Category: Life decisions

Posted on

CharRon Smith, The Comic

So in the year 2020, I took a few risk to enrich my mindset during the pandemic. I put more focus on my podcast that led to a new section called Reel Poetry, I accepted the Vice Presidency position at Sacramento Poetry Center, and I took a comedy course at the Comedy Spot online.

So, I took two course at the Comedy Spot online: Stand-Up comedy 101 and Comedic Storytelling. My teachers, Melissa Melgullicutty and Lisa Cantrell, were fabulous educators. Melissa is a seasoned comedian from Sacramento and Lisa is a Storyteller and founder of Capitol Storytelling(an organization that teaches people how to craft a story for the masses.). For 2 months, I learned how to craft a joke, rules to create jokes, perform to an audience, deal with hecklers, write a story, edit jokes and stories.

Being that I have worked with comics and been a Spoken word artist for several years, I understood the stage performance aspect but I did not know how to create jokes. So, Comedy 101 helped me find humor in my stories and my everyday life. But, we were not able to perform on stage in front of people due to the pandemic so the student just did a 5 minute set in their classes zoom room and ended with that accomplishment.

This year, as the restrictions started to be lowered, The Comedy Spot felt 2020 students should get an opportunity to get on stage and perform a 5 minute set to an audience. So, they sent a invitational email to all 2020 student and asked if they would like to perform. Ten students were brave enough to say yes and I was one of them.

If you want me to post the video, leave a comment.

Posted on

Hello, CharRon 4.5!!

So, you made it. Congratulations! This is the previous version: CharRon 4.4. I can see a big difference in you. But, I have done several impressive things since We moved to Grass Valley:

  • I worked on my musicianship skills with drums and piano.
  • I actually did comedy on stage.
  • I am the Vice-president of Sacramento Poetry Center.
  • I reconnected with my family and friends.
  • I engineered a show at the Capitol building of California.
  • I took a dump on the Capitol building.
  • I spent a lot of time in Brutte County.
  • I have been to the city of Paradise.
  • I Deejayed shows during the pandemic.
  • I Deejayed a Radio show.
  • I am a podcast producer.
  • I co-host on another podcast.
  • A Serious Production reports an increase in profits.
  • I did a Keynote presentation to educate children about Poetry using Hip-hop and got paid for it.
  • I was a paid Lab Technician for Durham School.

I still smile when I think about what I have accomplished in 2021. Can you believe it? I am impressed.

There were a few failures: Mulitiple affairs ended and almost ended a great relationship but terminated friendships with wonderful women. Plus, it opened a lot of issues that I haven’t concluded. No savings while on unemployment. So, the bank accounts are somewhat bare, Sorry. The pandemic was a wake-up call. So, wake up! This is your time. You are better now but it still bothers us.

CharRon, You are a powerful individual who is bound for greatness. But, you have to believe it like mom believe in God. You are doing something that most people don’t do. So, evolve with it . Let the pandemic be your turning point. You are CharRon 4.5. So, here is a 2022 Task List:

  • Create, record, and distribute a song
  • Get on the radio again.
  • Evolve in your business
  • Be involved in your relationship with Bec.
  • Help Sacramento Poetry Center get back into the poetry community.
  • Be more involved in your kids lives
  • Play keys and drums on stage.
  • More exercise
  • Work on your credit.
  • Get a van or SUV.
  • Stress less
  • Make a ruckus.

So, what will 2022 be like? Your guess is as good as mine. But that is the joy and fear of the unknown. You have the power to change our future with family and fortune. Time is a commodity that we take for granted. So, do that. The business is our baby. A Serious Production is going to become a powerhouse. You just need to understand the business and it will grow with you.

Bec want to understand you but you have to let her in. She is in a fragile state and these past discretion have put her on the fence. So you have to reassure her. She has done a lot in relationships. So you need to be honest because she deserves that.

Understand. you are suppose to win and learn. So, let’s do that. Here are the keys. Happy 45th birthday, CharRon. As, CharRon 3.9 said “it is your time to shine.” Let’s makes that happen.

Posted on

May Day 2020

I am excited that May is here but Co-vid has made me look at my days I like.

Star Wars Day

May the fourth be with you all. I am shock how the day is flowing and the night is creeping upon us. Since, I would normally celebrate hump day today, it feels exciting to have extra reason to celebrate. Today is Star Wars Day. So, now, you and your kids can wear your Star Wars apparel without celebrating halloween or conventions. It makes me wonder how many bosses will dress like Darth Vader to work and walk around in the office halls. Talk about superiority complex.

Cinco de Mayo

I really need to understand the history of Cinco de Mayo because it is not celebrated the right way. Americans misunderstanding has become a stereotypical drinking celebration like St. Patrick day.

Mother’s Day

Mother’s day is upon us. I find it hard to celebrate it since I live so far from my mother. But I do have children and their mothers are wonderful in their own right. So, I have to pay attention to them and make it enjoyable.

Posted on

What? Where is Nevada County?

Happy new year everyone. 2019 has been a game changer in my life: 1) I have left Sacramento. 2) I have moved to Nevada County. (Where?!) I asked the same question. I definitely feel like the Fresh Prince in Grass Valley. I have moved my business operations also with me. So, A Serious Production is operational out here. But, I have a found a open mic spot. I am on the hunt for poets and stuff to do. I still host Sacramento poetry Center and deejay and engineer open mic shows, poetry slams, and comedy show in Sacramento. But will I do the same thing in Nevada County. We shall see.

Posted on

Iambic (the podcast?)

What happen to Iambic (the Zine)?

It is the year 2020. I have been hosting at Sacramento Poetry center for 1 year now. It has definitely been a interesting experience. I thank Wendy Williams for asking me to do it. I bring local and distance poets to share their poetry and sell their merchandise. But I do recall when I also had a zine to give to people. My literary zine called Iambic. So, what happen to Iambic? Well, I ran out of money. From printing cost and no sponsorship, it did not take long to see diminishing returns. So, I stopped the presses after the one year anniversary. Evil. Iambic was not being utilize so, I donated a volume of zines to Sacramento Public Library and maintained the website.

Podcast Prequel

But in January 2019, I became the new Poetry reading host at Sacramento Poetry Center. This action brought me back into having an outlet to introduce poets and rappers into the Sacramento Poetry Community which was the mission of Iambic. So, Iambic became a show pamphlet but it was hard to maintain. But I still hosted shows under the Iambic moniker. Then I realize that I could make a podcast instead. So I had recorded a podcast introduction episode with the help of BYLO podcast group in August 2019 but I released the first two episodes in January.

Iambic the Podcast

So I started a podcast to give more depth to my feature Poets who have graced Sacramento Poetry Center. I started to notice that a lot of poets are not given an in depth interview after performing at Sacramento Poetry center. They sell books and talk to people but it is a short time. I figured I have the opportunity give them as much exposure before they say their first poem. Plus, it is what Iambic was about: making people aware of local poets. So, my first episodes will introduce Auntie Vice and Jorge Quintana:

Jorge Quintana
Auntie Vice

But check out the new Iambic Podcast. The link is the Logo in the Sidebar.

Posted on

MAY DAY

National poetry month

So national poetry month is over but it doesn’t have to stop for you, poet.  You need to take what you learn and build on it. Plus, these prompts are always there to be reused for future poem ideas. So speak, poet. Speak.

May Feelings

The month of May has a different feeling my life.  Since being terminated on Star Wars Day (May 4th) last year,  I changed my direction from being unemployed to being unemployable.  I started to rebuild A Serious Production from a music production house to a mobile DJ service and podcast production house.  I was fustrated with working for companies that I didn’t care about completely.

This constant struggle to push myself just for a paycheck was insulting.  I wanted to build my accounting career to experience all categories of accounting but I realized that will never happen in a single company. The accounting profession is greater than what is used in business.  I started to feel a distaste to office politics. So, I redirected most of my time to build a DJ career than accounting.

CharRon the DJ

I have been performing as a DJ / turtablist with a band, group, and solo in clubs, parties, festivals, bowling lanes and sandwich shops for 12 years. I have several recordings of music that I have performed on. I own a CDJ and turntables and still carry a collection of records, CD, and mp3s(I used to have a backpack of cassette but I got rid of them.). So, it occur to me, that I could this for poetry slams, comedy shows, events, and conferences.

So I invested my unemployment money into my own company and purchase the necessary items: a sound system, controller, wireless mics, par lights, insurance, licensing, and start-up fees. The mobile DJ business was to be my calling card to interact with different people who had different taste in music.  This is a sure fire way to hear different genres of music that I would not hear on my leisure.

So, I am a official business owner of A Serious Production in Sacramento. Plus, I got hired to DJ/MC with an entertainment company called Firehous Entertainment for 5 month now.  I am, also, the show DJ for Comedy Burger and Sac unified Poetry Slam.  So, I can add to my resume the title: professional freelance DJ. I do have goals that I am striving for and will acomplish soon.

I also produce podcasts. I have done my own podcast, RES on the GO, on Soundcloud. But I am highly regarded for producing the growing podcast called Fat Chicks on Top with my partner Auntie Vice. I am working with other potential client with their idea and planning on making them a reality.

Pretty good for an unemployed accounting clerk turn DJ / business owner. Check out my company, A Serious Production, by clicking the link: here.  Plus, I will give a 20% discount on all services by informing me about the blog post.

 

Posted on

1st hump day

Happy New Year and welcome to the first hump day of 2019. Wow! same planet, different time. So, I am starting a journey as a independent freelancer and business owner. I have a least 2 events each week in January.
I have several talents: Poetry, DJ/music, and Podcasts. Each share a different category in my business and I am, definitely, going to be tested with a several gigs this month. Making money doing gigs is going to be an interesting feat everyday.

Here’s what is going in January:

First, I am the new monthly monday host for Monday Poetry reading at Sacramento Poetry Center. The show is great. Plus, it has an open mic part that I enjoy. (I am taken over for Wendy Williams. She definitely believe in me and I appreciate it. Thank you, Wendy.) My first show will be the 7th at 7:30pm. My feature is Khalypso, a profound poet who was just appointed Sacramento youth poet Laureate.

Next, I am still the resident DJ of Comedy Burger at Momo’s and Sac Poetry Slam at Luna’s Cafe. I am grateful for both shows But I do have to sell my show tickets to live. Plus, I have new events: I am the DJ for Erica Ambrin at Holy Divers on the 13th and a feature poet for Brandon’s new poetry show: Spittin at Channel Brewing in Stockton on the 25th.

Advertising needs to be active. I have several places where I perform. I entertain a lot more than serve. So, I need to advertise heavy because I need to monetize each gig. Marketing has become my new obstacle. I have never needed to do it because most of my jobs never expected me too. But now, I need it to make money for my business. I am not afraid to talk to people but I never wanted to become a salesman: Never see people as new targets. My life mission is bigger than that.

Finally, I need to expand into the podcast community. I have produced a few shows and work on Fat chicks on top podcast currently. I will record my Monday Poetry readings for future use. I have a few ideas that seem lucrative. But, it all comes down to active engagement with the community.

Well, my month is going to be busy. If you want to check me out and you live near or in the Sacramento area, then go to my website and check my events listed with my social media platforms.

If you want to hire me for DJing your event, recording your song, creating your podcast, hosting your show, or performing poetry; then go to A Serious Production or call 707-867-1411.

Posted on

A New Direction

It’s funny.

I face a new direction in my life.  I am working towards the career that I have tried to abandon several times.  But now, I must face it. I like to work with music.  So, I am pushing to build a company, purchase equipment, and market myself to the masses.  I am concerned but I have lived long enough to notice that working a 9 to 5 job is not working for me.  I need to change.  So,  I am going to do this.

I have open my company (A Serious Production), a website, and have a couple residencies in Sacramento.  So I will pursue this.  I am a Dj / Sound Engineer that also produces music and podcast.  I will still pursue Poetry but I do need a career to strive for. Also my company website, click: A Serious Production. Check it out and hit me up if you live in Northern California and need a DJ or Sound Guy.

Thank you for reading

Plus, check out one of my hump day mixes below:

Posted on

Mouse wants elephant (Day 22)

On a hot summer day, A starving mouse searched for food in the Sahara desert. Over a hill, mouse saw a lone elephant in a waterhole, relaxing. Mouse’s mouth watered at the massive size of the elephant. But, mouse knew the elephant was too big for him to take down. So, the mouse devised a plan.

Mouse ran down to the valley towards a pack of female lions relaxed under a tree. Mouse started to throw pebbles at three lions to get their attention. The lion turned and growled at the mouse. But, Mouse continued to throw pebbles at them. The angry lions roared and rushed towards mouse. Mouse initiated a chase up the hill. At the top, Mouse scurried into a hole for safety. Three lions reach the top of the hill and see the elephant.

They split and surround the elephant. The elephant is trap. They attack from different sides. One lion jumps on the elephant’s back. The other two lions claw and bite at the elephant’s legs. A hour long stuggle until the elephant is succumb to its wounds and falls dead in the waterhole.

The lions dragged the elephant’s body out the waterhole and ripped off pieces of flesh until they were full. They left the elephant carcass near the waterhole and return to the valley. Mouse leaped out of its hole and ran to the dead elephant. Mouse goes inside the carcass and rips a piece of flesh. The mouse inserted the flesh in his mouth, shallows and smile. Who said a mouse can’t eat an elephant.

Posted on

Change in Scenery (day 12)

I moved from Stockton to Sacramento. I have been living in a 4 bedroom house in south Sacramento for 2 1/2 years. I rented a child size room with 2 windows. The house had several problems. It was definitely a project home. It was not welcoming. People could see that I was unhappy with my living situation but, I maintain and kept myself busy doing open mics and going to work. Then one day, my friend knew a gentleman who had a room to rent. I checked it out and liked one Few days later, he gave me an offer and I accept it. I was excited but skeptical.

All the drama in downtown Sacramento continued and I did not want to be caught in that. Yet, I spend a lot of time downtown and know most of the area. So the opportunity was right. I have giving my rent check with deposit. Couple days later, I was downtown waiting for the start time of a poetry show. So, I went to the new apartment and sat relaxed. So relaxed, I almost missed the show. My soul needed this move and I am glad it happened.

Tree in dry ground wilts
Rain clouds come and rain soaks the soil
Moist soil happy tree.