The beauty about life is that you can predict it, but you cannot write it under any circumstances. After doing some industry soul searching during much of the spring, I came away with the conclusion that I was going to sit in my chair and continue to run around in this newfound role as video producer and work for some of the biggest brands in the fashion (Z!nk, and now Bullett), urban (thisis50.com), & media genres (The Skinni/Official Heat on ABC-Buffalo). I figured at this stage of my career, this was likely my most realistic option for the next few years, although I’ve become a “Larry Brown-esque” of sorts, bouncing around from brand to brand.

Then along came VC.

The thought of me returning to what I did prior to video producing was unreal: I was still struggling to accept that I was making considerably LESS money doing video work than I was when I ran Digital First full-time, and with the way my projected roadmap was put together a few weeks ago, I was (gasp) facing the prospect of generating the least amount of revenue in a calendar year since 2004, my 2nd full year as a photographer. Yeah I’m still new and undecorated by most standards as a video guy, but sorry – with the ego I have, I’m not sure if it would’ve allowed for me to just sit back and not pull in the amount of $ I once pulled in 2 years ago, even if it was in a different line of work.

But again, along came VC.

So I’m back wheeling and dealing with CHELCA, and it definitely feels refreshing, almost like the days of when Urban Renewal Media was around, but with less headache. But all of this shows why you can’t worry about things that aren’t even in the timeline yet, let alone near the daily calendar. I see people get stressed out over stuff that’s months away from being addressed, and it’s like…..why the hell are you racking your brain about something that might not even have the same circumstances by the time it arrives on the calendar?
I basically ran my company in the red for most of June, and at one point, I was scratching my head figuring out how I was going to cover the monthly expenses and yadda yadda yadda. Definitely not stressed or anything, but moving with a bit of concern because until the due date arrives, you can’t get worried.

I could’ve stressed it out, potentially set myself up for a brain aneurysm, panicked at the slightest thought of running my company into a hell hole, but what good is all of it?

Prepping up for the summer – in between helping with the launch of my second job, I was able to get out and enjoy the scene for a few, which is something I pledged I’d do more of this summer despite the unfriendly schedule. I forgot to snap any pics while in Philly, but it felt cool to just be in another city and be able to mozy around as if I was home – there’s no other place like NYC!

And shout out to everyone who came through to Glass as well – a lounge with 75 capacity? Wow.

Nothing beats a party on a holiday weekend, especially one that involves drinks, good music, fam, close friends, and the breezy winds of the greatest city in the world, but more importantly, my home stomping grounds in Bed-Stuy. Granted, it wasn’t on the side where I grew up (Fulton/Utica), but still, The Stuy is the Stuy, just like how UNC alumni treat one another.

After taping at one of my weekly gigs the other day, I accompanied one of my trusted confidant’s as he closed on purchasing a freshly renovated brownstone in the heart of Greenwich Village, a swift playback from 2003 sped through my mind all the way to today where I’m at right now – I think anybody can relate when you feel that you’re at that certain point where you’re seeing the other side of the bridge and know its only a matter of time before you cross the bridge, but its making you impatient to look while not being able to reach that other side quicker than you want.

Granted, I have nothing to complain about right now with me – I’ve been lucky and fortunate to have done a few things as of late, but to see someone I know personally close in on something that I’ve also been wanting to accomplish does nothing but indicate that my time is definitely near and it’s right around the corner. Trouble is I don’t feel like turning on my turning indicators and just want to turn w/o blinkers. I’m definitely giving myself a less than 2 year window to make my way to the heart of the city, and with enough determination, grit, grind, and hustler’s spirit, I should be “getting off that bridge” very soon.

NYC has to be by far the toughest dating city in the nation, let alone the entire world. Everything you do to position yourself as a viable bachelor available, the success works against you. But if you just flounder in the mix and ‘wing it’ on dates and such, you likely have a better chance of scoring a babe moreso than being in a better financial & economical situation.

Its also tough when you do not have kids, have no ‘lingering baggage’ and also, work in a field that primarily deals with well-endowed women 24-7. Its these reasons why my particular choices in women have varied over the years — some cool, some questionable — all in the quest to “tie this whole life and its happy ending together.”

So far in 2010, it’s been a completely different story.

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE my city and have fought off temptation to move elsewhere for years. Sometimes, taking a step back and observing the surroundings really paints the huge picture that I’ve come to now realize: its no different in other cities.

Easy reason: most of THEIR women are moving here, and are basically continuing the trend of the scene in NYC, which really makes you think to yourself is it even worth it to do the whole active dating thing from the start.
After taping (on camera) for an upcoming docudrama, I obviously had to deal with more of this issue, as its the focal point of the series, and I’ve become sort of an ‘old school soul’ with some of my methods of approach. I don’t really get aggressive early on, I’m not a “story talker” (I don’t have a real “story” to tell or use to reel a babe in), and aside from being pretty obnoxious and confident, I’m mostly a quiet dude who does the loud talking behind the scenes and let’s the surrounding scenary speak for itself.

Too bad NYC women aren’t really checking for any quiet dude who’d rather open up a bottle of wine at home than at a club.

The last of a dying breed, perhaps? Who knows, and likely will never know. But still carrying the vanguard olympic torch? Yup, and with pride too! Although the easy lure of “all rude everything” is right there, its the principal of things that says in the end, “it all works itself out.”

It feels weird to date again though – it’s like the first day of school all over again each time, as you try and impress and make a statement out of the gate early, but at the same time positioning yourself with ample wiggle room for down the line. I’ve found myself gravitating back towards the older women after briefly flirting with doing the younger women stuff.

Anyone who knows me knows I gladly take pride in supporting whoever I date, no matter what the circumstances. I also take great pride in where I am now too, which is not dumbing down for any female, no matter what. If it leaves me solo for a while, so be it.

Party/couch jumping season is back in session!

About 3 weeks ago I was given the dubious honor of having brunch on my birthday with someone who stirs the straw in the world of media, a man who, arguably, is considered one of the 3 most powerful people in broadcast television today.
During the convo, one thing that stood out was his knowledge of my field of work (fashion), considering its not his everyday thing. After just talking the usual and “introducing myself” I was asked about a 5 year plan, to which I replied I don’t believe in 5 year plans because of rapid technology and resources changing by the month.

His face hit the floor.

He says despite technology and whatever progressing at a faster rate, the 5 year plan represents a roadmap, because you can’t just drive just to drive, right?

Its weird because I’ve never had a 5 year plan ever. Its been 2 years or bust, and I’ve always accomplished the 2 year plans on time since 2004. But if I do plan on selling this thing down the road at some point, why not have a 5 year plan?

We’ll see what happens.

Well hell, if the most powerful man in broadcast television is saying draw up one, I’m on it immediately.