#2 What Will It Mean … ?
[originally posted August 2005]
Someone asked me an important question last week. It was a fellow blogger. One known for asking me questions in my comments section with great regularity. LOL One who seemingly knows how and when to ask the right most poignant question. Pondering it made me look up from my keyboard and actually stop typing my answer for a second. It made me reflect. I quickly shook it off and responded, but not before a mini-soul search. Not before that little Yahoo! emoticon with the question mark momentarily popped into my head. She made me think.
What was the question, you ask? It was this (and I paraphrase): Is the Summer of Will a farewell tour of sorts, where this is my last hurrah before I settle down and have babies?
Again … I swallowed hard before I responded. Told her that it really wasn’t that at all… that I had come to the realization that life was short and wanted to enjoy every moment of my summer. That I’d put in too many hours at my job over the past few years and this was my summer to kick back, travel and live free. That there was so much going on this season and I wanted to be a part of it.
Which was true.
However, even long after I clicked SEND on the IM, what she said stayed with me. Made me ask myself if, maybe subconsciously, I was sowing my royal oats this summer with a view to settling down once autumn dawned. If maybe, with a big move coming up at the end of the year, with the completion of my book looming, I’m ready to make the big leap from confirmed bachelor to the marrying kind. If my constant yearning for a daughter finally took over my mind to the point where it was time to actually make it happen.
What would my summer of 2006 look like, I asked myself. Would I be on my way to the altar, or at the very least … have a girlfriend? Would there be downpayments on rings and would there be wedding books and mags placed on shelves around the house? Would my blog be filled with revealing, romantic riddles and sickening, sappy stories?
I will admit that lately I’ve been thinking a lot about settling down. With today being my 34th birthday, I notice that I’ve given more thought to making a life with someone, sharing myself with a quality woman. And for me, that’s different. That’s new. But does it really tie in with my summer, my “give me free” world tour, my days of discovery, my season of serendipity?!?!?
to the marrying kind …”
I really don’t know. And probably won’t know until the time is right. Last year at this time, I was staying close to home, visiting my father every weekend and spending time with my niece and nephew. They’re all gone now. My dad passed. This is my first birthday without him. The kids are gone, though just a few hours away. And while this makes me sad, it also reminds me that time waits for no one. That there are no promises for the future. Which made me want to take advantage of this summer … of this time I have to enjoy all that life has to offer. But settling down … now?
Shiiii … knowing me as I do, I will probably extend the Summer of Will into the fall … and maybe, as Beloved suggested this week, make this into the Decade of Will!!!!! LOL
Best Actor —
Don Cheadle, CrashOK, here’s the skinny on why I named Cheads as top dawg for ‘05. As all of you who have seen Crash will testify, there were more over the top performances than Don’s. More that probably will draw more recognition from voters if they were so inclined to nominate anyone from the film. His role was more understated. More controlled.
And that’s why he gets my vote. He’s one of the few actors that you believe in any role he plays, whether it be the cockney guy from the Ocean movies, a hotel manager from Rwanda, a crazed sidekick in A Devil in A Blue Dress, or even a hotel worker on a defunct television show called Golden Palace (spinoff of the Golden Girls, and YES, he was on it. LOL) His role in Crash was that of a police detective on the edge, dealing with corrupt politicians, an unforgiving mother and a delinquent brother. And every scene he was in, you saw the angst, the pain and the demons that followed him. For that alone, he’s my Actor of the Year.
Best Actress — Kimberly Elise, Diary of A Mad Black Woman
I must admit, I’m not a huge fan of the pint-sized Elise. Her penchant for over-crying in every role she’s in usually makes me want to insert safety pins into my belly button followed by a rubbing alcohol chaser. But not this time. In this film, playing opposite the pouting Steve Harris, the wigged Shemar Moore, and being the “straight man” for the outrageous Tyler Perry, Elise did her thing. Sure, there was enough crying to fill a backyard swimming pool, and there were times when her facial expressions conjured images of the Bu.rger King, but ultimately … her performance made me root for her to overcome. To find love. And to survive.
Comedy of the Year — Everybody Hates Chris, UPN
It was a breath of fresh air when it came across the airwaves. It was definitely something I could identify with — 1980s New York. Substitute Queens for Bed-Stuy and I could’ve been Chris. But the writing has been above par, the narration from Chris Rock hilarious, and the facial expressions of young Tyler James Williams wonderful.
Add in a penny-pinching dad with great expressions of his own, the tattle-tale sister and a crazy mom (played with great energy by Tichina Arnold), and you’ve got a hit on your hands. One that will be around for as long as it wants (which, when translated means for as long as Rock decides he wants to stay with it.) Right now, it’s on of the best shows on television.
Drama of the Year — LOST, ABC
OK. Recently, I read a post by Jelli which broke down the show LOST in all its earnestness. It told of the intricacies of the plot, the inconsistencies of the island and the frustration of not knowing what will happen for weeks at a time. And even with all of that said, even if the writers have no idea where the show is going from one week to the next — even with all of that — it’s still the best show on television right now. And to me, maybe that’s why it’s the best.
It’s like a roller coaster ride. They’ve shown that they’re not afraid to kill off main characters, not afraid to switch up things that aren’t working (like the monsters and polar bears) and even had the gumption to introduce MORE characters this season. Besides, slowly but surely all of the secrets will be revealed. That they’ve decided not to take a page from Desperate Housewives and blow their wad in Season One is refreshing, if not admirable. I applaud LOST and their premise. And promise to keep watching to see what happens next. Right now, for my money, and for this year … it’s simply the best.
Entertainer of the Year — Terrence Howard
Sure, you can say I’m jumping on the TH bandwagon after a year in which he appeared in everything except my nephew’s sixth grade version of “Ohklahoma.” However, even with all of the films he appeared in during 2005, that’s not why I’m giving him this distinction. In fact, I have yet to even see Hustle and Flow, although with the Golden Globe nomination and open campaigning from Will Smith on his behalf, I’m sure his performance is worthy.
But no, I’ve named him Entertainer of the Year for two separate instances, neither of which took place on the big screen. The first took place on The Oprah Winfrey Show (doesn’t it feel strange to see that typed in its entirety, since she’s known as simply Oprah these days? LOL) On the episode that featured the cast of Crash, Howard recounted two chilling tales from his past — his “Crash” moments. They had me frozen in my chair, hair standing on ends, feeling his pain. I was riveted. The stories were sad, but it tells of what he’s had to overcome to get where he is today — which is, by the way, in seemingly every damn movie that’s come out since last December. The second appearance that made me vote for him was on the BET Awards back in June. Yup, the lap dance. The one given to him by Beyonce. I swear, if facial expressions tell a story, him and Bey woulda been horizontal in a heartbeat. LOL Great stuff from TH this year. He’ll probably be in 83 more movies next year. But it’s his TV appearances that caught my eye.
Congratulations to the winners!
Maybe not. But don’t put it past me. In fact, don’t put anything past me. But keep up with me … just like that question from last week has managed to. It has triggered my subconscious, made me wonder what’s in store during my mid-30s … made me realize that as good as my life seems to be right now, anything can … and probably will … happen. Made me realize that nothing lasts forever, be it the summer, singleness … whatever.
So now, a week later… a week after the question that has made me think, I’ve reached the epicenter of the Summer of Will. My birthday. On this day, 34 years ago, I was born in Harlem Hospital. I may take a trip up there today, just like I’ve done on birthdays past. Say a little word of prayer for my birth mother, who passed soon after she had me.
Yeah … today would be a great day to take a moment to reflect on the past, a great day to remember everything for which I am thankful. But now, with this new wrinkle, with that question, I have something else to think about. The Summer of Will is fast approaching its end. Only a month to go.
Which begs the question … when it’s done … What will it have meant?
Only the future will provide the answer. And, with overactive imagination in check, I look forward to it.
to me!!!
mmm hmmm. what you speak into existence may surely happen, will…
Comment by glory — 12.30.05 @ 1:00 pm
Yes! I remember Don in that show! OMG! I thought I was the only one!
I don’t like Kim. Sorry. I didn’t even watch that movie.
I can’t stand Terrence Howard. Ugh.
Never watched Lost. Not interested. thankyouverymuch. But I’ll watch the HELL out of Everybody Hates Chris.
Ahhh, the Summer of Will. I was just looking at the post I wrote when we celebrated the Weekend of Will. Good times!
Comment by Golden — 12.30.05 @ 3:18 pm
Wow I feel honored that my blog got read and mentioned by you
I feel ya on Don Cheadle. I have always said he is the most under-ratted actor out there. Kimberly has come a long way since Tee-Tee in Set it off. I see big things for her. I like her, crying and all. I finally watched Everybody Hates Chris and I must say I have been missing a very funny show. I am hooked. As for Lost.. like I said in my blog they better start revealing some answers or they are going loose me as a fan.
Comment by jelli — 12.30.05 @ 7:22 pm
Come on Will…let’s just go on and do the darn thing and go down to the pawn shop, get some rings, and hit the justice of the peace for the new year…
But seriously, hope you find that special someone you’re searching for, in the right place and at the right time of your life… Great post…
Comment by LadyLee — 01.01.06 @ 5:28 pm