Welcome Home

Today has been my fourth official day home. I have been on the road since January. It's has felt like such a long time, so much has happened since I got that phone call.

For those who have not had the liberty of following my travels in the last months on my facebook *CLARKWATCH* updates, I received a call from a friend and National Geographic director Nico Sabenorio (www.nicosabenorio.com) in reference to a fight club documentary we had collaborated on five years prior when I was still in high school. I and two other friends had started and maintained a not so underground fight club for over two years and we were the focus of a coming of age documentary produced by someone who found our videos posted online through Myspace. (www.boutthatbout.com)

He was calling to update me and let me know that he finally after all these years had formulated a script and turned this once backyard hillbilly town brawlfest into his first full length feature debut. I was instantly baffled. It went somewhere. Something I was such an integral part of in my adolescence came back after we thought the fire died out. It had substance, taught a lesson, invoked emotion. It was a REAL story, slightly off track from what he observed and we lived in our lives just years leading up to this. Something unique. The first film that hadn't been a cookie cut reel revamped by some director with his pockets lined.

No, this was a small budget film, that I had the offer of being involved with. He couldn't pay for my travel, and I wouldn't have any role, but if I could make it to L.A. in a week I had the opportunity to be on a real movie set with working professionals in an industry that I incurred $100,000 in debt to be a part of. I couldn't believe it.

For years, I had dreams of leaving Florida, pursuing anything thing that would not only give me happiness, but push me to excell. This was my chance.

For anyone else it would be a no brainer. GO. For me things instantly began presenting themselves that would make this once in a lifetime chance go south.

I didn't have a car. I found a ride

I just started a job and was close to getting my benefits. ( we all know I need health and dental)

They told me to chase my dream.

My girlfriend. Was packed and ready to hit the road.

My friends and family. They supported it, but some were wary for good reason. Hollywood has given plenty of people the run around.

Finally after preparing for less than a day and definitely overpacking we crammed into a friend's two door Solara and hit the road!

This Journey would prove to not be easy and that's how I know now that I am on the right path. Murphy's Law in full effect.

The first day or two went by no problem, we were making excellent time, the weather was pleasant, traffic nearly non existent. We made it to Colorado in 3 days and stayed the night at a friend's house in Denver. The snow and mountain air was so clean and refreshing.

The next evening we were on our way until we hit a small snow storm that would unknowingly cause our trip to take a wild turn. After shaking our driver to the point of pulling off and parking for the night, we woke up to her telling us that she was dropping us off to go pick up her dad from the airport to drive her back home to Florida an hour before she left us in Vail, Colorado a ski resort in the mountains.

Fast forward a week and we have called the only person in a 3 hour vicinity to come save us, an ex of mine. Her and her boyfriend were hospitable enough to shelter us util we could get a Greyhound to L.A. that broke down on the way!!

Once we arrived in California, it took a few hours to reach the producers and to be honest, I began to think I had been had. Luckily, that was not the case and soon we were checked into a hotel and on set that night for our first scenes that we were able to observe.

At first step on set, I was instantly transported home. It was uncanny how accurate the set desginer had portrayed my grandma's trailer park. We commended him many times on his artwork and he who had never stepped foot on the property was very satisfied hearing our praise.

Everyone on set was amazing to interact with and answered as many questions as they asked. It really felt surreal to be so welcomed by people who were at their work and having a great time. They were all very interested and invested in the storty and gave it 200% making us believe everything we saw and heard. I was still in shock. This is my life.

A week on set flew by and soon my L.A. experience was over, but Not before landing an spot as an extra in the film which everyone says I stole the scene. Im sure I blushed.

That next night we left set after lunch time and boarded a bus to Sacramento to stay with my cousin Wes. The next two months flew by and I relentlessly searched for work, however was not able to find anything.

A friend of mine had been keeping up with our travels and extended an offer to come to New York in search of better opportunities and that's where my next chapter began.

We prepared and a week later had gone back through Colorado and gathered the remainder of our belongings that our previous rescuers were kind enough to hold for us while we bussed to California. After a grateful encounter and goodbyes we had our first real night of rest in months and would finish out the trip to the big apple the following afternoon.

The first day in the city I couldn't stop looking skyward. The sights and sounds and smells constantly battled for attention. I found a job my first day. Wow! Opportunities huh? I was convinced. New York was for me.

Three months later, I still hadn't seen the Statue of Liberty up close or visited the World Trade Center, but I was a key holder to the geltao shop I helped manage and had been another extra in a movie, as well as create and build my own website to accompany my fire performing which I had started doing professionally as well, not to mention filmed a music video with a Brooklyn based hip hop group. Things were great.

Everything seemed to be on the up and up and my future was getting brighter, Murphy's law. We came home from work to find out we had worn out our welcome and needed to be on our way as soon as two weeks.

After continuous hostility and even threats we decided to leave on our own accord instead of fight for our residence which we were legally enititled to and even suggested to do by the police.

We searched and scoured for weeks trying to secure a new place to reside but inevitably we had to take all the savings we had to get us and our things back to Florida, and trust me we tried to make it work. We put all of our things in storage for three weeks and were literally homeless on the streets of New York before being able to send money to someone that could come get us and bring us home.

So after almost 6 wholes months here we are, back where it all started, back where we left from, back where we could not see our vision, or have a plan on how to execute our goals. We have grown together and learned so much about our dynamic and what we have to offer those around us.

We have a plan, we just needed to recalibrate and have a better plan to return and continue what we started. Until then I am home, where I will visit my family, work and perform while teaching classes and doign various other community projects that I deeply missed being on the road yet need to be a part of to ensure my progress with my own affairs. I am motivated. I am determined. I will succeed.

#CLARKWATCH #recap #Travel #journeyaroundthecountry #ThenandNow