Cherry Jones

I love when you see an actor you follow on The Broadway stage, and then they turn up on television! One of the finest actresses in America, was on this past season of 24! I had no idea, beacause I'm out of the loop and have been on tour for so long! I fell in love with Cherry Jones in the play "Doubt"! She is so brilliant, and every beat, you can can see in her face and eyes! I adore her work, and believe every true/honest moment she projects in her characters. Watching Cherry Jones is like watching a master class in acting! Anyway, I just caught up on the 7th season of 24 where she plays the president of the United States! I'm gaging every moment, at her brilliance! Fantastic Fantastic Fantastic work! Cherry Jones one of the best actors of this century, and I'm glad to see her name finally out there for the world to acknowledge such an amazing talent!

MEMPHIS

Who would have thought that a little town called Memphis would have so much history, and culture to see! I bragged earlier about all the live music, and the good food! I had no idea I would come out of Memphis inspired and seeing the world with new eyes! This week has been a joy as a tourist, and I'm glad I finally made it here!

GRACELAND

Now mind you I appreciate Elvis, but I'm not a huge Elvis fan, but I said to myself, "If I come to Memphis, I had to go to Graceland"! I'm glad I got a chance to go, and see his tacky house! LOL! That house was the most tacky thing I have ever seen, but I loved it! It was easy to see how excited a man who had nothing, got rich, and decided let's decorate! The very gaudy home is thrilling and each room just more tacky then the next! I enjoyed the ranch, and the horses, and the history lesson on "The King"! It was weird to walk out to his back yard, and pay respects, because Elvis, his mother, his grandmother, and dad were laid to rest, right there in the backyard!

Elvis' car museum, was my favorite section of the tour, it was the highlight for me. I loved every car he had, and wanted them all. The other great part was trying out Elvis' favorite sandwich, Fried Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich! It was an interesting taste, and I actually enjoyed it. I think I will try and make one when I'm back in the city and hungry for something really fast.

The very interesting thing about Elvis' and why many African Americans don't appreciate him.....Because he didn't write any of his music. Most of his music, was stolen from our people, and he just made it famous! However, I will give Elvis credit, for having a unique sound, and knowing how to "Wow", an audience. You can't take away his talent and stage presence. Did you know that Elvis won three Grammy awards, and they were all for his Gospel Albums!??? Graceland was a very interesting experience, and I went through the whole thing with mixed feelings. At the end of the day, I still recognize Elvis as a genius, one of a kind performer, and a legend!


GUS' FRIED CHICKEN

OK, if you are ever in Memphis you have to go here! This food was the most amazing fried chicken ever. Now you have to know how much I love fried chicken, to understand that if I make this statement it must be true! This chicken made you wanna hit your daddy! The Potato Salad, I'm sure had crack in it, cause I left fending for more!


CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM

The turning point, and highlight of my whole trip was the civil rights museum! This museum is beautiful, inspirational, and powerful! I walked through, with so much emotion, every corner, I turned, I felt a hurt, because this was not that long ago! Look what my mother, and grandmother, had to go through! Look at the struggle and fight, they had, and how they were treated! This museum, has so much history and power in it! In one exhibit, I sat at the back of the bus, in the colored section, and remembered how brave Rosa Parks must have been! I watched African Americans get yelled at, and called Nigger so freely! I listened to tapes of John F. Kennedy, phone calls, to stop the hatred! I sat in the colored section in a restaurant, and got to feel what it was like to be crammed together, and separate!

I remembered stories that my grandmother told of being so fair skinned, and passable, that she would get away with sitting in the front of the bus. Her sister's would also let her move to the white section at the movie theaters. They would tell her go down front, cause, you can pass! Interesting that people just thought she was a white girl. Imagine if she would have gotten busted, and someone found her out! Would she have been so brave as Rosa Parks?

Then the most emotional thing came to me, and I felt a presence and a spirit above me. I got to walk through the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King was shot! I stood in room 306 and looked out the window, and saw where he was standing in April, on the day he was murdered. Oh, but the tour wasn't over, and you went across the street to another museum, and then, you stood in this dirty bathroom with a small little window. You got to look out the window and stand where James Earl Ray was standing, as he took Dr. Kings life! This was the section of the museum, that had so much power! You got to see the FBI tapes, His getaway car, the gun he used! WOW POWERFUL STUFF! This all went down in Memphis Tennessee!


DUCKS AT THE PEABODY

Everyone said you have to go watch the ducks at The Peabody Hotel (Which is a stunning Old Hotel), it so amazing! I marched over to the hotel, to watch the ducks march out of the elevator and into a fountain in the center of the lobby! Then I saw ducks just sitting in the fountain! There was definitely ducks, and water. That was it, and I guess that is all I have to say about that!




As you can see my Memphis experience had more thrills then expected, and if you are ever here, please go to the Civil Rights Museum! Much Love To All My Blog Family! "We Shall Overcome Some Day"!

Match Me Up Part 2

Everyone knows I have joined match.com, and I have been on it for a minute now. This site is very interesting, I almost feel like people on there are desperately looking for love. I want to find love, but I'm a little more picky, and not as desperate! I'm just going with the flow! Everyone thus far, except for a couple of people I have my eye on, is looking to rush into things. They want my phone number all fast, and I'm like "Hold up, let's talk on here a little while longer"! I think this gets them upset and they move on from me! I'm still not sure if I like the online dating thing, but I'm still going to give it a chance. I do have a couple potentials out there, but we shall, see. They have to be willing to take it slow, because I can't be going out with no crazy folks. You never know from a website.

The interesting thing I have learned about myself is that I attract and get winks from people over 60, and very young people 18-23! That is not quite my age range, but I find it very intriguing that this is who I attract! I also get many winks from The Latin Americans, and the Asians! Which I also find very interesting.

I have winked at a few people myself, there are some good prospects out there, with great looks, and amazing profiles! Which is the most important thing to me, THE PROFILE. Reading what people write about themselves, is something I first like to do. I'm trying to step out of my shell or box, as you may, and give people a chance based on there profile, but that is hard, because at the end of the day, you have to be attracted to them. That is the reality of this whole thing, (OK I'M A LIAR), looks come first, and then the profile second! LOL, I have always been a sucker for a good face, and I guess that is not a bad thing at all! We shall see what the future holds in the match world, and I will keep you posted.

FARTS FROM THE PIT

I hate to bash anyone I'm working with, but last night was opening of ACL, in Memphis! We are all back from two weeks off, and from being back from Japan! Some of us, have 8 more weeks left, and are just here to enjoy our time left in this space. The show begins, and that horn sections starts playing! BABY, it was the worse sound I have ever heard in my life! Memphis, is supposed to be home of the blues, Elvis, etc. I know that they got some good horn players here somewhere!???? It got worse and worse, and poor Cassie dancing for her life on stage, had to hear at the end of her number, as the trumpet tries to hit these high riffing notes. poot, poot poot, then a big one POOOOOOOT! Just loud big old farts from The Pit! I mean HUGE FARTS, it sounded hideous! That is the one down fall, about traveling a show, and trusting that a new orchestra in every city is going to be good! WOW, maybe it will be better today? That is my one positive thought on the subject!

Travel Day To Memphis! Hmmm Interesting!

LEAVING PITTSBURGH

It was hard to leave home this time around, because I know that after this layoff, it will be hard to get back home, because I will be in real life. Living in New York City and looking for a job, and training! This tour has blessed me to visit my family in Pittsburgh, more than I ever have in the past years! Brewster cried, and barked, as I left the door, and that made me so sad. He wasn't having his daddy leave him again! My family is so important to me, and I love them so much! I love watching my nieces grow, and my brother get all weird when I talk about his girlfriends. My sister, being so strong and raising children! My mother, just keeping everything together, and ready for all of us to leave her alone..LOL! I know she will miss the chaos when it is all gone...

THE AIRPLANE RACIAL PROFILING

The man sitting across from me seemed so friendly, and when I got onto the plane he said "Hello", with a great big smile! Then I noticed as I sat there, that he didn't say hi to anyone else! Finally another African American family came on board, and he said "Hi" with a big grin! Then silence until one last African American got on the plane, again "HEY How Are Ya" he said! HMMMM? He is only talking to the black people! That is interesting to see, that he felt the need to say hi to his people? Is that fair? Why was he sitting in his seat racial profiling? LOL! Why couldn't he say hi to other people of other races? I wonder if he does this on purpose? hmmmm interesting!

CAB DRIVE TO THE HOTEL

Even more interesting ride to the hotel, when a Muslim, cab driver! Tried to convert me, the biggest christian boy ever! I did listen, because I was curious! "We were shipped over here in chains, and we didn't want to be here"! "That is why WE are the chosen ones"! "Everyone wants to thank Jesus, but he has nothing to do with it"! "At the end of the day, this world is coming to an end"! "Have you not seen the weather"! "He is going to kill the evil white man first"! "We are the chosen ones"! "There karma of holding us captive is going to get them, white evil people"! and so on and so on and so on! I sat there quietly, partly scared for this man! Does he not see that I'm mixed, and that I probably have white family members??? Hmmmm interesting is all I will leave you with!

BEALE STREET FOR DINNER

I had the most amazing pulled pork sandwich with french fries, and coles slaw! All for seven dollars! Beale Street is amazing full of life, and great music on every corner. The blues and jazz all at my feet! This week is going to be amazing for me! I hope I don't get fat off this amazing good cheap food! hmmm interesting!

CVS RUN

Went to CVS to be followed by a pack of black girls giggling! Then, for one to finally say to me " You are fine", "Damn Boy", and I smiled and sayed "thanks"! HMMMMM INTERESTING?

FINALLY IN THE HOTEL FOR THE NIGHT

The room is nice and big with a kitchen, and I'm thrilled with my view! So I lay in the bed turn on HBO and watch 27 dresses, and then I lay there crying like a sap! Didn't think that cheesy movie would get me, but it did! I guess it is the place I am in! Hmmmm interesting!

BACK ON THE LINE!

My knee hurts, and I know it only hurts because I have to go back to work on Monday! Tuesday night opening night in Memphis, and my 34th City including Tokyo, and Hyogo Japan! 34 cities I have been to on this tour! Sorry I had to say that again, because I just can't believe it! Over 500 performances of the show! That is crazy, and how fast time has gone. Now here we go, with eight more weeks left. I'm excited to see my friends in the show, but not really excited about the show! I'm even more thrilled about the check that will clear on Thursday! That sounds amazing to me right about now! A Chorus Line, was the show that made me want to do musical theater, and was a dream of mine for many years. Most people that know me, probably know this, but this is my sixth production of A Chorus Line. This show has paid my bills for many years. Every production I have played Paul except for this one, which I took on the challenge of understudying four roles! Which is exhausting on the brain. Now I have been a swing before, but this is different. Swinging is just the ensemble tracks, (so you can screw up in the back and it's OK) but I'm covering principals with different lives, lots of lines, songs, and dances! It has been a journey I will never forget, and something I never want to do again. I don't mind covering Principals, but 2 at the most is fine with me! It's funny, because now that the journey is ending I'm not sad at all! This is an end of many things for me this show! I'm excited for the future, and take on the challenge of making new dreams come true! Back to work, which means I will blog more, it seems that the strangest things happen when your on the road, and always more fun things to write about! Blog world stay tuned for eight weeks of tour drama!

JUST J.R. STRIPPED!

Stripped, Challenged, Fear (again), Lonely, Happy, Curious, all describes me right now!
Moving through time trying so hard to take it all in!
Change, is gonna come sooner than I can imagine!
Starting with me!


THE GYM: Working it Harder, Power, More, Intense, Hurting, But for the Better Me!
HEART: Searching, Picky, Match.com, Wondering, Praying, Giving, and Loving!
SPANISH: Finally Learning, Half Puerto Rican Finding Part of Me, Intense, Hard, Trying!
ACTING: Classes, Monologues, Moving, Praying, Hoping, Wishing, Challenging, Wanting, Seeing, Faith, and Trusting!
DANCING: Last Big One, Hurting, No More, Moving On, Sad, Remembering, Slowly Making It, Glad, Blessed!
VOCALS: Love, Tired, Happy, Encouraged, Changing, Moving, Excitements, More Love!
EGO: Changing, Smacked, Smashing, Challenge, Confidence!
GOD: Stronger Relationship, Praying, Trusting, Never Failing, On Time, Love!
STUBBORN: Listening More, Hard Challenge, ME, Change, Biggest Flaw, Trying!
ALCOHOL: Failing, Trying, Going To Do It, Slow, We Fall Down But We Get Up, Figuring it OUt, Working!



NAKED ME CHANGE FAITHFUL LEARNING GROWING GOD LOVE BLESSED HUMAN PEACE MAN IN THE MIRROR FIERCE FLAWED WORDS THE END!

OBAMA YOU CRACK ME

SO I WAS IN MY CAR GETTING MY GROOVE ON, AND HEADING TO THE GYM, MUSIC BLARING, AND BELTING OUT SOME SONGS TO MYSELF! THEN THE RADIO DJ, TALKS ABOUT SOMEONE CALLING KANYE A JACKASS! I THOUGHT TO MYSELF, OH DAMN, WE ARE STILL ON THAT SUBJECT! THEN, THEY PROCEED TO PLAY THIS OFF THE RECORD AUDIO RECORDING OF OUR VERY OWN PRESIDENT CALLING KANYE WEST A JACKASS. I KNOW IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE OFF THE RECORD, BUT SOME STUPID REPORTER LET IT LEAK. THAT JUST MADE MY CAR RIDE, EVEN BETTER! I LOVE THAT OUR PRESIDENT, IS SO HONEST, AND LIKE KANYE WEST IS JUST SPEAKING HIS MIND! YAY!!!! LIKE A FRIEND OF MINE SAID ON FACEBOOK "I WONDER WHAT OUR PRESIDENT THINKS OF SERENA WILLIAMS"!?
http://www.tmz.com/2009/09/15/obama-calls-kanye-a-jackass/

MATCH ME UP

So many pictures, overwhelm me, and I can't look at them any more! What pictures do I post of myself, and how do I write about myself without sounding like a dork!? WINK, why do I have to WINK? Maybe it is easier than an email! EMAIL, what do I say, your cute, hi I'm J.R.????? Love on the net, what the heck am I doing? This thing really works, says my many friends and statistics! My best friend is actually married from the net, and couple friends on tour, met there life partners on the Internet. My own mother is dating someone from the net! Profiles, Pictures, Everyone searching for the same thing, there soul mate. It sounds very interesting, but it terrifies me! I'm so much better in person! I like to look in some one's eyes when they speak! I love to smile and flirt, but I guess I will get to do all of that later! Slowly beginning this journey, this online thing, and it is so interesting! Fat People, Skinny People, Muscular People, Fine People, Not So Cute People, Winks from every direction! How long do you chat on line before you meet? I hear horror stories about people not looking like there photos! This thing is such a gamble, but I guess if you win, it is an amazing reward, for someone on the search! OK OK OK I did it, my blog peeps. I am now a member of match.com!!!!! They say 6 month guarantee, and if I don't find someone in 6 months, then the next six months is free!!!!

MT'V'S V.M.A. AWARDS

Not really wanting to watch T.V. just pondered through the guide in hopes to find something good on. What? The V.M.A. awards are on, oh they win! I stopped on MTV which I haven't watched in a very long time, except when "Run's House", is on the air! Anyway, I watch the red carpet, and see Lady Ga Ga and Kermit the frog get out of a limo! Hmmmm? I think this will be an interesting night of television. My nieces jumping around me "Uncle James", "Uncle James", I say "Shhhh, Uncle James has some important t.v. to watch"! LOL! They sit quietly sprawled across my lap, as the awards show starts! Here is my thoughts and opinions and highlights of V.M.A.'s on MTV! A surprised J.R. had an amazing night, and didn't even know it was about to happen. This was the best V.M.A.'s since Madonna crawled on the floor singing "Like A Virgin" or Michael Jackson (RIP) moonwalking across the stage, and throwing his hat into the audience.

MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE

To begin the night off, we had a tribute to Michael Jackson, which started with a beautiful touching speech from Madonna! Which actually put a tear to my eyes. It was one of the highlights of the tribute! Then, out came some dancer's re-creating all of Michael's old video's on stage live! Which kind of bored me, I have seen those moves before, and was hoping other artist would sing and dance his music. More interesting to me, would have been Usher Re-creating Thriller, with the dancer's behind him. Justin Timberlake, re-creating I'm Bad, singing and dancing! Janet Jackson re-creating the classic Bille Jean VMA moment. That would have been a thrill! MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE DIRECTED, LOL! Then, Janet Jackson came out, did "Scream" lip syncing, and I thought to myself who is that fat girl in the middle! (Sorry Janet, I actually prefer you chubby)! But that was my first reaction, Oh it's Janet! She struggled through scream, and it just all lacked luster. But I applaud them for trying, most people seemed to love it. This is just my opinion! At the end of the day, Michael is in heaven, and is probably loving every moment of it!

TAYLOR SWIFT V.S. KANYE WEST

OOOO the big drama of the evening happened right before my eyes! Taylor Swift, (Beautiful 17 year old country singer), wins an award, and beats out GAGA and Beyonce. In the middle of her speech: Kanye takes the microphone from her, and announces, to the world. That Beyonce had the best video out there, this year! Then gives the microphone back to Taylor to finish her speech! DRAMA! That poor 17 year old girl didn't know what to do! It was amazing television, and facebook friends went up and arms..Every one's status was hating on Kanye! OK I will say this, I DO NOT CONDONE ANY OF WHAT KANYE DID, , and IT WAS NOT ACCEPTABLE. However, I actually agree with him!!!! That man is CRAZY as they get, and I still can't hate, because his music is genius. At the end of the day, I still will listen to Kanye West, and I still would love to go to a Kanye concert! He just spoke his mind, and hey Taylor Swift, might want to thank Mr. West. He just made her even more famous and likable! I foresee her dollar amount going up, even higher after this drama filled occurrence!

LADY GAGA

OK, I couldn't stop laughing, at Lady GaGa! When you call someone pushing the envelope in fashion. That Lady GaGa is doing it, and doing it well. Her outfits, had me on the floor! But still screaming to myself YES DO IT BOO! I love every moment of the dramatic flare. Her performance, was even more dramatic then the outfits. She danced Hip Hopish, She rolled on the floor, She gave you acting, she looked strange, and then put blood all over her body, and was sexy! Not to mention the vocals were on point, which, I can't say for alot of young artist!

PINK

OK Pink sang upside down on a trapeze! That is all I have to say! KUDOS PINK!

BEYONCE

The last song I wanted to see performed again was "Single Ladies", it is just over kill in my book! BUT, only Beyonce could make me watch that number one more time, and have me at the edge of my seat. She started it as a ballad, then took us to the traditional choreography, then dance break time, broke it down for us, then (in case you don't think she was singing live) gave the mic to an audience member to join in, finally a million single ladies came on stage and danced it with her. This performance was amazing, and thrilling! DON'T SLEEP ON BEYONCE!

BEYONCE THE CLASS ACT

Finally Beyonce won an award for Music Video Of The Year, and proceeds on the stage and says "I remember being 17 and winning my first VMA with Destiny's Child, and How thrilled I was"! Then she call's Taylor Swift up to the stage and says "Mrs. Swift, if you can give the speech you were trying to give earlier"! Taylor Swift had her moment at last, and thanks to the class act Beyonce Knowles!

JAYZ AND ALICIA KEYS

There new song about the big bad apple, is off the chains! I loved every moment of it, and it is a great anthem for the amazing New York City!



Again this my opinion on the VMA's, and I enjoyed my evening very very much!

Chapter 1-- Almost OVER!

I am on a two week lay off, that is going by so fast, I might say!! I have one more week of relaxation and chilin. Then back to the National Tour of A Chorus Line! I will be going to Memphis TN, Charlotte NC, and many places in Canada! Only 8 weeks of work, which means eight more pay checks. I have been blessed to work for the past 5 1/2 years straight! Which is a long time for a musical theater actor! I'm excited for the challenge of, moving back to New York City, training hard, and getting back out there in the audition scene. I don't even know what it is like anymore, my nerves get the best of me at times. Change and the unknown, can be so damn scary. When you hear things like the economy is bad, shows are closing, there's no work anymore, running from your friends mouths in the business. "Oh Well", is what I say to all of that , it is chance I have to take! It is time for me to move on from this show, and be back in the city that never sleeps! I need to stomp all over the Big Bad Apple, and do what I love, and have so much passion for! God Has Not Given Us a Spirit of Fear! I have to keep remembering that, and embrace this new life. It is also exciting, because I can actually work on my romantic life. I don't want to die an old lonely man. I'm ready to find that life partner! It is much easier to do, in one place, then to be going from city to city, and never having anything concrete! Now I start in these last eight weeks of work, being extra frugal with my money. Not buying all the extra, things that I love, and save more, save more, save more. Life is about to begin for me, and I feel some magical things about to happen in my bones. My future, is a big question mark, and I'm thrilled to blog about the next chapter of my life. Fasten your seat beats blog world, I'm sure this roller coaster is going to go up and down, but get ready, because a new chapter is about to begin! Chapter 2 begins in 8 weeks time! Wish me luck and prayers. I also need to learn to enjoy these eight weeks with the special friends I made on this show. Don't rush it, and enjoy the work! Chapter 2 here we come!

BLOCKED

I sit here at the blank screen, and think to myself there has to be something I want to write about! The stupid light on my screen keeps flashing at me! Just blank darkness comes in my head! I watch the light blink a thousand times, and I still got nothing! Come on J.R. you haven't blogged in a couple of days, you must have something on your mind! I start to write some stuff down, and delete because it's boring, and I don't really care about the subject. The block is back, and I hope to have my heart refilled with some interesting stuff to write about! Here is a list of things I wanted to write about but stopped:

1. Obama my Obsession

2. I got drunk again, and hated myself afterwards

3. I almost joined match.com

4. A New Moon

5. Whitney's Comeback

6. Lindsay Lohen Run In The City!

Maybe one of those subjects would have been interesting, but my heart couldn't bring myself to do it! So instead you get this, what could have, should have, would have, been!

I'm Back

The thrill of landing back on American soil was overwhelming! I am so happy to be home in the US, and sang "Proud To Be An American", in the line waiting to go through customs! You take so many little things for granted, and YES ex specially now with OBAMA as my president, I can honestly say, "I am proud to be an American"! I spent the day, just trying to keep my eyes open! I ran to Chipotle for my favorite big as hell chicken burrito! I sat and people watched, and tore through that sandwich. Then, I went to the cinema to watch the movie "September Issue"! Those who read my blog, know how obsessed I am with the fashion industry. The movie was everything I wanted it to be and more. Although I left the theater loving Grace, and to me, she was the movie. I spent the whole flick mesmerized by her eye for fashion and art. Lastly, to stay awake, (well, for fun too) I ended up with my friend Alex Ringler,(PLUG: follow his blog, he has alot to say to the world "Human Chameleon") at Musical Monday's, and bar's around the Chelsea New York area. We both in attempt to stay up, was so giddy, and had a blast. In the end, I made it through, and I'm excited to start my day! From being in Asia, I feel like I look at so many simple things differently! I admire the beauty of our country, and I respect so many little things. One of the things the Asian culture has taught me, and I definitely don't want to lose that!

Full Circle

I began this four week journey to Japan, with so much excitement, and just joy! The thrill of the unknown, and the passion I have to travel and see the world! I am blessed to have seen many places in my own country, and outside of it! Japan, was a place I never dreamed of seeing, and was never on my destination rador at all! Now, after have been here for a month, I wouldn't take anything back! I got here to Japan, and was a tourist, I got up at 8 am in the beginning, and saw many beautiful sites. Kamakura, Shibuya, Harajuku, Kyoto, War Museum, Hakone, Osaka, Monkey Mountain, Gion Corner, Tokyo Tower, Robataya, Asakusa, Shinjuku, and Universal Studios Japan! I conquered a quest of meeting a Geisha, I played with Monkeys, I saw a huge Buddha,I saw Mt. Fuji, I saw stinky small volcanic eruptions, I went on a pirate ship, I had some fun ice cream flavors, I had some great dining experiences, I danced in Shinjuku, I bonded with old friends, I just had a thrill of time! I even made new local friends in this big over populated country. I attempted to learn and respect this culture, that was so completely different than my own. I have never met a friendlier group of people in my life! What ever they do to raise children here, Americans can take a lesson or two! Such beautiful people and a stunning place to visit.

I ended my last week here, frustrated, hungry for some real food, hating the language barrier, hating on the earthquakes and typhoons, hating the gym experience, and sick of some cultural differences. I was yearning for the United States, and couldn't wait to get back home!

As the big day is here, and I have a 22 hour travel day, which includes, flying from Osaka back to Tokyo, and Tokyo to the states. My heart stops in sadness. I will miss the relationships I have cultivated in this town. I will miss the beautiful fans, that followed me into the mall for my autograph. I will miss the feeling of peace that you get in this country. I will miss, the spirituality and respect everyone here has for the smallest things! And more than anything, I will miss the natural beauty this country has everywhere surrounding me!

Japan for me, is a chapter of my life that I will never forget as a person! I had small dramas, but a wonderful experience all together. I have grown as an artist here, and most of all, as a person. I still continued to learn so much about myself, and feel like I am a little taller as a human! I have had a full circle moment, here, and yet I'm still ready to go home! I WILL MISS YOU JAPAN!!!! UNTIL NEXT TIME!

I Feel The Music In Me

Yesterday, was a musical day for me, and I forgot how much I love music. I take for granted the fact that I sing as profession, and sometimes forget why I do what I do! Music has been a part of my life since I was 5 years old, sitting at a piano banging on the keys. Singing is how I got into this business, and is the start of my acting/dancing career. The voice came first and is always my first true love.

Yesterday, I sat back stage before the show, with my ipod blasting in my ears. Feeling the music, flow through my body, and feeling my soul, and heart get possessed. The feeling is indescribable, and genius if you can feel what I feel when I listen to music. I close my eyes, and see colors, my heart beats fast, then images of childhood or memories of the past come flipping in my head! Music, is the key to my heart and soul! After experiencing this wild pre-show lift. I decided to cut off all my lights at the hotel and listen to random play on my ipod! It was one of the most magical evenings I have had in a while! I sang, I cried, I laughed, I smiled, I yearned, and I prayed! For example, "Crush", by David Archuleta, (a cheesy pop song), took me to a whole other world. A friend played it for me, and it so happens to be the same friend, that I relate the lyrics too. Then the Pointer Sisters "I'm So Excited", entered on my ipod. All these memories of this song as a child came rushing through my head, and the lyrics took me to the excitement of seeing Manhattan again on Monday! Which, made me dance like Tom Cruise in my underwear and t-shirt all over my hotel room! Music, is so deep, magical, and very powerful. Finally when the classical music hit my ipod, WOW, forget about it! There is no lyrics, I make my own story in my head. Imagination runs wild, and my musical experience takes flight! I decided that I need to have a listening session, once or twice a week. I will give this gift to myself, because music truly makes me happy!

This American Boy Heart is Beating!

The heart pounds so hard, and so many times a day! I am extra sensitive this week, as I think it is due, to the fact I'm ready to leave Japan. I find myself doing anything, that says I Am An American Boy on it! My heart raced as I walked into Universal Studios the other day! Heart pounded as everything was written in English, and all the rides/scenery looked just like L.A.! My heart was happy to have McDonald's for breakfast. Yesterday, my heart made me shop in Japan at all the American Stores in the Mall, such as Banana Republic. I rebel against the Japanese culture! My heart is beating for an American Bed, American Food, American Shopping, and Speaking English! I'm going to run straight to Chipotle, in Chelsea New York as soon as put my bags down! I can smell the steaming Burrito here in Japan! MMMMM, I can't wait, I am craving it so bad. My heart is beating for a place where I can show my tattoo, and have a great work out, and not be the biggest dude in the gym. I can't wait to go to an American Gym, and get back into shape! AHHHH bliss is right around the corner. I can't wait to have dinner, with my closes friends in the world. My heart beats hard for there voices, and great conversation. I have so much to catch up on! Oh I just can't wait to get off that plane, and turn the corner to my place in Chelsea New York City! To see all the beautiful people walking around the streets. My heart beats to flirt on the train, to flirt at a bar, to just be flirted with! To not be stared at because I'm different looking. To see so many Americans just going through everyday life. My heart is beating so fast right now, and I close my eyes and feel the American Soil so close to my future!