Oh how I've lived.

"It's not hard to die, when you know you have lived; and oh, how I've lived."
-Desperate Housewives

Oh how I've lived.

I am proud to say that when my time on earth comes to an end, I'll experience my departure with that profound statement in mind. I am proud as to how I've lived my life thus far; I'm proud of the big life I am living now; I am proud of the future life I know I will persevere and life; I am proud, so proud, that I lived. I am happy that I am not content with monotony and an average life. In my leap, I've accomplished things that most folks will never be able to do. I am seeing things that take my breath away and meeting people that blow me away. Each day continues to excite me, for I am grateful for the complexity and simplicity of my new life.

60 years from now, I am happy that I'll have a "way back when" story to share with my grandchildren.

Are we all doing things we are proud of? We have a short time to live, so lets all make the most of it.

The other evening I went to the Britney Spears concert. I know what you are thinking, but you are so wrong. Regardless of her personal struggles, that girl can put on a show. The essence of a circus set the stage for the entire night. With wild circus stunts, 'trippy' music and the overall ambiance, I couldn't help but be overwhelmed with the entertainment value of the entire night. As a dancer, I also appreciated the intense choreography and set. All eyes on the ringleader, as she commanded 20,000 screaming fans attention. I am happy for Britney Spears; although her life went off trail, she is back, and stronger than ever.


I have a bad cough. Allergies are awful. The majority of us, while enjoying the beautiful sights of spring, have to choke on our own breath, just because we are allergic to so many different things. If any of my awesome readers have any advice as to how to reduce allergies, please share!



The weather was 90 degrees today in SoCal, how was the weather in your hometown? That picture can tell you exactly where I spent my day!




After hours of reading around the pool, I decided to tie up the Puma's and hit the road! By road, of course, I mean the sidewalk. I ran a nice two miles under the blaring sun, and I feel great! After that, my good friend Cousin Joey and I went out to dinner. We shot the breeze, ate some Italian food and I'm feeling great. This turned out to be one heck of a weekend. I'm tying it all together by watching my shows. Any opinions on 'Desperate Houseweives' or 'Brothers & Sister?

Take care buddies!

Nick James

The Dream Board.

I am going to make a dream board. It will be an impromptu art project that helps me organize and visualize my goals. It will be casual, simple and personal. As a new goal comes to mind, I will jot it down on my dream board, and as I accomplish my endeavors I will scratch them off. I think we should all have our own form of a dream board. To see our goals is to ignite the passion that promotes inspiration.
Each of us have a motion we move in. This motion is both provided and created. Our spirit moves in a certain way, however, with the right intent and will power, we can altar these paths to lead to where we want. My movement is forward. Regardless of where I've been, I move forward.

Good things are coming. good. things. are. coming. I know it. I am so excited for each day, as I know my day is coming. Whether it is tomorrow, or three years from now, I know I will find my height and I will fly. Our existence on this earth is unexplainable. My existence, from my opinion, is to fly. I was born with a dream, one that takes a prolific stance in my life. I may fall, but bet your bottom dollar that I will rise higher each time.

Today I went back to the gym and ran 2 miles. It was a slow start, but a good one considering my vacation. I want to get back into my gym routine, as well as continuing to eat healthy.

In my last post, I talked about my karaoke debut in Arizona, so I thought I'd share a picture!



I've noticed a lag in my readers interest, so I am asking for YOUR honest opinion. What can I do to make Onward Bound a place you want to visit? I am open to any suggestions and will take all criticism with an open mind (I do that for a living)! Either leave your suggestions in a comment, or e-mail me. NickJames18@aol.com

To the future,

Nick James

Like crystals.

The stars stood out like crystals as I drove home from Arizona. My trip was like
some sort of out of body experience. I couldn't help but feel accomplished as I
first gave myself credit for my endeavors.
For so long I walked around with the idea that I owe everyone something. Upon
meeting the folks who push and believe in me, I began believing in myself, not
so much as a recipient of multiple favors, but as an entity that deserves to be
supported.
I plan to not cross the lines of being conceited, but with a new respect for
myself, I will stand taller and demand more respect.
My Easter holiday in Arizona was incredible. Ian and I made the six hour drive
an adventure, and that momentum proceeded through the entire weekend. We arrived
on Thursday night and the celebration began immediately. Friday morning Ian and
I slept in, only to wake up to an entire day of celebration. Aunt Karen and I
played catch up like Lebron James plays basketball. As our group at the mexican
joint grew to more loved ones, I couldn't help but smile and feel that I was
dealt a pretty decent hand in life. Friday night, Ian and I headed to a friends
house for a little reunion. Three words: Rock and Roll. I got to hang with a
pretty rad (thanks for the word Ian) crowd. Saturday we slept in again (we are
LA boys--we don't get to sleep much). We woke up and headed to lunch with a
friend of mine that I met at the American Idol auditions, almost a year ago. It
is cool to me that we kept in touch. After lunch, we headed to Scottsdale to
gawk at the pretentious town. I am happy, because I bought a new pair of
expensive jeans that were marked down to $20.00! That night we kept the momentum
going at a karaoke bar. Ian and I stole the show, naturally. I event got the
entire bar to hold their lighters in the air as I sung my guts out. Easter was a
great day. Two little ones came over and enjoyed an Easter egg hunt, compliments
of the Morton's and I. Watching them hunt for eggs reminded me so much of me,
circa the 90's, when my family hid eggs for me. Aunt Karen cooked an incredible
7 course dinner, while Uncle Doug gave Ian and I the tour de vino. After
sampling some delicious wine we ate, a lot. Being surrounded by family was so
refreshing after over three months in Los Angeles. Although leaving was
difficult, I am geared up to continue my pursuit.

Folks, I hope you all had a
great day- if you celebrate, Happy Easter.

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So high and so low.

At a time when I feel so high and so low, I cannot help but feel that great things are to come. I am blessed, without a doubt. I've gotten to see things that folks like me may never get to enjoy. I've met people that I am grateful to have met. I have lived in a way that makes me feel as though I am erupting and containing all at once. I am blown up with new experience, yet I stay composed with my newly learned tactics. Being twenty, or any age really is exciting. I am at a point where my dreams are meeting reality; I am honored to introduce my dreams to reality, only to learn that they already know each other.

With my mutual buddies, I am running full forced towards a destiny that I cannot wait to fulfill.

Anyone watch American Idol? Each week I am tossed between opinions, as I feel the contestants aren’t consistently choosing the proper songs. Alison has been the top runner for me all along. At her age, she performs with such an edgy, yet graceful demeanor that I cannot help but feel torn apart and put together as she belts her songs. I find her extremely impressive and cannot wait to see what her future holds.

Today I went into work for a little bit of follow up work. After a short day at the restaurant, headed home and ran some errands. I returned home and spent my free time working on my music. Recently I decided to pursue music more avidly; therefore, I am in the hunt for a vocal coach. Singing is my paradise. With every lyric, melody and song, I am taken to a place where nothing goes wrong.

Along with a vocal coach, I am in the process of finding a car. I have narrowed it down to two different cars, so soon enough I will plant my roots more deeply in California. I look at a car as a symbol of stability and longevity in this chapter of my life. Stability is a peaceful feeling that I long to feel.

Tomorrow is an exciting day for me. I am having my second meeting with LA’s Radio Disney station—not absolutely positive what it is for, but I will find out. After that, my long awaited trip to Arizona begins. My roommate, Ian, who is joining me on the trip, and I went to Trader Joe’s and loaded up on some fun road trip snacks. Locked and loaded, we are excited for a weekend away.

Happy travels to any readers who will be heading out for the holiday. Happy days to each and everyone of you, everyday, all of the time.

Nick James

Plants grow and die, wind blows and flies.

This world keeps spinning faster each day. Young ones want to be older, old people want to feel younger. Plants grow and die, the wind blows and flies. We can’t stop it. The older I get, the more content I am with my age. I am still 20 years young and 20 years old. I have experience to base a life off of, but I have many years to correct any mistakes.

Obviously I have been gone for quite some time. I actually regret letting myself go this long without writing. After the end of this story you will understand why I feel that I may make a life out of writing.

Where I've been.

I will tell you where I have been for the past little while. I have been out living my dream, partially. The lesson I learned is that you can have something you want very quickly, but just as quickly it can be taken away. The last time I posted I told you all how I was going to get my headshots. I went and had a great time. My photographer, who I will call Nato, really saw potential in me. He introduced me to his wife, who I will call Nah, and she saw the same spark. They both talked to about their lives in the entertainment business. Nato was a model in his days; he traveled the world and experienced great things. Now he is an actor. Nah in her younger years, too, was a model; however, she chose to go the path of being an agent. Through the years Nato and Nah built a list of very impressive contacts and they wanted me to do the same.

Immediately, strings were pulled that put me on ladder level 5 in the pursuit category. I was to meet a man named Tony Duran (www.tonyduranphotography.net). Tony, I learned, is a very successful photographer. He has shot every celebrity and many, many magazine covers. Tony saw a picture of me and decided that he would shoot me. The day of the shoot, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. All I knew is that my head was flying faster than the butterflies in my stomach. Nah, who has taken on the role of my manager, drove me up to the Hollywood Hills where Tony lives. I arrived at his beautiful home and met his entire crew. Immediately Tony sat me down in his kitchen and starts snipping away at my hair. I didn’t know what to expect, but low and behold I had an edgy haircut and I love it. Tony let me know that his stylist friend was on board helping me and there was a huge wardrobe for me to choose from. I let the stylist do all of the work and I had 6 looks that I completely loved. At this time Tony was ready to start the photo shoot, which was the most educational experience ever. Although I may never have a chance to enjoy Tony’s company again—I respect him more than I think he would even care to know and I think he is a great person. At his level, his willingness to shoot me, a nobody, was extremely respectable and appreciated. By the end of the day I felt as though I had my own fairytale story. Here is a before and after that will properly show you what being in LA does for you.

BEFORE





AFTER



With a shoot by Tony Duran I was encouraged to reach for the very top and to my surprise; many big name agencies opened their doors to me. I met with all of them with nerves in my stomach tighter than ever before. The end result was that the agencies were not confident in taking me on. Although it was a letdown, I feel as though I got a big taste at my dreams, and that I accomplished huge things in my short time. I am currently, still a signed actor with Beacon Talent. Reality is setting back in that I have a ton of work ahead of me, but surely enough; I am starting to feel rejuvenated and ready to keep trying.

Where I am now.

With this set back, I’ve decided that it is time to get back into school. Now that I am working fulltime between my two jobs, I am realizing how far I could go with a degree. While in Ohio, I completed two years of a broadcast/journalism degree. I’ve decided that I am a writer and there is exciting things that come with that. I’ve been talking about writing a book. I have the writing talent and now I have the experience. I have so many ideas for the message my book will portray and I am very excited to see what happens with everything. Whether it is in California or Ohio- I am so excited to start school again with my new life.

California continues to become more beautiful each and every day. As I am actually building a life here I love my new friends, my new endeavors and all of my new responsibilities. I am learning a lot about life and, more importantly, learning how to apply the knowledge to life. I am learning how happiness is the truest treasure and that family is the greatest cornerstone. I stand a little bit taller, I work a little bit harder and I believe in so much more.

I continue to write music as though I was a player piano out of control. I am staying physically active. I am laughing daily. I am happy. I am embracing my youth as it slowly transitions into adulthood. I am proud to live a life with meaning and self-made happiness.

Welcome back, Nick James is here to stay.

Where to start.

Oh how I've missed you all. I couldn't even determine where to start to write how hectic things have been. Everything is going perfect. I have been working on a few projects that have tied up all of my freetime and my demand for hard work is higher than ever. I hope you are all doing great. If it makes you feel any better, I've been doing my best to stop in and read your blogs! Sorry again for my 10 days of no blogging--I will try to find time to write more! Take care. E-mail me with how you are doing! NickJames18@aol.com

Nick James!

Brief side of things.

Today was a hectic day, but it is was everything I want for myself. I got to live the life of an actor, a real actor. While sipping on my homemade latte (so actor-esque) I got ready for what may be one of the most thrilling days I’ve yet to meet. With two appointments and errands to tend to, I felt a thump with each tick of the clock. My first appointment was with an agency. I’m going to be on the brief side of things here, but I will tell you this. Your friend, Nick James, is a signed actor in California! I feel on cloud nine, even though I realize there is still a lot of work ahead of me. After that, I cruised around Hollywood in an attempt to finish up some errands before my 12:30 photo shoot. I finished tightening up some loose ends and felt the need for MORE coffee (I needed energy for my shoot). After leaving Starbucks, ( I headed to my photographer’s place. Him and I hit it off from the get go, making the shoot such a great time. By the end of my afternoon, I was a signed actor and had some really GREAT headshots. I’ll share them with you as soon as possible. The future is looking bright. Truth is, I couldn’t ask for a better life. I feel so proud of myself; I took a huge step by moving out to Los Angeles and all by myself I am actually doing what I came to do. That is a rare chance in life, a chance that I am so proud to have took. I’m extremely tired, because after my exciting day I had to get to the club. Goodnight my friends, thanks for your constant support.

Nick James