One Path of many choices

• “One Path of many choices”

At this point in my entertainment career comedy is a good chunk of it. Been in entertainment for twenty plus years and about half that is in comedy. The art of stand up comedy is a difficult cut throat world as any field of entertainment is. The difference, you are alone. Actors, even douche actors, are still working with other actors in any given project. Musicians have their band mates, but a comedian goes up and wins or loses on their own. Though, it doesn't have to be that way. In comedy, I work with “Top of the Bottom Pile” a team of like minded comedians. We work to change the game, because the game needs a changin!

'What it takes' vs 'what is presented' is a compelling thought. Last night I had a chance to audition for a 'passing spot' (Turned into a regular comedian) and I was not passed, but I was not said no to. I was give in a chance to make a few changes to a set which was considered offensive. A set of jokes I have done for a while in featured and headlining spots, which always got laughs. In fact, the night of my audition I was getting good strong laughs through my set. But it comes down to something bigger than my 'Talent' or how good 'I' think I am. Entertainment is controlled by 'Gatekeepers' and there is no Zuul. Good thing I am the 'Key Master'!

I say this for one reason. We control our own path. When one person says no, you must find more power and strength to create your own YES. Who controls the gatekeepers? There is always someone higher on the food chain. Why not let it be you? That's why I work so hard to gain power. I, when opportunity allows it, love to open doors for people. Because I know what it feels like to be told 'no'. It is a sucky, crappy, feeling. There is no reason you should be told no. What is great to one person might be crap to another. George Lucas was told Star Wars was stupid, even by the cast and crew filming it. Follow your drum beat and become your own path.

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)

Casting a cast

• Casting a cast

It begins, the next level in the world of possibilities! Things are aligning to a point of unstoppable momentum. Every year things must continue to grow. If by steps, leaps, or extremely large bounds. This passing week me and a team of people I work with held an audition for a web series. Thirty plus people are sending their interest to act, and in addition there were even more after the fact. So now we are handling Self Tapes. Self Tape is when you film your audition and send it in. These are steps, not to filming, but to a means to an ends. Every step leads to a stronger stance to help others. To help a cause, to give an open door to chance.

Everyone deserves a chance in life. Becoming more involved with producing projects gives our team opportunity to excel at the triangle of life. Networking with different actors, crew members, investors, and only to name a few. This will also help us with Marketing our Brands, and who we are as people. What our personal motivation can lead to. Our perseverance and hard work. There is nothing more exciting than coming up with an idea, figuring out how to make that idea come to life, then getting a team together to bring that idea to life. One step at a time. That's how it has always been for me. Each year, every idea!

At the end of the day, I did nothing on my own. A person couldn't it. The hands of many bring life to ideas. The supporters of the cause pushing and rutting for you to win. They are your energy of encouragement. Everyone helping in bringing life to this idea. Working within their strengths to find the money, build, write, draw, cast, act, crew, etc, etc!!! One person is useless. My proud sense of accomplishment comes from believing in those to my left and to my right. We are equal. Some work harder than others, some have more skills, even so, others might not even know what they are doing, and that is okay... because doing anything is still something!

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)

Yes, no, I understand...

• “Yes, no, I understand...”

One of my pet peeves is yessing me to death to get me through my thought. More important is my time when I am out and about doing my rounds. We are all very important people because we are people. People have value, therefore they are important. That doesn't mean they are annoyingly unaware of their time. Most are. Every second is worth a thousand lifetimes to a person on their deathbed, and here we are, some, if not most, eating up our time doing things we don't love, or understand.

Recently read a really nice passage. “Most people know what they do, some know how they do it, but very few understand why.” Come on, that is beautiful. So I got to thinking, what do I do? I am an entertainer first and a consultant second. How do I do it? I keep busy networking, marketing, and practicing my craft while maintaining my Triangle of life. Why do it I do it? Because I enjoy creating from nothing and to work my butt off until I have so much power I can help others get to the top!

What does this all mean? It means I am very passionate about speaking my mind when it comes to helping / guiding people. When I hear a person going down the road taken most it worries me. They are giving up their precious minutes based on rules and ideas they don't understand. Hopefulness is scary to me. I want to see everyone with a dream succeed. I wish I had a person who knew what I know in the beginning to tell me. Wait, I did! I had mentors and they all got me to where I am today!

Live your minutes away, don't waste them in naivety.

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)

That's a wrap!

• “That's a wrap!”

There is nothing more exciting than a film wrapping! We shot our final scene on this past Tuesday for 'All in the Course'. I suppose I have to dream up a poster for it now. I have crayons, so that shouldn't be too hard. I really loved the experience working with a professional crew and cast on this project. Now it is edit time! The process of getting all the shots cut down and aligned to where they have to be. Maybe even placed in an order which makes sense. Either way, the fun is about to begin for me. Editing is my least favorite part, but it is important to understand. When I work with editors in the future, I want to be able to speak their language.

All in the Course was definitely an undertaking, in a good way. I learned a lot of prep, budgeting, organizing, who I want to work with for my next project, and even how to establish locations. Making a film is one thing, getting it made is another. My first short film was 'A Super Hero Villain', which was about 10 minutes long and took around a full day to film. Seven hours or so to get everything. This project was easily five days of filming, locations all over the place, fight scenes, speaking, and we had three cameras. Yeah, three cameras. Talk about getting the shot you want.

I have another project coming up, untitled so far. We started preproduction already. It will be a web series and completely a huge project for me. I know I have a team ready and willing to make this an exciting time for us. Oh the fun of filming. I'll be directing, acting, writing, and producing again. However, I am bringing on other directors and writers to help take on the load. If I can get through this process I know I can do anything. Working with 'TEAM RISE TOGETHER' and showing studios what we can do on our own is going to help change the game. You want to act, act... write, write... direct, go and direct.

Make things happen by making things happen. Anything is possible if you keep moving forward.

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)

Radio, TV for my Grandpa

• “Radio, TV for my Grandpa”

Got a radio show. Okay, thanks for reading. Check back for more news and a lot of stuff is happening!

I hate blogs like that. Where's the panache? I mean, give the audience something to read about. So, I like to bring up the subject matter in my first paragraph. When the audience is able to jump right into my subject then boom! Radio! I got a radio, internet. It was nice getting this opportunity! Radio is a great way to be heard, but more important it is a nice place to let others be heard. All steps must lead to the upstairs. Well, you could go downstairs but I mean, I have leaks down there. See, now I can move onto some other things, like how I feel about, or my thoughts on the idea.

If there is one thing I enjoy, it is being able to talk about anything, but with direction, to people willing to learn, listen, enjoy. More importantly; Be entertained, Educated, and have a sense of Edification while on the journey of Thomas Talk. Also, this world is much better when people get to help others have a voice. While I will be on each week, guests and other people are going to have my door open for them. A voice must be heard, but about what? I want people to laugh, while learning about the business of life / entertainment / other crap. More so I want the journey of successful people to be understood.

Hmm, this is where I normally express what I learned from the experience. I'll go on about how it added or took away from my life, and how I will grow from it. This will be my forth internet radio show, and about my thousandth time on radio airwaves. So, the experience is fairly familiar. This time around I look to have a lot more fun doing it, and I'll be ready for anything. I really hope I can bring a sense of change to the community when speaking. That is important to me. I want to change the game. I want to let people know there are other ways around making things happen. We, as people, must become the light of inspiration!

Also, the studio is in Dumbo, Brooklyn. I mean, come on! Dumbo.

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)

Produce Results

• “Produce Results”

There are people waiting around hoping for something to happen. How much would really come from it? I would rather bet my calculated chances on a risk than wait around hoping to be discovered. Life is too short to wait it out. I am a go getter. I have been asked what got me where I am, how did I make so much from so little. Hard work? Nah, hard work is too much work for me. Why push yourself beyond your limits!? I hear this turn a lot; hard work got them to the top. Hard work made them the best! I don't believe in hard work. Hard work is the stock boy packing out seven boats a night only to be told he could do more or better.

I work productively. Consistent, with direction, towards completing my S.M.A.R.T. Goals. It is that simple. Okay, not so simple that I do and I succeed. Wait, yes it is. I write down what needs to be completed, and I do that thing. It's not about hard work, it is about consistently being productive. Work Smarter, not harder. I have faith in my method. And so do my clients, that's why I teach them what I do. Everything I have worked productively towards is consistently causing doors to open in all my fields. “Everything you do must affect everything.” I live strongly to this coded ideal, this way of life. I am always working to rise.

When I meet people who work harder, or try and raise the stakes, raise the game, I think “Why not just change the game which works best for you?”. We all learn differently. We all have strengths and weakness in life. As we learn how the game works we adapted and improvise to succeed. My whole life was filled with failures in the minds of others. To me, I have never failed. They were opportunities to succeed and grow in life. I have acting, comedy, writing, consulting, producing, and even more on the horizon, that make all my dreams a reality! There is a method to my madness and it will continue to Produce Results.

Become your action, become the living action to your dreams!

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)

Green with screen

• “Green with screen”

On Tuesday it will be September 1st and August will have come and gone. Wow, eight months just up and went out the window. It is almost the end of the year again. Four full months to go, and what have you done with your career / life? This is a solid question because each year gone is one never to be seen again. I write these blogs to inspire, to get a person thinking, and to show you that a no body like me can make things happen. I made a SMART Goal list that when I moved into Brooklyn, each year would have a strong conclusion in it. And each year my audience has read and followed this Blog, they have seen me grow, change and evolve.

From music, to comedy, to acting, to owning a theater, to moving to Brooklyn. These are strong accomplishments which got me to where I wanted to be. I had a plan, and have a plan, which is working. My first goal moving to Brooklyn was to make sure I utilized my SAG-AFTRA membership to the fullest. I wanted to get involved with the union, and now I am. I wanted to get an Agent or Manager for Acting, Comedy, and writing. I have. I also started audition for larger roles this year. I want to inspire. I want you to know, I am a no body. I am an unknown celebrity of sorts. I am in the shadows like most people. The difference?

I do. I make available the life I want to live. I have a structure that makes me accomplish all my goals in a timely fashion. One must move along in life. You know what though? All my efforts are because of my Network, Market, and Practice mentality. And everyone who is with me on the journey gets to benefit from it. We all help one another, we all work with one another. I am no Island! Yes, I want to inspire through action, but my lovely readers, you must aspire to take action. Become more than an idea, team up with people and get your name out there in bright lights saying “I AM HERE, I AM ALIVE!”

Oh, and I got a green screen! OH THE FUN TO HAVE!

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)

Sore-ish

• “Sore-ish”

Why did I write such a hard fighting sequence? Five plus hours we filmed on Saturday of dialogue, then three major fight scenes. Afterward we had some yummy food. All together I have to say this shoot continues to be interestingly fun. My first big filming event as a writer / director / actor / producer was 'The Super Hero Villain', which gave me a chance to learn the process. Dem be a lot of hats to wear! It was really worth it. My passion to create art has always been there, but as a performer I get to live in the moment of another life. All in all, it comes down to seeing an idea birthed into existence. This is a lovely path I am on.

The First fight scene was pretty simple. Two guys run in and attack a third guy. Some cool things happen and boom! On to the second fight, which ends violently; “Snap, Crackle, Pop!” and not the cereal! It was the third fight I was in. I still have some moves left in me, but my body forgot how to be in shape. Talk about tired and sore-ish from filming all day. It is more than punch, punch, kick. Lots of spinning, tumbling, and more. There is a moment when I was getting heel kicked in the balls, by accident; “maybe I should have stunt-doubles”. I will say this, it was all the more worth it doing the stunts myself. A couple contacted hits, but we did great!

Plan ahead is important. Like, go to the gym, stretch, don't write long ass fight scenes which make you feel pain for the next few days. Yeah, that rule is the best rule. Nah, I am still going to write and perform as it is needed. I loved the fencing fight in Hamlet. There is something about the idea of fighting, or battle, on screen when it is telling a story. When it is a part of something more. Like a speech without words. Chouen, that's the actor fighting me, did amazing. We both worked hard practicing the moves and even consistently changing moments to fit out fighting styles much better. It was a pleasure having us get beat up together.

Fight on, train, become! Persevere!

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)

Managing

• “Managing”

It is fun managing your time, money, and the people around you. Oh, and I also got signed to a management company for acting. That feeling to be doing things which progress my career in entertainment. Working hard to be “the best in the field” is one thing I have never really pushed to do. Well, except when I was a child in music and didn't know the value of business. Since becoming fluent in business, my companies and career has consistently been growing. From my consulting company, to 'oh DEER! Productions' and even the fun of being an Actor / Comedian / Musician / Writer... oh, you get it, I am a Resilient Entertainer with wits!

I get to do these things because I have organized my life in a way to create a structured business world. I have given myself freedoms to pursue any aspect of life I want. It is easy if you have the tools, and of course, to be willing to DO. Attempting is where I see most people fail. Managing time to try things, managing finances to secure, grow and have play money, and even managing the people in my life. Relationships with people, etc. This is a tough business; this thing called life. But if you want it badly enough, go for it. I see people all the time killing themselves for a job they hate. If only they put that same effort into the life they love.

That mentality is what lead me to getting a manager in less than 12 months. Of course I had to Network, Market, and Practice to get there too. But getting representation is more than career changing, it has to have value and points. Why would anyone sign a person who says things like “Well, if I have X then I can do Y”. This perspective is a hopeful one. Be sure and aware of what is needed. This is important to success. Do not just jump out of a plane, have a plan. I was able to sell my Brand of who, what, where, why, and how I have accomplished so much on my own. People want to work with successful businesses they can sell.

Learn, change, and do! You can!

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)

The Guarantee

• “The Guarantee”

When you die there is only one Guaranteed; That you will be the only one on your death bed. Everyone else is a possibility, since they are not you. This means, always give 100% of your time to you with an open door to being nice to everyone you meet. When you are going down in an airplane they tell you to mask yourself first with the oxygen before helping those around you. This is a great rule, because the better you are off the more you can help another person. That's the idea of life. Connecting with others, but always bringing the best of you to the table that you can be.

These reasons make any guarantee simple. It appears everyone is out for themselves and are willing to help when it benefits themselves. Such a queer perspective toward life. Are people really out for themselves? I kind of hope so. I want them to be, personally. Because when it comes down to it, I want to work with people who know what they want and know who they are. I don't want them to be selfish when doing so. When a person is unsure it can cause a lot of issues. Working hard toward something for a year and boom they vanish. This happened to me a few times. And I know it is my job to learn from my experiences.

So I have. I know what I want in my life. I also know what I want from the people in my life. I want people that A) Know what they want for themselves, B) Are goodhearted and selfless, C) Willing to take chances in life so they can live the fullest life they are given, and last but not least D) Be truest to yourself. These ideals make life much more powerful. If one guarantee in life is that we will be on our death bed alone, then what is to say we can't control another guarantee in life? The guarantee to be the person we want, around those we want, living the life we want.

Work, sacrifice, and risk everything with calculated SMART Goals so you don't become the walking dead before you die. LIVE!

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)

Filming begins

• “Filming begins”

On Saturday, July 25th in the year 2015, filming began for 'All in the Course'. This will mark my second full production. I am working with many hats on this time. Writer, Director, Actor, Editor, Location Scout, and Producer. The first time I did this was on 'A Super Hero Villain'. I really enjoyed filming that movie as it was the first of many projects in the works for Team Rise Together. A gathering of people who are writers / directors / actors all wanting to make things happen. There is something very special about 'All in the Course' which makes it all the more interesting. I did it on a $0.00 budget.

When I hear people making excuses to hold themselves back it simply blows my mind. Because they all could be doing what I am doing. Correction, what me and a bunch of other people are doing. Anything is possible if you put the effort into it. An idea become physical. I wrote a script, found a crew, and I got actors. The best part, is the team mentality. We are all working hard and for a greater goal. We are becoming better friends, for those of us less familiar with one another, creating art, and also I am helping everyone involved who is not SAG-AFTRA union already, get their Eligibility. We are in this together to win this together.

The idea is to be proactive. We all want to be working on something. So why not get together and work on something. Now filming is only the reward. The hard work and effort toward Networking, Marketing and Practicing is the job we all want. I love what I am doing, and I love working with the people around me. Two movies, $0.00, hard working people, and a bright future ahead of us all makes every second of this life worth it. That feeling you can scream out into the night sky of “Look what we are doing on our own” speaks volumes in this business. In a place where you have to prove yourself on the business end to get things going!

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)

What did you do this week

• “What did you do this week”

24 hours in a day, 7 days in a week, and 365 days in a year. If you are lucky you'll get about 80 years, 60 of which are great if you take care of yourself. How old are you now? 30? Well that's half your life gone before your body says “slow it down”. What if you can live a full 80 years? Than are you 40 yet? Your age is a countdown to an end in a way that should motivate you. How many days and hours do you give to a life you are not happy with? Do you love your job, people around you, relationships? When you wake up, are you excited to get your day started? If you are not happy, start working toward the life you want. You deserve it.

Life is fleeting, but exhilarating if you let it be. Each day I do one thing at minimum to forward my life into maintaining a directing I want. I live the life I want. My earnings come from entertainment. What if I wanted to be a teacher? Well then I would do whatever it is I had to so I could be that teacher. In these passing seven days I went into the city three times. Went comedy club hopping, worked on fighting choreography, had meetings with entertainment lawyers, met up with people, did 6 client hour long meetings, wrote two blogs, edited video, worked on my book, went to the gym all week, and memorized lines to a movie.

I work hard, but this is the life I want so I must work hard. I don't get to go into a job I hate and do it with the minimal required effort to keep that job. This is my career. I have to push hard each day so that I am growing. That my career is going from here to there, and there is upward. It is my job to wake myself up. It is my job to live the life I want by making sure I completed my daily tasks. If it ever comes to a point which I don't want this life anymore, I will have freedom and strength to change it. That is just it though, the changing it up. It is okay, no matter what age you are, to change it up. Find your happiness, but DO IT. Go out there and live.

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)

The perception of success

• “The perception of success”

There are many ways success can be obtained. Those achievements come with very specific rules. Being aware of the rules increases a person's chances to live their dream as a career. Some individuals unknowingly find resolve while on this path through luck (Hard work?). Another path, which always leads to failure, is traveled more frequently. Both roads are designed by different rules. An interesting perspective: If thousands of people fail doing it one way, why could it work for you? Are you really that awesome, amazing, and unique? Follow a path less traveled by those who have seen the mountaintop and constructed a nice house there.

My path, a path taught to me, and refined through research, is basically this; Have a plan, focus, be capable, and good at what you do. What does that all mean? Ready, I will show you. 1) Budget / save up 18 months of income / quit job / focus on career. 2) Network, Market, Practice; even before quitting a job. 3) Learn to manage time, money, and people. 4) Learn to organize money over expense to secure, invest and enjoy that wealth. 5) Life is a business, treat it that way. Earn vacation time, earn freedom, earn it all. Working to find balance in a life lived deep in debt; That is a failing business.

There is a path where the road is covered in thousands of footprints. Within this destination is a mentality which suggests: “A person need only be really really good at their craft.” This notion of greatness will get people to notice. Once noticed, all doors to a big chance open! Ultimately, more awesome, amazing, and unique, the further a person will go. Ego will close more doors than open them. How many Twitter followers or total Social media numbers do you have? How many friends do you keep in touch with? If you believe you don't need anyone, you are in the wrong business. Any business you are in, you will need everyone.

Also... have fun in life. If you are sad, miserable, or tired of what you have going on; change. That's correct; change your life up. If you are in the same place after three to five years and you are still sad, miserable, or tired of what you have going on then it is time to change. Now get out of here and go make changes!

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)

Busy Bee

• “Busy Bee”

They call me the “YES” man. Just keep swimming! This is a motto I learned from a fish. Always stay in motion, like a shark does to keep on breathing. For me, working in entertainment is a constant fight forward finding/creating the next job. Growing up in entertainment “NO” was a normal answer. To get that mysterious “YES” a change in my life had to be made. No longer was I waiting for others to “Help” me to succeed. I ran from the idea of relying on a Record Label, Agent, Manager, etc to give me a chance to prove myself. It was my job to prove myself and no one else.

In life, it is about proving your worth on your own. Rise to the top until you cannot go any further. The secret is to run your life like a business. You want to be in movies, start filming movies. You want to be in a band; start up a band. I have received a great many “no's” in my life that when I made it happen on my own it was to rave reviews or praise. Example: I was told I couldn't write, so I wrote a play and it was on the news. I was told I couldn't be Hamlet, so I produced the show and I was Hamlet, later being told by a stranger I was better than Kenneth Branagh. (I don't think that's true)

The point is, make your life happen by going out there and opening the doors you create. Who cares what people say to you. They are only telling you what they know from their perspective. When a person tells you “no” it means to try harder at getting a “yes”. Either from them or from yourself. If you feel you can do it, then do it. If you think you are better than that person on stage then get on stage, film a movie, do stand-up, open a business! The idea is stop waiting for approval. The only person that needs to say “YES” to you, is you. This is way I rarely sleep, I am always setting up the next step and thus a very busy bee!

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)

To inspire

• “To inspire”

It is the responsibility of successful people to inspire those wanting success in life. If you are successful, help open doors of hope, whether it is to be a successful business person, comedian, or politician. Inspiration is not gloating, showing off, or being a larger than life bragger of what you have over others. Inspiration is showing behind the scenes with how much hard work it takes to accomplish so much from so little. Coming from zero, to earning a career you want. So many times we forget how important it is to allow others that dream of possibility. It is not our stage, but the world's stage. Give it that respect. Let others up on it.

Anything is possible if you place your efforts into motion. A person has one life to make things happen. Even if reincarnation happens, this is current life is right now. Make the best of it. Me, I am writing two books, scripts, directing, acting, working in background when called, music, speaking engagements, consulting a minimum of 13 clients each month, doing stand up comedy, and getting my own things completed. This is my small list that I maintain each week. If I can find ways to make things happen and get stuff done, so could you. Have a plan. Take control back into your life. Control over Time, Finances, and your Team of people.

Each day that comes my way I have to find a reason to keep moving forward. That reason is life. I want these freedoms I have. They make me happy. I enjoy sitting around doing nothing, if I want. I also enjoy working on films/TV when I want. Maybe go out and tell jokes at a comedy club. This thing called life continues to entertain me. I do what I do, because I want to inspire others to take chances. I am not the best at everything I do. Though, I am the best at doing all the things I want to do. Become better than excuses. Become your effort. Say yes when you feel like doing nothing. Make an effort, make a change to inspire.

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)

Make up the rest

• Make up the rest

I enjoy what I do and how I got there. When I do reflect, I realize there is a lot going on for this resilient entertainer. Setbacks are inevitable. They could come in shapes of cars breaking down, money not coming in, people falling short of their efforts. So much could happen. If we are that passionate about making something of our life we must push on if we are to succeed. We can only work a plan so much, the rest, we must make up. Nothing in this world will ever want what I want more than me. Rely on yourself, your efforts. Extra help, as it comes, is a bonus. Waiting for a miracle to happen from something or someone slows the process.

Inaction of progress, when things slow down, is my fault. It's that simple. If I'm not provoking, doing, or being proactive, then inaction of progress is on me. What I do is different than most people. There are tasks I complete to a point, which were taught to me, that it feels, at times, that I am making up the rest. Truth is, there is nothing made up. I look around, listen to, and deal with people all the time. They are jaded, or stuck in their ways. This method was taught to them by themselves based on “ideas”, thoughts & possible epiphany of this business we call entertainment. It's not my job to judge them. It's my job to keep moving forward.

There's so many opportunities to ignore opposition on my opinion. I get attacked and judged fairly often. It could be my positive attitude. Worse, it could be because I think outside the box. That scares people more when things are happen for me and they can't believe their eyes. How can this guy be doing this? To them I am talentless, short cut taking, non-aware of the “art” of entertainment. My business sense is shun. Weird, all successful people do what I do. Not that they are following my steps, but more like I am following theirs! Learn from the doers, not the don'ts. If all else fails, make up the rest.

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)

SNL

• “SNL”

There lies the issue with starting a sentence. Said the man waiting for his cue. Saturday night live is a show that has been around for 40 years. That is a long time for any show to be on. It had its ups and downs, moments of creating superstars and also seeing people vanish into obscurity. History from this NBC sketch comedy show performed live at 11:35pm every Saturday is continuously within America's culture. Our lives have those eras. Eddie Murphy bringing life back to it. Chris Farley and the many members of the 90's making SNL something to talk about again. Where are we in that world? Who knows. What I know is... I got to see.

I did an overnight on SNL, shooting a pretaping. A pretape is something filmed outside of the live show. The fake commercials, or video shorts played throughout the program. The privilege to be among the show, even if only an “extra”, was beautiful. First, I had a moment to work with Louis CK, if only from a distances. I was in a pretaping with him. There was a such a pleasure to see him and the crew work so hard to do this 2 minutes taping. I ended up being hidden behind a guy's big head. But, that's not the point. Being involved, seeing the process, and working on this show was more important than “being seen”.

Joining SAG-AFTRA has been one of the most important choices of my life for entertainment. First, it protects my music career. Who knew!? As I am no longer a part of ASCAP. (Musicians; join ASCAP right now). But knowing it could protect me is nice. If I were not a member of SAG-AFTRA I would have never been able to work on SNL. I would never had the chance to be protected working other projects. This year is coming along nicely. Everything I have accomplished is all because of my planning, resilience, and understanding the process in which this business works. Anything is possible. Rely on your understanding, not your talent!

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)

“I know what I'm doing!”

• “I know what I'm doing!”

Entertainers have what I call an EGO. It's bigger than their drive, stronger than success, and scariest of all... it lies to them all day with such honesty how could they listen to reason! It says things like: “I'm so awesome, amazing and unique that people will just want to be apart of my world!”, oh, or this “I have no idea why people are not coming to see me perform!”, “Why the hell am I not signed or successful yet!”. Does this even sound like the voice of a person knowing what they are doing? To me, it's the idea of success from watching TV, or reading about success. Doing what others are doing in the spotlight is not what they did to get there.

It can be extremely difficult to see past an idea that manifested in our own heads. This is our own idea, it has to work, because I came up with it. This is where I use to be a long, long, time ago. I would stand around wondering why nothing was happening. I had Shirts, I had CD's, I was even performing every week. Why was my band doing nothing!? Then it clicked, I was working as if I was already successful. I was emotionally attached to my idea of how it works. I didn't want to hear what others had to say. How do they know better than me. This is my idea and I know what I'm doing!

Entertainers have one shot at a chance in success. Unless you vanish and delete everything people know of you to try again; think Jack Roy. Of course if you do your research you know his real name is “Jacob Rodney Cohen”. Learn where successful people came from. The hard work that went into it. I have had mentors, and people who gave me the time of day to listen to them and learn the process. There is more to it than our talent. Success is more than working hard. I say to people “Don't work hard, but be productive”. What we do is important as our time is limited. Be more than you think it is, and listen, research, and shut your EGO up!

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)

Head up, looking outward

• Head up, looking outward

This morning I was awoken by my puppy, again. This nine month old Rottweiler is an alarm all himself. Every morning 6:30 AM; or Pee-O'clock to him. It means; feed him, take him out for bathroom time and then on a walk if he so demands it. He demanded it. I was very tired at this point and kind of wobbled along with him with my head down at the ground. Tired on more than one front. Emotionally, stressed, business, and life in general. That's true for a lot of people. We get warn down. And I am a workaholic, so stopping to breathe is difficult. But I kept my head down, between the cold, and the lack of care to look up.

At one point I decided to look up, stretch my back, and stand tall. Why lean over with this feeling!? What I saw was beautiful. The snow from last night's fall had painted over my view's landscape see an image that my photographic mind would enjoy until the day I die. It reminded me of a few things. That life, even in the cold, or when you're not feeling it, has something cheerful to behold upon us if we just take the time to look up. Lift your head once in a while. See the world, and stop watching your feet. Watch where you are going. Look around and see what life is handing you.

The dog loves the cold snow, and I love the dog happy. It's a trade off. The world can be cold. It can be cruel. The world is something to be feared. But life, life is about being fearless. Breaking down the walls of worry, or trudging on through life. Embrace, change, and command your purpose. I have to remember that life is about taking moments to breathe. I work so much, so hard, and it is worth it. But what about me? What about my body and soul!? Yeah, I have to remember that this part of it is important too. Our bodies are a part of the scenario. Keep your head up, and look outward!

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)

Can do Attitude

• Can do Attitude

Make things happen by making things happen. I live by that motto ever since my first “No” was given to me. I never have known anything but to make things happen by making things happen. You can wish your life away or even believe you deserve the best because you are the best! But, without ever trying, the world will run past without ever saying goodbye. This life is fast. I mean, come on, eighty years will be here soon. America is young, but kind of now old too. The idea that we are willing to dream away life, or take action to see life happen is a scary idea. I am more scared of dying tomorrow knowing I never tried. BUT I have tried... and...

I still am trying. Even when I get to where I've been fighting to, I won't be happy. I don't do this to be happy because of things. I am happy because I am trying. The try is what makes my heart pump. I need to be doing. I need to be moving and making things happen by going out there and making things happen. The funny part; most of the happening takes place at the computer. Building relationships on a daily bases, then getting the world familiar with my brand and of course I get to practice my music, comedy and acting all in the confines of my office. It's comfortable and I get to enjoy the creative process while also dealing with the business side.

I feel if you go outside things happen. It's a 50/50; where 50 percent of the work is inside on the computer (or in the house working on business) and the other half is being out and about. Seen among the town. Making friends, becoming known. People need to see you physically to know you are real. They also don't want to see too much of you over and over again to only come to the conclusion you seem to be doing nothing in your life. Two things; Fake it until you make it. Live the life you want to live until you are doing. And People love working with people who are doing things. They want the rays of success off of you! Shine and be bright!

: EMAIL : MARLHDC@Gmail.com

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)

Kindness becomes kindness

• Kindness becomes kindness

This Traveling Adventure can be tough on any soul. Between rejections, hard work falling short, even tripping over my own feet; there is nothing more off putting than rudeness. Rudeness is one reason the local level of entertainment is failing. Comedians, musicians, actors, writers, everyone involved in entertainment on a local level are fighters. But, they are fighting the wrong people. They are fighting each other. Not all people, obviously, I am generalizing. My fear is this is a bad habit being taught to newer people each year and thus corrupting the system.

I run into people about once a week. I mean, I don't actually run into them. I see where I am running. In fact, I walk most places. I am too old for running... getting back on topic. About once a week a rude person finds their way into my path. Either having an attitude or attacking what it is I am doing. What I am doing with my own career, or with Top of the Bottom Pile. Either way, why attack it? What is so wrong about wanting to work with everyone. This life is short, teams are needed. Hell, a business will fold under itself if you don't have the correct team working with you.

There is a firm belief which I live by; Be nice to everyone, because you never know who someone is or who they know. Besides that fact of opportunities being squandered because a person is a dick; remember the concept of success. People who work together have longevity. Adam Sandler is a great example. People might not be enjoying his movies of late, but who cares!? He is doing what he loves still, and most of all, he does it with the people he loves. His friends. He even helps his friends get things off the ground for themselves. My goal in life is to be at a point I can do that. Don't tell anyone, but I am bringing all my friends with me.

Have questions!? Email me those questions and I'll answer them. What kind of questions? Any and all questions: Business, relationship, financial, about the entertainment world, living the dream, ANYTHING! Peace in harmony

: EMAIL : MARLHDC@Gmail.com

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)

Whether this weather weathered me

• Whether this weather weathered me

I could be one of those hundred people going off to colonize Mars. Insane. Never coming home. They are going to take a chance in their life to do something amazing. What am I doing? What are you doing!? We are trivial in the course of what is good and evil in life. Between wars and peace a battle rages on. Yet, these hundred people are making their way across seven months of travel to lay rest on a Red Planet. I wonder if Tim Robbins is still floating around in her outer atmosphere!? Hmm. Crappy movie, amazing adventure for people in real life. Wow. I find myself complaining or worried at times. Whether I allow the weather outside to make me feel weathered, or I take a chance at my life: These are things we should all make an effort doing.

I'm, at my current moment, doing Stand-Up, Music, Acting, and Writing. That's a lot for one person to set sail with. But so is leaving Earth forever. They are excited to be out in “chance” taking land. So, why not me!? I may not be heading into the great unknown of space. Though I am always at the mercy of destiny's winds. I own the sail, the boat, and the vessel of time carrying me across the ocean of chance. Like these brave individuals, we here on Earth should take on that strength and be more than “what if”. Open your mind to live the life you seek. I can fail, sure, I have failed a lot. I've failed in relationships, friendships, jobs, ventures, even against myself I have failed. It is the getting back up and cleaning yourself off part that separates me from the rest.

February; Feb-R-U-ARY! Feb, are you airy? Damn right it is. It is cold. And I love the cold. The cold can be condemning. It is nice and crisp. I love feeling warm cuddling up in blankets over having to lay naked with not one touch of sheet on my body because heat outside is draining. Yes, I am a cold lover. I love snow too. When it comes down, outside, fluffy, and if I were a kid; me outside rolling around in it. As an adult, I am not that big of a fan of Snow and me together. Now, as I brave myself through a cold winter into March Madness I take on my life head first into the mist of life. Take my hand I tell myself, and I will carry you through the white barriers of winter and into your purpose. Give up on giving up and DO!

Have questions!? Email me those questions and I'll answer them. What kind of questions? Any and all questions: Business, relationship, financial, about the entertainment world, living the dream, ANYTHING! Peace in harmony

: EMAIL : MARLHDC@Gmail.com

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)

A Bit Part

• A Bit Part

“But you were background.” Yeah, it was a bit of a bit part. And you know what? That's the point. I was doing one more thing greater than a person who wished they could be in this business. Being an entertainer is bit part after bit part. Because we are never truly satisfied with just enough. Anyone action is more than zero effort with working background on a TV show, movie, playing guitar on a small stage in front of ten people, or even telling jokes to less than a few laughing future fans. These are all successful moments in an entertainer's life. Doing what they love, and living within the field of their interest. A bit part, but a big part forward. But what is the point of doing little things?

Starting at the bottom is an accomplishment greater than never starting at all. All those dreamers sitting at home wishing they could try and fail. That's it though, trying to fail is important. I would rather work hard at failing in life than be fearful that I would fail and never have tried. What is important about being an entertainer? To be. To move people. To live truthfully within imaginary circumstances. As I worked background on Gotham, then in the same week, The Blacklist I saw my efforts of Networking, Marketing, and Practicing working. That's the point of trying to fail. To get on set and meet people over and over again. Being seen to market my brand. And, most importantly, to practice my craft of “what is the back-story to this character”.

Moments like that seem silly. But to me, to a person working hard in this traveling adventure, it is that moment of thought “What is the back-story to this character” that drives me. Working on little moments so I am quick to work on big moments. Because I will be further along this time next year. So why not practice failing small jobs so I can know how to do big jobs! Networking helped me get an upgrade to Stand-in on The Blacklist this week. I made friends quickly, got P.A's to laugh, and one thing led to another. “Thomas, have you ever done Stand-In work?” YES. And there I was standing in for David, “Warriors come out and play” Patrick Kelly. Man stood 5'6 but they asked and I said yes. Ah, love this life! Learn to fail. You'll be great!

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)

In Focus

• In Focus

I have always wanted to be an entertainer. When I began earning a living at doing what I love I realized it was never going to pay my bills unless I kept doing it. That turned it into a job. I'm not passionate about working a job. It became tasked and extraneous, as if it didn't belong in my life anymore. Or maybe I didn't want it in my life anymore. Fact be told, I noticed even playing music was making my purpose tared. I wanted out because I lost my way once money became a part of my path's equation.

Leaving music behind was a result of changing my life. No longer was it about performing, it was about surviving. That is not the life I wanted. What a person deserves is happiness, joy, and a sense of inner peace. This is where direction came in. Money and Time seemed to control my life. Who do they think they are? Slowly there was a sense of change inside me due to a burst of knowledge intake. Learning the value of money and how precious my time was helped organize my future.

We can improve ourselves with a little work. I did, you can, we can, life is possible. Leaving music behind I sat in fear I would never find my sense of self again. Music was my life; It moved me. I had a life changing moment and there it was, I brought my life into focus. I opened my book of S.M.A.R.T. Goals to task out for me. Comedy, Acting, Writing, Get back to my music roots, get back to loving life's adventure within entertainment. So I took my limited education of how Money and Time works and opened my doors by increasing this knowledge. Anyone can entertain, but can you do it while being completely happy!? I did, I am.

Be the change you want to see in the world!

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)

Carefree in a care free world

• Carefree in a care free world

Let it slide off like water on a duck's back. Swim through life listening to sounds of lake water moving peacefully around. Webbed feet paddling underneath, just below the water. Oh, the joy of being a duck. How often do people go around bothering ducks? I mean, people go out of their way to feed ducks at local park ponds. Sometimes, even chase ducks for fun. Follow them running 'quack, quack'. We have songs about ducks. Ducks are so much fun, and cute, all the time. They taste good too, but I'm going to keep it positive.

Life is fragile. So many people care so deeply about everyone else, that they group together to attack individuals doing their own thing. Dressing like Goths, running around with pants hanging down, or reading a book 24/7. These people have their lives; let them live it. Why care about what they are doing. Most of all, why care about what other people think of you. This is your life, live it truthfully. Be a duck, beautiful and floating on by doing what you do. Obviously don't hurt each other. Be nice to one another, please.

In general, people don't care about you. They care just enough to bust your hump, or attack you for doing you. But they don't care. They care about themselves. Oddly, they care about how you think of them. It's one big paradox really. Though, there are a small group of people out there that march to their own drum. And no, I am not talking about Charles Manson. I am talking about Steve Jobs, Robin Williams, Albert Einstein; as a small example, these people changed this world in a way that was influencing us.

Influencing us because we cared enough to see what they were doing. To be a part of their personal revolution in life. They didn't care what we thought of them. If we believed in their goals. They moved, hoping to inspire, and thus became a life that was influential. We should want to encourage life, not confine it to fear so people won't take chances. Live beyond who said what or why are they wearing that. Be your own light, be your sense of direction. Once in a while we need a rock thrown in water to ripple it in a positive direction.

Be the change you want to see in the world!

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)