OK.

I'm in New York right now. Flew in yesterday from L.A., where I was with Jay Leno. And he did the most wonderful thing on his show. The way he introduced me was, "I guarantee you this guy will get nominated for an Oscar this year." And then at the end of the interview, he said it again. He said, "When you get nominated I want you back here." And that was beautiful, so how can I not be in a happy place?

And I just heard "Lackawanna Blues" was nominated for an Emmy.

Yes it was. I'd like to send out congratulations to Ruben [Santiago-Hudson]. Ruben did such an amazing job in writing that. And it was directed by George Wolfe -- that was his first, his first-born child in the cinematic world.

You've been acting for more than a decade, and now you're suddenly all over the place. How does it feel, having waited for this moment for so long?

Well, it's funny, I don't get a chance to see it, like I missed "The Tonight Show." You get so tired, and you're just moving from place to place. But what is wonderful is that it's the reporters I'm taking to, more than anyone else, who are informing me that people are talking about me. And that's wonderful, that people are taking notice of you, like your life is significant and means something. Like you were supposed to be born, and that makes you feel wonderful, that you're supposed to be here.

You're filming two movies ("Animal" and "Get Rich or Die Tryin'"), and you're also in two that are about to be released --

Yes, I just finished "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" and I'm so happy. We worked so hard, and it was like being in Cirque du Soleil. You know, you're prepared to do the work required of you, but it's strenuous work, so you're hoping that you make it through another show, and that it will turn out beautiful and people will appreciate it, and that nobody slips and falls and breaks their neck. It's so nice to be relaxed again.

Are you relaxing now?

Yeah, I flew in last night, got in at 2 o'clock, just ordered some breakfast, woke up at 10. It's good. Played a little guitar, then just had a friend stop by and that was wonderful, and I'm just being refreshed, and I'm talking to you now!

I'm just curious how you fit all this into your day. You have two movies that are about to be released, and you are in three films that were just at Sundance. And you're flying all over the place, doing press for "Hustle & Flow." Have you discovered some hole in the space-time continuum that allows you to live 40-hour days, or what?

(laughs) No. I heard a poem a long time ago that said, "You've got to make the times your own, you've got to save the OK times for the times when things aren't so good, and enjoy the good times." So that's what I'm doing right now. There's a little bit of good time in everybody's day. How's your day?

It's going very well so far, thank you.

Yeah, I like the smile, I can hear it.

(short laugh)

But that laugh wasn't complete. C'mon, I can hear you smiling; it's a nice feeling. The smile is the gift that keeps on giving, right?

Right.

I know this might sound like a lot of game to you, but it's not! This is how everybody is supposed to talk to everyone, like friends, instead of as if we were strangers.

That's probably a good rule to live by.

Think about it.

OK, I will.

I can hear you smiling again.

(longer laugh)

Now that's a nice laugh. I like that one.

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