Skatman

Skatman, originally uploaded by Shavar.

Title: "Skatman"
Place: Lancaster, California.
©2005. Photographed by Shavar
The People Series

A Bug's Life

I was reflecting on the word emancipate today. I love the definition of the word. It has stuck with me throughout my life since age 15 where I became an emancipated minor.

Being an emancipated minor meant that I was legally considered an adult. I was free to live on my own, do whatever I wanted with my money, do as I pleased, etc. I was free from any constraints of my parents. So, since age 15, in a sense, I've been on my own. It has been an adventure.

In more important ways, emancipate means much more to me than simply being "free" to do whatever I please. Most people are in bondage to many things even though they have the free will to come and go as they please. America is known as "the land of the free" yet most of us are trapped in the issues of life. I'm excited to be experiencing a deeper meaning of what it means to be "free" in my spiritual walk.

I recently saw a small bug trapped in a jar and noticed how it panicked when caught. It scurried around in fear trying to get out of the jar. It reminded me of how we are in this world--caught up in the cares of this world yet never being at peace with ourselves and never really being free.

I wondered to myself that if the bug would act at if it were dead, perhaps the one who trapped it would throw it in the trash, allowing it to escape at a later time. Or if the bug was flushed down the toilet, maybe the bug could hold it's breath (so to speak) long enough to make it to the drainage (sewer) to escape, lol. Insects are very strong. I then came to the realization that the practice of "acting or becoming dead" is the key to being free.

to emancipate

to emancipate (third-person singular simple present emancipates, present participle emancipating, simple past and past participle emancipated)

1. To set free from the power of another; to liberate; as:

* To set free, as a minor from a parent; as, a father may emancipate a child. * To set free from bondage; to give freedom to; to manumit; as, to emancipate a slave, or a country.

1. To free from any controlling influence, especially from anything which exerts undue or evil influence; as, to emancipate one from prejudices or error.

Source: Wiktionary.com

J7

J7, originally uploaded by Shavar.

Today is my wife's birthday. A beautiful woman on the inside and out. The kindest, sweetest, woman I've ever known. So far, we've been married for 15 years now.

We're planning a trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma today to celebrate her birthday.

Title: "J7"
Place: Santa Clarita, California.
©2007. Photographed by Shavar
The My Wife Series

Z1

Z1, originally uploaded by Shavar.

Title: "Z1"
Place: The Hollywood Hills, California.
©2007. Photographed by Shavar
The Zoe Series

The Drifter

The Drifter, originally uploaded by Shavar.

Title: "The Drifter"
Place: Just Outside the Mojave Desert, California.
©2005. Photographed by Shavar
The People Series

Waterloo Chronicle Article Up

My article is up today on Canada's Waterloo Chronicle. Made the front page as well. Thanks to Marshall Ward for the interview.

Article Link: http://www.waterloochronicle.ca/opinions/article/136284

Surf's Up

Making new spiritual strides. I'm usually "high energy". People think I'm "down" now. I'm just more peaceful with myself, actually.

AshleyII

Title: "AshleyII"
Place: Raleigh Studios. Hollywood, California.
©2006. Photographed by Shavar
The Kidz Series

Video Chat - Interactive Journalism Institute for Middle Schoolers

I'm excited to be interviewed tomorrow (via live video on ooVoo) by young people for The College of New Jersey's Interactive Journalism Institute for Middle Schoolers.

The College of New Jersey in accordance with a grant from the National Science Foundation will design and conduct a three-year demonstration project that would introduce middle schoolers to computer science using interactive journalism. The students will create online multimedia story packages focused on politics, economics, the environment, sports and the arts.

Sing II

Title: "Sing II"
Place: T-JAMS, Universal Studios (Citywalk), California.
©2006. Photographed by Shavar
The TJAMS! Series

Sean and John

Title: "Sean and John"
Place: T-JAMS, Universal Studios (Citywalk), California.
©2006. Photographed by Shavar
The TJAMS! Series

How to Find Your Mate - Part 2

Early 1990's. 20 years old. Ministry school. Baby Christian. I had turned a new leaf and my fornication days were over! I was three or so months into giving up all those one-night stands. All I needed now was to find me a good woman.

A young good Christian man such as myself would naturally look to "the church" to find a good woman but God indeed has a since of humor. Though there are many good women (and men) in the church--lookout! Think again. Medusas in sheep's clothing reside there as well.

I read the bible. All the women in it seemingly were babes but I wanted my wife to be beautiful on the outside AND inside. I asked God for my wife. I had no doubt he would answer me. He had always "hooked" me up before (with other things) and I figured since I hadn't had sex with any women in three months (a miracle in itself)--I deserved my woman! Not.

I became obsessed. A few weeks had gone by and my prayer hadn't quite been answered. What's up, um, Lord? I know I got faith, lol. The obsession grew.

I started going to church even more. Bible study, church single's events, lol...looking for my wife. It seemed like every single woman I noticed; I thought was my wife. "Is that her Lord?", I'd often ask while looking towards the sky. "Is dat ha?" All goofy soundin', lol. Wow, I was whipped and didn't even have a woman yet! Two months went by.

Three months went by. No sign. But wait, a few prospects. Two wanted to marry me! Wasn't feeling it. FOUR months go by. FIVE months! Wait a minute, there she go! "Is that her Lord?" Nope. Medusa. Nice looking though.

SIX months go by and I started scratchin' my head. "What's up Almighty?" Something wasn't right. Hmmmm. Maybe I wasn't going about this the right way. Ya think? I started seriously praying again. Seriously. Then, one day it hit me. "You're never gonna find your wife if you keep looking. Remember, if you've got to ask me if it's her?', it's not."

What in tarnations?? You mean to tell me I've been "holdin' out" all this long and you're gonna tell ME not to ask YOU?? What's up wit dat Lord? Huh? Wasn't that a prayer??? Duh. Prayer is asking you for things, right? Duh. Right?

No answer.

"Forget it then. I ain't askin' you for nothin' no more! I'll just live the boring life of prayer and celibacy for the rest of my life!", I blurted. "No, no, what you REALLY want is for me to go off to Africa and become a monk or somethin', don't you?? Don't chu!!" Boy was I losin' it.

Yet another month goes by. Urges galore! I hold out though. Two more months go by.

By this time I'm like cryin' and praying for the urges to go away. I'm ready to hit a club and find me a goil. I hold out though and tend to my ministerial studies. Focus! ANOTHER month goes by.

I'm feeling better and life feels good. Prayer ain't so bad. Single life ain't so bad, I guess.

Another month goes by. Got The Jesus Peace. 1992. I'm still in school, learning about the bible and actually still acting.

Another month goes by. I feel great. Prayed up. On my way to an audition for a C&C Music Factory Video. Wait a minute. I'm an actor, what the heck am I going out for a C&C Music Factory Video? I don't know, who cares, I'm happy! No urges, lol!

I remember that day as if it were yesterday. On my way to the audition I took a moment to apologize to God. "You know what Lord? I'm sorry, for real. I actually LIKE being single. I change my mind. I can do this. I actually DON'T wanna get married! It's just me and you kid, let's just make dat money!" (Ah, the "How to Make Money" testimony--can't wait to tell you about that one! One day! Grrr....)

Cut to:

INT. C&C MUSIC FACTORY AUDITION. HOLLYWOOD - DAY
I'm going over my lines. Lots of people there. Pretty women too, but I hardly notice. Then, out of the blue, the most beautiful woman I've ever seen walks in the door. I notice. To myself: "But then again, everyone's drop-dead-gorgeous in Hollywood". Nothin'. I drop my head and go back to studying my lines. Then--The Voice: "That's her." Holy Smokes! Did I j--j-j-ust hear THE VOICE tell ME....? I looked up again at the woman. I had a knowing. It was her. It was my wife.

Read Part One Here
©2008. Shavar Ross
Subject to re-edits, typo fixes, etc.

Coming Soon...

Coming Soon..., originally uploaded by Shavar.

Title: "Coming Soon..."
Place: Hollywood, California.
©2005. Photographed by Shavar
The Hollywood Series

How to Find Your Mate - Part 1

This is an article/blog post for those of you who are single and have been wondering if and when you'll ever find your so called "soulmate". I actually don't like using the term soulmate because it gives the connotation that without a soulmate you are incomplete. In fact, you will see in my testimony of how I met my wife that the key to finding the right person for you is to simply become whole yourself.

I'm gonna break this article up in parts because I tend to write very long and one article may be too much for your eyeballs, lol.

Anyway, the key to finding your mate has to be a spiritual experience. If the meeting is not divine then you may have missed it. This is not always the case as there have been many a marriage seemingly without "divine intervention". However, just because you are married or with someone doesn't mean you are truly happy.

I believe that all things happen for a reason--whether you are happy in a relationship or not. Your motive for a marriage or soulmate or spouse or whatever you'd like to call it will determine how successful the relationship will be. Read part two here

Smile, Relax

Smile, Relax, originally uploaded by Shavar.

Title: "Smile, Relax"
Place: Lancaster, California.
©2005. Photographed by Shavar
The Sunday Series