WEEK IN REVIEW...

This past week has been one full of amazing moments, to say the least. I went to church on Sunday, after not having attended service for about a month and a half. Pastor Tim's sermon was about letting go by learning to forgive others. This is a practice I try implementing in  my life, but sometimes forget. Recently, somebody in my life has been greatly annoying and had me walking around thinking terrible thoughts at just the thought of their presence. I know this seems harsh, however, I am doing my best to work it out and put it behind me. Is it a hard task?

Absolutely.

But I have been putting in the work to make this situation as stress- free as can be. Most importantly, I've been trying to find a way to look past their wrong-doings and continue to move forward. 

On Monday I went to Venice to have my head shots taken professionally with photographer Johnny Pena. This was something I had been trying to make happen for the past 8 months, without much success. With rent, transportation, food and other necessary expenses adding up, the possibility of this moment coming into fruition appeared non-existent. However, the experience was everything I hoped it would be. I was initially introduced to Johnny through an actress on ABC's "The Middle", which just so happened to be the first job I ever booked out here (Amazing, what God can do!). After 4 hours and over 500 photographs later, my session had ended and I was on my way home. Blessed, to have had such an amazing person take my head shots for next to nothing, and for the extra information he gave me that could help me on my journey to becoming a working actor. He also offered to do some side projects with me, free of charge. The weight of a thousand bricks suddenly seemed to be lifted off of my shoulders. 

One of the most important tasks I needed to accomplish, had been so!

Later that night my crazy roommates (I can get a little crazy too!) and myself went to Ralphs, a grocery store here in LA, to purchase pumpkins for carving. Initially, it started out that way, but knowing us, within 30 minutes our crafty endeavor had turned into a full-on food fight. Our apartment was soon covered with pumpkin seeds, and my cheeks hurt from laughing so hard. 

When all was said and done, rightfully so, nobody wanted to sweep and mop the sticky floor. But we each did our share and we proudly went to display our creations out on our balcony. Yet, nobody could see them for lack of candle light. Fortunately, the next day we awoke to a bag full of candles outside our door thanks to our awesome neighbor!

Tuesday night, we lit the candles in our pumpkins!

Wednesday night I had this...

                                       

On Thursday, I went to the post office to send in my ballot! #VoteVoteVote

Wednesday through Friday, was mostly work. As some of you may know, I no longer do background acting. Merely because I have a manager who wants to send me out on auditions for principal roles and I wouldn't be able to do so without having open availability. Therefore, I haven't been on a set in over three months now. However, there is a a commercial that I'm in that recently started airing. I'll make sure to post a link to it soon. 

Overall, this week has been one of reaffirming what it is that I want out of life and the people I want, there, to share it with. It's a lot of thinking, but I deem it necessary in order to differentiate between what it is that you will allow to happen to you and what it is you won't condone. I've concluded I love my life, I love who I am, and I'm thankful for the amazing people in my life that inspire and encourage me everyday... Even if you don't know you do.

Below, are some extra pictures from when we carved our pumpkins.

At the beginning of the pumpkin fight...

Deciding if this pumpkin is edible, as is...

... I guess so. ha!

DREAMS AND BROKEN SOULS

(New lyrics from a song I hope to have up within the next week...)

... Yes my fingers are crossed, ha!

I'm moving on, I got to get away

I'm planning out my sweet escape

I'm driving like I've never done before

If all I have is this guitar

This voice of mine, and an empty car

There's nothing keeping me here wanting more

I'm headed to the city full of dreams and broken souls...

SEPTEMBER 11TH: A DAY TO REMEMBER... ALWAYS! 

Picture taken from, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2036144/9-11-memorial-live-commentary-Updates-World-Trade-Center-memorial-New-York.html

I recall sitting in the second to the last chair in back corner of my English class. I was in the sixth grade, at the time, and I remember my teacher taking a phone call in the middle of us taking a quiz. I watched as she placed the receiver down and walked over and turned on the television. There was no explanation. She just stared at the screen and I remember the puzzled looks on my classmates faces. After deciding to hurriedly complete our quiz, one-by-one we all adverted our attention towards the t.v. Within minutes, we saw a plane collide into a building. Next, a blank screen...

Not knowing the extant of what had happened we continued on with our day as the bell dismissed us from second period. As the day progressed, I began to notice that an abnormal amount of my friends where no longer appearing in class. I, however, remained in school the rest of the day. When 3 p.m. came, I journeyed to my grandparents home on the bus. To be honest, I didn't think about what I had seen during class for the rest of the day. Later that night my dad came and picked up my siblings and I. We went home, ate dinner, showered and went to bed. In the darkness of the night we discussed the events of the day and described our experiences to each other. Shortly after, I had fallen asleep. That's what I remember from that day.

At the time, I didn't recognize the significance of this day as an 11 year boy. In my world everything was alright. Not a thing changed. I didn't watch the news and the grown ups around me didn't talk much about it, so I was without worry. Now, of course, I completely understand what impact it has had on American history and the lasting memory it has engraved in our minds. I have grown, since then, to completely appreciate the sacrifice of the many men and women who continue to fight for our freedom.  

I'd like to leave you with one of my favorite songs ever, by one of my favorite singer/songwriters. John Lennon is simply amazing! Take a listen and let's never forget the lost loved ones and heroes on this day. 

I Think I Love You Better Now

Artist: Ed Sheeran - Lego House

Lately, a lot of things have changed in my life. I'm maturing. I'm being more open with others. I'm hurting. I'm growing. I'm laughing. I'm happy. At times, I'm sad. I'm living. But most importantly, I LOVE. 

September 15, will mark my 18 month as a resident in Los Angeles, California. I moved here in pursuit of fulfilling a purpose I know will eventually happen. Not on my own merits, exactly, though I give this all I've got. But when you are intended and created to be something, nothing can get in the way of that goal. That dream. That passion inside that tells you to keep moving forward. Absolutely nothing...

Recently, my mind has been on overload. My thoughts seem to pour in from every direction and, often times, I find myself lost in a day-dream. I feel as though God is trying to tell me something, but I'm not listening hard enough. Ever have that feeling that your moment of opportunity is just around the corner? Well I have felt that way for the past few months and, frankly, nothing seems to have changed. I wake up everyday and pretty much do the same exact thing, as if on a loop that never ends. Repeatedly, giving my best attempt at changing the course of my life forever. 

But wait...

What I'm looking for has already begun to happen. We often use the term "turning point" to signify a defining moment in our lives that we believe single-handedly brought about this dramatic shift in a given situation. Especially one that results in a beneficial gain. However, what if we viewed this event as a "turning curve"? One that takes place over an extended period of time and begins the day we decide to do something about our current circumstances. 

Nothing ever happens over night. To be honest, that's what I was waiting for. Not waiting in the sense of nothingness. I put my all into everything I set out to accomplish. The passion I have for singing and songwriting and acting is uncanny. I can't remember the last time I went a day without singing a tune, humming a melody, or reciting a line from a classic movie. It's what I do! It's what I live! It's who I am!

I write all of this to tell you that despite the rut I have been in lately. Despite having my agency close it's doors for good. Despite feeling as though the light at the end of the tunnel just grew dimmer. I HAVE A REASON TO SMILE, I HAVE A REASON TO LIVE, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY I HAVE A REASON TO NOT LOSE HOPE!! Everything that has transpired happened to me for a reason. I have learned that I can no longer play the victim of my circumstances, rather than the victor! Just because my life doesn't go exactly how I thought it should, doesn't mean i have failed. It doesn't mean I have lost. It, assuredly, doesn't mean that I must give up. Because I always end up with something greater on the other side... A LESSON! I am constantly learning how to better myself and how to move  beyond even the worst of outcomes. At the end of the day, I stick with it and refuse to succumb to the desire of wanting everything immediately!!! I let it go and simply realize that I love it better... Now! 

New Beginnings...

... for the most part, sucks. Usually, when we have to start over, we associate it with something negative. Like staying up all night writing a term paper, only to have it accidentally deleted. However, like the grass and flowers in this picture, as time brings an end to one thing it opens up the possibility of what could happen in the future. An insight, often times, overlooked. We spend so much time and energy focused on what could have been, instead of what lies ahead. 

Recently, I got so fed up with my iPhone I wanted to throw it off the nearest cliff. Simply because I couldn't figure out how to properly change my apple ID so that I could update my apps. One month came and went without any success. The amount of apps that needed to be updated skyrocketed to a grand total of 31. A pretty significant number at the time. So I decided, I was not going to let September begin without having found a solution to this problem. I googled and received the answer I was looking for only to free-fall into a dark abyss, to be completely honest. I lost half of the 350 contacts in my phone and every single picture I'd ever taken on it since moving out to California, March of 2011. Cue in the betrayal I felt from my "Smart Phone".  It had been subdued. 

Truthfully, it only bothered me for a few hours before I completely let it go. Had I wanted to keep those pictures forever stored away in my phone? Yes! Some of them were taken recently and I hadn't been able to instagram them with the world. (Insert sad face). However, a lesson that I've thankfully learned already was revisited. The one of letting go, and beginning anew. Having to let go of something you desired, cared about, or loved can be one of the hardest things to do, in that moment. It consumes your thoughts and actions and makes you feel as though everything right in the world has gone wrong... It hasn't! As time moves on, you learn to forget and you begin to move on as well. For me, losing all of those memories meant allowing room for more to flood in. I had actually reached capacity on my phone and was reluctant in letting some of them go in order to create new ones. I must admit, however, that was one of the best things that could have happened to me. Instead of having to pick and choose which ones to keep, I lost them all. The decision was made for me, and I'm okay with that. Life sort of has a way of telling you it's time to move forward. More times than not, it's in a blunt, band-aid ripping sort of way. But you learn to deal with it. 

As I sign out, I want to leave you with a quote of mine. It stems from lyrics I wrote to a song about moving on and letting go. 

"A photograph is nothing more than a memory of a time left behind."

Being Me, Weirdly...

(A post about quirks that make us all truly one of a kind!)

I took this picture about three months ago while hiking and picnicking in the hills of Hollywood. This would most likely be a photo I'd leave out of a Facebook album, because of the shadow, but it conveys my point exactly... I'm a firm believer in embracing whatever it is that makes you an unique individual. Whether it be a physical characteristic, pet peeve, or personality trait, we all have them. So starting today, I will present weekly idiosyncrasies about myself in hopes that you would join in sharing something about YOU! It can be big or small, serious, and/or outright ridiculous. 

Just share! Here goes... 

Recently, a friend of a friend moved into our apartment. Not only did she arrive with her personal belongings, but standing at about two feet was a labradoodle ready to add to the dynamic of the living space. To be frank, it's a cute, fun-loving dog with a serious licking problem. Initially, it was something I didn't even notice. However, as the dog grew more familiar with her new roommates the on surge of licking attacks began. Guess what?!... I hate the sound that dogs make when they lick human skin!!! Its equivalent; nails scratching a chalkboard. This may sound silly, but it's true. Come to find out, she hasn't been spaded. So I'm signing out and heading off in pursuit of her a companion. Hope you all have a blessed day! Bye!

- J. Francis 

P.S. If it's aright with the owner I'll be adding a picture of the labradoodle later!!

MTV Movie Awards

Here I am at the MTV Movie Awards on the red carpet! It was definitely a moment I won't soon forget. Being backstage, meeting celebrities, and hanging out with friends was just the beginning... I actually got to dance on stage during the Wiz Khalifa performance and be seen by family and friends!!! Not to mention the 15 million people watching at home. This is just a day in the life of an aspiring artist wanting to enjoy every moment possible. I hope you do the same!
- J. Francis