. No big deal, because folks were just doing it for the love of it I guess....So we (the cast) just didn't press the issue... That was until one day we were all sitting around talking and joking around about when were going to get paid and how we should stage a mutiny, oblivious to the fact that our conversation was being recorded on a fellow cast member's camcorder. So long story short, the camcorder somehow gets left with the director and he watches the camcorder (I guess thinking that there was some backstage footage) and sends everyone a piece of his mind via email:

"Remember to turn your video camera completely off the next time you and your fellow cast members are speaking in private. No picture, but plenty of audio from the Kennedy Center down time!!! To ALL Cast...............A while ago I prayed to God to raise my awareness, and allow me to recognize any "weapons" formed against this production. I never would have imagined that some "weapons" would exist among this cast! If you feel that you can no longer make a committment to this production, or other interests prevent you from appearing for shows or attending rehearsals, SPEAK YOUR PEACE NOW! Furthermore, if you feel that your role is safe from being replaced or your longevity with this production exempts you from being let go......you're wrong! Many sacrifices have been made, and alot of money has been spent (not made!) to keep this production alive. We will not continue to do both for individuals who are not appreciative of the opportunity......or consider a "MUTINY"! WE ARE ON TOUR AND PERFORMED AT THE KENNEDY CENTER!...........IF YOU CAN'T APPRECIATE THAT, THEN MAYBE YOU DON'T BELONG WITH THIS PRODUCTION!!! All things must come to an end.........Strongly consider whether or not your end has arrived?"

So wait Mr Director guy, let me get this straight:

You agreed to pay us an allotted amount per show, but when folks start to ask about when we get paid your response is that "We're weapons formed against your production, we should be grateful that we're on tour, and most of all, we can be replaced!????"

Wordddddd??????

Well we've talked things out and came to the conclusion that there was a major communication problem, and that had things been communicated to us then this whole mix up could've been avoided. Really at the end of the day, we (the cast) were just having a personal conversation and joking around...everyone still continued to perform with their "A" game and kept the show going.

I believe if the Director really sat and thought before responding, he would see that we have been a pretty loyal cast to him through thick and thin. That email was soooo out of line, but hey, I guess that's what they call SHOW BUSINESS!

And yes ladies and gentlemen, The Check Has Come!

Amen.

Guessssss who's BACKKKKK!....RIP Myron Fitzgerald Miller

Wow...It's been like 2years since I've been on this thing....So I'd figure that I'd stop being lazy and get back to writing, reflecting, and sharing my life experiences...etc..

Well let's see...I'm mean where do I begin... let's rewind back to March 2006 (the date of my last post).... Since then I've switched jobs and moved into my own crib...That's MAJOR huh? Well I say it's kinda bittersweet: Condo= Independence, but more responsibilities and BILLLLLLLSSSS!!! I know, I know I'm 25 now and it all comes along with being a man, so I should just shout my mouth and don't complain not "nay" bit..lol...Wait, but really "I don't wanna grow up I'm Toys R Us Kid!" ....Those were the days I swear, as a child I had noooo care in the world other than Christmas and whether I'd get that new video game.... In any case, I've been blessed immensely by my Creator, I am grateful...

The new job...hmmmm....it was exciting at first but after a year or so I find myself not fufilled, rather just another robot sitting in a cubicle going blind looking at a computer for 8, 9, 10 hrs per day...*yawn* There's part of me that yearns for something better, something greater and it just won't rest until I "get there"... Oh and I will! It's like I've been riding on a red line train but should've been on the blue line...but hey thank God for transfer stops!!!!!GLOOOOORRRRRRY..I feel like it's my time to shine now guys...Stay tuned!

"Smile though your heart is aching

Smile even though its breaking

When there are clouds in the sky, youll get by

If you smile through your fear and sorrow

Smile and maybe tomorrow

Youll see the sun come shining through for you

Light up your face with gladness

Hide every trace of sadness

Although a tear may be ever so near

Thats the time you must keep on trying

Smile, whats the use of crying?

Youll find that life is still worthwhile

If you just smile..."

On October 31,2008 I felt like a part of me died. It was on this day that I lost my little cousin. He was like the little brother that I never had, and we had special unbreakable bond. Though most people might've only saw him as a problem child, I saw him as very loving young man that had so much potential to be great. We'd talk every so often about life and I'd encourage him to do the right things in life...he knew that I would always be there if he ever needed anything, and I believed he appreciated that. The week of his death he called me more frequently (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday) and would vent about his frustrations with life and how life was hard. I would listen and encourage him that it wasn't too late to get himself on track ,and that I would help him....well the last time we talked, I told him that he could move in with me, if he ever wanted a change in environment....he sounded excited about it, and said he would come once he finished his community service in February...

The past two weeks or so have been kinda rough... I've felt all types of emotions and have had many unanswered questions....even started to blame myself for a moment. I did my best to help, and the rest was up to him and God. However, the reality is that this is Life and we never know which way the path will lead us. I have come to peace with this reality, and also with the fact that not everything in this life may make sense. I have faith that I'll understand it by and by...For there's a time and season for everything, and as much as I loved my cousin and will miss him, he belonged to God..... So I smile in the memory of my cousin and good times we've shared.... I know one day we'll meet again lil cuzzo! You're truly missed and loved!

R.I.P Myron Fitzgerald Miller

(10/9/1990- 10/31/2008)