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Hlworks/Trips/Rome2000

When You're in the Groove
You're Smooth

by Melvin Johnson
Photos by Staff

 

Another episode in the life of Melvin Johnson! This time with subtitles for all Italians watching.

The last two days have been very exhausting due to the fact that I'm still on Eastern Standard Time, which causes me to fall asleep in all the wrong places.

On the evening of December 4th HarlemLive found out the winners of the Global Junior Challenge for content produced by students up to age 18. Earlier that day Jianna, Nicole, Oscar and I had to do a staged presentation for audiences in another building away from the main exhibition area. This is what it was all about and I was ready to go head to head with the challenge, rather the Global Junior Challenge.

 

I felt that I would go in and do exactly what I'm known for doing, be myself. My fellow staff members and advisors know! When I get in to my zone at least two people pop up to HarlemLive within two weeks to join, but this timeŠ. It went differently. My groove was still in the states, the other participants had the advantage. They spoke Italian and with great pride they were able to react to the eye contact from the audience members. I felt only shallow glances as the translator spoke with no love behind my words.

I found myself getting aggravated with the wait between every two or three simple sentences as my words were translated. At one point I slipped at the mouth with the Mic not lower enough saying "I hate this Shit!" I knew it was over then.

I went back for the second presentation later in the afternoon with a focused eye, but my body was still in New York. Jetlag hit me with a combination of a cold from the climate change. I was congested and ready to hit the sack. But, I had to suck it up and do what HarlemLive advisor Ms. Shirley prepared us for, present.

I got back to our booth and relaxed by taking off my shoes, sports coat and tie. I continued my efforts of presenting HarlemLive although it was too late to change the final decision (We found out later that night). A little birdie whispered in my ear after the awards ceremony saying that the judges didn't want too many U.S. winners. Also a judge, who will remain anonymous, approached our advisor Elaine Johnson saying that he knows "who the real winner is in our category, and that he is proud to be an American."

This is just another life lesson that HarlemLive has experienced as a young group of entrepreneurs. I always say that everything happens for a reason, and we'll see the reason for this happening in due time.

 

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