(Me) On The Radio

As I explained last week, after my most recent Aol News piece on the Tea Party and racism went live, I got the typical flooding of my inbox from conservatives who swear I was going to lead the Black revolution to the sounds of a President Obama speech over a Nitti beat.

But, tucked away in my junk mail folder was an invitation from a conservative radio host by the name of Rusty Humphries who read my column and invited me to speak about my piece on his show. He swore that it was not a “gotcha” interview, but given the record of some of his colleagues, I was suspicious.

Thankfully, the incredibly wonderful and talented author, Mitzi Miller, encouraged me to do the interview. I’m glad I listened to her. Though we didn’t agree on much, Rusty was kind and allowed me to speak my piece in peace. I didn’t know it would be five million people (who likely won’t agree with me) were listening, but it beats screaming at the raggedy (when I was there) CVS on Georgia Avenue.

In the past some opportunities for me to do press about my work were suggested, but never came to fruition. So this is me breaking my virginity. I don’t think I sound like a babbling idiot so I consider this a win. Now, if you think at any point I sound like Soulja Boy raps, let me know and I’ll strip for a speech coach by next Friday.

In the meantime, if you want to hear me you can check out the link below:

Michael Arceneaux Interview, The Rusty Humphries Show by youngsinick

So yeah, that’s that. A producer of the show said Rusty was impressed by what I said and my view of things in the political realm. Go me, I didn’t sound like I was high on Four Loko.

Here’s to hoping I get to do more of this (and TV) and not just with politics (not at all a subtle hint, I know). I know my voice matters. It’s about damn time more people hear it.

It’s My Blog & I’ll Be Colored If I Want To

I love when people read the site archives. At least a few times a month I get a comment from a new reader confirming that up until their cousin, co-worker, or Google search results (probably for something nasty, but no judgment) sent them my way they had never known I was alive. It’s good to exist to people, you know?

Hey, ya’ll.

So yes, I love newcomers — especially those who go back and check out what I’ve written previously.

What I don’t always like, though, is that sometimes people go far so back on something I wrote and leave a comment that’s more or less assailing me — usually under anonymity.

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It’s Still Father’s Day, Right?

This is something I wrote five years ago. It wasn’t the easiest to write, but at the time, it meant the world to me that a writer and editor I admired left an encouraging comment.

I can’t make myself read the entry again – at least not today – but I encourage you to do so.

This is me on my dad in reference to Father’s Day.

Do check it out, please.

It’s Father’s Day, Right?

I’m Busy

For more than a year there’s been one recurring phrase everyone I know has heard me use: “I’m working.”

In the morning, in the afternoon, typically in the evening and most certainly on the weekends. I’m working. All the time. I’ve been busier than ever, and for someone who found themselves not so busy after college despite a busy resume, I find it comforting despite the occasional annoyance. Namely for one reason: I got bills.

Lots of bills. Student loans bills, mainly. The bane of my existence if there ever was one. However, in recent months I’ve realized this growing amount of work has hurt me in some areas — namely why I came here. I alluded to it a month ago when I took a blogging break to focus on my pilot script. Two drafts down and at least one to go in two weeks, I feel good about it. It’s only too bad I have to come up with something else in a really short amount of time.

Oh yes, I’m busy.

Last Saturday I tallied all that I did last week: 30 blog entries for work (typical), two op-eds for one site, three articles for another, and six blog entries for The Cynical Ones. There’s also an interview for an assignment for VIBE, transcribing that (pure unmitigated evil this task is) and then to chase down a celebrity (or a couple) for that same assignment. And then on Saturday I wanted a leg up on the usual work related stuff so I did nine blog entries in advance.

You know, so I wouldn’t be as busy on the usual stuff I do in order to focus on the pending deadlines.

And yet, I still feel lazy. Still feel unaccomplished. Still feeling like I’m not doing enough in a day. See Aliya S. King’s workload on why I sometimes feel this way.

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We’re On A Break…Maybe

There’s a perfectly good explanation for this picture. I swear. So come on, follow me to find out why.

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I Don’t See It, Do You?

Alright folks this is pretty much the blog equivalent of a quickie, but I need people to chime in.

Cue the video:

Now compare and contrast with:

And go.

Chances are if you agree with Renaldo, I’ll hate you to the core. No pressure, though. Just an FYI.

P.S. It’s my blog and I’ll partake in narcissism if I want to. Be self-centered if I want to. Try to get you to indulge me if I want to. You would be self-involved, too, if a Negro said you looked like Que.

The Blog I Was Supposed To Write

So last week’s video blog was not the blog I was referring to when I said a new one was on the way.

As it turns out, I ended up punking out on posting the second one. Why? Because I felt it was too personal, showed me owning up to certain flaws that I still grapple with acknowledging. And to put it bluntly I felt it was too damn personal.

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Outtake

So if you happened to have caught my first attempt at video blogging then surely you noticed that I looked quite uncomfortable.

As in if you didn’t know any better you would’ve thought I had just been pulled over by the police for running a stop sign while drinking…with  no pants on.

That said, I’m making a real effort to get better. Namely because being able to be comfortable in front of the camera usually means a boost in pay grade. That’s the reason I actually majored in broadcast journalism in college, but somewhere along the way I lost a clue. I’m trying to get it back, though.

Another entry with a subsequent second attempt at video blogging will be up very soon, but in the meantime I found an outtake I shot at my last apartment before moving.

It includes a heaux-ish (credit for adding “heaux” into my lexicon goes to Chase N. Cashe)  jig. In jest, of course. Ya’ll know I keeps all types of classy ’round here.

Anyhow, here’s attempt 1 1/2:

Outtake from Young Sinick on Vimeo.

That’s all you get for free. Dropping  it and swinging from under a rail at the club (true story) only come with loads of joyful beverages…or charitable donations via Paypal. I’m no fool.

In the meantime I’m going to go write this other entry and then get up on some work. You all enjoy this and please adhere to the main theme of the video: Tell someone else about this here site. Help me help myself be great(er).

Watch Me On My Video Blog?

If you’re wondering, yes, the title of this entry is a Beyonce reference. I actually went out and bought Popeye’s for the first time this year in honor of the original premiere day of she and GaGa’s video for “Video Phone.”

Needless to say, I was disappointed yet very well nourished once I found out the video wasn’t premiering. So I won’t be right until I see the video for myself.

In any event, for about two years I’ve been asked the question, “When are you going to start doing video blogs?”

My usual response is, “Uhh…never?” Or, “You know, I’m not sure. Soon?”

Translation: Polite way of saying never.

In hindsight, I wish I had done so before everyone else started doing it.

Then again, I stopped wanting to be in front of the camera a while ago. I was a broadcast journalism major in college.

My cousin was a CNN anchor, so as I kid when I saw my long last name at the bottom of the screen I got geeked. When my mom told me she was kinfolk to my dad, I slowly developed a dream to be on air. Then years later I found out about Katie Couric’s $80 million dollar deal with NBC and decided I was going to be the black male answer to her.

No, not Bryant Gumble. Not Trevor Collins. Katie Couric…but with color and a penis.

And as fate would have it the second I stepped on the campus of Howard I realized that I didn’t want to do that shit.

You have to smile on command. You can’t have an opinion. Well, at the time you couldn’t, but you know what I mean.

I’m not Mr. “Hi, this is Michael ….” as I burst into a big cheerful grin.

I knew that the job wasn’t for me but I never changed my major…mainly because it might have prolonged my stay in college. Trust me, I was there long enough. Most people assumed I was a print major who just looked like a broadcast guy anyway.

And then senior year came and I had to fulfill a requirement — which meant I had shoot, edit, and report on my own news packages.

I hated it.

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Reintroduce Myself

I am always happy to get new readers. I actively encourage everyone to spread word about my site via mass emails, Facebook, Twitter, yelling the site link to random people on the street. In fact, before you even go further with this post how about you take a few minutes to spread the word about me. Open another tab — this post isn’t going anywhere.

One minute…

Two minute…

Three minute…

Four minute…

Thank you.

Now having said that while I’m happy to have so many new people find  my spot, I’ve noticed some have gone here to declare e-war on me for daring to speak ill of an artist they fancy.

WOW YOU BITCH ASS MOTHERFUCKER ASS IS THAT JEALOUS OF CECE. BITCH ASK BET AND MTV WHO RUN THEIR SHIT. ASK BEYONCE AND RIHANNA WHY CECE GOT BILLBOARD WOMAN OF THE YEAR BEFORE THEM, ASK THEM WHY WAS SHE JUST TITLED POP PRINCESS. DONT BE FUCKING COMING AT CECE LIKE THAT. YOU FUCKING HATERS THAT MAD THAT CECE WILL TAKE OVER THE MORE COMMERICAL SHE IS AND BECOME QUEEN OF POP. DAMN YOU YOU HATER. CECE DO YOUR THING. IT IS OK FOR BEYONCE TO THRASH HER COOCHIE IN FRONT OF ALL THOSE FOLKS AT THE VMAS AND HER TO CORRUPT THE GAME, BUT CECE DOING HER THING THE RIGHT WAY WITH FULL CONTROL AND ACTUALLY BRINGING INSTEAD OF STEALING, AND NOW SHE THE DEVIL. GO TO HELL MIKE.

Kind of like this.

CIARA STAN (HATERS STAY MAD), thank you for visiting my site. I’m not going to try to change your opinion; I’ll just say hell is reading PARAGRAPHS TYPED IN ALL CAPS.

And by looking at some of the comments in the post about Leona Lewis butchering a classic from my childhood in her teen years you would think my words were reprinted in the program for Leona’s last family reunion. It’s OK, because everyone has a right to say how they feel — even if I feel they should care more about the environment or something else of great importance like the chicken strip’s deal at Popeye’s.

I will say, though, that if you’re new to this site we need to get to know each other. So, here are a few fun facts about me and this here blog. If you plan on sticking around, you need to learn these things.

1. I’m probably going to talk about someone you like.

I’m all about humor and opinion writing. That’s just what I do. I have opinions, there here site is my way another medium for me to articulate said opinions. Chances are I’ll say something about someone you like that will cause your face to react this way:

Such is life. I talk about people you like, I talk people I like, I talk about me. Trust me, I’m well aware that my degree doesn’t read Bachelor of Arts in God, and thus my opinion is not the end all be all. But if I feel like Leona Lewis shouldn’t be granted a work visa for an awful remake even if it was recorded three days before the birth of Chris then that’s just how I feel.

It’s fine to over a retort; I love comments and I don’t mind being corrected about something I’m factually wrong about. On the other hand, if you think anything I say will result in a decline in your health, I think you should seek help find a less stressful site. I’m trying to make folks laugh and think, not have panic attacks.

2. Jiggin’ is a habit.

One that I will talk about often.

3. If the sameness bothers you, save yourself now.

It’s not like I’ll be posting this everyday, but c’mon nah let my new interest in being forthright be great.

P.S. This is my way of giving Chris Brown a compliment. See…I don’t hate him.

4. I’m going to keep telling you to tell others about me.

I need a book deal and show.

5. Don’t let the post fool you, I’m really nice.

And shit.

That’s all I got. I just don’t need anymore 12-year-old readers using my inbox to test out their new e-thug persona.

Now let me get back to blogging more before my faithful readers curse me out. Thank you for reading!