On the set with Berniw Mac

On the set with Bernie Mac

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of being on the set of the up coming movie Soul Men. The movie stars Samuel Jackson and of course Bernie Mack. The movie is about two estranged soul singing legends that reunite after 20 years. I had the opportunity of filming two days with him. Of course I was star struck at first. There was Sharon Leal, Affion Crockett, Samuel Jackson and of course Bernie Mack. I have to admit, I didn’t know who Affion Crockett was at first and we were just talking and laughing. Sorry, I don’t watch much BET.
It was a little cool on the set in downtown Memphis. Plus we were out there for 12 hours! We would be in the lobby of the Peabody, and then we would come outside when they needed us. While we were in the lobby, it was there I first got to talk to Bernie Mac. Yes, he was funny but he was also very down to earth. He wasn’t pretentious at all. Like I said earlier, it was a lil chilly while filming so Bernie Mac would wear his coat outside and have it removed right before the film started to role. Samuel Jackson would do the JIT method. Come out just in time for the film to role! This one particular time we were standing there waiting on the directors and Samuel had already made it known it was cold out there! (in vintage fashion) We were all standing there in our positions in the cold… I was shivering; Samuel was frowning and Bernie Mac bust out singing James Brown’s song. “Please Don’t Go” It was a true Ice Breaker. It was funny, it was right on time, and it was classic Bernie Mac.
Thanks for the advice and conversation, and thanks for making the world easier to deal with.

Rest in Peace Bernie Mack


Jcc

500 Thread Count

Yesterday while out shopping for new sheets and bedding stuff, I listened to the advise of a female friend and paid attention to the thread count. Instead of getting the least expensive package containing the most items, I paid attention to the thread count. I'm a number's guy so I immediately recognized the higher the count the more expensive it was going to cost me! With today's technology, my cell phone, I did some comparable shopping. I used my camera phone to take pictures of the sheets AND the price tag! I went to BCF (Burlington Coat Factory) Marshalls and TJ Maxx. They all had great deals. I actually spent $120 on sheets and pillows just for the bed! I think that was the price of my first mattress set!! I got a 500 thread count set from BCF. It matched my comforter perfectly. I didn't wash it...just put it on. I know a lot of ladies wash there's but even though I'm color coordinating sheets and stuff... I'm still a guy! But man... when I got in...laid down... I was like WOW! Big difference! Made my old sheets feel like something they covered Moses up with and sent him down the river! Needless to say I had a good night sleep and was late to work. Quality does make a difference. Next on the list, Egyptian cotton!

Roscoe Jenkins meets College Road Trip

I had to take Sharreda back to Emory this weekend from spring break. The original plan was to drive to ATL Saturday and drive back to Memphis Sunday. Mother Nature had plans of her own. A big storm went thru Atlanta Friday and more of the same was predicted Saturday. It was the same storm that stopped the action of the SEC game in the Superdome.
So any way I decided to get a Red bull or two and drive up and back Sunday. I thought it might be fun, on a road trip, me and her talking and what not. I also decided to let my younger sister and nephew ride. Neither of them had been to Atlanta. I gassed up, picked everyone up and we left around 8:20. But wouldn’t you know, soon as we hit the MS state line Sharreda goes to sleep! She is not a morning person, so I truly understand. I’m not a morning person either, but she by far has me beat! At this point I think everyone is sleep but me, so of course you know what I do… pop in the Elements, Earth, Wind & FireJ The car was pretty decent, a new Camry. My last rental to Dallas was an Accord. I think I liked it better.
Ok… coming up on AL…surely she’ll wake up by now. I look over….nope, still sleep. Seems it was just yesterday she was sleep in a car seat. What is that noise? My sister is in the back sleep snoring loud! Geez!
So now we are in AL headed to GA. everyone is waked. All of a sudden my sister, who was in the back seat leans forward and asks “Y’all want some Potted Meat, or some Turkey Meat?” All hell naw.. no she didn’t bring no potted meat on a 5 hr road trip! I promptly told her I’m not about to smell no potted meat from Alabama to Atlanta! I would’ve put her and her cans on the hood of the car!
We make it on campus and I help Sharreda with the bags. I make plans to grab a bite to eat. One thing I didn’t like about the Camry is that the cell phone plug didn’t work. We were in Sharreda’s dorm room and I told her I’m going to charge my phone up while we go get something to eat. I’m coming back up stairs, open her doom door and she has this look on her face… me, “what is that smell?” My sister has a big row of crackers eating a can of Potted Meat in Sharreda’s dorm room! Oh – My –GOD..just KOUNTRY! So I made her get rid of it and we went to get something to eat at Applebee’s.
The drive home was pretty cool, made it back around 9pm. I plan on going back pretty soon to give her a surprise visit like she did me one weekend. Called me asked what am I doing…yada, yada… and she pops in town. I know one thing… there’ll be no potted meat in the car!

Throw your dueces up

What has been going on since last blog? Oh yea... the Memphis - UT game. As you are aware by now... Memphis did end up losing the game. It was a good game however and the city was really filled with an electric atmosphere. Even though I only went to school for grad school (they say undergrad is where your heart lays) I was still shouting my T-I-G-E-R-S... you know the rest. ESPN said it was the highest rated basketball game ever. (I wonder how much $$ that was). There was a lot of Blue and a good dose of Orange...and a sprinkle of Peach but that's a different story... It happened just like my first scenario. TN got the number 1 spot and the Tigers didn't go past #3 in the polls. It looks like they are on their way to getting that number one seed still.

Snow hit the city over the weekend...yea I threw a few snowballs! Hit a few people..LOL! Hey.. it only comes once every 4 years or so.

I had a nice trip to Dallas a week ago. I was impressed with Big D as they call it. Actually I was in Irving, Los Colinos (hope I'm spelling that right) and it gave me a lot of ideas if I ever became a developer. The condos down there had a lot of amenities I've yet to see in Memphis. Who knows, maybe in a few years you'll see some in Memphis...what would I name them?? hum..it would have to be something strong and inspirational. Something that evokes power, promise and a new beginning.... HUM.... STRANGE`... No not strange...pronounced (stron-jay)...oh now you get it!...

I'm going to leave saying this... Not too long ago I was walking back to my car from grocery shopping, as I so rarely do, and saw this dog hanging out of the window with an arm out. (do dogs have arms?) As I got closer, he just stayed there. I thought weird... I got in my car and he went in... then he came back out and did the same thing! I swear the dog was saying sup playa and throwing the deuces up at a brother! Let me know what you think! LOL!!

It's the Eye of the...

T-I-G-E-R-S….TIGERS!!!
As T.O. will say…. "Getcha Popcorn Ready!" This is going to be the biggest game of the year, possibly of the decade! The number one ranked Memphis Tigers take on the number two ranked Tennessee Vols this Saturday in my backyard in Memphis at the FedEx Forum. Regardless of the outcome, it’s going to be a great game. Great for the city, teams, all fans and especially the SCALPERS!! You can pay tuition with some of the prices I’ve heard the tickets are going for.
Let’s examine an outcome. “Tigers beat the Vols” Absolutely great for the Tigers! They get braggin rights, shut up the nay-sayers and remain number one! Then they go on to be the number one overall seed in the tournament!!
“Vols beat Tigers”…. Hum…UT gets’ braggin rights, move to the number one spot in the polls, and get a number one seed in the tournament. The tigers however would not fall below #3. They would’ve only lost one game and they still would get a number one seed in the tournament! It would actually be a win-win for the Tigers (less the braggin rights). I could bear the nay-sayers until tournament time. The Tigers are deep and they will go deep in the tournament. I did have a trip planned but it got altered by family business. So… I guess I’ll be here for the game. Beale St and downtown Memphis are going to be like Memphis in May. I think I’m going to walk around with a toothbrush in my pocket just in case!
Dickie V!! See ya in Memphis Saturday!! First bag of Popcorn on you! “AWESOME, BABY!!”

The Life of Jazz

The Life of Jazz

Jazz and life go hand in hand.
Jazz is a myriad of sounds, various instruments, tones and notes expressing a single theme, finding your voice.
With all of the complexities of life, rules, laws and social standards, we have an internal passion to find our niche, express ourselves, to become one in a world of billions...simple to find our voice.
Out of chaos comes calmness. Out of a seemingly unrecognizable quartet with different elements you realize there is a central theme and every note is real and relative.
Every person has a purpose, a reason for being. It’s not just to make unorganized noise but to find that stream of harmony that synchronizes with others. Your voice, your note is real but it is up to you to realize and play your tune as only you know how to play it. It may change from time to time, different counts, measures, beats and tones. It is still yours and only yours...soft and loud, slow and fast, dynamic and reclusive...can your hear it?

What is your voice?

jcc