A True Hustler

And I thought I was busy...

A couple weeks ago, we shot Nick Cannon's episode on VEVO in New York for their channel, VEVO24s. I remember getting up at 3.30a for the shoot thinking no one should EVER have to get up at this hour. Our crew followed Nick around the ENTIRE day, we wrapped at 8p, leaving him in the green room as he was about to go on air at BET. There have been very few times before this that I have felt so tired/accomplished/in awe/like I need to step my game up!

This video captures this one day in the life of Nick Cannon, I've never met anyone who goes this hard. From what his camp told me, it was a "slow day" for him.

Float On

Practicing the art of detaching the mind and letting it drift with the present.

I hope you enjoy this beautifully captivating video my boyfriend shot and edited on his iPhone, technology is amazing.

An Excellent Example of Acceptance, Courage and How to Live

Carney

Musically, Zane and Reeve Carney have to be two of the most talented men I've interviewed thus far. So many bands and musicians have the look, the swag, the right people around them to ensure they give off the right image of who they "are." These guys are the real deal. Their passion for music is felt in their very presence, as is there authenticity. Zane, Reeve and the band are on their way out of LA and on to NY where Reeve will play the role of Peter Parker in the U2-penned Broadway musical version of 'Spider-Man.'

www.carneyband.com.

Inspiration

Exploring Abbott Kinney in Venice with my friend Cedric turned up many pleasant surprises. My favorite being Altered Space Gallery. "Design. Art. Craft." is their tag-line. Those are the three magical words to my heart. This boutique/gallery sells a variety of art and design objects as well as exhibits the art work from a selection of artists.

The work of Michele Mikesell struck a chord in my heart, and once again I can feel the creative waves rising within. Finding the time to release those waves has been the dilemma of late-- nonetheless, new artwork from me is promised.

Enjoy the works of Michele Mikesell, I hope they inspire something from within you, too.

Some Very Cool Opening Title Sequences

The opening title sequence is one of my favorite things about going to the movies. This brief 2-10 minute opening sets the first impression on the audience and gives them a preview of what's to come. The colors, music, type, imagery execution and pace selected are crucial to setting the mood and getting the audience in the right state of mind. Here are some of my favorites...

All in One Shot

This is pretty outstanding. The concept...original. His moves are on point-- clean, effortless and done with just the right amount of style. I was looking for shadows made from the cameraman, didn't see any. AND, aside from the beginning, this was all filmed in one seamless shot.

Thanks Daniel for sharing.

I Heart Andy Mangold's Otter Pop Tower

97 Otter Pop's!!!

The Sun Sets to Rise and Rises to Set

"The Phoenix Bird remains awake through the fires of Change, rises from the ashes of Death, and is Reborn into his most vibrant and Enlightened Self." From Elizabeth Lesser's book, Broken Open.

Dreams.

This painting screamed at me from the walls where it hangs in the VIP room at Velours in Tokyo. It just might speak to you, too. Unfortunately, and inexcusably, I've forgot the name of the artist.

Oh the Possibilities...

It's hard to remember what life was like not having the internet, a cell phone, GPS, a blog, Twitter and social media accounts! With the rate that technology is advancing, it seems like just about anything will be possible in the next coming years. While all of this is positive and will aid and help to advance our culture, I sometimes wonder what the repercussions will be.

Simultaneously making life easier, some of these technologies tend to clutter our lives and can make things more complicated and time consuming. When we are constantly engaging our selves in technology and new media, it's impossible to fully live in the moment. Don't get me wrong, I'm workin' the whole bit and have found myself fully immersed in this sea of wonder. I'm intrigued and utterly fascintated by it all. I just miss the old days sometimes, the simplicity. I do encourage everyone to take at least one day, one weekend a month, and fully disconnect.

Evil Love

A Minute of Inspiration: Photos from Israel

A friend of mine, Zach Scott, has ditched the American Rat Race along with all it's societal pressures, media noise, and America's obsession of wanting bigger, better and more and moved to Israel for the time being. He lives there as a sheep herder; undistracted, happy, and peaceful. Once again able to hear his inner voice and reconnect with his soul. Just a little something to think about. Here are some photographs that he has taken there.

* all photo credit to Zachary Scott

Eaten in One Week

This is an email I received today. A strong believer in the power of imagery, I have nothing else to say only to sit back and let these photographs explicitly communicate their message.

"Take a good look at the diet of each country and the cost of what is eaten in one week. (See comments on this post, I agree that the prices are misleading, look more at the quality of food and quantity/individual ratio.) Look also at the number of people fed in each photo."

Germany : The Melander family of Bargteheide
Food expenditure for one week: 375.39 Euros or $500.07

United States : The Revis family of North Carolina (Sure hope most American
families eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and less junk food than this family.)
Food expenditure for one week $341.98

Italy : The Manzo family of Sicily
Food expenditure for one week: 214.36 Euros or $260.11

Mexico : The Casales family of Cuernavaca
Food expenditure for one week: 1,862.78 Mexican Pesos or $189.09

Poland : The Sobczynscy family of Konstancin-Jeziorna
Food expenditure for one week: 582.48 Zlotys or $151.27

Egypt : The Ahmed family of Cairo
Food expenditure for one week: 387.85 Egyptian Pounds or $68.53

Ecuador : The Ayme family of Tingo
Food expenditure for one week: $31.55

Bhutan : The Namgay family of Shingkhey Village
Food expenditure for one week: 224.93 ngultrum or $5.03

Chad : The Aboubakar family of Breidjing Camp
Food expenditure for one week: 685 CFA Francs or $1.23

*There was no information as to who to credit for the photographs and statistics.

Global Dimming

I just watched this series on NOVA. Damnnnn!!! Global Warming and this? Scary. We need to be more proactive. We need to spread the word. Serious. Please watch this.

Geek to the Beat

Zion-I's new video, Geek to the Beat was officially released yesterday. HOTNESS!!! After my interview with Zumbi and Amp Live about a year ago, I would expect nothing less. It was one of those interviews that left me inspired and feeling empowered. We can change, we can make change, and using our given talents to make way of this, nothing is impossible.

Back to the music video. Geek to the Beat is not just hotness in the form of aesthetics and video direction, choreography and color, but also in message. For me it was nuances from Donnie Darko and Alice in Wonderland that have left the video impressed in my memory, often thinking back to it throughout the day. What are the elements that allow a short film, any message for that matter to have such a lasting impression? I found it upon further investigation. The video was directed by M.A.Y.O; when I read their about section, I came across the words that described the video perfectly, "...its aesthetic is one part magic, one part bold, half a cup delicate and a dash of eerie."

The Tenderloin Project

John Elliott and Sean Desmond have created a great thing. A beautiful project, The Tenderloin Project, that brings awareness to the Tenderloin in San Francisco and it's inhabitants. The website launch party is tonight at Bloodhound @ 8p.


"The Tenderloin Project is an ongoing artistic endeavor focused on one of San Francisco’s most marginalized neighborhoods, The Tenderloin. Utilizing the interactive mediums of photography and film, we aim to capture a compelling and honest portrait of this diverse community." -The Tenderloin Project