this is… The Neighborhood
the Story within the Story
The Neighborhood’s Short Film of the Month: This Day Burns Mistakes Don’t Lie Remix by Guy White’s Two 80
I just love comic books.
I’ve always loved comic book art,
and I just think its amazing.
– Zayn Malik
In their traditional form, comic strips have always been big business and have proved, more then any other entertainment industry, they can weather the test of time. Comic Con is not simply the biggest comic book convention in the country, it is one of the biggest conventions in the world. And franchises like Superman, Batman and Spiderman have raked in staggering totals – somewhere in the billions – since their humble beginnings.
Enter the technology age and the comic strips have bulldozed their way in. This Day Burns Mistake Don’t Lie Remix by Chicago’s Guy White under the guise of TWO 80, has produced a hip, fast and wild animated comic strip in video form. It is loud, brash and good. He has several previews, apparently still under production, so if you enjoy this information-age-comic-book-thrill-ride, more is on the way.
This Day Burns Mistake Don’t Lie Remix by TWO80
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#TAG: The Neighborhood Anthology on Leadership & Authority ed. VI by Robert Webster
Music and Food:
Planting the Seeds of Leadership, Authority and Respect for Both
from 1964, Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions with People Get Ready
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Edition VI by Robert Webster
Early in life, as long as I can remember actually, it was drummed into me to respect my elders, policemen, firemen (yes, males; police officers and firefighters are now gender neutral terms that were not part of our collective lexicon). Thankfully that has changed. Somewhat. There’s still hazing going on in those two boys clubs. The elders also included anyone older than me. Anyone. Period. If I was acting a fool, I could/would get called out on it and my parents would side with the adult making the observation. Because children were to be seen and not heard then. And an adult was the Authority.
I grew up in South Sacramento in the very early 60’s and came of age in the 70’s. The neighborhood my parents moved to from the Mid-West was brand-new and populated largely by people employed by the burgeoning space industry and those involved in the back door operations of the Cold War. Soon, however the dynamics of the neighborhood would change. The company my father and many others worked for had a massive layoff, him included. We stayed put but others walked, letting their houses go back to the bank. The new families moving in were not necessarily welcomed with open arms by those with closed minds, and so, more left. We kids didn’t care who the families were as long as they had kids close to our age; a playmate is a playmate. They were someone new to play with; laugh with; occasionally argue with. But, at that age, there were no grudges because it’s lonely when you aren’t speaking to your friend.
1960s Sacramento
Later, the times got turbulent. Changes were in the air brought on by charismatic leaders, cut down before they should have been by the small-minded. The established “leading authority” liked the status quo so they tried to end change… I was 9, 10 and 13 years old when these events happened. The Vietnam War was in full swing and I thought the world had gone bat-shit crazy. Dark times. And it took a while to get better. It has, but at a snail’s pace. The latest headlines make me wonder and despair that we haven’t moved forward at all. We as a collective society are still so focused on the past that we forget how much of our future depends on our actions right now. Two easy things I’ve observed over the years that never fail to bring people of all walks of life together: Music and Food.
Growing up, I listened to everything. Unlike some of my friends, I didn’t stop my musical preference at the decade of my high school graduation. Back in the1960’s, musical groups became the Leadership. They became the Authority. And they brought the Message of the time. It hasn’t stopped. Every decade since I first listened to my sister’s AM radio has had stellar music. It’s the voice of the people. Of a neighborhood. Of generations. Music brings people together. It crosses over to all people, all ages and it’s a powerful force – you have the ear of the world. If you don’t believe me, look around at the next concert you go to.
Everybody needs to eat and magical things happen when you break bread together. Some of my best memories are summer and holiday gatherings with my neighbors. A diverse neighborhood makes for interesting potlucks –new smells and tastes. Recipes are shared and compared. People laugh and bond. Perceived differences disappear and a common theme begins to evolve – Leadership and Authority begin in the home.
Respect for Leadership and Authority begin there too. Our children see it played out in their backyard or living room and it spills out into the neighborhood growing bigger and paying forward. Break bread with your neighbors and bring a playlist to share. The sky’s the limit.
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#TAG: The Neighborhood Anthology Ed. V – No Contribution, Artist FROZEN OUT
cover image Icebergwash courtesy of Cool Antarctica
Jedi mind tricks don’t work here. – Star Wars
The Long Way by Maryann produced by SBVCE
#TAG Rule of Engagement No. 2:
Once IN – either contribute or be FROZEN OUT
If the game of #TAG was the focus, and the contribution was in support of, Symone Brown would have still been FROZEN OUT. On the eve of its start, she simply was unprepared, gracefully pulling out, therefore no edition runs blank with her name.
The Neighborhood Anthology on Leadership & Authority has always been about the contribution, and even if the game were the main attraction, #TAG – contrary to its childhood namesake – was built as a team sport; an artists collaboration, delivered as performance art, with a mission of change.
Rather Tobe Damit had always planned to go it alone, relished the idea of spoiler or bad boy, or if the idea was just an epiphany, it only makes a difference, if the means need to justify the ends, and they do not. #TAG has two built-in exits, and Tobe Damit chose the one marked FROZEN, breaking ranks only hours before his curtain call, deciding to publish on his blog.
His one man rebellion clashes with his adoration and longing to be a part of The Neighborhood, which he loves, but by connection. While Rebel Rebel!! may have the length and feel of an endless manifesto, and on some levels, it is, there are history lessons and moments of marked frustration, and targeted examples of Leadership and Authority. So I imagine, FROZEN is what the ‘Rebel Rebel! was after all along.
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How Flower, Celonacharles & James Won or Lost ‘The Lives We Live’ the 1st Reality Show in a Blog
cover 2 Against 1 by the artists sword
A true champion can adapt to anything.
– Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
from Chicago Illinois, AnewDuo with Give Him Praise
It had always been about Flower, Celonacharles & James. Clifton & Marla would make a surprise attack in week 4, but could not sustain the momentum and the following week, were ushered out the door. Lance, who many thought would win, never found his bearings and would flop out in week 2. Martina made a strong surprise showing. Daring to reveal a hidden life, her story would attract viewers in numbers, that perhaps began to squirm. And Lil Ken had to fight for every vote, but quietly began building a life and career with new music, a new job and a new relationship to cap it all off.
Flower Crittenden would weave a story so personal, she would grip us to every word. Walking away from a challenged relationship, seemed like child’s play after she revealed the heartbreaking loss of her true love. In the end, I think voters found it uncomfortable to vote Flower as the winner of a game, but with all of our hearts, we are rooting for her happiness, and that would be the biggest win.
It seems fitting that the final duel would come down to Celonacharles and James. Both scrappers, both performers, both carry the capability of becoming big-time names. But the main difference is that James is a seasoned veteran and Charles has just earned his wings, during the course of the competition he would graduate from grasshopper to a young knight, closer but still removed from the title he desperately wants: master of his craft. So who would win and who would gasp at the end?
Ladies & Gentlemen, it should come as no surprise,
that in the end…. the Veteran would school them all.
James D. Foster of neopompeii would not only raise his game, week in and week out, he would play the chameleon with such brilliance, it is hard to believe that he was ever in danger, not a dig at anyone, but a compliment at the level of talent, ability and personality of this 1st ever Reality Show in a Blog. On behalf of The Neighborhood and a personal nod from Kendall F. Person….
Congratulations James D. Foster… for a history making Win.
‘The Lives We Live’ A Reality Show – HEROES: Series Finale
Voting Booth at End of Show (bottom of post)
“Being President doesn’t change who you are,
it reveals who you are.”
– First Lady Michelle Obama
Original Cast of 9
Drumma Battalion made their 1st appearance in The Neighborhood in May of 2013 in a show titled A Celebration of Community and went on to appear in several shows in early 2014. It is so nice to see them going strong and to welcome them back…
from Oslo Norway, Drumma Battalion featuring RoZe with Hands Up
Imagine you are all alone, moments before you meet your maker, staring into the natural wonder of the Grand Canyon. You are given two choices. One changes nothing. And the other changes the one thing that you wanted most of all. Clock ticking, curtains moving closer, so never forget, time is not your friend. But more than anything else, close your eyes, lean back and…breathe.
Celonacharles Okpere Iphy, Lagos Nigeria
I am putting ink to sheet, scribbling down words on Heroism and who I think is my hero, this could be tagged “rambles” if you choose; knowing for sure that people from all over the world are going to read these words. People of all ages, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, of different religious beliefs. Most of them, I will never get a chance to meet and a few of them I would love to meet in person, as they turn out to be my real heroes. I promise I am not writing these words to impress any individual, not with this little chance given on a platter.
Chinua Achebe by Cliff
As I continue to exist in a world, saddled with plenty of chaos, I would say; I have seen a fair share of individuals from the 21st century that impress with their style of activism and outspokenness; practitioners of attributes which I really admire, from the likes of; Chinua Achebe, to the likes of Kendall F. Person, J.J Omojuwa, Jason Cushman, Chimamanda Adichie, not even mentioning grand masters and legends, who did great jobs at spreading the gospel of world-peace and tranquility; grand masters like; Nelson Mandela, Maya Angelou, Mahatma Gandhi, my list would go on and on, if I choose to keep mentioning names but because it’s becoming increasingly difficult to realize that every single person we see walking past us on the street is another human, like me and you, who wants to be loved and treated as a role model; a potential Hero for a little kid somewhere, which makes us tend to care less about who stands up tall as a mentor or symbol of authority and example in our lives, unknowingly; we are nurturing a generation that is becoming immune to everything but self.
Embracing the idea of Hero, means we break walls that hide the true self that needs improvement and developments, exposing us to important people around us, who seek to see that true individual that hides behind written or spoken words. As a young man, with loads of heroes of my own and with little children looking up to me, I encourage and support the will to choose a life pattern; as what works for me may not work for another but even at that, some basics remain unchanged and unchallenged. A hero does not expose innocent souls to unnecessary information which taints their inflicted beliefs and practices from what they should know. As i sit here reminiscing on how I could become a better hero to a child somewhere in this world, I am all about confronting today’s challenges and getting armed for tomorrow’s; I just can’t help but laugh out loud at the fact that the Hero I have chosen for today, is a non-living woman, with plenty of attributes that are exemplary.
Liberty Flies by David Robert Bliwas
Standing 23 stories tall and weighing in at just over 200,000kg, the statue of liberty stands as a proud and poignant as ever at the entrance of the New York City harbor, with a colossal crown and gold-plated touch certainly to distinguish her as a grand matron to all the citizens of the United state; she has been a symbol of freedom, democracy and tenacity of the human spirit since her inception; she could be easily picked as a symbol that stand for ‘second chances’, as her lifeless, still eyes has welcomed those from both the farthest distance and shortest travels, this includes millions of immigrants who left troubled shores, in search of a land of opportunity, since 1889. The Statue Of Liberty, would be my hero for the day; as I feel humans have got a lot to learn from her.
Why James D. Foster is aHero
Amanda Hoskins, Debauchery Soup
Why do I consider Jim a hero?
He and I were close during college,
then we drifted apart, as people our age typically do.
I couldn’t find him anymore.
I felt a void in my life for decades.
Why is he a hero? Because he left!
Because he went on an adventure.
With $50 in his pocket … and a dream.
And, because he survived it.
I love that he knew adversity. It’s improved his art.
I kept looking for him, needing my friend.
Well, I found him and became his fiancé.
Fast forward to today and he struggles with Avascualar Necrosis.
This does not stop him soldiering on.
I love that he was courageous enough to take that first leap,
and then a second when I offered him the opportunity
to focus solely on his writing and his drawing.
I can think of nothing more courageous
than taking a chance on your passion and talents –
then exposing yourself as you share them with the world.
Flower Crittenden
Why Charles Okpere Iphy is a Hero
Marie Chidi – the very thoughts, the very words untold
A dream keeps you up, makes you jittery, sometimes it separates you from people and once you can understand the need to keep that dream alive, despite the odds, you are a hero to many.
To set a goal and focus on what you want is an easy feat that is very difficult for us, especially young people who are basking in the exuberance of their youthfulness.
To want to achieve is easy, to aim to achieve is hard work and Charles has achieved to this point because he understands that dreams begets focus which begets hard work because it’s not easy to be unemployed, without aid from the government and be able to somehow, push and grind for what you believe and what you love.
I have known Charles for a while. A couple of years maybe, say over a period of nine years and I have seen growth, change and passion; Passion I didn’t know existed.
Passion changes you, it gives you a different view on life, it makes you see the need to become better than you were.
In life, basically, we are gifted by God (or by nature as some of us would like to say) with talents. It is in our power to fuel the passion for these talents and use them to the best of humanity and it is beautiful what this young man does with his gifts.
In spite of one’s immediate environment, it’s amazing how a young man’s persistence and passion has pushed him to this very point and although I still am on the lookout for your continued growth, I am especially proud of you.
Disregarding every barricade that stands in your way in order for your voice to be heard? You deserve to win Charles, for the young Nigerian and for the Nigerian dream.
James D. Foster
Why Flower Crittenden is a Hero
Patricia Pena
My hero is my little sister, Florencia Crittenden, because I learn from her what life is worth at the end of time’s day. In the workforce she brings gentle words and adds kindness to her elders. Taking care of their personal needs and assisting in maintaining their dignity. My little sister brings them flowers and serves as their confidant in hours of need, She knows them by name and asked them about their story. And she listens to them. She shares her elders with me through their stories and paints a picture with words of beauty and worth about each and every one of them.
James D. Foster, Fort Mohave Arizona
Riled he watched from the cab of his battered Ford truck at the stop light. Neighbor kids playing rough house on Frank Shapiro’s front lawn. His oldest adorned a blue shirt, and costumed in a red towel. The younger boys, cloaked in old sheets and pillowcases, constantly adjusting the eye-holes of their makeshift hoods. Even then they still bumbled into one another, like uncoordinated circus clowns; tussling with the make-believe Superman, but he brushed them off like imaginary bullets. Carl white knuckled his steering wheel, staring at the leather bowling bag, containing his own hood and robes. Designed to instill terror into the hearts of all those scheming against his true Anglo heritage. Now reduced to what he witnessed beyond the dirty windshield . . . a child’s game. He envisioned throwing it on, grabbing his tire-iron, storming across the street, and teaching Frank’s kids a lesson none of them would ever forget. There was no time for it though, he was already running behind, and the light just turned green. Simply he just leaned on the horn to turn their attention his way, “I KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE JEWS,” and drove off, watching their expressions in his rear-view mirror.
He was late, and worried about being regulated to a folding chair in the back of 
the meeting hall. But Carl’s concerns were dashed seeing that half of the hand-me-down pews were empty. Even for an emergency meeting at a moments notice, there should have been twice as many members in attendance. Fans blurred at the late June heat of Georgia. Carl plopped down next to Pete at the end of the third row, casually spitting chew into an empty soup can. “No one gave me the code word when I came in-”
“No point,” Pete interrupted, “this weeks code and password was on the Radio yesterday. Along with everything else we do. Did you know that Superman was created by a couple of Jews? It was all part of their grand agenda to get at our boys all along.” Spitting into the soup can, as if for punctuation, then looking around at all the familiar and sober faces of fellow Klan’s members. “There’s a mole among us. I keep expected to see Clark Kent himself, scribbling away on some notepad somewhere nearby. You’re lucky Carl, at least you have all girls.”
“Don’t kid yourself Pete, I hear it from them too.”
The Pastors expression made it obvious he expected no more to come. “Let’s be quick with it then. This following order comes all the way down from ‘Imperial Wizard’ himself. As of now, all members are to boycott all purchases of Kellogg’s Company. The sole advertisers behind the Adventures of Superman of the Mutual Radio Programming-”
“Seriously,” Carl exclaimed, “that’s the best you can come up with!? For all of us to stop eating corn flakes!? That’s it!? That’s your solution!?” All he wanted to do was punch something. And he did . . . breaking two knuckles on the pew in front of him.
Flower Crittenden
Good to Luck Charles, James & Flower. And to everyone else…..VOTE!
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