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Archive for the ‘Me’ Category

Artist Spotlight: Black Americana on Indiegogo and in Vogue Italia

In Artist Spotlight, Me, You on November 9, 2011 at 11:42 am

I guess I will post more than once today, but only because I came across this awesome photo-essay! The project, Black Americana, is a collaboration between Creative Producer, Brandon Littlejohn and Photographer, Rod Gailes OBC. The above photo and those on their site are the first installment of what will be a four-part series. The first part has been featured in Vogue Italia, accompanied by an interview with the artists. Littlejohn and Galies have created an IndieGoGo page to help them complete the series! If you’re moved to donate, I’m sure it’s welcome.

I hope everyone is enjoying their Wednesday!

~Thankful

The Good with the Bad

In Me, You on October 17, 2011 at 12:55 pm

Saturday morning I woke up to my friend Rosa saying, “I have some not so good news. Someone broke in your car.” My first thought was, “Seriously? What could they possibly want in there?” My second thought was, “Oh crap (well, maybe it was another word). My computer.” I’d like to think that I’m a bright person. However, I can’t deny that I did something extremely stupid; I left my laptop under the seat in my car! Needless to say the jerks stole my laptop but curiously enough they left the $6 that was just sitting on my seat in plain view. Strange. So, $250 +tax later, I will be able to roll up the window on my car again.

                                                     

That unfortunate event would have taken over my weekend if it wasn’t for the good things that followed. So now for the good stuff!

I went to a great dinner at Picca a Peruvian restaurant on Pico. Picca serves tapas style dishes that are a sort of Peruvian and Japanese fusion. We tried a few small plates including, conches a la parmesan, choritos, cheviche crocante and arroz con erizo. This was hands down one of the best meals I’ve ever had! Here are some pictures, mmmm…


Also, some friends and I ventured to the most magical place on earth, Disneyland! This was the first time I’d been in 12 years and to be honest, I was scared. I’m not much for roller coasters and for some reason I remembered Splash Mountain as having a giant 300 foot drop. So, when my friends got excited about the ride I was totally freaked out! As it turned out, Splash Mountain was all good and the drop was more like 50ft. The last time I went in the Haunted Mansion I was 8 in Disney Paris. I got on the ride with my brother and half way through I looked over and his face had been replaced with a hologram. Of course, at the time, I didn’t know it was a hologram. I truly believed that my brother was gone and a skeleton had taken his place. Needless to say I vowed never to go in The Haunted Mansion again. Well much like Splash Mountain… things are a lot less scary 12-17 years later. Disneyland was so much fun!

To top everything off, my friend Francesca finished her first marathon on Sunday! She completed the Nike Women’s Marathon in 4:07 and that’s even with walking mile 22-23. She is amazing and is today’s Daily Inspiration.

Despite the fact I was totally thrown off and irritated by the burglary of my computer and vandalism of my car, some good things did happen this weekend. And since I can’t go back and knock out the person who broke in my car, I’ll just focus on the other things and give thanks to the fact that I’ll have  new window in a few hours.

Happy Monday everyone! I hope this is the beginning to a great week.

~Thankful

A Little Daily (Musical) Inspiration: Ryan McDermott

In Me, You on September 27, 2011 at 7:50 am

The other day I was hanging out with some friends and we decided to make a rap. One friend beat boxed while the rest of us each dropped a verse (it’s dropped right?). I even threw in a hook I made up… lucky for you guys, we recorded it! So maybe one day I will put it up… Until then, here is a little daily inspiration for you.

By now you know that I love people pursuing their passions whether that be as an artist, a teacher, a scientist, a father… whatever! As long as they love it. A friend of mine, Ryan Mcdermott, has been following his passion for music for quite some time now. He’s just recently released an amazing single, “If You Wanna Fall,” and completed the music video! I gave him my “expert” musical opinion on the piece and said, “Yep, I would definitely blast this while I drive.”

Ryan isn’t recording in a fancy studio, or backed by some huge record label (yet), he’s doing this all on his own. He’s producing great music because he’s passionate about his craft.

Luckily, Ryan was gracious enough to answer a few questions and share his new video! Check them both out below!


What artists inspire you?

The artists who speak what they dream at night.

If you could perform with one artist who would it be?

Salvador Dali

When did you know you wanted to perform?

I don’t remember a time without it. 

If you had one piece of advice for someone interested in singing, what would it be?

Everybody feels things in a particular way. Can you express what you feel in a way that’s universally felt?

If you couldn’t sing, what would you do?

I would create or innovate through whatever skill or opportunity was available to me. When I was a kid I would draw up plans for amusement parks and build little rides in my backyard.

Quick, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind?

Cauliflower

Describe your perfect day…

Sun, good music, laughter, honesty, realness.

What are you thankful for?
God, the center that makes all things of value.

If you’re interested in downloading his single click HERE. Check out his website HERE and follow him on Twitter @RyanMcDMusic for updates on his upcoming mix release.

Thanks for sharing your work with us!

~Thankful


Everyone Needs One

In Me, You on September 16, 2011 at 11:53 pm

Need a Job?

Who doesn’t? As a recent graduate, I’ve been interviewing. I haven’t found the right fit yet but thankfully I’m young and there are many options available to me. This afternoon I was driving down Santa Monica Boulevard and ran into Mr. Michael A. Bender (pictured above). After reading his sign, I decided that I needed to hear a little bit more about his life.

Michael started two of his own businesses and ultimately managed his own apartment buildings. In the peak of his career he employed 93 people. Despite his entrepreneurial efforts, he was not immune to these tough economic times. After 40 years of success Michael found himself out of business and without work. Now, at the age of 71, he’s taken to the streets with a sign and copies of his resume in his pocket, ready for anyone who’s willing to take a look and a chance on someone with so much experience.

If anyone out there has any suggestions for Michael, be they big or small, please email  thankfulforamillion@gmail.com.

Give before you ask. Thankful~

Now back to my own hunt (:

Wonderful Snapshots

In Me on September 16, 2011 at 7:55 pm

My cousin, Chinue, recently returned from South Africa. She’d been before, but this was her first trip back in 10 years. Given her enthusiasm for the country, I’m convinced she secretly wants to live there (or at least have a vacation spot). While pictures from her trip included the obligatory sunrise-on-the-beach shots they also included the above. This is a picture Chinue took while visiting Mandela’s home. The plaque features an excerpt from a letter Mandela sent to his wife while he was in prison:

“In judging our progress as individuals, we tend to concentrate on external factors such as one’s social position, influence and popularity, wealth and standard of education… but internal factors may be even more crucial in assessing one’s development as a human being: humility, purity, generosity, absence of vanity, readiness to serve your fellow men — qualities within the reach of every human soul.”

It seems easy enough to lose track of what Mandela calls “internal factors” in pursuit of certain “external factors.” Mandela’s words serve as a wonderful reminder to maintain balance, and never forget what’s truly important as we each continue along our path to creating our best selves and best lives.

Thankful~

Past Contributions

In Me, You on September 7, 2011 at 6:35 pm

Read the rest of this entry »

Welcome and Relocation!

In Me on September 7, 2011 at 11:10 am

Wow! It’s been 3 years and a lot has changed. I wouldn’t say that I’m a different woman now, but I can say that I’ve matured. In the last 1,095 days I’ve: completed my undergraduate degree, received my masters, moved to Los Angeles, lost a parent, failed and succeeded at things I love, broken-up, made-up, made new friends and taken chances. One of the most important things I’ve done is identify the key elements in my journey: Family, Faith, Love and Life. As I’ve gotten older, my priorities have become much clearer. Family is and will always be super important. As far as faith is concerned, I’m not necessarily referring to religion. While it could be religion or spirituality or ideals, I’ve found that it’s helpful to have a set of values that serve as a guidepost and to believe in something. Love seems to be one of the things everyone is searching for. First for ourselves and then for someone else- although some of us need time to figure out the correct order. Ultimately, I’ve found that if all of those elements are in order for me, then Life is much better.

So now that the update is complete, it’s time for me to share, for the first time in a long time, something I’m thankful for: TIME. Recently my grandmother became ill. In one day she went from being a 90 year-old woman traveling through the mean streets of NYC solo, to completely losing her independence. This summer I spent 3 weeks with her, just keeping her company everyday. I quickly realized, how grateful I am for her, the knowledge she’s given me, and the TIME I’ve been allotted on this earth. Our time is brief and if we are lucky we will have the chance to impact someone’s life in the same way my Grandmother has impacted mine. You never know when your independence will be taken from you so make use of the time you have! DON’T WASTE TIME. Live and Love fully.

So it’s that time again… What are you thankful for?

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