Meet the Team: Jack
Name: Jack Zulu
Blog: http://jackzulu.wordpress.com/
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheJackZulu/videos
Twitter: @RevJackZulu
Tell us about yourself and what makes you tick:
By definition, I am me. Something I am proud of because I think many of us strive to be somebody all the while wanting to be anything other than that which we are. I think it is important to chase whatever dream you have while remaining true to yourself, otherwise, what is the point? Who will be there to enjoy the fruits of your labour? Certainly not you.
I am often described as a strange individual. I have an overactive imagination, I’m somewhat eccentric, fairly flamboyant and I am an avid over-thinker. Somehow, I seem to make it work. Either that or I am certifiably insane but have yet to receive the diagnosis or be sectioned. There’s still time.
I love laughter, I love experiencing new things, I love interacting with other minds while I hate ignorance – especially when combined with arrogance – and I hate that I haven’t figured out how to fly. Yet.
If you had to choose anyone to play you in a movie who would it be and why:
If I had to choose anyone to play me in a movie…oh crap. I don’t think you understand how much film I watch…there are so many actors and actresses I love and that question is very difficult. Could I play myself? No? Fine. Will Smith. He is extremely talented, versatile and let’s face it, the man is beautiful both physically and as a person. Although, I do also love the thought of being portrayed by Humphrey Bogart. That guy was just too damn cool. Or Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow as Me. Yeah. That.
How long have you been writing for? That is the question in the exact form it was asked. To that, first of all, I must say…really? Is that even grammatically correct?
I have been writing roughly since I was 16-years-old. I reluctantly refer to myself as a poet, simply because there isn’t really another word with which I can explain the situation but I know so little about poetry I find it almost insulting to those who actually are poets that I should be referred to in this way. I am currently writing a book and it is my goal to write and film for TV and “the big screen” in the not so distant future. In terms of actually blogging, I have only been doing that for about 3 years and as I am an infrequent blogger – I only write when I truly have something to say – the sum of what I wrote in those 3 years could easily have been the work of just a few months. So, needless to say, I’m pretty new to this but what got me going was partially necessity and partially just that I enjoy writing – especially when it leads to debates and conversations with people. As I mentioned, I am an over-thinker. Realistically speaking, I probably think north of 200 thoughts per minute and sometimes it gets so loud in here [my head] that I think I just might simultaneously implode and explode. So writing helps me to purge some of these thoughts. To give them a place to reside. It helps me breathe and allows me to be for a bit longer.
Outside of writing what do you do:
Outside of writing, I am an avid gamer and moviegoer. I love to spend time with my three brothers and the beautiful boy himself, Shiloh. This little guy has my heart. Aside from that, I am co-host of The Temple Of Sin – which was an online talk radio show that ran from July – December 2012 and is currently being reworked and repackaged for a re-launch very, very soon. So keep an eye out for more details on that. [twitter: @TheTempleOfSin]
What is your favourite place in London and why:
My favourite place in London…ohh, that’s a hard one. There is a little gallery in Dalston (Ridley Road Market) called ‘Doomed’ which I absolutely adore. The people there are wonderful and there is always something really interesting on display. I have a huge attachment to Victoria Park in Hackney, as that is where I grew up plus, I love parks. I love, love, love Bodean’s restaurant and that is one of the best places to eat in London but I suppose for me the best place in London is entirely dependent on my mood in that moment. I don’t know…why don’t you all just come and spend a day with me and see where we end up ‘cos the truth of the matter is, what really makes London is the people and experiencing it with people either directly or indirectly.
If you could leave any legacy what would it be:
If I could leave any legacy, it would be that my children knew without a shadow of a doubt that they were loved and that they were allowed to be whoever they were. That it was ok to be different. I think the greatest legacy one could leave is thought. A single thought can encourage a single being to move the proverbial mountains and affect this world in so many ways.
What would you like the world to know about you:
I would like the world to know that I am here and I will give it all I can.
Tell us a weird fact about yourself:
A weird fact. Hmm…I was born Friday 13th, at 13 minutes to 21:00, the night of a full moon and as such my aunt thought it was necessary to check my scalp for three 6’s. Also, I look like a chimp – especially when my hair and facial hair is at the same level and hasn’t been cut in a while. But chimps are awesome so I’m ok with this.