Taylor Walker Archives - Page 6 of 8

Be Rich Every Morning, Then Broke Every Night

If you were given $84,600 every morning, how would you spend your day, knowing that you had to use it by the time the day was up?

This video starring successful graphic designer Elvis De Leon has been circulating the Internet inspiring people to make the best out of their lives. He explains with an estimate of that much money being given to him, he’d spend his day making it his best! Come on, why waste it? Every minute of your life should matter.

If I was given that much money on a consistent basis, I’d give a lot of it to my loved ones. I’d also quit my job if I was guaranteed that amount everyday. What’s the point of working anymore?! Doc’s Castle Media would be bomb, though! There would be so many changes. I wish this could happen now.

What would you do? Leave your comments below.

Doc’s Vlogs: I Cried on Valentine’s Day/ 19 Questions

I was told by a friend I should start vlogging because it gives my readers more information about the person I am rather than always writing about other people or things that don’t particularly pertain to me at all. When he told me this, I said I already did videos in my spare time, I just didn’t post them to the Internet. But then I got to thinking about it and thought, yeah, I should add videos to Doc’s Castle Media. It makes my blog a lot more personal. It’s a commentary blog anyway. People read to get my opinions on such things. What’s stopping me?! So here I am doing a vlog.

Obviously, this is not my first vlog. I’ve done others for my channel but I was never consistent. Still, I don’t know if I’ll stay consistent. But one of my goals for the year of 2014 is to be more disciplined. I’m going to discipline myself in doing videos and adding them to Doc’s Castle Media. That should definitely make my friend happy.

My first video is a tag video, which is a video that many YouTubers do where they answer questions, basically introducing themselves to the YouTube community. I decided to do one called 19 Questions. It was fun. I think I’ll keep it up. It took me forever to edit! But, I assume, with practice, that’ll get easier as time goes on. So enough of the writing. Here’s my 19 Questions vlog.

Girls Self Esteem Workshop at Milford Mill Academy

I’m going to shed some positive light into your day. Lots of people will be glad to hear that someone is willing to help young girls build a strong foundation self-esteem. That someone is Antoinette, who went to Milford Mill Academy in Baltimore County this past Wednesday to speak a group of 20 girls about becoming a better them. It was awesome.

I knew of this great event because I was invited to speak alongside her as she help uplift these young woman.

Antoinette gave a few testimony’s about self-esteem and why it’s important. Before her workshop started, I had the opportunity of speaking with her about why she believed this workshop was important. She stated, “It’s important for me to help them understand the direction the can go to if they believe in what they’re capable of. I want them to know if they speak about and share of only positive things, it will reflect upon them positive things.”
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During the workshop, Antoinette was sure to pass out positive literature and encourage discussion with the young participants so they would become liberated within workshop.

I later stepped in to give a testimony about my precious baby, Doc’s Castle Media, to give them an example of someone who has pushed all negativity aside to become a better person. I enjoyed sharing my story with such a wonderful group of young ladies. I look forward to possibly reaching more people someday in the future.

Antoinette has a summer beauty camp every summer for Middle and High School students. The camp has workshops for self-esteem and also teaches young girls the art of make-up application. I’m thinking of volunteering for the camp this summer. Others should definitely get involved in this self-esteem movement. For more questions about Antoinette’s beauty camp, email docscastlemediainfo@gmail.com.

Do you think more girls should attend self-development workshops? Leave a comment below with your thoughts.

Baltimore Back In American Basketball Association

It’s been awhile since Baltimore has been apart of American Basketball Association. Baltimore’s last ABA team to play in the league was in the 1970s as the Baltimore Claws. But that’ll all change in these up coming weeks as the new Baltimore ABA team, the Baltimore Hawks, host their tryouts on Saturday, March 29, 2014. Are you ready?

Owners of the Baltimore Hawks sent me a flyer to share for the tryouts. Check it out below:To keep this information with you, download the Baltimore Hawks Try Out Flyers. I encourage all b-ball players with a dream to one day play professionally to tryout. This could be your big break! Help put this city back on the map in Basketball. Visit www.baltimorehawks.com for more information.

Q & A with the UncommonRealist

There are quite a bit of bloggers I’ve come across while doing this Blogger’s Rundown. But there are very few who choose to go the commentary route like I. A person who’s writing of how she feels about situations that happen in the media every day, Shae McCoy is definitely one of those bloggers. She’s the founder of the UncommonRealist, where the tagline of her site states she’s “concerned with just the facts; favoring the practicality and literal truth.”

I enjoyed the time catching up with an old friend while interviewing her for this addition to my Rundown. She kept it real with me the entire time of this interview, completely following the brand of her site by being a realist. Shae and I discussed what new things are coming for her blog, her love for her favorite actor Michael B. Jordan, and what keeps her motivated to continue writing for the UncommonRealist. I’m proud to see someone I’ve known for a while doing great things. Shae has the potential to go very far and I know she’ll excel in whatever she puts her mind to.

Doc: What’s the story behind your blog? How did you get started?

Shae: Well, last year, it was one day I was just sitting in the house. I had like a few days off, probably three days in a row. So I’m like, “What am I going to do with all this time?” I’ve been thinking about starting a blog for a while. I’m thinking what can I write about? How do I start it? Whatever, whatever. Around that time is when Fruitvale Station came out. So that was something I could write about. It was something strong to start with, as well. I wrote that as my first blog and it did well. That’s because it was something I liked and the movie was good on top of that. So it’s what I recommend for people who want to start blogs to do. They should always write something they’re passionate about or they’ll never have anything to write about.

Doc: So how did you come up with your name?

Shae: It just came. (Laughs) That was the first name that I thought of and it stuck. I guess it’s because I am a realist.

Doc: Oh, okay. So my favorite posts on the UncommonRealist are your Questions of the Day.

Shae: Which I need to get back on.

Doc: (Laughs) How do you come up with those questions?

Shae: Sometimes if I’m watching TV or listening to the radio and I hear something, I might take it from them. But most of the time, it’s questions from real situations that I may be going through or someone I know may be going through. Sometimes it’s stuff I know people can relate to.

Doc: Alright. So you specialize in writing movie reviews?

Shae: Umm, I like them. (Laughs) I need to write one of those again, too.

Doc: (Laughs)

Shae: I need to come across a movie that I can write a good thorough review about. Usually when people write reviews, its short and settle. But when I write reviews, I like to, uhh, I don’t know…

Doc: You like your reviews to be well thought out.

Shae: Right! I notice like the first few reviews I wrote, they kind of, I don’t want to say spoiled the movie because it didn’t, but they kind of gave the plot. I learned as I went on with doing it that you can’t give the plot when writing a review. It’s a lot of changes I have to make.

Doc: Well, you’re definitely learning. That’s a good thing.

Shae: (Laughs) Yeah. I see movies like every weekend.

Doc: You go more than me. I think the last time I been was the beginning of last month.

Shae: Before last year, I would go to the movies once a year. I actually like going to the movies by myself.

Doc: Do you know of any independent films here in Baltimore?

Shae: Uhh (Laughs), the only one, I mean, that I think is an independent film, I know of is The 12 O’clock Boys film.

Doc: Yeah, I think that’s an independent film.

Shae: That’s the only film I knew about, but anything else, not really. I would like to write about more Baltimore things that go on.

Doc: Did you write a review about that movie?

Shae: Nah, I didn’t because I didn’t see it and I heard bad reviews about it. I’m the type of person if I don’t find interest in it; I’m not going to write about it because my writing is not going to be sincere. Things like that, I’m not really interested in.

Doc: So people who have independent films need to make their movies good so you could write about them, basically. (Laughs)

Shae: Right. It’s like I never hear about them. Then when I do, it’s brief. Like it was a poet I tried to reach out to one time to be featured on my blog and he was like, “I’m not a blog artist.” I’m like, “What are you talking about.” He was acting like I was trying to advertise him. I was trying to get his name out there, help him out. That’s why I write about people who aren’t from here. They come to me. People who come from different states always email me or hit me up on Twitter. It’s either they want me to help them put their music out or write about their business.

Doc: Yeah, I completely understand.

Shae: It’s the consistency, also. Some contact me wanting me to do things for them and then they never come through.

Doc: You need to deal with more persistent people. (Laughs)

Shae: Right! (Laughs)

Doc: I know you’ve recently entered a contest with The Insider. You want to talk about that?

Shae: Well, it wasn’t like a “contest” contest. It’s called the Social Sound-Off. Basically, they’ll ask a question and you make a video. If you make the video in time for them to do the show, they put it on there. I always do it.

Doc: So did you get your video on there?

Shae: Yes, twice.

Doc: Wow.

Shae: The first time it was about the Oscars. The other one was about Oprah and her birthday. I like it.

Doc: You’ve been on there more than a lot of people though. You were on it twice. I know you kind of do that on Twitter, too. When you reach out to people, they really answer you a lot more often than other people.

Shae: It’s just about how you go about it. Like the whole Michael B. Jordan thing, people don’t understand that I was once a person who was always saying stuff and being ignored. I was always like, “Oh, hi! Michael B. Jordan, I’m your biggest fan. Blah, blah, blah.” Then I thought to calm down because this is someone I really want to work with or meet. I can’t be coming off all clingy.

Doc: So you became really strategic with how you approached him?

Shae: Right. I wanted to talk to him as if he’s not a celebrity, like he’s a regular person because I’m sure that’s how he would want to be treated. Talking to him, I know he’s kind of shy. Because when I wrote about him, he didn’t really want me to publicize it that much. He wanted me to keep it low-key. I respect his wishes. I posted things on my site but I only shared it like three times. It’s all about how you approach people.

Doc: Then people finally answer you?

Shae: Yeah. No one’s going to answer you if you’re being crazy. People get mad at me when he says stuff to me. They’ll inbox me like, “Oh my gosh, I’m jealous. Why does he keep talking to you?” Then one girl she even said she thinks I have a thing going on with him and he shut her up.

Doc: What? (Laughs)

Shae: I never met this man. How can I have a thing going on? It’s crazy.

Doc: People assume anything.

Shae: Yes.

Doc: So what keeps you motivated to keep writing for the UncommonRealist?

Shae: It’s something that I came up with on my own. It’s not like I’m writing for the Baltimore Sun or under anyone else. I came up with it alone. I see how far I can go with it. It keeps me motivated to have a career rather than working a 9 to 5. Necole Bitchie, she’s one of my favorite bloggers. She’s actually from Maryland. She did pretty well. It kind of set the bar for me. I know blogging is not the only thing I want to do.

Doc: So she’s one of the people who inspires you?

Shae: Yeah, that and I just want more for myself. I just want to get away. It helps me be a better me. Like some of my family knows that I write, but my mom and everyone else, they don’t really care. That kind of stuff keeps me pushing. I’m doing it because it makes me happy.

Doc: Okay, so I recently saw that you started a new blog. So now you actually have two?

Shae: Mhmm! That blog is for the Michael B. Jordan fans. People liked when I wrote about him on my regular blog. I’ve decided to have a blog strictly for stories that I write about him. I did that for them. I have a group of fans on Twitter that often hit me up. I’m pretty sure he probably appreciates it. I’m not the only fan site of his. I’m probably the most publicized, even though I just started. Just from establishing it, I guess it makes it more eager for him to see what I write about him. (Laughs) I hope he looks at it. I hope he saw it because I sent it to him. I plan to keep it running for a really long time. Hopefully, it turns into something else. I got the T-shirt thing going on right now. I probably will send them out to a few of the fans that frequently check on the site and keep up with me.

Doc: Do you plan on expanding the UncommonRealist like adding more contributors?

Shae: That’s an iffy thing because truthfully I don’t want anybody taking my shine. (Laughs)

Doc: (Laughs)

Shae: It’s the trust thing. I’ve had people who’ve offered. But first I have to see what they’re capable of, and then I have to see if I can trust them with staying consistent. For the guy that asked me to write for him, I was consistent. I think I was more consistent than him. I was supposed to write a review for Mandela. I wrote it for my site and his site. I don’t know what was wrong with it or whatever. He didn’t put it up.

Doc: Some people have specific ways they like for others to write for their site sometimes.

Shae: Yeah, he said I needed to be more colorful in how I write. But I don’t think writing a movie review is supposed to be like that. “Oh, this movie was cranked up!” No, it’s not, especially if you have serious people reading your stuff. They don’t take you serious.

Doc: That’s why you’re the UncommonRealist.

Shae: (Laughs) Ain’t anybody going to take me serious if you talking like “This was boom, bang, and pow!” I mean, I’m not a hip-hop blogger. I think that’s what he is. I made the suggestion to do movie reviews but I don’t know how that project is going to go because I only write for him when he asks. Anyway, it’s all about consistency.

Doc: Do you write for any more blogs?

Shae: I would like to write for some serious bloggers, not someone who’s going to contact me on the random. Not for someone who’s going to be like, “Oh, just go look on the page and see what you want to do.” No, I need somebody that has a plan for me.

Doc: You’ll write for someone who has more structure.

Shae: Basically! I’d like to write for some people. I’d actually like to do some combined blogs. I’ve always wanted to do that. We’ll see.

Doc: So is there any big blog you can see yourself writing for?

Shae: Well, I hate Bossip. They’re funny as hell, but I hate them. I would never want to write for them. I would write for Necole Bitchie because her blog is kind of like mine. She writes about different pop culture things that are going on. But at the same time, she’s not too extra. Bossip is extra. They’re like Media Takeout. I don’t like Media Takeout. Media Takeout isn’t even creditable.

Doc: Is there anything new coming for the UncommonRealist that we should be looking out for?

Shae: I don’t know. I always think of something new and then I’ll try it for a little while and stop. So yeah, Questions of the Day are coming back. I will probably be getting some more movie reviews done because it’s getting warm so I’ll be out going to see movies. Maybe some interviews coming up.

Doc: So what about your other blog? Just look out for the T-Shirts?

Shae: Yeah, T-Shirts coming soon. Basically on there is whatever with Michael B. Jordan. I’ve been talking about his new movie role on the Fantastic Four, which I’m proud of. That’s the most controversial thing going on now because he’s black and playing a white character. A bunch of BS! So on that site, it’s strictly news.

Doc: Okay! Well, thank you for doing this interview. We’re finished all the questions.

Shae: Woohoo!!

Check out Shae McCoy’s blog at www.uncommonrealist.wordpress.com.

To see the last Blogger’s Rundown Interview, read the Q & A with The Industry Blogger.

But They’re Selling clothes?

Can you believe all this hype around this video is really so you could catch a glimpse of their clothes?

To give you a little background, this video’s been circulating the Internet because it’s “said” to be a mini documentary of 10 people randomly being put together to kiss for the first time. No one knows each other in this little film. But they all kiss and eventually their awkwardness turns into something romantic like some mushy chick flick.

Yup, mentioned on Slate, the video was so beautiful because people in the video were all staged models! It’s fake.

Actually, it’s an advertisement for clothes, and most of these strangers are professional performers who are experienced in acting out love, sex, and intimacy for crowds. The cast includes models Natalia Bonifacci, Ingrid Schram, and Langley Fox (daughter of actress Mariel Hemingway and sister of model Dree); musicians Z Berg of The Like, Damian Kulash of OK Go, Justin Kennedy of Army Navy, singer Nicole Simone, and singer-actress Soko (who also performed the melancholy indie music that accompanies the short); and actors Karim Saleh, Matthew Carey, Jill Larson, Corby Griesenbeck, Elisabetta Tedla, Luke Cook, and Marianna Palka. Is it really unexpectedly touching that when gorgeous and charismatic Italian models, French actors, indie band leaders, and Hollywood royalty get together to kiss one another—under a soundtrack that prompts, “If you’re not ready for love, how can you be ready for life?”—the results are “beautiful”?

Gotcha!

Though it was fake, don’t you slightly wish it was real? I want to meet someone who’d really live that kind of spontaneous lifestyle. That person’s probably extremely fun to be around. The life of the party.

How do you feel about this video being totally staged? Do you like any of the clothes? Leave comments below.

YTube Vid of the Week: The Single Life- The Science Of Love

I’ve been thinking lately how I live in a generation full of people who’ll choose to stay single before taking the risks of being in a relationship. I don’t understand why that happens. I don’t understand why people put themselves into “situationships” instead of taking a chance with dating or moving on into the next step after dating. I have this belief that people are afraid of progression because their worried about what others think of them. That’s not cool.

I found this video that made me feel so liberated though I’m not seeking this type of liberation. I mean, I’m single because of some of the same reasons the cast in this video are single. But I can’t say I don’t take risks. I’ve been in enough relationships. I just need a break. Ha-ha!

SoulPancake is this cool channel that does mini experimentations explaining reasons for people to live a better live. I’m assuming to make your soul feel good. Maybe some people of this generations should check this video out and take a risk today. You’ll feel better.

Do you agree with this video? Would you say this could help your current situationship? Leave your comments below.

Watch our last YTube Vid of the Week: GTA5 is Boring on Doc’s Castle Media.

Q & A with The Industry Blogger

The fourth addition to my Blogger’s Rundown is Malika Muhammad, founder of The Industry Blogger. I had a joyous time meeting this bright young woman. While taking the time to get to know her, I’ve learn how much drive she has to become a well renown journalist in the very near future. At our little meeting, we discussed her interest in writing a print based blog, her goals within the next 5 years, who’s her inspiration, and what local artists she supports in Baltimore. I also learned we share lots of common interest. I can’t tell you how cool it is to meet another person who shares that same passion as me. I get excited about it. Ha-Ha! Both of us are inspired journalist seeking to go far with our blogs. I know that if Malika keeps striving while doing what she does best, she’ll absolutely reach her dreams. I look forward to doing some collaboration with her in the future.

Doc: Tell us the story behind your blog, The Industry Blogger?

Malika: So it all started last year, July of 2013. So I’m really new at this. I looked at the Baltimore scene and was like, “It’s so many talented people out here.” But nobody would know that because we all have this stereotype of Baltimore artists or people in Baltimore, period. I was like, “I’ma be the one who lets everybody know that we’re not just talking about weed or being in the hood.” I want people to know that we can actually play instruments and put together well-formed lyrics, something that’s with a message. I met a whole bunch of bloggers on the way. So I realized I wasn’t alone in this. After that, I was like, “Oh, man!” (Laughs)

Doc: (Laughs)

Malika: But then I thought it was a great thing. I’ll just unite with them and we can bring Baltimore up together. It’s better to do it with a team anyway.

Doc: Alright, that’s cool. So where did you get your name from?

Malika: I did so much brainstorming. I thought of doing something simple because I was thinking about it too much because I had a cupcake business, too. So I was thinking of some names for that, also.

Doc: You still have that?

Malika: Umm, it’s like on the side. (Laughs)

Doc: (laughs)

Malika: If someone wants cupcakes, I’ll say, “I’ll make em for you,” but not really. (Laughs) But for the Industry Blogger, I was listening to Kendrick Lamar. You know the song where he’s like, “I’m effing the industry hard?” (Referring to Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe)

Doc: Yeah, I know what song you talking about.

Malika: I was listening to that. I just love that word. I like the word Industry. It’s powerful to me. Then I chose to name my blog Industry Blogger. When I put it together, I wanted it to happen fast. But I’ve been brainstorming for months before July for my blog. But I just needed a name so I decided the Industry Blogger and I would market myself with it. That’s how it came about.

Doc: Oh, wow. Would you consider your blog kind of like a print journalistic type of blog? Because I know of multiple blogs that have video or just post a song? What would you consider yours to be?

Malika: I want to say it’s a mixture. But I mainly want it to be print journalism. I don’t want people to say that I’m just a blogger. I think people lose credibility being label as that because they may think they can blog about anything like they gossip. I don’t want to be labeled as a gossiper. I want everything I post to be truthful and honest. So I would say it is more print journalistic.

Doc: I agree with you. That’s how I want people to view my blog. A lot of people do think of bloggers as gossipers. Is there anyone that you draw inspiration from, like a famous reporter?

Malika: Yes, first it was Sherrie Johnson. She was on ABC2 News. She’s been promoted doing other things now. But that’s on a local basis. Karen Civil is another one. She’s like the main person I look up to. I’m always on her page. I just love her. I’m always on her Instagram or her website trying to see her next move. I’m not trying to mimic everything that she’s doing. I’m just really inspired by her because she meditates. She’s spiritual. She’s a woman. That’s why I want to be kind of different from her. I want to angle myself off her but not so much as people saying that’s another Karen Civil.

Doc: Right! She’s like a model to you. You want to do your own twist. Originality! So I read your blog about supporting Baltimore artist and I loved what you said about it. You know as far as people supporting people, and it inspired me to write a blog myself.

Malika: Oh really? Thank you. I’ll have to check that out. (Laughs)

Doc: Yeah. (Laughs) You talked about artist that lacked originality and they’re always copying other people who are already in the Industry. Would you say that there’s at least five artists here you would support?

Malika: Yup. I definitely would say Chris Bivins. He’s from Howard County. I like Jayverse. I put him on my blog. Umm, Solution. He’s with Teamwage. He just went solo. Blizz. I don’t know. I have so many people. (Laughs) I like Gillateen and Lonnie Moore. I should have named him (Lonnie) after Solutions.

Doc: Oh! That’s good that you’ve named five. Are you open to collaborating with other bloggers in the DMV/Baltimore region?

Malika: I am. I didn’t think of that at first. Remember, I thought I was the only one because I didn’t see it at first. But of course, I must didn’t do enough research then. But I do. We can write together or umm…

Doc: Guest blog on each other’s posts.

Malika: Right! I would love to do that. I actually quoted something about that for people to submit articles to my page. If you’re smart, everyone knows that takes more work off of you.

Doc: Exactly! So do you know anybody in particular that you would want to write for? Any local blog sites?

Malika: Umm, the only two blogs that I’ve become really acquainted with is TruDat and Vivid Visions. So we can do something together. That would be cool. But I haven’t research many bloggers. I just had seen Ryan tweet bloggers. So that helped me a lot.

Doc: Yeah, I know! That helped me out, too.

Malika: (Laughs) I was like, “Okay, I’ll look at all of these.” But those two. If I could do all of them, I would. I think that’s the problem. We need to keep supporting each other and stop being against each other. At the end, we are all competitors. But still.

Doc: But still, it would help each other out.

Malika: We’ll all be getting our name out there.

Doc: Exactly! What would you like for your blog to be remembered as?

Malika: Hmm, that’s a great question. I just want people to see that for me I wanted to start at the base of hip-hop. I want people to know that it’s not just on the surface, where we’re just posting videos or links to music. I want people to get in deeper into it. I want them to experience what hip-hop actually is. I don’t want people to say that I’m just a blogger that blogs about music because I like it. You have to actually be hip-hop. You have to study it.

Doc: Like actually go to the events; support the people who you’re posting about.

Malika: Yeah, I definitely want to be seen as a person who supports local music, someone who’ll tell you the history of it on the spot. I just want to be known as someone who’s really in tuned with the culture all together.

Doc: So where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

Malika: Awe man that question. (Laughs)

Doc: (Laughs)

Malika: Five years from now, I would still want to do this blog. I want it to be bigger than what it is now. I want it to lead to bigger opportunities. So if that means leading to being a personality on TV or radio, and I’ve actually tried radio before…

Doc: Did you like it?

Malika: It was okay. (Laughs)

Doc: (Laughs)

Malika: I would say I like TV better. People think that’s odd. But I like TV better. I would like to do radio, TV, and writing in the future. I want to be a person who’s multifaceted. I want to do a little bit of everything. I want my own business. In five years, I don’t want to be working for anyone but myself. I’m just putting that out there.

Doc: Okay, I get you. So do you take submissions from hip-hop artist?

Malika: Yes, I do. That’s how I get most of my content. I’ll post my email on one of my social media sites or I have them submit on my submissions page on my actual blog. I’ll take anything, mixtapes, songs, if you want a bio written. I do it. Some people even text me because I put my number out there all the time or some will email me. All of that is on my blog.

Doc: But you prefer people to submit on your form on the site?

Malika: Yes, because it’s much easier. It’s better organized.

Doc: So they’ll just go to your website and they’ll submit.

Malika: Yup.

Doc: Okay, that’s it. That was the last question. Thank you for being a part of this.

Malika: Thank you.

To read articles by Malika Muhammad, visit her blog site at theindustryblogger.com.

Baltimore Takes A Softer Stance On Pot Convictions

With all this talk about Marijuana being legalized in Colorado, Washington, and California, you often wonder how does that affect other states in the United States? What happens to the “criminals” who went to jail for possession of the once dangerous herbal leaf? Well, Baltimore is making some changes since the drug’s newly found acceptance in this country. I figured that’d happen eventually.

In an article published in the Huffington Post yesterday, Maryland State’s Attorney for Baltimore Gregg Bernstein says, “I don’t want some 19-year-old young person, who gets picked up because he’s standing on a corner in a bad neighborhood smoking a blunt, to get some sort of conviction that prevents him from going to college, getting a job. We have to figure out a way to change that.” He’s makes a good point. People who aren’t causing any problems in the neighborhood with the drug shouldn’t be thrown into jail for simply smoking it. I mean it’s actually legal in this country somewhere.

Bernstein is creating some kind of “court diversion” – letting offenders avoid convictions and jail time by performing community service or, in some cases, paying fines. Other cities have adopted this same strategy, like Philadelphia, PA. People who support his proposal believe that this allows persecutors to go after more serious cases and offenses. Bernstein also says this move has saved the city a lot of money though it’s uncertain exactly how much.

With increase in marijuana usage, Bernstein was motivated 3 years ago to try his program on first-offenders, but also people arrested for the second time. He explains in the article, “It’s a one-day program. You get a lecture by a certified drug counselor, and then you do five hours of community service, and if you do all those things, then we dismiss the case.” Sounds pretty easy to do for those who are lost of pride.

You could say that the community service work is majority busy work, sort of sweeping the streets of trash kind of work. But that’s better than being convicted of a crime and being labeled as a convict, right?

I think they should get rid of the entire conviction in all. Of course, that won’t happen until it’s completely legal here, and I doubt that’s happening anytime soon, though it seems we’re slightly a step closer. Users should still avoid using the drug because of the consequences that come with having this conviction on their records. Employers continue to see it.

What do you think should be done about these weed convictions? Should they do away with it or should they keep programs like this intact? Comment below with your views. Too read the Huffington Post article about Pot Convictions, click here.

And the New Member of Vivid Visions is…

Today is a special interview because you heard it first from Doc’s Castle Media. It’s an exclusive interview with Vivid Visions’ newest member Janai! She’s joined in with Vivid Visions as the honorary host for their popular vlog interviews on their blog site. R. Chance will be resigning from the position to focus more on business and web posting asset of the Vivid Visions site. We’ll surely miss him but don’t be too down in the dumps. With Janai’s electrifying attitude, she’ll be sure to spice up the interviews to ensure that viewers enjoy what they’re hearing. I can’t wait.

In our interview, Janai and I discussed her feelings towards being chosen as the host for Vivid Visions, who’s her favorite artist in Baltimore, what school she went to, and who’s her inspiration to do what she loves. I really loved chatting it up with her, and I look forward to talking with her in the future as host of the Vivid Visions. She’s definitely someone to watch.

Doc: I’m hearing that you’re the new host for the Vivid Visions Vlogs. How do you feel about being addressed with that honor?

Janai: …Just as it is. It’s an honor! I mean, it’s an up and coming blog, and we’re trying to put Baltimore on the map. You know how it is music wise. We’re trying to help the artists. Also, it’s dealing with things that I love. It’s definitely an honor. Hopefully, we do it the right way and we do it BIG.

Doc: Yes, we need that, too. So how did it really come about? Did you ask Ryan if you could be the host?

Janai: No, actually. (Laughs) Well, me and Ryan have been friends and known each other for a long time. He asked me before but I was doing other things, like something similar. So at the time, I was just like “nah!” (Laughs)

Doc: (Laughs)

Janai: But it came up again, and I was like “You know what; I think it’s a bit more structured now. I think we can definitely make some stuff happen.”

Doc: Okay! Do you have prior hosting experience?

Janai: In this aspect, a little bit. If anybody knows me, they know that I’m a talker.

Doc: I can see that. (Laughs)

Janai: (Laughs) I guess it’s just in me. So I could be hosting and not be hosting. I hosted certain shows like maybe a poetry slam and poetry night. But as far as blogging, nah! So this is a new thing for me.

Doc: This should be an experience for you then.

Janai: Yeah.

Doc: Have you been interviewed as a feature on another blog or is this your first time being interviewed?

Janai: Yes, this is my first time being interviewed. I did an interlude for Vivid Visions before, and it was just something random. We were in the store and I was being my goofy self. (Laughs) It just so happened that they posted it that way. As far as being interviewed, no. Not for another blog.

Doc: Oh cool! Is there anyone in particular that you look forward to interviewing?

Janai: Yeah…but they’ve already been interviewed.

Doc: Who?

Janai: Will!

Doc: Oh yeah!

Janai: Ryan definitely stole that from me. If it was anybody I wanted to interview, it would definitely be Will.

Doc: Later on, when he puts out another mixtape or when he gets really big, you could still interview him. You’ll always have the opportunity.

Janai: You’re right. There’s also this kid. I’m really, really close with him. He’s a young guy by the age of 16. His name is Tres’ McMichael. He does everything. He does art. He does dancing. He’s an actor and a singer. Everything! I really want to get cracking with him.

Doc: Oh yeah, he might want to submit to me or something. (Laughs)

Janai: I’m trying to put him out there. (Laughs)

Doc: So do you have a favorite artist in Baltimore, someone who you really support?

Janai: Oooh. In Baltimore? …Will. Yes, Will and Kaseo because I’ve seen where they’ve come from to where they are now. They’ve definitely grown with their craft.

Doc: And they seem to be real persistent in what they do.

Janai: They really, really are. It’s crazy to look at people who you know and be like, “Since when did you rap?” “When did you do these things?”

Doc: You went to Milford?

Janai: No.

Doc: Oh, you didn’t because you know a lot of people from there? (Laughs) I know Will went to Milford.

Janai: I know basically all of Milford’s class of 2009 and 2010. I went to Old Court Middle School, and then I moved to Pennsylvania right after so that’s how I know everybody. Also, you know how Baltimore be, when you know somebody, you know somebody else. (Laughs)

Doc: Right! (Laughs) So where are you hoping this Vivid Visions opportunity takes you?

Janai: I’m hoping that it opens doors for a lot of dreams that I have. I’m hoping that it is an outlet to a much bigger success for all of us. This is not just a blog. We’re a family. This is a community that we’re trying to build. So it’s a bigger picture that we’re all holding on to. I know a lot of people who are looking like, “Oh, they’re just featuring a lot of artists.” We’re really trying to tap in, and bring unity and support to a lot of talented people. Baltimore has enough strife and conflict. We just want to put the unity out there; put the love back out there.

Doc: I feel you. That’s what it needs to be in this city. Is there anyone in the industry that inspires you to do what you want to do already, like La-La Anthony? You know she started off just hosting.

Janai: Yeah, she sure did. You know what, that’s a good example. Actually now, Queen Latifah mainly because she started off rapping. Then she went into acting. She’s a wonderful actress. She’s a singer, and now she has her own talk show. She’s very influential. She’s breaking down a lot of barriers. She also worked for Cover Girl. She’s really well-known. She’s very inspirational to a lot of younger women. It’s not about what people see on the outside. But as far as what she is and what she stands for, she’s awesome.

Doc: I agree with you because she’s not doing one thing anymore. I feel like she kind of matured. She started off with rapping and then was like, “You know I’m a bit too old to be doing this. Let me find out what else I can do.”

Janai: Yeah. I see a lot of her in me. A lot of people don’t expect you to be a certain way. A lot of people expect me to be goofy and silly, which I am. (Laughs) But it’s also so many different sides of me that I’m pretty sure people are going to be surprised to see once we get out there and do a lot of things.

Doc: I mean a lot people may already be a little surprised of Vivid Visions already. It’s been a big turnaround.

Janai: It is. It really is, and a lot of people were thinking, “Oh, Vivid Visions, they’re about to do this again.” But it’s much more structured. So a lot of people are tapping in.

Doc: That’s the way it should be.

Janai: Exactly!

Doc: Well, that’s all my questions. Thank you!

Visit Vivid Visions at VisionsVivid.blogspot.com.

Read Doc’s last interview with Briana: Q & A with RebelliousRebel on Doc’s Castle Media.