Winter White
Here we go again… in the great white north.
I came back to Rochester for family matters and an old friend(?) made a return. I have a love hate relationship with the weather here. On one hand, the snow is beautiful when it first falls. It usually quiets the town, very serene.
Then the bitter cold whips around, the sleet and slush creates a dirty mess. Shoveling is a great workout, but when the power goes out and people are stranded, it’s a real worry. This is a climate that builds character… and/or fuels ones determination to escape. Bundle up!
“Would you like some extra ice with that?…”
Heartbreak
Nelson R. McNeil
Sunrise November 5, 1960
Sunset May 25, 2022
The last couple of months have been the some of the scariest of my life. I had a relative, who was like a brother to me, pass away from a debilitating illness. I had to watch his life force slowly, then quickly fade away. I spent time in my hometown at his bedside knowing that there was very little I could do, other than be an ear and support.
Now, weeks later, I’m still trying to process the loss. During our adulthood, at least once a week, one of us would contact the other, usually discussing social issues or trading jabs regarding philosophies.
I miss him terribly and feel like a part of me is gone. Nevertheless, I take comfort in the the fact that we could spar verbally, cut each other spiritually, but always have the love and compassion to dress the wounds so that we may live to converse another day.
Without question, my cousin, from our youth to his transition, has made me a better person. One of my favorite Biblical verses says it best:
“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” - Proverbs 27:17 (KJV)
I miss my cousin, my brother, my friend.
Musicians of the ‘MAGIC’
Jeff Majors, Dave Marsh and BasseyDrae
Our magical journey continues…with the introduction of a couple of co-collaborators on this project, we get to see how folks can work in harmony to create a joyous sound.
It was my pleasure to meet someone I used to watch perform and interview fellow artists on television back in the day, world-renowned Harpist JeffMajors.
And to show how small the world truly is, I found out in the course of our dialogue that I shared a filmmaking class with the daughter of the third member of the trio, Bassey Drae.
Along with D. Marsh, these men of various musical upbringings and backgrounds epitomize the excellence that is surging in our communities. It is truly an honor to showcase their skills.
It must be ‘MAGIC’
Good things happen when you form relationships with good people.
When I was in school with the goal of being a filmmaker, we had a class assignment to find and interview a subject.
I met Composer, Arranger, Professor and Bassist David Marsh through a mutual acquaintance who hosted the open mic night at a local club in D.C. Long story short, Dave allowed me to interview, him as part of a mini-documentary on his musical journey.
Fast forward seven years and a music video (‘Say Goodbye’) later, I get a call from Dave informing me that he was planning to release a new single. He asked if I would be interested in putting a promo piece together for his social media pages… of course, I said yes.
How could I not?…whenever I hear this tune, I imagine a calm breeze and the world at ease.
Happy(?) New Year…
“The moment we let go is the moment we find freedom.”
It’s been awhile since the last post. There have been quite a few ups and downs… and while I don’t celebrate so-called holidays such as New Years, I do tend to reflect on what has transpired in the past year and focus on goals for the upcoming months.
On December 31st, I started my day as usual and to my surprise, I couldn't access my text messages, couldn't make phone calls and could not contact the carrier that I’ve had for over a decade. To make matters worse, I was unable to log in to my phone carrier’s account because part of the authentication process is accessing the account via email.
Guess what?… I couldn’t get in my email either because apparently an algorithm is tripped due to the disruption of the phone service. Also, the email provider, which I’ve had for over 2 decades, locked the account because AI detected “suspicious” activity.
I was in (…or maybe out, I can never tell) a loop that I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
Eight days and countless calls on a borrowed phone later, I was finally awarded my phone and email access. This has prompted me to reassess my connection to vs. freedom from the multitude of web serVICES and deVICES.
I understand that we are social creatures and have a need to communicate. But, if it comes at the cost of allowing a machine to grant me permission, 2022 will be the year of ‘happily letting go’.
A little ‘Medicine’
The Artist ‘DANE-JAH’s new song ‘Medicine’
While here in Rochester, my high school-mate and brother-from-another-mother, Dane-Jah asked if I would shoot a video for his new song ‘Medicine’.
Of course, I said yes and so began a couple of days of shooting in Rochester type (aka freezing) weather. We did a couple of daytime scenes on High Falls Bridge and evening interiors during an event at The French Quarter.
It felt good to support and work with my brother and connect with people whom I haven’t had contact with in years (Vince McIntyre and Michael Avent Sr). The love shown at The Quarter that night was real.
Blessings to Tone, his family and all the folks involved who allowed us to hijack the room for a couple of hours.
We hope the ‘Medicine’ was good going down.
Home sweet home
The Memorial Art Gallery Sculpture Path (Rochester, N.Y.)
I don’t get to my hometown in Upstate N.Y. as much as I should, but when the opportunity or necessity arises, my heart beats just a little faster. Though things are changing (and not always for the better), I cherish the things that are familiar and made me who I am.
Autumn trees in the breeze
Windy fall days are the best in the District. The air is crisp, the trees are colorful and the clouds are in full effect.
Whenever I need inspiration or want to clear my head, I just look up and remember The Source of all that I see.
Considering all that the trees have witnessed in their lifetime… I give thanks.
Planes, Trains and...
Rocky Mount N.C. Amtrak Station
Here we go again… amongst all the madness this pandemic has caused, the effects are still lingering.
I was hired to go to North Carolina on a shoot for one of this country’s bigger philanthropic entities, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Long story short, in the middle of a 5 day assignment, I was released… due to not having submitted to invasive experimental drug therapy (i.e., the jab). I was told to contact the company’s travel agent to arrange a flight back home. Given that I was to leave the next day, I didn’t want to deal with the hassle that comes with airline travel see past blog, so I called Amtrak (it just so happened that the day before, the train station was one of our filming locations). I was able to get a next day ticket from N.C. to D.C. for $50.00. The simplicity and efficiency reminded me of why I enjoyed riding the rails so much in my youth.
And to show how The Most High can turn an exit into a new entry, I met a gentleman named James Thorne who was watching me snap these photos. We had a short conversation and I found out he worked for a non-profit called NABVET (National Association Of Black Veterans), whose work involves assisting veterans who’ve been marginalized by the system and help them to claim the benefits due to them. He would like me to document the group’s efforts and help tell their story… Funny how that works.
Texas Skies
Lisa Kennelly, Owner, Diamond Vineyards & Diamond in the Rough Ranch
A friend called and asked if I would be interested in shooting some footage for a pilot project she’s launching. She owns a hundred acre ranch and vineyard in the great state of Texas.
I said yes, having heard that the views of Texas are legendary. What I didn’t know was how stunningly breath-taking the expanse truly is… stay tuned.
Lisa Kennelly, owner of Diamond Vineyards and Diamond in the Rough Ranch
Back at it…
Well, I finally made it home to the U.S.A.
It took about a week to feel fully functional. I lost 10 lbs., been in communication with the airline that lost my luggage, and have had to readjust to the pace that is Washington, D.C..
That being said, we are back at it…. I got a chance to work with one of my favorite D.P.s in the area Brett Wiley, on a project for the American Institutes for Research… did I mention how blessed I am?
Arayle Freels - American Institutes for Research
Delays, delays, delays
I was so hopeful. After meeting the challenges coming from hotel changes, health concerns and bureaucratic red-tape, as well as adjusting to a pace of life that seems slow (mainly because we’ve been programmed to move at a manic pace in the States), I thought…finally, homeward bound.
Surprise, surprise. When you think you see the light at the end of the tunnel, you find out it is the headlights of a disabled airplane, unable to take off, unable to get you to your destination on time.
If I’ve learned anything during this adventure, it is if you want to keep your sanity in any aspect of your movement in this life… expect, welcome, embrace delays.
Quarantine
Guess who had to quarantine in place under the CDC’s protocol?…guess who had to have his skull probed numerous times?… guess who couldn’t board his departing flight, even with a negative test?… guess who was treated with extreme kindness, generosity and dignity? (from the country he was visiting… not so much the institutions/corporations from his home country). I could not have been treated better than at this establishment. If there was a 10-star rating, they would have gotten it. There is hope for humanity and it’s in Ghana.
Crystal Palm Hotel - Tesano, Ghana
A real-live Angel and her name… Patience.
Prove All Things
I’ve never been one to believe what ‘they’ say…hence Africa.
Which brings me to one of my favorite verses of scripture, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good”. - 1Thessalonians 5:21
This is good and I’m going to hold fast. Shout out to One Africa and GodBox (Gilbert & Dhalia)
One Africa - Elmina, Ghana
Across the Atlantic
When inspiration whispers in your ear…
July 18, 2021…the friendly skies.
Learn, Unlearn, Relearn
So it begins…again. We’ve returned to the scene of the crime to speak to some credible sources regarding a horrific occurrence of theft and human trafficking.
According to the suspect(s), it was a simple matter of opportunity and commerce. Our educational system and His-story have provided an alibi. We will soon hear from those closest to the abducted. Stay tuned.
Elmina Slave Dungeon, Elmina Ghana
History Revisited
Did you ever have thoughts about doing something, only to put it out of your mind as wishful thinking?…
For a long time I’ve thought about the history we learned in school. It never set well with me. There seemed to be one side of the story being told. I came of age on a continent and in a society that seemed to look at me as an inconvenient truth.
As it turned out, a fellow filmmaker and author, whose work I respect, organized a project that would take him to the Motherland. We communicated and he agreed to have me document the journey.
So I took page out of Paul Harvey’s book to …“hear the rest of the story.”
