Skip to main content

My Why!

Not long ago Sean "P. Diddy" Combs played the leading role in the television movie, " A Raisin in the Sun".  I posted a blog on my myspace page in response to his characters', character.  I talked about his drive and determination to succeed.  It was amazing to watch the movie in 2008 after having read the original screenplay from the 50's.  

I'm often asked what is it that motivates me to do what I do besides money.  If you look below at the photos the story tells itself.  Trinity, NC is where I lived until I was about 9 0r 10 years old. Most of the homes there are still like the ones in the photos below.  

I took these stills about 5 years ago, I'm glad I did. They are a constant reminder of how important it is to stay humble.  They remind of the importance of a sound education.  They remind me to always respect hard work. They remind me of what strong families can do with little to no resources. 

These photos are my motivation to keep dreaming so that others won't stop.  They're my why. This is what "Vision Beyond The Lens" means.  



The remains of an old ten speed tire rim that my cousin and I used as a basketball hoop.


The steps leading to the side door of my old house. The full view will be in the documentary "A Brighter Day" due out in the fall of 2009.


Homes my friends and family currently live in or lived in.






My view as a 6 year old dreaming about being a football star at Trinity High School football field.  "fyi" My dream came true...

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Players That You Never Knew

With the opening Friday Night of the 2014 high school football season on the horizon, every barbershop in every small-town in America is probably buzzing with the conversation of who are greatest high school football players of all time.  It's a valid question considering the pool of talent that passes through most small towns.  People often wonder where these guys end up long after their playing days are over.  I've often asked the same question about many of my ex-teammates. Two in particular, Darius Brewnington and Kenny Shaw. If you were an athlete in the early 1990's they were arguably considered two of the most influential athletes in North Carolina's rich high school football history.  Unfortunately, like many other high profile athletes life happens.  However, even with the growing pains of life every man has his day of redemption.  With Darius and Kenny being former teammates of mine I wanted to see for myself who they are 20 years removed fr...

The Money Shot

The "Money Shot". It's not the type of shot where you look to get paid. It's the one that tells the largest story with the least amount of words. Today as I drove through Pen Lucy park, I saw this homeless lady at the stop light. I've driven through here daily for years and today was the first time I'd ever seen this lady. She was as worn as the soles of her shoes. She appeared to have the conscious mind of a 6 year old child. I only had about 20 seconds to capture the moment. It tends to be that way driving through the district where most of the show " The Wire " was filmed. Needless to say I was able to salvage what I referred to above as, " The Money Shot". After countless hours of studying the late great visual artist, Gordon Parks life stills, I've come to the conclusion that life stills are and should be timeless. They hold the frailties of life tight enough to crush them and soft enough to doctor them back to maximum h...

A Day At Gus's

A Day At Gus's It's not everyday that we get to experience great food let alone a great atmosphere to eat in. I'm a southern guy so you know I like good food and even better service.  Gus's is that spot for me. I frequently sit down with the owner Gus and he doesn't hold back on his views of the world or on how to run a successful small business.  Following our last conversation I decided to return the favor by grabbing a few still photos of the original Gus's location.  It will be torn down soon.  Gus is being rewarded with a new location in 2008 for a job well done for 27 years of great service.  www.gusspizza.com