Cinderella - Part 5, "You Could Drop Jaws"

When NY returned from Mexico, we began to discuss which songs he wanted to use on his indie film and how we would go about recording them.  The demos I had of the songs would have worked, but NY did not want to have to buy them off of the producer who had cut them.  He chose Spin, Rhythm, and Secret Devotion.  One day NY sent me to the gym with Abercrombie so he could take care of some business.  Later, Abercrombie, Hills and I watched the film and he showed me the places in the film that NY planned to place my songs.  Abercrombie also told me a bit of the inside story of how NY had become frustrated with so many dead end opportunities to advance as an actor and decided to take his career into his own hands by making his own movie.  I loved the vibe of the film and thought it was stellar, especially considering NY had made it all by himself.

"You could drop jaws if you wanted to." - NY

Abercrombie lived in a condo off of Sunset and Doheny that he had custom interior paint, wainsncot, and crown molding in beautiful earth tones, along with rustic brown leather couches and dark wood furniture.  There were custom framed pictures of him from his earlier modeling years on his office wall.  One in particular showed him on roller blades with a baseball cap on, and his shirt in his back pocket.  He looked like an Abercrombie & Fitch model (hence the nick name) with a stop and stare all American build and bright, perfect smile.  But his looks were just gravy over the main course of what I saw in his character at the time.  I admired his ambition, professionalism, attention to detail, and no nonsense business demeanor that I assumed was the reason for all of his success.  When NY would have friends over late at night, they would all smoke weed and Abercrombie would ponder the universe.  I would always excuse myself and go to bed, but I would listen to Ab through my door and enjoy hearing him let down his guard a bit and talk from his heart.  His ideas of how the world worked were very disappointing and worldly in retrospect, so I was glad not to be a part of the conversation.  Everything they talked about sounded so stupid to me, probably because I was sober.

NY had to leave again for a few days to start shooting a new film so he left me to look after his house.  His friend I have nick named "Romeo" had been hired as his driver and body guard for his current project and had arrived promptly to pick him up.  Romeo was a 6ft, 2" tall Hispanic with shoulder length coal black hair.  He had massive arms and shoulders that would make The Rock look like a wimp, with a slender waist and legs.  He was an overt ladies man and I often cringed inwardly when he would discuss nights out with his boys where they all shared the same girl for hire.  He thought he was so smooth though, and would wink at me and open every door for me after blurting out his nasty business.  I guess he assumed I was so intoxicated by his game that I did not care or did not hear him.  The worst thing about him though was that even with all of the filth and pride, he was a very likeable fellow.  He had manners, was easy to talk to, and was such a hysterical character, you just had to like him.  He found a star shaped barrette under one of the car seats when he helped me out of the car once and he gave it to me and said, "This is for you, because you're a star", then he winked.  As cheesy as it was, I kept the barrette.  

Romeo and I exchanged a few words while NY gathered his bags and prepared to leave.  He told me how much NY liked my well presented cooking and even joked that he thought NY was in love with me.  I told him to shut up and get the bags and we both laughed.  Romeo stood in the doorway as NY approached me to say goodbye.  He looked at me with a sad face and hesitantly said, "I think I might miss you while I am gone."  He then put his massive arms around me and lifted my 115 pound frame like a rag doll as he hugged me warmly.  I clung to him as long as the moment would allow and then let him release me gently onto the ground like a ballerina.   That moment is emblazoned in my mind as one of the best experiences in my life.  I looked up to NY so much and his pure and innocent affection meant the absolute world to me.  Every other guy I had known had always pressured me to be physical so I was not interested in any of that.  No guy had ever just wanted to by my friend, no less help me grow as an artist.  I was truly honored and my heart soars every time I think of that moment.  I would not trade it for all of the money in the world.

NY and Romeo then left and I went straight for the fridge since NY was not around to count my calories.  He was always telling me to go to the gym and would give me a subtle look each time I would eat.  (Since I was small, I have been constantly hungry and ate several snacks throughout the day.)  He even once walked over to me while I was laying on his couch on my side and physically pushed my little stomach pouch into the center of my abdomen as if to say, "no saggy flesh allowed in my presence".  As humiliated as I was, I just brushed it off knowing that I would never want to be the superficial 3% body fat waif model that he chose to be at his side for the month, (or so I assumed of his love life).  I was a size 2 and though I was not chiseled, I felt like I was in decent enough shape.  I think NY just wanted me to be the best I could be and knew how competitive the Entertainment business was.  He had to be very disciplined with his diet and exercise routine and I am sure he expected the same of anyone else who wanted to be in the business.  Why should he have to work so hard if others could just get in looking average like me?  Perhaps these are some of the thoughts that motivated him to be so critical of my appearance.  

Another amazing memory I have with NY is the time he rented out his favorite Italian Restaurant and invited his closest friends to hear me play piano and sing.  The place was called Ca' Del Sole and 6 guests were in attendance, as well as NY and I.  NY wore an ivory thick knit sweater with a low turtle neck, black pants, and black weathered boots.  I got ready and presented myself in black leather pants, black heel boots, and a black t-shirt.  NY said I looked nice, (for the first time, a compliment...).  We arrived at Ca'Del Sole and joined NY's guests.  NY motioned me to sit by him, but there was a couple occupying the booth bench so I offered to sit across from him to avoid splitting up his friends.   The waiter quickly greeted us and NY ordered for me.  His friends were lovely people who were all in the industry and all spoke very highly of their host.  The restaurant had positioned a baby grand off to the side of our table for my showcase and after we had enjoyed our exquisite dinner,  I was invited to sit at the piano.  I played 3 or 4 songs and then joined NY and his guests at the table again.  They were all very gracious and kind about my songs and after another round of drinks and light conversation, we said goodnight and went our separate ways.  

On the drive home, I shared with NY how special the night had been for me with exuberant delight.  I told him that I must really be special if all this was happening to me.  NY quickly corrected me and told me that one's specialness is something that you let others say about you, but never say about yourself.  It's good advice actually, and I have tried to apply it.  But I never felt comfortable adopting NY's complete theology.  There were some definite holes, not that mine was any better, especially back then.  His correction shut me up and made me embrace the calming drive through the canyon.  Like thunder, his deep voice broke the silence as he spoke, "You could drop jaws if you wanted to Yvonne".  He explained that I had done well that night, but that he felt there was more in me.  He was never satisfied with just ordinary results and was always pushing me, and everyone around him higher.  I loved that about him and really felt motivated to work harder by the challenges he presented.  My dreams are often filled with visions of him and it haunts me to think about how many people he could influence if he were to give his life to the Lord.  I will never stop praying that he does.  

Letter to my English Teacher

Mr. Bill Ambron  - EHS
Drama Teacher 1981-2011

March 10^th, 2010

Dear Mr. Ambron,

Thank you so much for returning my phone call a few weeks ago.  I have been reflecting back on the people that have made an impact on my life and you were at the top of my list.  I was a student in your Honors English class and participated in a few dramas that you directed.  I always looked forward to your class and appreciated the way you engaged the students and relayed your passions and values through the curriculum.  You left a strong impression on me that integrity and accountability are just as important as creativity, which is something I think our world has forgotten.  I am one of the people who always had more creativity than integrity.  It is through your example and a few others that I did not give up my pursuit of greater self-discipline and character. 

You once read a paper I had written about James Kirkman Storm to our whole class.  You prefaced by telling the students that you had a sample of a great creative work to read to us.  I was overwhelmed with shock and delight as you began to read the paper and spoke my very own words.  I can only recall the first sentence of the paper: “The sun cast its last shadows over the field where I once felt the thrill of victory, and the disappointment of defeat.”  I had written the story from James’ perspective, but did not reveal who was telling the story until the closing line.  I never fancied myself good at much of anything, no less writing, but I assumed that writing was something worth pursuing if you thought my paper was good enough to read aloud.  Looking back, it is this glimmering moment of honor that caused me to value my creativity and passion for writing.

I now live in Burbank, California where I have a small bookkeeping and graphic design business, as well as a music ministry that allows me to travel to various churches to lead worship and share my testimony.  I also write songs and aspire to publish other writings and illustrations in the near future.  I feel blessed that God has allowed me to do so much since on paper, I am a single mom and a High School drop out.  His grace has embossed my heart with a thankfulness and compassion for others who were dealt a rough hand throughout life as well.  I have found deep fulfillment since giving my life to the Lord in 2003, and look forward to what He will do through me as I continue to yield to His will.  I also find fulfillment in being the mother of a 6 year old boy that I am trying to rear.  It is fascinating and frightening all at the same time to carry such responsibility over another person’s life. 

I wanted to thank you personally for what you imparted to me through your teaching and to share my first professional recordings with you.  I hope you enjoy the material and find contentment in knowing that you were one of the bricks in the foundation of my identity that outlived the storms of life.

Earnestly,

Yvonne V Reyes

“I press towards the mark of my high calling in Christ Jesus”

Philippians 3:14

Keeping It Real-Part 2, The Lust for Fame

From as early as I can remember, I have wanted to be a famous singer and songwriter.  This dream carried me through many dark nights and was the only hope I clung to growing up.  When I was around 10 years old, I can remember imagining myself singing in front of thousands of people and thinking that then and only then would people see my value.  I would constantly daydream of the places I would go and the people I would help with all of my money and influence to escape the unpleasant reality of my abusive surroundings.  (This is not going to be just another sad story, so put away the small violin.)

Not knowing how to fill the void in my heart as a child, I used my dream to fill in the blanks.  It became my identity and the only source of validation and acceptance I found.  No one noticed me unless I was singing or drawing, so I did both as often as I could.  I was never really an extraordinary singer, I just had an unquenchable desire to be validated.  I learned how to act to get the maximum dose of attention from each person I came in contact with, and I learned to sing whatever got me the most applause over the years.  When I wasn’t singing, I felt invisible.  The emptiness inside me drove me to become what everyone around me wanted me to be so I could feed from their temporary approval.  This did not allow me to find my own identity or to form any healthy relationships.  Each time a friendship would be broken due to my bad coping methods, I did not know why, and I ended up feeling horribly rejected.  This pattern has followed me into adulthood where I am still fighting to completely free myself from is strong grasp. 

Though my case is extreme, I believe we all seek validation from the wrong things to some degree.   My Pastor delivered yet another ego shattering message last Sunday on this very subject.  He admitted to being in love with the things of God’s kingdom more than being in love with God at times and challenged our church to ask why we do the things we do for God.  So often we join the choir knowing the approval we will gain, or we go to church so we can feel like a “good Christian” and throw some good deeds on our list to offset the bad.  Another great analogy he used was that God is like a wealthy man that everyone wants to get close to for his stuff.  But just like the wealthy man, God is desperately longing for a friend who wants to know Him just for who He is.  We have learned to serve God, but God doesn’t want a servant that obeys a list of do’s and don’ts, God wants a true friend and companion. 

God has been exposing my heart recently and I am guilty on all counts.   I have been so busy trying to do the work of God that I have not developed a true love relationship with Jesus.  Before I knew God, I pursued fame and fortune to validate me.  After I came to God, I thought that pursuing “my calling” was somehow more righteous.  But at the core of my desire to be used of God, I wanted validation and man’s approval more than I wanted God’s glory.  It’s no wonder why God has not released me fully into ministry and I am forever thankful that He loves me enough to correct me.  As my Pastor said, God will not validate us, other than through his ultimate sacrifice on the cross and we should need no other validation than to know that He loved us enough to die for us.  Once we stop craving validation and self worth through our works, God can begin to operate in the supernatural through us knowing He will get all of the glory.

There are so many get rich quick schemes and shows like “Who Wants to be a Millionaire”, and “American Idol” that appeal to our culture today.  I even heard a song on the radio that uses the words, “I wanna be a millionaire so freak’in bad, buy all of the things I never had.”  It is no secret that our world lusts for fame and fortune and everyone at every income level is clawing their way to a bigger better something.  If Elvis, in the height of all his fame still felt unsatisfied and alone, clearly fame and fortune must not satisfy the soul.  I even see the validation trap affecting Christian leaders and musicians.  We all need to reevaluate ourselves and realign our motives from time to time.  I had to ask myself the following tough questions to see where my heart was.

1. Do I spend more time on my “calling” or “dream” each day than pursuing a relationship with God?
2. Do I want success or fame to validate myself or to glorify God?
3. If I got no credit or accolades from reaching my goals or dreams, would I still want them?
4. Do I feel self worth or importance aside from my works or talents?  In a group of strangers, do I always need to bring up my position or talents?
5. .If God replaced me in my ministry or job, would I serve my new replacement unto the Lord?
6.  How do I measure success?
7. If God never used my gifts or talents again, would it affect my walk?

I have heard many talented people say that they are pursuing fame in order to bring more glory to God through their gifts, and I believe this is possible.  But I need to remind myself that God does not need to make me famous to get Glory for my gifts.  Weather I sing, or act, or preach locally or Globally, God gets the same glory.  We measure and count and compare, but God sees every act of obedience to His word worthy to accept all Glory from.  And fame doesn’t always open doors to reach more souls.  Often fame and success serve as a distraction to evangelistic intentions because of the grueling schedule and the lack of personal freedom in one’s image in a highly influential position.  By no means am I saying that success is bad, however the motives for success often can be.  I think that gifted people will always need to fight against placing their identity and self worth in their abilities.  It does not help that musically inclined/artistic people in the church and world alike often get special treatment.  The Bible calls us to show no partiality though and states that the last is first, and the first is last.

I used to want success to validate me, but I am trading in my carnal desires and starting all over with God.  He doesn’t need or want my talents or ministry efforts. He wants my heart.  Take it all Lord, after all, none of it was mine in the first place. 

Keeping It Real-Part 1, Maintaining Sexual Purity

WHY IS SEXUAL PURITY IMPORTANT?

Let's be real, very few Christians today are committed to sexual purity.  But does that mean purity is no longer important to God?  God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  I have personally chosen to strive to live an Apostolic lifestyle that seeks to please God in all things, but it is definitely not easy, especially living here in Los Angeles.  Throughout my walk, God has not only convicted me to live my single life without sexual immorality, but also, I have a living, breathing example why being sexually active outside of marriage can be so harmful.  My son Josiah will forever pay the consequences of my bad decisions, now being torn between two parents that have two different sets of rules and spiritual convictions.  He will never know the love and balance of a godly, two parent home, and this is something I have had to be accountable to God for.  Pregnancy is not the only reason to consider sexual purity though, and sexual purity is becoming a challenge even for married couples.  I truly believe that to walk in the fullness of the specific anointing God has for each of us, we need to be set apart from this world and totally submitted to God.  Total submission requires a level of sacrifice that I am just scratching the surface on, and that few people are interested in.  Purity is one area of my life that I want to be totally submitted to God in. 

WHAT IS PURITY?

Abstinence was the first area I was convicted in, and it was a must in my situation, considering I have my son to be an example to.  I can remember the confusion I had as a child as both of my parents had different relationships that came and went in their lives and this is not something I want my son to endure.  But abstinence is only one dimension of purity.  Jesus said that if we look upon a person with lust, we are committing adultery in our hearts.  That raises the bar so high that it may seem impossible to achieve.  But with God, all things are possible and He would never expect something from us that He would not in turn give us the power to overcome and walk victoriously in.  If purity and pleasing God are our goals, we must first define what purity is.  Here are a few scriptures on this subject:

Romans 13:13-14 - Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 

2 Timothy 2:22 - Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 

Proverbs 6:25 - Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes,

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 - Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

Psalms 24:3-5 - He that hath clean hands and a pure heart shall receive the Lord’s blessings.

Matthew 5:8, Ne. 12:8 - Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God

Philippians 4:8 - Whatsoever things are pure, think on these things.

In my understanding of scripture thus far, I see that purity is defined as being in the heart, mind, and body, which can mean thoughts, intentions, and actions.  There is a lot of ground to cover to keep all of these areas subject to God's authority, but I want to start with physical purity as it relates to abstinence.  Here are 7 things I feel are relevant to any person who desires to live a sexually pure life before marriage, or even in a marriage in our day and age where temptations are as available as overpriced coffee.

7 TIPS ON SEXUALLY PURITY

1. Do not fellowship alone with a person of the opposite sex (or same sex if you are tempted by homosexuality), even if you are not attracted to them.  A close bond can grow when you spend alone time with someone that will open a door to temptation or cause a weak spot when temptations come.  (Trust me, they will come, the devil is not original)  Fellowship in a group with people of like precious faith who share your convictions.  

2. Don't feed your senses junk food.  My Pastor has said, "You crave what you taste".  If you are feeding your senses a ton of carnal material, chances are, you are going to struggle with carnal desires.  I personally don't look at fashion magazines, don't listen to secular radio, and am careful what I watch.  There is so much lust in magazines and in music nowadays it is overwhelming.  I can't listen to the radio for 5 minutes and keep my mind in line with scripture.  Also, romantic movies with love scenes can be done tastefully, but a person struggling with sexual purity should not be watching it.  Much like a recovering alcoholic could be tempted by watching a program about how wine is made.  We need to be in season, and if your season is singlehood, then don't sit around wishing you were in a relationship.  Get involved in your church or in any other self-developing activity and trust God to bring your partner in due season.

3.  Don't set yourself up to fail.  If you are in a dating relationship and you are struggling to be pure, build in accountability.  Don't hang out alone in a place where you could stumble and don't hang out late at night.  Pick a couple at your church and double date, or include your family when you go out with your special someone.  There is nothing more attractive and honorable than a man or woman who stands behind their beliefs and convictions!

4. Don't look at inappropriate material.  If pornography is a struggle for you, get rid of anything that gives you access to it.  Video memberships, internet access (in home and on your phone), and anything else.  Don't use the excuse that you need internet for work to keep you in bondage.  You can get free internet in any coffee shop or book store and do your "work" there.  I have been around pornography in my younger years having guy roommates, and boyfriends that had it around and though I never watched it personally, the few images that I saw in passing stained my mind and spirit.  I had to do a lot of prayer and fasting to have a cleansed mind and it is not worth it!  Pornography also objectifies woman (and men) as objects for sexual desires/gratification and therefore forever perverts a persons understanding and destroys their ability to have healthy sexual intimacy.  Satan has worked for centuries to delude and pervert what God has deemed sacred.  If the devil is tempting you to do something, you better believe that it is going to harm you and confuse you in ways that will be very difficult to recover from.  He is not messing around and trying to annoy us, he is aiming to kill, steal, and destroy.

5.  Don't think about things that are not of God.  If your mind is an area of weakness in regards to sexual purity, this is evidence that you have been feeding it things that are not God's nature.  Reading romance novels, sexting, talking romantically on the phone, watching romantic movies, allowing yourself to meditate on lustful thoughts or fantasies, and looking at inappropriate images (pornography, secular magazines, internet advertisements, billboards, Facebook photos, etc.) can all effect your thought life.  Because our thoughts are the seeds that grow our actions, we need to consider our thoughts.  I look at mind cleansing like a body cleanse.  I do a lemonade cleanse where I fast for 3 days and drink nothing but this organic, homemade lemon juice.  It flushes all of the chemicals out of my body so I can start fresh.  I recommend fasting entertainment/media/internet (and anything else that your eyes should not be seeing) for as many days as God puts on your heart and saturating yourself with the word.  A 40 day fast is biblical, and ideal for severe strongholds. 

6. Be careful with physical contact.  Touch is a sacred thing and even if you are not weak in this area, the person you hug could be.  I have seen teenagers that lack physical boundaries doing things such as tickling, hugging, hanging on each other, and giving each other back rubs and this is not godly or wise.  There is a spiritual and emotional exchange made when we touch each other and therefore we need to be careful who we touch and how we touch them.

7.  Be careful what you speak.   I have mentioned sexting and or talking romantically on the phone, but it is worth another mention.  Do not engage in flirtatious conversation at work, or on the phone.  As harmless as it may seem to you, or to the other person, words are seeds and they have so much power over our lives.  Course jesting and flirtatiousness will not profit you in the long run.

I hope my thoughts inspire someone to get back to a pure life, or encourage someone who is walking this narrow path.  God has so many exciting things for us and I want to be ready when He calls on me!  

Cinderella - Part 4

NY was just one of  many incredible men that God put in my life to show me that not all men were bad and to point me to Him.  When I was 25, I was baptized in the holy ghost and then discipled by my musical hero.  That is another story, for another time.

I left off in my last post where I had said goodnight to NY and gone to bed.  The night was still and peaceful, as I lay surrounded by the fluffy white feather bed that was like a cloud compared to my mattress back home.  I could not keep my mind from replaying all of the amazing things that had happened in the last 12 hours.  Eventually, I dozed off and got some rest.  I woke up to the light clinking and clanking of a bachelor’s breakfast, but lay in bed a while longer, trying to soak in the euphoria I felt.  I came out of my room and wondered if NY had any boundaries in his kitchen that I would find out about the hard way.  There was only one way to find out, so I tip toed in that direction.  NY was by now nearly done with a bowl of some sort of health cereal.  He informally looked up and gave me a gangster nod that I took to mean I was not in a no go zone.  Apparently saying, “Good morning, did you sleep well?” would have been too human for him.  The one and only thing I did not like about my time with NY was that he had an air about him that he was super human.  There was a separation between him and normal people, like an invisible chalk line on the ground that he let very few people cross.  And even the ones who could cross the line had very clear restrictions.  Most of the very successful or famous people I have met have had a similar vibe, but to me, we are all the same flesh and blood that will live, and someday die.  I didn’t see why any one person should get such special treatment, other than the respect one would give their boss or the President.  I could never figure out where the chalk line existed between NY and I, but like the emotional dare devil that I was, I did my best to test it out.  I sat at the breakfast table in a pair of sweats and a wife beater as NY put his dishes in the dishwasher, feeling too tired and in a daze to eat.

 -Dreams are as fragile as a soap bubble -

We hung around the house for a while and then went into Hollywood to have lunch with Abercrombie.  It was a very nice place and we were seated in an area that was slightly elevated in the middle of the restaurant and it made me feel like we were on a stage.   We ordered, and then NY and Abercrombie began to talk about casual business.  As they talked, I tried to get clues about my purpose there.  NY had not been specific about how long he wanted me in LA.  When I would ask him, he would just say, “let’s wait and see.”  I did not understand, but assumed he was trying to learn more about me before making any definite promises or deadlines.  I knew vaguely that NY wanted to use my music on his second indie film that he directed, produced, and starred in.  The first film he made premiered at Sundance and got him cast in his first major motion picture.  I loved that he was self-made and his desires to always reach above what was expected and leave a lasting mark on the industry were apparent.

As we ate, NY and Abercrombie told me that I had a lot of talent and that I had something very special and rare.  I excitedly told them some of my ideas for songs and videos and they were impressed with my detailed thoughts and complimented the faith I had to see big things come to pass.  I was at home among these two visionaries and they did not mind having another dreamer at the table.  I was in heaven as they let me share and affirmed every desire I had in my heart with excitement.  NY had just shot his second major motion picture, and had already made an impressive deal for his third, and Abercrombie was a successful actor, model, and businessman.  Why were they so enthusiastic about my silly dreams?  I knew there must be a God because all of this was too good to be true and too divine to be an accident.

At the time, I felt very stylish in my hand me down jeans, fitted Tee, and black leather biker boots.  I wanted to look tough to mask the frailty I was trying to hide.  Looking back, I was so homely compared to the ostentatious LA girls that I saw everywhere.  I never wanted to be like them though and fought against NY every time he made suggestions about my looks.  I didn’t know who I was, but I definitely knew I wasn’t an LA girl with long fake nails and a dog the size of a rat in her purse.  After lunch, NY and I went to the Grocery store.  It’s funny how something so trivial can be so endearing, but now that I think about it, grocery shopping is very personal. 

He wore his signature olive industrial cargo pants that fit loosely, a cream long sleeved thermal, and boots.  I loved his simple style and find it to this day to be the most attractive.  Clothes never make a man, it’s the man that makes the clothes, and this was especially true with NY.  His gargantuan frame and striking features needed no ornamentation and his days prior to fame had kept him humble enough not to need to be flashy all the time.  NY selected a bunch of very specific health foods in the store.  First, some gluten free toaster waffles, then some fresh salsa and low sodium tortilla chips, and a few other random items.  He asked me what I wanted and I recommended a few items I could make him and he picked from my list of suggestions.  He was delighted that I wanted to cook for him and I could not wait to try a few recopies out on him.  I bought some hair gel and a pair of tweezers that I insisted on paying for myself, afraid of looking like a mooch.  Since I subconsciously looked for a father in every man I encountered, the trip to the store, and the food he bought us made me feel cared for and increased the growing affection I felt for him.  Later that night after we got ready for bed, NY asked me to kiss him goodnight while I stood in his room doorway.  I said, "Don't toy with me", in a plain voice and went to bed.

     

The next day NY left for film re-shoots in Mexico after I made him breakfast.  I made him toaster waffles upon request and fanned peach slices around the edge of his plate.  I also set the table perfectly and he liked it so much he took a photo.  He could not work it out for me to go to Mexico with him without a passport, but told me he would be back in a few days.  He drove off and I felt a sense of relief to have a few days to absorb this amazing experience, without the pressure of doing something stupid in front of him.   NY gave me instructions to stay in the house and I figured he didn’t want my blood on his hands if anything happened to me while he was not there to look after me.  The first day I slept in and ate all day like spring break in high school.  The next day I was invited to a club by Abercrombie’s black producer friend I will call “Hills”.  NY had told me not to go anywhere, but I had cabin fever so I agreed to go if he promised to have me back early.  He picked me up with a car full of guys and we headed to the club.  I was in my own world, humming along to the radio and looking out the car window.  Hills was in his mid thirties and had a hefty build, not overweight, but not cut up either.  He was average height and wore baggy designer jeans, sneakers, a ball cap, and a black leather coat over a sports jersey.  I wondered what his place was in NY’s crew and why he seemed so interested in impressing me.   Hills asked me who my favorite artists were and I told him my top five at the time.  Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Etta James, Harry Connick Jr., and Jonny Lang.  He told me some of his favorites and we went back and forth naming our favorite songs from various genres.  He told me that he wanted to produce for me that he had a business proposal for me.

Once inside the club, the guys dispersed.  I stood by myself most of the time as they talked to people they knew and tried to look like big shots.  It was a hip-hop club somewhere out of the city and if it was a hot spot, tonight was an off night.  There were very few people there and this made it awkward when a good song came on and I wanted to dance.  I loved the music though and did a few knee bobs when I could not resist.  That night, Hills tried to convince me to record with him and not to sign anything that NY gave me.  He said that he would be able to do much more with my career and that he could feel my music and wanted to record it.  He also downplayed NY and the opportunity he had offered to put my music on his independent film soundtrack.  On the drive home he talked about the parties he claimed to have attended, held by Michael Jackson.  I guess he felt like it would sway me since I had mentioned I was a fan.  After talking about how close to MJ he was for 20 minutes, he said maybe he would take me to meet him sometime.  I gave a polite smile, but inwardly was leery of his claims.  I wondered if Hill’s warnings about NY had any merit and whom I should trust.  I thanked them for the night out and went back to NY’s to crash.   I did not understand what NY wanted from me, or what Hills wanted from me, but I figured I must be valuable because they both seemed to want something I had.  I wasn’t used to being valuable to anyone, especially high profile people such as them.  But my past had equipped me with adaptability so I was able to make the jump from unemployed Office Manager to sought after singer/songwriter in the 4 short days I had been there.    I did my best to hold my head high and play the part that matched the value they placed on me.  I drifted to sleep pondering the possibilities success would allow; what it would be like to play at the Grammy’s, what I would name my first album, how I would reinvent my look with a bigger budget, and whom I would thank in my Grammy acceptance speech.

Though my life had become a living dream, there were many things I had buried internally that would hold me back.  If you were to wake up tomorrow, and all of your dreams had come true, would you fit in the picture?  Abuse had done 3 major things to me, confused my identity, robbed me of value or self worth, and caused me not to trust men in a severe way.  This was a bad combination when opportunities came knocking.  Despite my many quirks, NY continued to try to work with me and help me develop as a person and an artist.  I bet many people like him for his fame and fortune, but I liked him for his integrity that he stood on more firmly than a freight train maintains its course.  I wanted him to protect me and be there for me more than I wanted his offers to make me a star.  Underneath his facade, he had a heart of gold and his kindness to me burned a mark on my heart that will never fade.

I wanted a father subconsciously, NY wanted to develop me as an artist to build his growing empire.  Would I push him and the opportunity away in fear and brokenness?  Would he let me in, past the walls that he put up so I could trust him to lead my career? 

To be continued.... 

Still to come:
Private piano showcase & dinner with NY and his closest friends
Jaleel White (Urkel) hits on me and NY saves me from a strip club
The embrace and the offer
The Escalade incident
The night I never came home and never called

Cinderella - Part 3

Cinderella – Part 3

Part 3 of my Cinderella story picks up with NY and his crew leaving Beyonce’s birthday party and headed to another Hollywood hot spot.  NY’s crew consisted of Abercrombie, his black producer friend, an Ashton Kutcher type white guy, a Hispanic version of Fabio who I will call Romeo, the two girls dressed in black, and a few others that escape my memory.  We piled into two vehicles and headed to the Ritz Carlton for drinks in their Jazz bar.  No one in the group was buzzed or obnoxious, and the conversation in the car was light as Dido played softly from the stereo.  We pulled up to the grand entrance as valet drivers in crisp matching uniforms opened the car doors.  Once inside, I followed the group to a table while a middle aged man dressed in a tuxedo crooned mellow Jazz standards from a black baby grand in the corner of the elegant room.

My Cinderella Moments

A few drinks were ordered and after a while, NY said that I should play everyone a song.   Being brave, I said that I didn’t mind but that I did not want to interrupt the house entertainment that was in the middle of his set.  I wasn’t sure if he was joking, testing my ability to perform on the fly, or just wanting to give me an opportunity to be heard.  Before any further discussion, NY excused himself and had a word with the pianist as he concluded a song and the gentleman consented to his request without hesitation and then invited me to his seat behind the piano.   Flipping through my very limited repertoire in my head, I decided quickly on a classical infused blues song I had written called “Rhythm” and began to play the intro that sounded much like the music that plays when you open a ballerina jewelry box.   I was a much better player back then since I had a piano in my loft apartment that I played every day, but I still could not read music very well and only knew the songs that I had written by memory.  I had practiced my songs over and over, dreaming of the day I would play them for a captive audience like this one.  I knew which notes I liked best sung over each chord and I covered my average piano playing with great timing and dynamic vocals that started small, waiting for the “Coup De Grace” high note in the end.  

In my second verse, a well-dressed man I assumed to be the night Manager approached NY’s table and politely informed him that they have a policy that only the staff musicians are allowed to play in the club.  His mannerisms and hand gestures were slightly feminine and he persisted to explain the policy as NY challenged his ruling.   Not wanting to cause any more of a scene, I stopped playing and went back to the table.  The Manager continued to explain that the rule has been strictly enforced due to the drunkards who insist that they can play and then run off the customers with their sloppy songs.  NY motioned us to wait outside as he discussed the matter with him further.  I would give anything to know what was said in that brief exchange.  My heart soared to unfathomable heights knowing how far he went out of his way to defend my right to play that night.  I completely understood the Manager’s reasoning and weather NY was just trying to get his way, or just handling the situation like the born leader he was, I felt for the first time in my life what it was like to have a friend in your corner who had your back.   It felt more soothing and affirming than winning the Nobel Peace Prize, Mrs. America, and the lottery simultaneously.  I was a modern Cinderella who had been magically plucked from the low class suburbs, and placed into a dream world where anything was possible.  After a few minutes, NY’s Hercules frame appeared out of the glow that lit up the exquisite hotel entrance.  He walked towards us from the hotel lobby and said nothing about his conversation.   Instead, he peeled a few bills off a modest stash in his pocket for the valet driver and we all went home. 

Once home, I changed into sweats and brushed my teeth in the guest bathroom.  NY’s bathroom was just down the hall and we chatted from a distance.  Still brushing, I walked over to his bathroom to hear him better and he sternly told me that he required more space to do his night routine.  Embarrassed of his unpredictable boundary, I asked him to let me know of any other things I should be aware of.   With nothing more to add off the top of his head, I left him to his brushing and returned to my quarters.  A few minutes later he called to me once again and I walked to his doorway as he peeled back the covers and got in bed.  He told me once again that his favorite song of mine was “Spin” and asked me to sing it to him.  I shyly discouraged his idea but he kept pushing so I sang a few lines, not really feeling in the moment.  I wished him goodnight and before I could walk away he said dryly, “Aren’t you going to tuck me in?”  I was so underdeveloped sexually from being abused as a child and was not at all comfortable in intimate settings.  I also barely knew him and was more interested in his friendship and respect as a fellow artist and music lover than his body.  Maybe I wasn’t the only one with issues, because after all, he was a very fully grown man asking me for something very maternal and juvenile it seemed for our brief acquaintance.  Overall, I think he was just curious about me and how I would react, much like a cat playing with a mouse.  I responded to his comment by walking over to him and very innocently pecking him on the forehead and resetting the blankets around him.  Though he was a fascinating creature, unlike any I had ever seen or met, I longed to get inside his head and heart, not into his bed.

The Spell Wares Off...

I nestled into the white down blankets and feather bed in the guest room and had unexplainable joy and excitement, wondering what amazing things the next day would unfold.  I had learned early on that no one was going to believe in me and support me except for me, but for the first time in my life, I was not the only one who believed in my talent.  I thought for the first time that maybe I WAS good enough to make it.  NY was not a simple guy and if he liked my music, it must be good!  Though it was late, I found it hard to sleep as I pondered the possibility that all of my dreams could be real and that I was as special as the voice inside my heart whispered to me in my darkest hours.  For that night, I was the unexpected stranger that had appeared out of nowhere at the ball and danced with the Prince.  But just like Cinderella, I feared that my midnight would strike, and I would be found in rags again.  How could I keep this fairytale alive?

To be continued...

Cinderella - Part 2, Birthday Girl

I left off in my last post where I had returned to Denver after a weekend in Los Angeles of dead leads in regards to music opportunities.  I had received 6 phone messages while I was in flight, several of which were from Abercrombie who I had lunch with the previous day and had shot me down politely.  He was now asking me to fly back to LA that night to meet with a friend of his who was interested in my music.  I called him back and agreed to get on a plane he had already booked for me later that night and meet with his friend who just so happened to be a huge Hollywood Actor and Film Producer who I will call "New York".  Though I was not particularly familiar with his work since most of my interests involved music, I was excited to meet him and was honored that he heard potential in my music.  My heart was soaring and I thought that surely my moment had come.  I went home and got cleaned up, repacked my bags and headed to Los Angeles once again.  With my boss' blessing, his Platinum American Express card that had no limit (for emergencies), a hand full of cash since I had no bank account, and a little pep in my step, I boarded my plane.  The two hour flight felt like 2 minutes as I delightfully pondered all of my dreams falling into place so magically through this new opportunity.  I knew at first glance I was a nobody with a crummy low budget demo, but now the small voice that whispered to my soul that I was special and called to greatness didn't seem so silly.  I had dreamed of a big break like this my whole life and so I hoped and prayed (though I did not know God) that the real me under my fake tan would not show up and blow it for me.

When I had lunch with Abercrombie the day before, he was a man of few words.  His friend who was a producer did most of the talking.  That made everything Abercrombie did say more interesting, which is probably a common strategy in "Big Shot" training 101.  I found it fascinating though that he never bragged about his friendship with such a huge Hollywood Actor and I was instantly charmed by his all American Abercrombie build and smile.  (Hence the nick name...)  I did not take him as a music guy, but definitely a sharp and savvy business man.  I was also intrigued by the fact that he had shot me down the day before, and how quickly the tables had turned.  He was very professional and thorough in his instructions to me about the trip and I got the feeling he was more than just New York's right hand man, and I was right.  Abercrombie has built himself quite the empire over the last 10 years since I have seen him in film and music producing, including a private Jet service for only the most elite clientele.  His business profile lists the following excerpt that echos ancient Chinese philosophy:

"Those with the 8 Life Path are gifted with natural leadership and the capacity to accumulate great wealth. You have a great talent for management in all areas of life, especially in business and financial matters. You understand the material world; you intuitively know what makes virtually any enterprise work. Your talent lies not with the bookkeeping or petty management, but with greater vision, its purpose and its long-range goals." -Author unknown

I do not relate to Abercrombie's passion to acquire wealth, but he was still a very smart and driven individual who I admired very much.  From my observations, Abercrombie was exactly the kind of excellent person that New York liked to keep around his business endeavors.  In my times with NY and his crew, I developed a little secret crush on Abercrombie.  He just seemed safer than NY since he wasn't a celebrity actor with girls throwing themselves at his feet everywhere he went.  I had somehow offended him early on and he had a very tough exterior that did not welcome me at all.  I talked to NY about it and he told me to handle it as if to test my ability to problem solve.  I was able to turn Abercrombie's Titanic heart around and get him to warm up to me, but I was never brave enough to let him know I liked him.  He may have seemed safer than NY, but I later found that he had just as many girls swarming around him like bees to honey and I did not see how a girl living next door to the girl next door like me could ever keep his interest.  And though Abercrombie appeared to have every luxury at his disposal, my heart is now wrenched, wondering if he will ever understand that its all vanity and vexation of spirit.

When I landed in Los Angeles, there was a man waiting for me with one of those white rectangular signs that had my last name on it and he took my bags for me and loaded them into a shiny black Lincoln town car.  The ride to NY's house seemed to take forever and I got car sick with all of the curves and turns in the Hollywood Hills.  It was well after 9:00pm now and after the flight, my business outfit was not as crisp, and I hoped it was appropriate for the unknown setting I was about to walk into.  I chose a tailored crisp white business shirt, tucked into gray satin business slacks with a cuff at mid calf, accented by choker pearls and a pair of Burgundy patent leather penny loafer heels.  My hair was pulled up on the sides casually, and extra frizzy from the humid California air.  I took a deep breath in preparation of my confident grand entrance as the car slowed and pulled into NY's driveway.  The driver helped me in with my bags and Abercrombie was at the door to greet me.  He told me NY would be right out and I waited for a moment wondering which hall or doorway his gigantic frame would appear out of.

While I waited, I scoped out his place.  He lived on a corner in the Hills surrounded by lush tropical greenery that served as a privacy wall around the side of the house and back  yard.  It was a white Spanish stucco house with brick colored tile roofing, rich dark wood floors, and Spanish tile bathrooms and kitchen.  His home furnishings were elegantly simple, a white linen Pottery Barn style couch, a rugged dark wood dining table, and a few large edgy paintings, one of which was a post apocalyptic woman with a weapon in place of her missing leg.  After 5 minutes, I heard clunky footsteps from a hall behind the living room I was facing from the doorway.  A 6 foot 2" character appeared out of the shadows and walked towards me.  He was wearing a black turtle neck sweater, brown leather pants, and rugged brown boots and he somewhat nervously approached me as Abercrombie introduced us.  (Can you believe he was a bit shaky when we met?  This guy had been around the world and back, but truly welcomed me as a guest and a creative equal.  I will be forever honored!)  As I said previously, I was not a follower of his acting career and would not have considered myself a fan.  But everything about his regal posture and presence drew me to him uncontrollably and I was instantly converted from a disinterested diva in the making to a #1 groupie in a split second.  I shook his hand and he gave a very sexy smirk and apologized in his deep mellifluous voice for being stuck on a phone call when I arrived.  All I kept thinking was how is this happening to me and what in the world did he want from me to fly me out here so suddenly?

NY invited me to sit down and we chatted a bit about why he had flown me out.  He complimented my sense of music and told me that he liked the song "Spin" on my demo.  He said that he heard a true artist behind the roughly sketched songs and wanted to use some of my music for an indie film he had self produced and directed.  He offered to let me stay in his guest room as we worked out the details and I told him I was perfectly fine getting a hotel, but he insisted that I stay with him since he was leaving in a few days for re-shoots for his recent film in Mexico and saw no reason for me to incur the expense when his place was safe and suitable.  He then asked me if I had my passport to accompany him to Mexico but I did not have one.  He said he would check into it and get back to me if it was still a possibility.  After chatting about our favorite musicians, and muscle cars, NY offered to let me retire, or head to a birthday party in Hollywood with him and a few friends.  He said he was obligated to be there, but that I was welcome to stay or go.  I agreed to go and he said I had time to change and freshen up.  I put on a knee length Sherbet orange silk spaghetti strapped dress and nude strappy heels.  When I came out of the guest room, NY politely asked if I was sure I wanted to wear a dress since it was a more casual crowd and I boldly insisted on my choice with a little humor and sass.  Looking back, I would have been wise to welcome more of his advice and not be so hard headed.  I was so used to being controlled and manipulated by men that his good advice felt like chains instead of the wings his words could have provided.  After all, he knew his world much better than me.  I am still not sure what he saw in me, if anything, or why I did not accept his many generous offers to come under his wing and learn to fly.

We left NY's house for the birthday party in his black Escalade.  I sat in the back seat, feeling like a wanna be Prom Queen in my dress and wishing I had taken NY's advice to change.  Trying to think positively, I was glad I looked classy and had stood my ground so that I did not seem weak or subservient.  20 minutes later we arrived to a club in Hollywood and valet parked in front.  I followed NY and his small entourage in feeling more out of place than a ballet dancer in a boxing rink.  I stood up straight and walked in like I had seen models do on TV, trying to make the $76.00 dress look like a million bucks.  Hilariously enough, because I was there with NY, I could have been wearing a gown of live mice tied together with their tails and been excitedly greeted and welcomed by each party guest, swooning over my new fashion trend.  In this fake world I was in, status was everything, and I mean everything.  NY had earned his status, and he had so much influence and fame that the people around him were mostly "yes" men, agreeing with everything he said and did, including Abercrombie who had shot me down just 24 hours ago, but was now somehow my biggest fan.  Not because he was two faced though, he just knew that it was his job to back NY when he needed him.  Also, in Abercrombie's defense, there was absolutely nothing good about my demo and it is a miracle that NY heard even a shred of potential on the CD that would have been better off as a coaster.  But talent or no talent, if I was valuable enough to NY to be there, I was magically valuable to everyone else and it was something I never embraced or exploited, though I could have.

Birthday Girl

Lights flashed through the dimly lit club as techno music thundered from the DJ booth.  There were a few girls dancing like "Fly Girls" from the show In Living Color on the dance floor, surrounded by tables of guest drinking and trying too look too cool to stare at Vin and his crew, but failing.  I sat with NY's friends and he disappeared into the crowd.  I instantly connected with two girls in his circle who were exotic model types who also did acting and dancing.  One was skinny with proportionate C cup breast implants that were unnaturally perky and aimed at me like two loaded guns.  The other was also slender but a little shorter and had a very sculpted and natural dancer's frame.   They both wore all black tight pants and tops with messy hair in their face and smokey eye makeup.  They acted very excited to meet me and told me that I was lucky to have entered into NY's group and told me that I would be well taken care of.  They talked about other parts of the Hollywood scene that would not have been safe for me to stumble upon and told me that none of the drugs and weird stuff existed in NY's crew and that everyone was down to earth and professional.  I was shocked to look up and see a huge banner that read, "Happy Birthday Beyonce" as the sultry birthday girl paraded by surrounded by a group of girls who were drinking and laughing.  We did not stay long since NY was not into celebrity hang outs and just wanted to pay his respects.  But the night was still young so we moved onto our next adventure.

To be continued.....