Can't Catch Me, I'm the Gingerbread Man!

Alright everyone, allow me to revert back to my least favorite blog just for a brief second. So ever since I got my 300 (see to the right), I've been involved in an epic battle. It seems that people who drive the Dodge Charger (usually people in the all black ones and not named Jay...) need to test their vehicular fortitude against my car. I know, it seems that I'm being a car-cist, but but if the shoe fits....

So this morning, I'm at a red light...minding my business. I hear the car to my right (which happens to be a Black Charger) rev up their engine as to say "let's race out of this light." Not making eye contact, I accept the challenge mentally. Light turns green....I pump the gas....and I strike out of the blocks. Little did HE know that I had already I.D.'d him to be a Cop in an unmarked vehicle. So I strike out the blocks but maintain a speed of 2 miles UNDER the speed limit. (Here's where the fun begins).....

So I notice that the cop hurriedly cuts off the person that was behind me...then starts doing the computer thing that they do. The funny thing is...he is typing VEHEMENTLY on his computer trying to find something to get me on....until he finally gives up. There is NOTHING he could find on my record!!! Now you know my issue with cops out here (see my July 14th post for reference). But again, I'm not saying that the cops are out here doing the racial profiling thing, nor that they are just out to get me. All I'm simply saying is this:

Nanny Nanny....Boo Boo
(stick that up your surcharge and pay it!!!)
((yeah that was a bit of a stretch...but it felt right))

Vocal Lessons, Part 1.

So many of you know that I've been taking lessons with the Vocal Guru Ankh Ra (you may remember him from Diddy's Making the Band: 4 with Day 26). I have to say that seeing him has been a growth experience. Because I'm experiencing such growth, he challenged me to start a "diary" about his sessions. Since I dont do DIARIES, I figured i'd utilize my blog to share some of the learnings--which is really convenient considering the new direction I'm headed with this blog.

Anywho, I have some catching up to do considering that I've seen him now 3 times. So this blog is dedicated to the recap:

Session 1: The Intro
So I was taken aback at first that I met up with THE Ankh Ra from TV. I had met him at the 75th anniversary of the Apollo (thanks again Chelz for being great!). I expressed my desire to sing and my willingness to take the next step with my voice. I met with him, and I realized something. I had a lot of work to do. I'll just sum it up in the things I learned. 1) I'm really negative with this singing thing. The phrase "I Can't" was a commonplace in that first session. 2) I have decide what I want out of singing (am I serious about it, am I doing Gospel, R&B, make up your mind). and 3) He gave me a lot of techniques that showed my vocal weakness. I had a lot to think about....

Session 2: I Can't Be Stopped
In true Marcus nature, I came back with a vengence and conquered every single challenge mentioned before. I had a new attitude (no more I Can't...only I Will!!). I decided that my singing wasnt just for me, but for those I'm looking to reach. I killed that one. And I definitely mastered all of the vocal techniques that he had shown me. I was sitting on top of the world. So he left me with a challenge. Let see you live through whatever song you decide to sing....I GOT THIS!

Session 3: The Humbling
So I came in on my high horse again...ready to show Ankh that I am the man. He showed me some new vocal Training exercises. I stubbled a bit, but I still felt I could not be stopped. We did our breathing and our warm-up. Smooth...I did that okay as well. Then it was time to work on my singing. I chose to sing "I'll Trust You Lord" by Donnie McClurkin--a song I felt I could relate to very well (see post about officer 184...that jerk..lol). Well, I tried to sing the high part of the second verse "but will you trust that I can help you.....will you trust me child no matter come whaaat maaaaay." I'll just say...I STUNK UP THE JOINT. Ankh beat me up soo bad, until the point he just told me that I should sing it in a key more suitable for a Baritone.

Oh man, how that depressed me. I always loved being the guy who could sing higher than everybody else. And now Ankh Ra breaks me by suggesting that I dont have the range I thought I had. SMH. Darn you Puberty...Darn you Flem that just sits in my throat year-round.

I have a session this Saturday (8/22) with him. Will our hero come out on top...or will he be broken again? Tune in next time (after Saturday). Same Chunk URL, Same Chunk Blog.....

The Inner Workings of Me....

So its been a while since I've written in my blog. That's partly because of a busy work schedule....and partly because I just didnt feel like sharing what was on my mind. I just felt like everyone elses blog has a purpose and a meaning. As I look at some of my friend's blogs, I can see that this venue serves as a way of expression: expression the journey of mourning and growth, the expression of strength in the midst of confusion, the expression of a new and exciting hobby, or just an expression of life through their eyes.

It's funny because as I typed that very paragraph, I remembered one interesting thing about myself. I'm a very strong listener, but I have soooo many walls up that many don't have the opportunity to listen to me. I guess I can say that this is a breakthrough moment for me. A growth opportunity.

So I've rebranded this site. And it will continuously go through changes. This blog now reflects The Inner Workings of Me....