this is... The Neighborhood

Complexity of Mental Health: An Artists Collaboration with Robert M Goldstein & the Alternate (Personalities)

Posted on July 26, 2015 by Kendall Fredrick Person

Dissociative Identity Disorder formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder is a rare, complex mental illness, still debated in the healthcare industry, but thought to be a coping mechanism for violence inflicted, that was much too great, for the singular mind to handle.

∞∞∞

Robert & the Alternates
Photography by Robert M. Goldstein
written & developed by Kendall F. Person

I had only lived in Robert M Goldstein’s world for less than 24 hours, but that was all it took, before I had become a nervous wreck. Trying to understand a mental illness, that divides the mind into its own society, giving rise to new personalities, as alternates to self, completely real inside the head, but all named Bob to the outside world. Reliving Bob’s past with an abusive and narcissistic mother, trying to determine one alternative from the other, not even knowing if Robert M Goldstein was a man or woman, and during our back and forth written communication, wondering which one it was… became nearly too much.

The Wango Tango

Years ago, I served as an Arts Commissioner with the City of Sacramento, and during my term and a half, I would gain comprehension of the absoluteness of an artists. To paint or write or sing or dance was not something they did or a weekend hobby, but it was a passion, deriving from the essence of their soul, and broadcast to the world as a picture or a song.

Collaborative Self Interest

My alternatives use different styles in the way they write, but they share a certain tone of voice. That singularity of voice is my true self. – Robert M Goldstein

Discharged with Walker

And slowly I would begin to understand, that it did not matter which Alternative had looked through the zoom lens, the picture captured and the art created, is the contribution of a singularly artist, with multiple perspectives, imagined or not.

Why

Love is a Verb

As an adult survivor of sexual abuse, I say this from experience: Before one can stop being a victim, one must accept, that one was a victim. What you are describing is the “false victim’… it is a mask designed {to hide} the real pain, that for many survivors is so overwhelming, that it often feels like dying. – Robert M Goldstein

Skate Park

Every photograph, two of the captions and even Billie Holiday, was personally selected or written by Robert M Goldstein. Artists Collaborations within The Neighborhood, traditionally have not given an individual artist so much control. However, I thought the essence of the mental illness, created its own exception.

United

After receiving the above photograph, my mind tumbled backward for just a moment, as I pondered, “Which Alternative to Robert captured this moment, and was Robert somewhere in the crowd, moving among, but invisible to the people, because the mental illness of Dissociative Identity Disorder, had an Alternative in Robert’s place, existing as someone else?” But then I read the title ‘United’ and decided, to let that be the answer to my question.

A very special thank you to Art by Rob Goldstein

#TAG: The Neighborhood Anthology on Leadership & Authority ed. VIII by Robert M. Goldstein

Category: Mental Health Week, Society/Culture Tags: answer to question, Billie Holiday I'll be seeing you, Complexity of mental health, dissociative identity disorder, existing as someone else, false victim, formerly known as multiple personality disorder, GUESTS, imagined or not, nervous wreck, photographer, rare mental illness, Sacramento Arts Commissioner, shot through zoom lens, singular contribution, The Neighborhood Artists Collaboration, united

History’s Prize: ‘The Lives We Live’ A Reality Show – 2nd (3rd) Dismissal

Posted on July 24, 2015 by Kendall Fredrick Person

11 Comments

History is a cyclic poem
written by time
upon the memories of man.
– Percy Bysshe Shelley

Recording Artist Bryan Catalan
Photographer Edward Conde

The Top 3

Florence Crittenden of Sacramento California, James D. Foster of Fort Mohave Arizona and Clifton & Marla Davis of Denver Colorado, each of you have contributed something special of yourselves and in the process have touched The Neighborhood’s heart. The audience has spoken. Your participation is golden and your storylines will continue unfolding.

Cash and prizes are wonderful gifts to win. And perhaps, before it is all said and done, a sponsor will come along or maybe a neighbor or philanthropist will see the work we are doing and hit the ‘Donation’ button (big smile). But the nine people who began this quest, knew there was no pot of gold, for no snake oil will ever be sold here. But from different parts of the world they came, nonetheless, drawn in to have their voices heard and wanting to be a part of something bigger then self.

The first Reality Show in a blog – ‘The Lives We Live’, offers no fabulous merchandize like the Price is Right, but Think Big – I often say- how many times do we receive and take the chance to be the first of anything. Living their lives out loud, that is what they are doing, takes guts and heart and a passion, that they may not have even understood. And whoever, you decide to follow all the way through, will not only have shared their story to a fascinated world, but will be the first winner of the first reality show in a blog: History’s Prize.You will still have it, even when that brand new washer wears out.

…I wanted to vote for everyone. – Rob Goldstein

Martina Right of Sacramento California and Kenderick Lil Ken Johnson of Baton Rouge Louisiana. One of you comprehends, that within this artists collaborative, we are controlled by our imagination and each time we take the stage, we deliver the type of performance to make them remember our name. The other, has found comfort and strength and peace here, but has much to learn about patience and plotting of storytelling – even an autobiographical one – and the grassroots effort of promoting oneself. With so many interesting lives to follow, viewers were torn by the emotion versus the nature of the game. But Kenderick Lil Ken Johnson, they chose you, which means Martina Right…. you are in the bottom two.

Celonacharles Okpere Iphy of Lagos Nigeria and Lance Stinson of Lumber City Georgia. Of all nine that started, you two not only have the biggest, but a fan base that loves you. A talented recording artists, who sings Country Never Goes Out of Style with the comfort of a Grand Ole Opry Veteran, but the flavor of a new generation. But his busy schedule, on the road entertaining his fans, has left The Neighborhood guessing, And the other, a young graduate, has found his passion in writing, and one day, he will be the star he longs to be now; Advice is only useful to those who receive it, “Breathe” and then write.” Two very talented people. The unfamiliar audience was undecided and left it up to your fanbase to drive home support. And no doubt yours, Lance Stinson, would prefer to see you on the road, for you… are in the bottom two.

Thanks to everybody for taking part in this awesome event. – BlogDogIt

Three tiebreaks it took to reach our dismissal. Fan Voting. Social Media engagement and personal engagement. One of you, will continue to tell your story. To the other: Thank you for spending time in The Neighborhood and please know, the pleasure has always been ours.

‘The Lives We Live’ A Reality Show Episode 3
July 29

shout out to Brainy Quotes and BeFunky

Category: The Lives We Live Tags: 2nd dismissal, a reality show blog, brilliant perforamnces, contributed something special, cyclic poem, first winner, foundation of peace, history prize, inspirational messages, intertwined, its alright bryan catalan, memories f man, passing through, percy bysshe shelley quote, perfection entertainment, photographer edward conde, pleasure is ours, storylines continue, The Lives We Live, the neighborhood's heart, touching lives, unfolding

‘The Lives We Live’ A Reality Show – episode two

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Kendall Fredrick Person

37 Comments

I thought I was an old soul, and that I knew life,
but then starting the real life,
I figured I am completely new.
– Yeal Naim

In the tiny fractions of a second, in which they had to plan their escape, it was not prowess of an athlete, that initiated their go-to plan, but it was the mind’s imagination that shifted into high gear, devising a plan and transmitted signals to all parts of the body – in a neurological chorus of song – places, everyone take their places, as they were needed to deliver a once in a lifetime performance. – Controlled by Our Imagination

Starring

from Sacramento California
Martina Right

from Lumber City Georgia
Nashville Recording Artist Lance Stinson

I just finished up my New England tour and I am finally back home in Southeast Georgia. It was a lot of driving and not a lot of sleep, but what an amazing tour!

Being from the south, which is known for its strong country music roots, I was surprised when several of the Twitter fans started requesting me to come up north and play. At first, I thought, “country music up north”? Once we started researching venues and found there was a huge interest in country music and several places wanted to book me, I was like… why not? Then of course, I had several friends and family ask about how I would handle the “rude yankees”…lol. So honestly, I really didn’t know what to expect making the long trip from Georgia up to Massachusetts. I just knew that I was gonna give them one hell of a performance and show them how it’s done down in the south.

I have to say, I never met one rude person the entire tour. What I do know is that these guys love country music!! It was such a rush being on stage and having the chemistry and interacting with the different crowds. I love seeing fans sing along and some even knew the words to my music!

From Sunderland, Worcester, Boston and down to Bristol, RI, I had such an open arms welcome from the patrons of the various venues, it was quite overwhelming.

Overall, the New England tour was a huge success and we are currently in the process of putting together another tour for late fall. I look forward to making the trip again up north and meeting my fans!

from Denver Colorado
Newlyweds Clifton & Marla Davis

Thank the Lord for sending me my Angel Marla J Marion!” I call her MINE MARLA! We met when I was at a low point in my life to say the least. A low point with a slow and steady decline to my demise like a frantic struggle to get out of quicksand was my struggle to get out of the life of drug distribution and drug use. We went from Audi’s, jewelry, and Ralph Lauren to pawn shops, pipes and bus passes. Fast money can easily turn into a fast prison sentence or an early grave.

Life for us now consists of working a 9-5, bible studies, dinners at lone star steakhouse, browsing book stores and libraries and taking the kids to the park. It hasn’t even been 6 months since my life has change. And as some of us know the sweet taste of devil’s pie leaves a long lasting after taste and a craving that can never be satisfied so I still carry with me the temptation to use and distribute. My job, family and the goals I’ve set for myself keep me focused and excited for my future. Having an entrepreneur spirit leads me to explore a world full of opportunity that will lead to my happiness and financial freedom Lord willing. So the question to myself remains WHAT TO DO? WHAT TO DO?

from Fort Mohave Arizona
Illustrator James D. Foster

Illustration by James D. Foster

From 10 p.m. to dawn, it was a refugee camp for myself, punks and teenage runaways who either missed curfew at local youth hostels, or were kicked out altogether. Fresh off the boat from California, homeless at ‘Dunkin’ Donuts’ in the most brutal winter to strike Chicago in a century. Seeing Carl smiling at me with what remained of his shattered teeth, always put things in perspective(a sporting gift some West Side street kids gave him with a baseball bat, along with breaking both his arms and putting him in the hospital for two weeks years before we met).

Things could always be worse, and he never complained about anything, asked for anything, nor had anything rotten to say about anybody all the years I would know him. “Wassup,” adjusting his piles of Hefty bags filled with his unknown belongings so I could sit down on a neighboring stool at the stretch of counter. Laying down my secondhand periodicals next to him. Chicago Suntimes, Chicago Tribune, Windy City, and the Reader to pass the time until morning. Hands frozen, nose red and running, I warmed my dead fingers about a large cup of bad coffee.

James D. Foster

Before I could even tell him the good news, the mumbling riffraff exploded into its nightly theatrics. “SON OF A BITCH, YOU DON’T GET TO TELL ME WHAT TO DO!!!” A big bellied girl with tiny hands cut the smoky air, Lurching over, tossing her cup of coffee at the balding man’s face. “HEYHEYHEY” he bellowed. Another youth picked up one of the little gold aluminum ashtrays, flicking it at the frumpy stranger in her defense, spraying a puff of ash and butts off the man’s chest “MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS YOU OLD FAT FUCK!!!” The middle-aged fellow repeated ‘Hey Hey Hey” again and again towards the rising youths all around him. “I just said that she shouldn’t be smoking when she’s pregnant! C’mon, she’s almost due” reaching over, she made a haphazard attempt to slap his chubby face; But the fake woodgrain table and her baby ripe belly made such an act preposterous. With that failing, she spat on him instead. He stood back, frozen and dumbfounded. A thin Middle Eastern employee behind the counter, joined his shrill voice to the fray; Phone already in hand, threatening to call the cops.

She made a cheap mockery of his accent, as her troupe always did when he called them out. Regardless, she grabbed up her shapeless backpack, yelling more than asking who was going with her into frozen night. Only the kid who tossed the ashtray took her up on her request. Showering the room and everybody with their curses and middle fingers raised, storming out the door, across the parking lot, then vanishing altogether into the Arctic Hell. “I went in for an interview today,” I spoke proudly, “start on Monday.” He gave me another shattered smile. “Welcome to the grind,” returning to his crumpled crossword, magnify glass in hand, stooped over just inches from the type written words like he always did.

from Sacramento California
Flower Crittenden

from Lagos Nigeria
Celonacharles Okpere Iphy

Here we go again! As I invite you all further, into my life and existence, I am really trying my best to sounding relaxed and interesting but I guess I should be clear on one fact; “I WON’T STAY PREDICTABLE”. I have chosen to give plenty of spice to this show but that would be within truths on a life with plenty huge twists and turns, (an advise from my fans). I deliberately picked this challenge and also deliberately want to come out tops, that’s why I would, inevitably lead this train to places of ‘plenty surprises’. So if you knew me before, or know me now, or never knew me at all; you should know; this one man’s every response to a given challenge/contest, would never be relied upon to be consistently identical. This time we headed to a scene, that rejuvenates childhood memories and then to a place my soul really craves to understand.

Charles grew up being always close to the football pitch that ground has always and still is a place of comfort, an arena to letting-out, forgetting all and focusing on team work. I really think football shaped that part of me that’s always hungry to express and take bold steps. I guess it’s from that game I began to absorb core values, values like; evolving at every given chance, amongst a few other core values, but the most important of all values soccer has given me, would be regarding family first, at all times. Family is the core of all my values. It’s where I found the undiluted love of a mother, tough love from a father, genuine love from your siblings and infinite love from the rest of my extended family, which includes my very wonderful virtual friends. Charles has practically tried “falling in love” but I guess that’s one ‘task’ you have to take tutorials for, ‘cos it never works out the way you plan. Apparently, it seems you don’t plan “falling in love”, as I feel it just happens to you. I ‘desperately’ look forward to the day when the only thing that ignites a ‘perfect’ relationship between me and a woman is tied around the words we share.

I look forward to that day when two souls calling out to one another, two hearts beating in the same direction, with a salient whisper of longing that bridges one essence to another. I want to want a woman, not because it gratifies my ego and longing for “show offs”, not because my lady is outwardly beautiful, but because her very presence invites my matured ability to loving. I want to touch her with my heart on my sleeve. I want to be involved in that chemistry that is pure and true, but also having an essence for continuity, all sorted out, with plenty of love’s liquid lava flowing from the heart to the genitals to the great beyond, in a love-struck world. A relationship, experienced as a spiritual practice, a devotional expression of our God-self, dying to all inept ability of planning a perfect relationship. For all I want is something natural and pure.

from Baton Rouge Louisiana
Kenderick Lil Ken Johnson

Since joining the Neighborhood I’ve begun to touch a new audience musically, from “Like a Bird” which was my first music review inside the neighborhood to “Keep Putting It Down” the most recent track” The fans support of my song “Dreams” that dropped on my last mixtape “Better Days” was my inspiration for writing the song! To know that people enjoy listening to my music motivates me to keep going each & every day. I’ve had many obstacles in my life I’ve had to overcome, but I’ve never allowed the bad times to stop me from moving on! I owe it all to God, who has blessed me with the gift of word play, so I use it positively to motivate the world!

If you’ve never heard “Keep Putting it Down” take a listen & thanks in advance for your support! My new mixtape “Lost In a The Muzik Vol. 1” will be dropping soon at the end of summer or early fall. Meanwhile, I’m about to get my day started with breakfast and work on my practice plan for tomorrow’s practice, then its back to the music. From coaching on sidelines to the studio booth, my jobs never done. There are still lives to touch daily and that drives me to keep working, you all be blessed!

Vote

Category: The Lives We Live Tags: blog reality show, celonacharles okpere iphy, Clifton & Marla Davis, episode two, Flower Crittenden, fort mohave arizona, hot girl, hustle rhythm soul, james d. foster, kenderick lil ken johnson, Lance Stinson, lumber city georgia, Martina Right, The Lives We Live, The Lives We Live A Reality Show

#Press Release: ‘The Lives We Live’ A Reality Show Hits the Blogosphere

Posted on July 14, 2015 by Kendall Fredrick Person

15 Comments

“Well done blog! Didn’t really get it—–
that one could do so much with a site.
Keep doing it.”.
– Bobby Z

Kendall F. Person, thepublicblogger once again breaks new ground in the world of blogging and social media, producing another first, This time, he brings the reality show format to The Neighborhood blog

‘The Lives We Live’ is the very first reality show in the blogging format. Nine brave souls have chosen to live their lives out loud, including: a husband & wife and her brother from Denver, a former madam from Sacramento, a recent college graduate from Baton Rouge, an illustrator from Fort Mojave, Arizona, a Nashville recording artist from Lumber City, Georgia. a young man from Lagos, Nigeria and a mysterious woman from Arad. Romania. Inspiration, entertainment, frustration or boredom, when asked what can viewers/readers expect, Kendall F. Person, the shows creator answers with a smile, “I have no idea, but it has been great communicating with each of them and, we haven’t missed yet.”

Person and a host of The Neighborhood’s resident artists have been promoting the show for weeks, throughout social media, with an emphasis on Facebook where it has captured a certain buzz. On July 15, all nine “cast” members will be introduced in either short video, audio or written segments. Each was given the same parameters: to be open and honest, in telling the world something about their lives that is ongoing right now.

But with each contributor living thousands of miles apart, their paths may never cross, making the ‘Dismissal’ episodes a challenge, but Person developed a plan. Using reader comments, measurable insights throughout social media – in which The Neighborhood maintains a presence – and the opinion of a panel of reality show enthusiasts, the feedback will be spun together to measure audience engagement, which will determine, who will stay and who will be dismissed.

‘The Lives We Live’ – A Reality Show, debuts July15, with the Dismissal announcement arriving on July 17. Follow Boards with all nine of the contributors photos are posted throughout social media and in The Neighborhood’s VIP Lounge. A red ‘X’ will cover the face of the dismissed person, and as the show progressives, and viewers come to know each one, a special goodbye tribute post will also be published.

“The participants are very excited to be included in something that has never been imagined before,” states Person. ‘The Lives We Live’ is without a doubt The Neighborhood’s biggest risk. Not only does it have to maintain and grow its readership, but it also has to keep the participants interested, since they are not trapped on an island or locked in a house or fighting for a million dollar cash prize.

But The Neighborhood’s entire existence is based on taking chances and Person believes this time is no different. “Blogging has become its own mainstream.” He believes, like Youtube, the Indie Film industry and self-published authors, the blogosphere is destined to create its own stars. ‘The Lives We Live’ may prove him right or could be the first disaster of The Neighborhood’s unblemished run.

‘The Lives We Live’ debuts July 15 with the Dismissal announcement on July 17. Only in The Neighborhood @ thepublicblogger.com

soundtrack by Hustle Rhythm & Soul and H-Y Loco