To Develop: Blog 365 Day 29 – Don’t Be Sweaty
By Jiddoe S'Phatt
Warmest greetings! My name is Jiddoe S’Phatt. Welcome to day
29 of “To Develop: Blog 365”.
Inspiration to write comes from a number of places. For this
blog I’ve been inspired by hip-hop artist Rick Chyme and producer
David K. Manley of Man@Work Productions. Through a collaborative project
titled #DailyPieces365
these two artists will release a new song every day for the next 365
consecutive days! Their impressive dedication has motivated me to write a new
blog every day of 2018.
A little piece of me goes into each entry I write. I hope
you enjoy this one!
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I had a conversation with Sebastian Boice on Saturday May
20, 2017. He’s a 1-year-old diagnosed with Dandy Walker and Hydrocephalus. The
two of us were at Shakespeare’s Lower Level in Kalamazoo, MI for basically the
same reason.
Sebastian was there as the beneficiary of Project Cypher, an
annual charity concert created by hip-hop artist and philanthropist HighTyde
aka Ryan Evans. All proceeds from the event go to a special needs child and
their family. And for the 3rd consecutive year I served as its
co-host.
When I wasn’t introducing the acts on the ticket I was
mingling with their fans. I’d been running back and forth between the stage and
the venue floor for a couple hours, getting quite worn out lugging my two WWE
Championship belts in the process. Being the “Word Heavyweight Champion” subjects
me to more than brain exercise.
I was in need of a brief brake and saw this as the perfect
opportunity to get some one-on-one time with the guest of honor.
When I approached Sebastian he was relaxing in his stroller
as booming music and boisterous chatter surrounded him. He appeared completely
unaffected by the commotion and as cool as a Push-Up pop.
I, on the other hand,
was a sweaty mess, huffing and puffing as though I’d run several laps around
Arcadia Creek Festival Place across the street. Sebastian’s mother Aixa laughed
as I, completely winded, knelt next to her son.
“Hey, Sebastian,” I began, using a child-friendly tone. “I
see you’re over here just chilling out. I’m all hot and sweaty right now.” He
just looked at me while nibbling his blue pacifier.
“It’s loud in here, isn’t it?” I asked rhetorically while
sounding a bit PBS Kids-show-goofier. “I sure hope you’re enjoying the show
we’re putting on in your honor.” I was hoping I’d get a smile from him. I
didn’t.
Sebastian turned his attention toward the stage as though he
said, “Yes, I am enjoying the show, sweaty hosting guy. So how about you go
huff and puff yourself back over there and handle the action while I hold down
the chilling from here. Thank you.” I respected his suggestion. So I pulled
myself up to head back to my post.
Just I was preparing to go, one of the night’s artists,
Gerald “G-Ride” King, arrived stroller-side. “What’s up, Big Guy,” he said to
Sebastian exuberantly. “You having a good time?” Sebastian smiled, then looked
at G-Ride as though he said, “Yes I am, rapper guy. Thank you for asking and
for also not getting too close while being sweaty. Are you a fan of Gerber?”
Notes for my next conversation with Sebastian Boice: Don’t
use a goofy voice, honor personal space, don’t be sweaty, and try to be Gerald
“G-Ride” King.
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Visit MrJoeWalker.com
for more great stories!
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