(mental note: must get back to blogging regularly!)
New video out soon too! Excited!!
Bambu "Crooks & Rooks" Teaser from Kid Heroes on Vimeo.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
yes it's been a while. but this, i must.
just taking a quick breather from the trabajo, to commemorate this day, 7 years ago, when i couldn't even speak as i watched what was happening on TV.
Let's Not Forget 9-11-No Really Let's Not Ever Forget
by Davey D
As we come upon the 7th anniversary of 9-11 I found myself wanting to run far, far away from all the media pageantry, celebration and fanfare. I don't wanna see another retrospective TV special designed to pull my heartstrings and yet not sooth my soul. It's apparent that the goal of these mass media outlets is to garner ratings and NOT use their vast resources to heal any of the people who were traumatized by that day's events.
I realize that so many of us have forgotten just how shook up we were on September 11th 2001. So many of us forgot how we initially thought up to 50 thousand people have died when those towers collapsed and for the most part the world came to a stand still on that sunny day in September. In many people's minds, what took place was beyond comprehensible. How could this happen? How could this happen on our soil? Those were the questions so many of us asked? I'm still not sure if they've been fully answered to this day.
I remember shortly after 9-11 it led to people going all out and showing compassion to one another as so many of us at least for a brief moment were reminded that no one is promised tomorrow and that it was important to take some time out, be patient and show kindness. For weeks and even months after the tragedy, you could still smell the smoke throughout New York and it wasn't unusual to see somebody just break down and start crying in the middle of the streets. People seemed to understand and would show love and concern.
I remember going down to Ground Zero for the first time in early November. It was at night and seemed so eerie. The pungent oder, the mammoth pieces of twisted metal, the emptiness of that area was something you could never forget. If you were from New York then you really felt it because the WTC was such a fixture not just to our skyline but also to what we many of us envisioned when you said New York.
September 11 was so traumatizing for folks, that I saw hardened thugs sharing kind words and hugging cops who lost many of their own that day.
Even with the ghost of an unarmed Amadou Diallo and 41 shots just two or three years behind them people still reached out and showed love. I saw American flags being waved from rooftops and windows from hood to the burbs and not because we all found some sort xenophobic American pride, but because that flag was the only thing we had that symbolized our collective desire to connect to one another.
I recall shortly after 9-11 the Hip Hop community coming out.
We had Dr Dre donating one million dollars to the victims relief fund.
He and Eminem were working on a song that brought heat to Osama Bin Laden. In fact I recall Dre being on Fox 5 in New York spitting some incendiary lyrics. The song never came out. I'm not quite sure why.
I recall the Hip Hop has a Heart program they had on Hot 97 where all sorts of artists from Wu-Tang on down gave lots of money.
I recall Wu-Tang donating money.
I recall Naughty By Nature doing a fundraiser for the families of slain firefighters at Roseland.
I recall Jay-Z wrapping himself up in the flag and taking a picture while MC Hammer did a song for the troops.
I recall Canibus demanding that he be drafted to go fight. he later went and volunteered. I recall cats wearing red, white and blue doo rags talking about they're thugging for America.
I also recall artists like Mr Lif, J-Live, Jahi and the Life and so many others who sparked off songs about 9-11.
I recall Jermaine Dupri and a number of other artists including Christina Aguliera, Questlove, the Backstreet Boys, Mary J, Blige, Bono, Destiny’s Child, Fred Durst, Eve, Nelly Furtado, Nona Gaye (Marvin’s daughter), Ja Rule, Wyclef Jean, Alicia Keys, Aaron Lewis (of Staind), Lil’ Kim, Jennifer Lopez, Nas, Nelly, NSYNC, P.
Diddy, Britney Spears and Gwen Stefani just to name a few, had did a remake of Marvin Gaye's classic jam song 'What's Going On?'. The song was intended to bring attention to Aids in Africa, and had just been completed a few days before 9-11.
Another verse was added and the song then went out to aid the families of the 9-11
The world poured its heart out to us 7 years ago because back then we realized that ALL of us died on 9-11. It wasn't just the crying suburban housewives wives who lost their husbands that day or chisel jawed all American fire fighters who lost their colleagues who are seemingly the only one's shown and whose stories are told on these manipulative TV networks.
I remember all those undocumented Mexican restaurant workers who perished that day and because they were using fake names their families never got benefits. I recall that there were a number of Muslims who perished but because it was Muslims who were the hijackers we somehow want to keep Muslims dehumanized so they can all be scapegoated.
There were single moms, brothers who were just barely making it, elderly Puerto Ricans, Asian folks, disabled, Native Americans, gays, straights and people from 59 different countries from Cuba to Canada to China and all around the world who all died in those towers and on those jets that crashed into the Pentagon and that field in Pennsylvania. My home boy's elderly Puerto Rican uncle perished that day, unfortunately his tale never makes the TV specials-probably because he didn't work at a fancy law firm nor fit the bill of the type of person who needs to be showcased to satisfy so called Middle American viewers.
Hell, let's be honest-seven years after 9-11, it has become a mass media event designed to satisfy the misguided whims of soccer now turned 'hockey' moms who want us all wearing flag pins. Healing and coming to terms with those real life losses isn't really on the table. Ground Zero is not grave site, which interestingly enough is built upon a slave grave site, but instead its now become a mandated political pit stop for high profile politicians seeking to show the world just how 'American' they are.
Today as we commemorate the 7th anniversary, senators Barack Obama and John McCain will show up to Ground Zero this afternoon and try to look presidential. They're gonna stand there and look all somber and try to show concern when really their visit is just one big photo op.
They say they are putting all politics aside for today, but their visit is nothing but political. Sure they may not snipe at one another, but they are only there to woo the people.
I have to raise the question were any of those men out and about touching lives before today's 9-11 event? Did they show up in years past to this grave site to show their compassion? Have they ever called any of the families outside of today's festivities just to offer a soothing word, a helping hand or to simply say that their concern goes beyond politics or is their appearance designed to satisfy people who weren't really victims but somehow wanna 'own and redefine 9-11?
I guess the word is out that if you play your cards right an appearance at Ground Zero can do wonders for your political career.
Just ask George Bush and former NY Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
I'm still wondering how a day that was so tragic for so many got pimped to the point that an unpopular president who still had people salty at him for stealing an election just 9 months earlier and an even more unpopular mayor who was on his way to his political grave, managed to become the sole faces of it.
When 9-11 comes around I never ever forget how those two uncaring men came around and used their position and influence for political and material gain. The former New York mayor has a popular international consulting firm where he shows other countries like El Salvador the types of steps they need to take to fight terrorism.
In the case of George Bush can we say Iraq? 9-11 was his long awaited excuse to go wage war in the middle east. No matter what the so called media pundits and experts espouse, I am convinced that man at the very least, had prior knowledge.
Like Jadakiss said in his song 'Bush knocked down the towers'.
Am I the only one who recalls then San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown stating during an interview that he had been warned not to fly that day?
Bay Area artists Paris who was among the first to do a song calling out the Bush and his Neo-Con friends within PNAC (Project for the New American Century) for the role they played in 9-11.
He painstakingly noted in his landmark song 'What Would You Do?', how Bush and company were hoping for a Pearl Harbor-like event and used 9-11 to carry out their game plan to exude global military influence around the world. The War in Iraq was first on the list.
We need to remember that when we think of 9-11.
We need to never forget how Bush and his cronies played upon everyone's emotions shortly after 9-11 and took people's desire to connect and our collective anxiousness and flipped it into a political witch hunt. I remember vividly how everyone's patriotism was suddenly called into question especially if you were in media, an artists, a professor or speaking from the pulpit. If you raised questioned there were political attack dogs on you..
If you was in media and you spoke out calls were made and pressure was put on those who owned those outlets to either silence you or let you go.
I know I fell victim to it at Clear Channel, Comedian Bill Maher fell victim to it with his show Politically Incorrect on ABC.
Professor Ward Churchill was fired from his post in Denver just last year because of his remarks around 9-11.
San Francisco Pastor and former SF Supervisor Amos Brown caught all kinds of hell when he dared raise the question 'What did we (America) do that 9-11 happened'?
He and other pastors including senator Barack Obamas' former pastor Jeremiah Wright as recently as April of this year caught hell for speaking out and raising questions about 9-11.
There were two newspaper columnist who were hounded out of their jobs by right wing Bushites when they wrote unfavorable columns.
Hell I even recall the host of Rap City getting mad at Chuck D for raising questions about 9-11. The list is along one for people who caught hell.
We should never forget the viciousness that was directed at Oakland Congresswoman Barbara Lee who days after 9-11 was the only one with enough sense and courage to say 'No' to George Bush when he asked for a what amounted to a blank check to fight the this new War on Terror.
I remember how Boots and the Coup came underfire because their album cover which was released 6 months prior to 9-11 showed the World Trade being blown up.
The pressure to conform and heed Bush's assertion 'either your for us or against us' was hard for many especially those who talked to the masses to stand up to.
I remember attending a rally in Snow Park in Oakland the day after 9-11.
It was put on by the folks from Lets Get Free which was designed to call attention to all the Muslims and Arab brothers and sisters who were suddenly catching hell because of the tragedy.
I remember one of the organizer Jamani raising questions about our foreign policy decisions and whether or not it led to the attacks. I remember the issue was raised about our refusal to attend the racism summit in Durbon South Africa which was just days before the 9-11 tragedy and how that came across as us being arrogant.
I recall Michael Franti and the late poet June Jordan doing heartfelt poems and songs that called upon us to keep our humanity in check. Even though 9-11 had just happened, Franti noted how he could feel the pressure to really morph this into something that would have long term political implications. As for Jordan, it was sadly the last time I would see or hear her do a piece. She died a few months later.
There are lots of things to remember about 9-11. There were a lot of people who needlessly suffered that day. There was alot of political manipulation that took place in the aftermath. There are those who have done their best to make us forget what this day is really about.
By smiling and repeating a lie over and over and over again until it becomes truth, 9-11 went from being a day in which were humbled and came back showing a bit more concern and passion to being a propaganda piece and rallying tool for war mongers. There were lives lost that day, lets not lose sight of that. Lets make sure those who suffered are healed.
by Davey D
As we come upon the 7th anniversary of 9-11 I found myself wanting to run far, far away from all the media pageantry, celebration and fanfare. I don't wanna see another retrospective TV special designed to pull my heartstrings and yet not sooth my soul. It's apparent that the goal of these mass media outlets is to garner ratings and NOT use their vast resources to heal any of the people who were traumatized by that day's events.I realize that so many of us have forgotten just how shook up we were on September 11th 2001. So many of us forgot how we initially thought up to 50 thousand people have died when those towers collapsed and for the most part the world came to a stand still on that sunny day in September. In many people's minds, what took place was beyond comprehensible. How could this happen? How could this happen on our soil? Those were the questions so many of us asked? I'm still not sure if they've been fully answered to this day.
I remember shortly after 9-11 it led to people going all out and showing compassion to one another as so many of us at least for a brief moment were reminded that no one is promised tomorrow and that it was important to take some time out, be patient and show kindness. For weeks and even months after the tragedy, you could still smell the smoke throughout New York and it wasn't unusual to see somebody just break down and start crying in the middle of the streets. People seemed to understand and would show love and concern.
I remember going down to Ground Zero for the first time in early November. It was at night and seemed so eerie. The pungent oder, the mammoth pieces of twisted metal, the emptiness of that area was something you could never forget. If you were from New York then you really felt it because the WTC was such a fixture not just to our skyline but also to what we many of us envisioned when you said New York.September 11 was so traumatizing for folks, that I saw hardened thugs sharing kind words and hugging cops who lost many of their own that day.
Even with the ghost of an unarmed Amadou Diallo and 41 shots just two or three years behind them people still reached out and showed love. I saw American flags being waved from rooftops and windows from hood to the burbs and not because we all found some sort xenophobic American pride, but because that flag was the only thing we had that symbolized our collective desire to connect to one another.
I recall shortly after 9-11 the Hip Hop community coming out.
We had Dr Dre donating one million dollars to the victims relief fund.
He and Eminem were working on a song that brought heat to Osama Bin Laden. In fact I recall Dre being on Fox 5 in New York spitting some incendiary lyrics. The song never came out. I'm not quite sure why.
I recall the Hip Hop has a Heart program they had on Hot 97 where all sorts of artists from Wu-Tang on down gave lots of money.
I recall Wu-Tang donating money.
I recall Naughty By Nature doing a fundraiser for the families of slain firefighters at Roseland.
I recall Jay-Z wrapping himself up in the flag and taking a picture while MC Hammer did a song for the troops.
I recall Canibus demanding that he be drafted to go fight. he later went and volunteered. I recall cats wearing red, white and blue doo rags talking about they're thugging for America.
I also recall artists like Mr Lif, J-Live, Jahi and the Life and so many others who sparked off songs about 9-11.
I recall Jermaine Dupri and a number of other artists including Christina Aguliera, Questlove, the Backstreet Boys, Mary J, Blige, Bono, Destiny’s Child, Fred Durst, Eve, Nelly Furtado, Nona Gaye (Marvin’s daughter), Ja Rule, Wyclef Jean, Alicia Keys, Aaron Lewis (of Staind), Lil’ Kim, Jennifer Lopez, Nas, Nelly, NSYNC, P.
Diddy, Britney Spears and Gwen Stefani just to name a few, had did a remake of Marvin Gaye's classic jam song 'What's Going On?'. The song was intended to bring attention to Aids in Africa, and had just been completed a few days before 9-11.
Another verse was added and the song then went out to aid the families of the 9-11
The world poured its heart out to us 7 years ago because back then we realized that ALL of us died on 9-11. It wasn't just the crying suburban housewives wives who lost their husbands that day or chisel jawed all American fire fighters who lost their colleagues who are seemingly the only one's shown and whose stories are told on these manipulative TV networks.
I remember all those undocumented Mexican restaurant workers who perished that day and because they were using fake names their families never got benefits. I recall that there were a number of Muslims who perished but because it was Muslims who were the hijackers we somehow want to keep Muslims dehumanized so they can all be scapegoated.
There were single moms, brothers who were just barely making it, elderly Puerto Ricans, Asian folks, disabled, Native Americans, gays, straights and people from 59 different countries from Cuba to Canada to China and all around the world who all died in those towers and on those jets that crashed into the Pentagon and that field in Pennsylvania. My home boy's elderly Puerto Rican uncle perished that day, unfortunately his tale never makes the TV specials-probably because he didn't work at a fancy law firm nor fit the bill of the type of person who needs to be showcased to satisfy so called Middle American viewers.
Hell, let's be honest-seven years after 9-11, it has become a mass media event designed to satisfy the misguided whims of soccer now turned 'hockey' moms who want us all wearing flag pins. Healing and coming to terms with those real life losses isn't really on the table. Ground Zero is not grave site, which interestingly enough is built upon a slave grave site, but instead its now become a mandated political pit stop for high profile politicians seeking to show the world just how 'American' they are.
Today as we commemorate the 7th anniversary, senators Barack Obama and John McCain will show up to Ground Zero this afternoon and try to look presidential. They're gonna stand there and look all somber and try to show concern when really their visit is just one big photo op.They say they are putting all politics aside for today, but their visit is nothing but political. Sure they may not snipe at one another, but they are only there to woo the people.
I have to raise the question were any of those men out and about touching lives before today's 9-11 event? Did they show up in years past to this grave site to show their compassion? Have they ever called any of the families outside of today's festivities just to offer a soothing word, a helping hand or to simply say that their concern goes beyond politics or is their appearance designed to satisfy people who weren't really victims but somehow wanna 'own and redefine 9-11?
I guess the word is out that if you play your cards right an appearance at Ground Zero can do wonders for your political career.Just ask George Bush and former NY Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
I'm still wondering how a day that was so tragic for so many got pimped to the point that an unpopular president who still had people salty at him for stealing an election just 9 months earlier and an even more unpopular mayor who was on his way to his political grave, managed to become the sole faces of it.
When 9-11 comes around I never ever forget how those two uncaring men came around and used their position and influence for political and material gain. The former New York mayor has a popular international consulting firm where he shows other countries like El Salvador the types of steps they need to take to fight terrorism.
In the case of George Bush can we say Iraq? 9-11 was his long awaited excuse to go wage war in the middle east. No matter what the so called media pundits and experts espouse, I am convinced that man at the very least, had prior knowledge.
Like Jadakiss said in his song 'Bush knocked down the towers'.
Am I the only one who recalls then San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown stating during an interview that he had been warned not to fly that day?
Bay Area artists Paris who was among the first to do a song calling out the Bush and his Neo-Con friends within PNAC (Project for the New American Century) for the role they played in 9-11.He painstakingly noted in his landmark song 'What Would You Do?', how Bush and company were hoping for a Pearl Harbor-like event and used 9-11 to carry out their game plan to exude global military influence around the world. The War in Iraq was first on the list.
We need to remember that when we think of 9-11.
We need to never forget how Bush and his cronies played upon everyone's emotions shortly after 9-11 and took people's desire to connect and our collective anxiousness and flipped it into a political witch hunt. I remember vividly how everyone's patriotism was suddenly called into question especially if you were in media, an artists, a professor or speaking from the pulpit. If you raised questioned there were political attack dogs on you..
If you was in media and you spoke out calls were made and pressure was put on those who owned those outlets to either silence you or let you go.
I know I fell victim to it at Clear Channel, Comedian Bill Maher fell victim to it with his show Politically Incorrect on ABC.
Professor Ward Churchill was fired from his post in Denver just last year because of his remarks around 9-11.
San Francisco Pastor and former SF Supervisor Amos Brown caught all kinds of hell when he dared raise the question 'What did we (America) do that 9-11 happened'?
He and other pastors including senator Barack Obamas' former pastor Jeremiah Wright as recently as April of this year caught hell for speaking out and raising questions about 9-11.
There were two newspaper columnist who were hounded out of their jobs by right wing Bushites when they wrote unfavorable columns.
Hell I even recall the host of Rap City getting mad at Chuck D for raising questions about 9-11. The list is along one for people who caught hell.
We should never forget the viciousness that was directed at Oakland Congresswoman Barbara Lee who days after 9-11 was the only one with enough sense and courage to say 'No' to George Bush when he asked for a what amounted to a blank check to fight the this new War on Terror.I remember how Boots and the Coup came underfire because their album cover which was released 6 months prior to 9-11 showed the World Trade being blown up.
The pressure to conform and heed Bush's assertion 'either your for us or against us' was hard for many especially those who talked to the masses to stand up to.
I remember attending a rally in Snow Park in Oakland the day after 9-11.
It was put on by the folks from Lets Get Free which was designed to call attention to all the Muslims and Arab brothers and sisters who were suddenly catching hell because of the tragedy.
I remember one of the organizer Jamani raising questions about our foreign policy decisions and whether or not it led to the attacks. I remember the issue was raised about our refusal to attend the racism summit in Durbon South Africa which was just days before the 9-11 tragedy and how that came across as us being arrogant.
I recall Michael Franti and the late poet June Jordan doing heartfelt poems and songs that called upon us to keep our humanity in check. Even though 9-11 had just happened, Franti noted how he could feel the pressure to really morph this into something that would have long term political implications. As for Jordan, it was sadly the last time I would see or hear her do a piece. She died a few months later.There are lots of things to remember about 9-11. There were a lot of people who needlessly suffered that day. There was alot of political manipulation that took place in the aftermath. There are those who have done their best to make us forget what this day is really about.
By smiling and repeating a lie over and over and over again until it becomes truth, 9-11 went from being a day in which were humbled and came back showing a bit more concern and passion to being a propaganda piece and rallying tool for war mongers. There were lives lost that day, lets not lose sight of that. Lets make sure those who suffered are healed.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
A. D. T.
ADT stands for "Advanced Diva Training," which the homegirls and me attended Saturday night at the Hollywood Bowl, conducted by Ms. Diva Supreme, Diana Ross. It was a fun night of music, memories and laughter.
First off, I've got to say that shows at the Bowl are one of the true "LA Experiences." Earlier this year I caught Jigga and Mary J, as well as the Playboy Jazz Festival, which closed out with Herbie Hancock. Fabulous. Folks skew a little bougie, but there is a spectrum of folks that come out, bringing their wine, gourmet Trader Joe's or Whole Foods picnic fare... some even try to get romantic with it by laying a blanket out on the concrete with a battery operated candle stick. uh, yeah we were like, umm.... ok... i THINK that's cute....
The girls and I were checking out the latest in picnic basket and portable cooler styles, particularly impressed by the slim cooler:
Easy to carry, and fits easily under one's seat. I am however still trying to get my brother to get me this, from his work:
...because a diva should be efficient and stylish in her picnic gear - NOT carrying around beat up plastic bags, or heavy-ass coolers that take forever to put on the ramp and annoying everyone trying to get up to their seats. And then where are you going to put it when you sit down? Block the aisle? In large venues, be respectful of shared space. It's a pet peeve of mine when people don't get that.
Anyways, I digress. On with the program.
Let's start off on a quick definition of a "diva." We can go on forever discussing this topic, but we won't, because this time around it's not that serious. Like I said, the girls and I had fun last night!
The word "diva" is derived from the Italian "dea," or "goddess." It is also the term used for female opera singers, and over time has come to describe women of strong presence. Whether it be sexuality, sensuality, speaking her mind or breaking social mores, there are both negative and positive connotations to what "strong presence" may convey. In present society and culture, by merely having a strong presence, women go against the role that this male-dominated society attempts to chain us with - subservience, meekness, demonization even...
In books and articles I've read, back in ancient times, women were honored and revered, as the bearers of life, as intellectuals, as leaders. I wonder where those times have gone, though I can't wonder too much or else I get left behind, buried... constantly feeling like I have to prove myself to get the respect that men automatically get. And then, add on to that, being a woman of color? ...ok. I'll save that for another post.
Diva. Some women shirk from the thought of being called one, because of those stereotypical negative connotations - obnoxious, entitled, bitchy, bossy... it can make life more difficult to get through as a woman. But hey, guys are like that all the time!
For me, those icons referred to as divas, usually fascinate me. Sometimes I feel sad because they seem like they are just a slave to their own fabricated image. However, many of them have taken charge of their image, not caring what other think, have built their own enterprises, and don't depend on a man to take care of them. Complex as it is, there is a sense of empowerment there.
So let's take, case and point, self-professed diva, Diana Ross.
"It takes a long time to get to be a diva. I mean, you gotta work at it." -Diana Ross
Some notable "diva" moves - One of the top singers of all time, she has 18 #1 songs (tied with the Beatles), led the legendary Supremes and has garnered numerous awards; did not show up to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction for the Supremes; went on a short-lived Supremes reunion tour without the original members.
So, we got the chance to enjoy an evening with the diva herself. An evening of lightheated, unbridled diva fun. Some notes we took from Lady Supreme:
Diva Lesson #1: RED is the diva color.
So Gerlie, Anna and I tried to guess what color dress she will come out with. Gerlie said yellow and orange, I said black, and Anna said purple and gold (go Lakers!). We unanimously agreed that she will have a minimum of three wardrobe changes. We were all wrong.
I think we all secretly wanted to guess red, but that would be too predictable. But hey, I guess there is no way around it. Come out big and bold. Opening song? You guessed it. "I'm Coming Out"
Also to note in the photo above - we termed this pose, "Diva Pose #1" - arms outstretched as if she is embracing her audience. Also a little... messianic. That part's kinds weird.
Diva Lesson #2: Let the people know why you are the Diva that you are.
All divas have their claim to fame. For Ms Ross, it's her string of hit songs that you don't even realize you know the lyrics to. She rolled them out - Baby Love, Where Did Our Love Go, You Can't Hurry Love, and of course...
....yes indeed! She continued on with Love Hangover, Do You Know Where You're Going To, Endless Love solo - she did both parts of the duet. This song brings back memories of me and my mom singing it together when I was like six years old. She ended the night with the original independent women's anthem, "I Will Survive."
Diva Lesson #3: You don't have to do an encore if you don't want to.
Maybe it was the Bowl's rule that she end at the time, but even with a standing ovation and cheers from the crowd, she called it a night after the last song. But hey that's cool. Rather that then her singing some "song from her new album." Let's face it, it's about her past work, not her latest album.
Diva Lesson #4: Bell sleeves rock!
(wardrobe change #2)
I couldn't find a photo of her doing diva pose #1 with the bell sleeves, but it just looked hot. Classic, majestic even.
Diva Pose #2:
(wardrobe change #3)
ok so it's more like DP #1.5, but it's about shoulders back, chest out, and one leg in front of the other, for the mermaid effect
diva pose #3: play with your hair a little bit
diva pose #4, the finale: diva pose #1 with a kiss and wave
(final wardrobe change)
Indeed a fun time. (read: don't take this too seriously. Sequins and tulle are NOT my thing) G, Anna, Evie and Daisy - thank you for the food, spirits and laughter!
First off, I've got to say that shows at the Bowl are one of the true "LA Experiences." Earlier this year I caught Jigga and Mary J, as well as the Playboy Jazz Festival, which closed out with Herbie Hancock. Fabulous. Folks skew a little bougie, but there is a spectrum of folks that come out, bringing their wine, gourmet Trader Joe's or Whole Foods picnic fare... some even try to get romantic with it by laying a blanket out on the concrete with a battery operated candle stick. uh, yeah we were like, umm.... ok... i THINK that's cute....
The girls and I were checking out the latest in picnic basket and portable cooler styles, particularly impressed by the slim cooler:
...because a diva should be efficient and stylish in her picnic gear - NOT carrying around beat up plastic bags, or heavy-ass coolers that take forever to put on the ramp and annoying everyone trying to get up to their seats. And then where are you going to put it when you sit down? Block the aisle? In large venues, be respectful of shared space. It's a pet peeve of mine when people don't get that.
Anyways, I digress. On with the program.
Let's start off on a quick definition of a "diva." We can go on forever discussing this topic, but we won't, because this time around it's not that serious. Like I said, the girls and I had fun last night!
The word "diva" is derived from the Italian "dea," or "goddess." It is also the term used for female opera singers, and over time has come to describe women of strong presence. Whether it be sexuality, sensuality, speaking her mind or breaking social mores, there are both negative and positive connotations to what "strong presence" may convey. In present society and culture, by merely having a strong presence, women go against the role that this male-dominated society attempts to chain us with - subservience, meekness, demonization even...
In books and articles I've read, back in ancient times, women were honored and revered, as the bearers of life, as intellectuals, as leaders. I wonder where those times have gone, though I can't wonder too much or else I get left behind, buried... constantly feeling like I have to prove myself to get the respect that men automatically get. And then, add on to that, being a woman of color? ...ok. I'll save that for another post.
Diva. Some women shirk from the thought of being called one, because of those stereotypical negative connotations - obnoxious, entitled, bitchy, bossy... it can make life more difficult to get through as a woman. But hey, guys are like that all the time!
For me, those icons referred to as divas, usually fascinate me. Sometimes I feel sad because they seem like they are just a slave to their own fabricated image. However, many of them have taken charge of their image, not caring what other think, have built their own enterprises, and don't depend on a man to take care of them. Complex as it is, there is a sense of empowerment there.
So let's take, case and point, self-professed diva, Diana Ross.
"It takes a long time to get to be a diva. I mean, you gotta work at it." -Diana Ross
Some notable "diva" moves - One of the top singers of all time, she has 18 #1 songs (tied with the Beatles), led the legendary Supremes and has garnered numerous awards; did not show up to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction for the Supremes; went on a short-lived Supremes reunion tour without the original members.
So, we got the chance to enjoy an evening with the diva herself. An evening of lightheated, unbridled diva fun. Some notes we took from Lady Supreme:
Diva Lesson #1: RED is the diva color.
So Gerlie, Anna and I tried to guess what color dress she will come out with. Gerlie said yellow and orange, I said black, and Anna said purple and gold (go Lakers!). We unanimously agreed that she will have a minimum of three wardrobe changes. We were all wrong.
I think we all secretly wanted to guess red, but that would be too predictable. But hey, I guess there is no way around it. Come out big and bold. Opening song? You guessed it. "I'm Coming Out"Also to note in the photo above - we termed this pose, "Diva Pose #1" - arms outstretched as if she is embracing her audience. Also a little... messianic. That part's kinds weird.
Diva Lesson #2: Let the people know why you are the Diva that you are.
All divas have their claim to fame. For Ms Ross, it's her string of hit songs that you don't even realize you know the lyrics to. She rolled them out - Baby Love, Where Did Our Love Go, You Can't Hurry Love, and of course...
....yes indeed! She continued on with Love Hangover, Do You Know Where You're Going To, Endless Love solo - she did both parts of the duet. This song brings back memories of me and my mom singing it together when I was like six years old. She ended the night with the original independent women's anthem, "I Will Survive."Diva Lesson #3: You don't have to do an encore if you don't want to.
Maybe it was the Bowl's rule that she end at the time, but even with a standing ovation and cheers from the crowd, she called it a night after the last song. But hey that's cool. Rather that then her singing some "song from her new album." Let's face it, it's about her past work, not her latest album.
Diva Lesson #4: Bell sleeves rock!
(wardrobe change #2)
I couldn't find a photo of her doing diva pose #1 with the bell sleeves, but it just looked hot. Classic, majestic even.
Diva Pose #2:
(wardrobe change #3)ok so it's more like DP #1.5, but it's about shoulders back, chest out, and one leg in front of the other, for the mermaid effect
diva pose #3: play with your hair a little bit
diva pose #4, the finale: diva pose #1 with a kiss and wave
(final wardrobe change)Indeed a fun time. (read: don't take this too seriously. Sequins and tulle are NOT my thing) G, Anna, Evie and Daisy - thank you for the food, spirits and laughter!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Funny How Time Flies...
...when you're working!
I'm suuuper excited about my two labors of love. Here is a photo that captures them together:
(photo credit: Ernie Pena)
September is going to fun!!! Just letting y'all know ahead of time... =)
SAVE THE DATES!
SEPTEMBER 6-7, 2008 - the 17th Annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture - Pt. Fermin Park, CA
SEPTEMBER 2008 - EXACT CHANGE - BAMBU'S THIRD SOLO ALBUM and West Coast Tour
Will have more details as they come along! and TELL YOUR FRIENDS!
I'm suuuper excited about my two labors of love. Here is a photo that captures them together:
(photo credit: Ernie Pena)September is going to fun!!! Just letting y'all know ahead of time... =)
SAVE THE DATES!
SEPTEMBER 6-7, 2008 - the 17th Annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture - Pt. Fermin Park, CA
SEPTEMBER 2008 - EXACT CHANGE - BAMBU'S THIRD SOLO ALBUM and West Coast Tour
Will have more details as they come along! and TELL YOUR FRIENDS!
Monday, May 26, 2008
it's not all bad. just be careful.
Mercury retrograde
May 26 - June 19, 2008
Here we go again... Mercury goes retrograde once again. It happens 3 times a year and it lasts for about 3 weeks. This time is from May 27 to June 19, 2008. Then from September 24 to October 15, 2008 and then from January 11, 2009 to February 1, 2009.
This is an important period, and we should be aware of the effects associated with this astrological influence. Since it is so often, we must learn what it means and how to take advantage of it.
Astronomical background
There is no real backwards movement of Mercury; it's just that we see it this way from Earth, because of the combined movement of the Earth and Mercury around the Sun. However, astrologically this is very relevant.
General influence of Mercury retrograde
Mercury rules over the mind's processes, studying, communication, businesses, travels and the like. When Mercury reverses its direction, all these areas are affected as well.
The mind turns naturally inwards and people tend to analyze more the own thoughts and follow the common thinking patterns, rather then be curious and eager of new intellectual experiences or challenges. This helps the meditation or the thorough lonely long-term study of a specific matter, but it affects the study of new subjects, the communication with the others, the attention oriented outwards.
Businesses, travels and communications tend to experience delays and different problems. Computers and other processes that work with information may experience crashes, unexpected failures.
Don't enroll to courses, don't buy expensive Mercurian items (books, cars, mobile phones etc.), don't sign important contracts and do not marry.
What is this Mercury retrograde period good for?
It is definitely a very good period for some actions. No time is completely bad for anything, there is a reason in everything happens.
The key is the reversed direction of movement: take any known Mercurian action, reverse its flow, consider the keywords "re-doing something", "double-checking", "finish the old projects" and there you are, you've found the good side of Mercury retrograde.
For instance, you may want to read again a book you particularly liked, a subject you studied before, meet and discuss with old friends you haven't met for a long time, travel to places you've already been to before.
This is an excellent time to work on old projects that never got to be finished. So, think about the things you started and never finalized.
Next, you might wish to prevent any bad things to happen to you: so double-check your agenda, call your business partners to confirm that everything goes as planned, have everything ready before the deadline and leave some extra time for unexpected events. Make copies of your important files and documents, save your work more often.
The other solution is to go on vacation or at least slow down the pace of your projects. You will find that going slowly during the Mercury retrograde period will spare you many efforts of redoing the same action that wasn't performed right the first time.
Above all, be generous and compassionate: you are already aware about the influence of this period, but the others aren't aware of it or there may be uncontrollable events. That's why you should have more diligence with the others and give them some more time. It'll be your mental health that you'll be sparing actually.
- astrologyweekly.comFriday, May 9, 2008
Move & Shake It, Girl!
...with her SMARTS and HARD WORK, that is! =)
One of my good friends and colleagues, Rona Mercado, was just featured on sohh.com.
Entertainment can be a sharky biz. So stand-up folks like Ro are true gems. Constantly on-the-grind as well as spiritually grounded, she ROCKS!
One of my good friends and colleagues, Rona Mercado, was just featured on sohh.com.
click on pic to read
Entertainment can be a sharky biz. So stand-up folks like Ro are true gems. Constantly on-the-grind as well as spiritually grounded, she ROCKS!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Happy Hump Day
May 7, 2008
Fulfilling Energetic Investments
Focusing Our Energy
Fulfilling Energetic Investments
Focusing Our Energy
As modern life makes a wealth of information and opportunities available to us, we may find ourselves torn between a wide variety of interests and projects. Our excitement may entice us to try all of them at once, but doing so only diffuses our energy, leaving us unable to fully experience any of them. Like an electrical socket with too many things plugged into it, we may be in danger of overheating and burning out. But if we can choose one thing at a time to focus all of our attention upon, we can make the most of our life-force energy, engaging ourselves fully in the moment so that it can nurture us in return.
Our attention can be pulled in many directions, not only in our own lives, but by advertising, media, and the hustle and bustle of our surroundings. But when we take the time to listen to our inner guidance and focus our thoughts on the goals that resonate the most strongly within us, the rest of the world will fade away. This may mean focusing the spotlight of our attention upon developing one aspect of our work, one course of study, or one hobby to pursue in our free time, but it doesn’t mean that we have to stay focused on only one thing forever. We may never know which of our interests is best suited to our abilities and heart’s desires unless we give it a proper chance. By being fully present with all that we are and all that we have, we can experience each choice fully and make the most fulfilling choices for our energetic investments.
Because we are multi-faceted beings, we are perpetually involved in many aspects of life in every moment. Our work in the world is necessary to attend to our physical needs, and our relationships are important for our emotional needs, but when we engage our spirit as well, we can choose the area that will nurture body, mind and soul. Staying focused in each moment allows us move with the rhythmic flow of the universe and harmonize all aspects of our being into balanced whole.
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