June 23, 2011
Hello, Greetings, As Salaamu Alaikum, Shalom and every offering of blessedness. I've been extremely reluctant to write because I don't think I quite have the floor plan of what to do with a blog. I do have a lot of pent-up angst to release. I have some ideas about how to unite the world, and then there's the aspect of "reporting" from here inside the belly of the beast. I suppose it's just some fear of being judged, misunderstood, not taken seriously, or being taken too seriously.
But either way, here goes! I don't have access to a copy machine. I have to wait in a line all day for a chance to go into the prison library to pay for copies. So as of yet, I don't have a copy of the letters I've sent. So I'm very likely to forget that I've already said something. But I'm a very honest person, so I'm not worried about maybe contradicting myself.
Well, years ago I paid to have those ads on the web. The webmaster would send a print-out of whatever e-mails came in. People were also free to write to me directly, as they are now & as this "webmaster" will also do. It will take me about a week - a little less usually - to receive your e-mails. But I'll respond to all who call.
Fri June 24, 2011
Wed June 28, 2011
I've been in prison a long time. I've never actually used the internet myself. So I've never seen anyone's blog. I feel like I'm Fred Flintstone and the world outside my door is all the Jetsons. I'm cut off from the world in that way, and in addition, we don't have cable T.V. like some folks think we do. I've never seen The Sopranos or The Osbornes or Jersey Shore. But I do my best to stay on top of world events, music & whatnot. I have a few ideas that I need help bringing to fruition. I believe that one way or another I'll be out of prison within a few years. Even so, my worst fear is that I'll die with all my music still in me.
I sincerely believe 100%, that if I got out of here tomorrow I could go into any studio & whoever owns it will want to record me. One of the crazy twists in my life story is that as a child I always wanted to sing and I had potential. But I also had issues: lack of confidence & a host of others. So my whole family knows of my dream of singing.
I was a heavy smoker, as well as a drinker, and I had my share of drugs. I was one of those guys that wanted to get clean & sober but I just kept failing at it. More about that later. For now, the point is about smoking cigarettes killed my voice - for the most part. I had smoked since I was about 9 years old. I remember being in the 5th grade & having my tonsils taken out. A buddy of mine came by after I came home from the hospital. We went out walking & when we offered me a smoke I remember telling him "No thanks, I'm just gonna quit".
But I didn't quit, even when I enrolled in a vocal training class at a junior college & the instructor told us on the 1st day "smoking and singing don't go together! Quit now!" The smoking was kinda the least of my worries at the time. I didn't complete the class.
I smoked most of my life & I always thought I sang well enough. But it has only been when the Department of Corrections stopped selling smokes that I was able to quit. That was 2005. After about 30 days without smoking, I found my voice clearer, higher, stronger than ever. I have had some ups & downs since then, but it has gotten consistently better.
I wish I was able to leave a message vocally on this webpage. I see my situation a lot like the guy that was homeless & then someone heard how good of a radio voice he has. I also have one of those. I could do voice over work or radio/TV announcing. I sing classic rock, jazz, blues, R&B. I create some decent hip-hop too. I can rap.
Ok, wow! Looking back at that last paragraph I can see how I might come off as egotistical. I have a lot of frustration over the fact that I wasted so many years not paying attention to life. Then I wound-up here. Now, all of a sudden all my talent comes to the fore but I'm constrained. Or is the right word restrained? I let down my family & friends because I didn't follow through. NOW I'm trying to get them interested - or someone - because I've got golden tone now - and they don't really believe me. Or maybe it's just a thing you have to see in action.
I want to lend my voice to some charity or non-profit orgz. I want to develop my own non-profit down the line. But even though I know I can do fulfilling & important work from here - in prison - my 1st and most important priority just now is trying to get released. I need a lawyer or maybe some law students to look into my case. I'll tell more about that next week or so. You can leave an email or write to me at:
M. Young
E95993
M.C.S.P.,
P.O. BOX 409020,
Ione, CA. 95640
A2-216