starvingCELEBRITY

struggle: it's relative

2008-07-19T09:54:00.000-07:00

I HAD INTENTIONS OF ONLY WRITING ABOUT THE JAPANESE RESTAURANT AND GRILL, BUTAI, AND THEIR HAPPY HOUR I ATTENDED YESTERDAY WITH ITS $5 MARTINIS AND $3-$6 SELECT FOOD MENU, BUT IT WAS THE EVENT THAT HAPPENED AFTERWARDS THAT LEFT ME THINKING FOR THE REST OF THE NIGHT ABOUT MY OWN PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE.

WHEN I CHOSE THE NAME STARVING CELEBRITY IT WAS MERELY BECAUSE I WANTED TO EXPRESS THE STRUGGLES OF A YOUNG PROFESSIONAL TRYING TO MAKE IT IN THE "INDUSTRY". YES THERE ARE DAYS WHEN MY DINNER MIGHT CONSIST OF RAMEN NOODLES OR SOMETHING CHEAP OFF THE DOLLAR MENU, BUT NEVER HAVE I EVER GONE DAYS WITHOUT A MEAL, WONDERING WHERE I WAS GOING TO LAY MY HEAD, OR EVER HAVE THE FEELING THAT THERE ISN'T ONE PERSON IN THIS WORLD I CAN GO TO FOR A HELPING HAND. UNFORTUNATELY THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THAT STRUGGLE EVERYDAY.

AFTER LEAVING THE RESTAURANT, ME AND A SMALL GROUP OF FRIENDS BUMPED INTO THIS LADY PUSHING A STROLLER WITH THE MOST BRIGHT EYED, CHARISMATIC, SMILING LITTLE GIRL IN A YELLOW DRESS. WE STOPPED TO EXCHANGE A FEW GAMES OF PEEK-A-BOO WITH THE CHILD, AND BEGAN TO TALK TO THE LITTLE GIRL'S MOTHER WHO HAS BEEN LIVING ON THE STREETS FOR SOME TIME NOW WITH HER 17 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER. CLEAN OFF CRACK FOR 10 YEARS NOW, SHE CONTINUES TO AVOID HER DAUGHTER'S FATHER WHO SADLY IS STILL WRAPPED UP IN THE WORLD OF DRUGS, AND IS IN A CONSTANT STRUGGLE TO KEEP HER DAUGHTER FED AND OUT OF HARMS WAY.

PAN HANDLING HAS BECOME HER ONLY OPTION IN HER EYES. WHEN ASKED WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP HER SITUATION AND OTHERS LIKE HER, HER RESPONSE WAS GET RID OF THE UNSAFE AND UNHEALTHY SHELTERS, AND WORK ON RE-BUILDING THESE PEOPLE'S SELF ESTEEM. "THESE PEOPLE ARE ALL OUT HERE FOR DIFFERENT REASONS. YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THAT, AND THAT'S THE PROBLEM, [PEOPLE] DON'T THINK!" SHE THEN TOLD US ABOUT THE COLDNESS OF SOME WHO PASS BY CALLING HER NAMES, THROWING TRASH ON HER AS SHE SLEEPS, AND ACCUSING HER OF PARADING HER DAUGHTER FOR MONEY. "THEY FORGET WE'RE PEOPLE TOO, AND THE TABLES COULD TURN ONE DAY." SHE CONTINUES TO TALK ABOUT THE STRUGGLE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO SECURE A JOB, AND ESCORTED OUT OF ESTABLISHMENTS BASED ON THE WAY SHE LOOKS, AND MAKES IT CLEAR THAT IT'S A VICIOUS CYCLE OF GETTING HIT WITH HARD TIMES THAT MAKE TIMES EVEN HARDER.

IT TAKES NOTHING BUT A FEW ENCOURAGING WORDS, AND A LITTLE GIVEN TIME AND EFFORT TO GIVE A GLIMPSE OF HOPE BACK TO SOMEONE WHO MAY NEED IT. I'VE NEVER BEEN ONE TO GIVE MONEY TO THE HOMELESS (FOOD YES), BECAUSE TO ME THAT'S THE EQUIVALENT TO PUTTING A BAND AID ON A BULLET WOUND. IT'S MORE HARMFUL THAN HELPFUL SIMPLY DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT CONDITIONS PEOPLE TO BELIEVE THAT THAT'S ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS BEG, WALLOW IN SELF PITY, AND FEEL ENTITLED TO THE CHANGE OUT OF YOUR POCKET. IT DOESN'T HELP THE GREATER PICTURE, AND NOR DOES IT HAVE A TRACK RECORD OF BEING SUCCESSFUL. IN THE PAST I'VE ATTENDED COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS TO RAISE MONEY FOR PROGRAMS TO HELP THE HOMELESS, BUT CLEARLY THERE ARE SERIOUS ADJUSTMENTS THAT NEED TO BE MADE. I'VE FOUND THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE TO END HOMELESSNESS THAT APPEARS TO DO MORE THAN AN ANNUAL SOUP KITCHEN. THEY REALLY RESEARCH THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM AND FIND REAL WORLD SOLUTIONS FOR CHANGE. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO VISIT THE WEBSITE, DO PERSONAL RESEARCH, AND REALLY THINK ABOUT GIVING A HELPING HAND.

HTTP://WWW.ENDHOMELESSNESS.ORG

hello brooklyn

2008-07-18T07:24:00.000-07:00

BROOKLYN. GOOD OLD BROOKLYN. I FINALLY DECIDED TO GIVE THE BOROUGH ANOTHER CHANCE AFTER MY NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE IN EAST FLAT BUSH, AND I MUST ADMIT IT WAS PRETTY REFRESHING. IT WAS A LITTLE SLICE OF DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN WITH MUCH LESS TRASH AND FEWER CROWDS OF SLOW WALKING TOURISTS. I WAS ACCOMPANYING BRANDI WOMACK, CREATOR OF IMKEEPINGUP.COM, TO AN EVENT HER FRIEND WAS THROWING AND AFTER A GOOD 45 MINUTE TRAIN RIDE TO BERGEN STREET, WE MADE OUR WAY TO BERGEN AND 5TH AVE TO FIND THE STYLISH, COZY RESTAURANT AND BAR MELT. THE DECOR WAS MINIMAL, MODERN AND SLEEK WITH DIM CANDLE LIGHTING, OFF WHITE WALLS, AND ACCENTS OF PLUM HERE AND THERE. THE PATIO TERRACE STAYED OPEN ALL NIGHT AS MORE AND MORE PEOPLE STARTED TO COME TO ENJOY THE FREE COMPLEMENTARY TRUMP VODKA MARTINIS ON THIS NICE SUMMER EVENING. (NOW I KNOW YOU DIDN'T THINK THERE WASN'T A CATCH TO ME TRAVELING ALL THE WAY TO BROOKLYN DID YOU? COME ON THIS THE "STARVING" CELEBRITY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.) THE METS VS. THE REDS PLAYED ON THE FLAT SCREEN TV, AND SOUNDS OF THE LATEST HITS SEEPED THROUGH THE SURROUND SOUND SPEAKERS. IF THE TRUMP MARTINIS WEREN'T YOUR THING YOU COULD DEFINITELY ENJOY A FRAMBOISE OR A GLASS OF SANGRIA FROM THEIR VAT OF HOMEMADE BEVERAGE THAT SAT ON TOP OF THE BAR.

THE SOCIALITE AND MYSELF WERE JOINED BY BABY PHAT'S OWN SHYAH DICKERSON, AND ADVERTISING GURU ATALIE SHORT. NOW ON OUR THIRD ROUND OF DRINKS, AND TWO ORDERS OF TUNA AND AVOCADO TARTAR AND MASHED POTATO SALMON CAVIAR ROLLS LATER I DECIDED TO PART WAYS WITH MY FABULOUS CROWD AND HEAD HOME.

SURPRISINGLY ENOUGH THE TRAIN TOOK NO TIME TO GET THERE. AS I'M SITTING THERE A YOUNG WOMAN ENTERED THE TRAIN. SHE HAD TO HAVE BEEN IN HER EARLY THIRTIES, BLOND HAIR, CANARY YELLOW TANK, JEANS, AND SNEAKERS. A LITTLE FRAZZLED, SHE QUICKLY PULLED OUT A PALE PINK CONTAINER FROM HER PURSE, REACHED FOR A SINGLE TINY WHITE PILL, AND DOWNED IT WITH A SWIG OF DEER PARK WATER. SCANNING THE ROOM, SHE NOTICED ME WATCHING HER AND QUICKLY PUT THE POUCH BACK IN HER BAG.

THEN I LOOK DIRECTLY TO THE RIGHT OF HER AND THERE IS A NEW TRAIN ADVERTISEMENT I HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE. IT WAS A SPOOF PRESCRIPTIONS DRUG AD PROMISING TO CHANGE WHO YOU ARE WITH A SINGLE PILL ENDORSED BY MULTI GRAMMY "YOU BETTER GIVE HIM AN AWARD OR HE'LL CRY" WINNING KANYE WEST. I STUDIED THE POSTER TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT EXACTLY MR. WEST WAS TRYING TO SELL. DOES HE HAVE A NEW CD COMING OUT? MAYBE A CLOTHING LINE? OR AN ENERGY DRINK? NOPE. KANYE WEST HAS JOINED THE DIDDY LIQUOR ENDORSEMENT CLUB AND IS THE NEW FACE OF ABSOLUT VODKA. CONGRATS MR. WEST. I HOPE ABSOLUT GETS AN AWARD FOR PEOPLE'S CHOICE VODKA OF THE YEAR OR WE WILL HEAR ABOUT IT.

JUST WHEN MY MIND WAS PLAYING VIVID IMAGERY OF KANYE ON THE TELEVISION RANTING ABOUT HOW THE GREATEST RAPPER/PRODUCER AND THE GREATEST VODKA KNOWN TO MAN WAS GETTING "HATED ON" AND AMERICANS "NOT CARING ABOUT BLACK PEOPLE OR VODKA" I WAS SNAPPED BACK INTO REALITY WHEN I FELT A NUDGE FROM A TINY LITTLE ELBOW. I LOOKED TO MY LEFT TO SEE A SCRAWNY LITTLE KID NO OLDER THAN TEN WEARING A WIFE BEATER AND JEANS, CARRYING A WHITE PLASTIC BAG WITH BLUE WRITING FROM AN UNRECOGNIZABLE CLOTHING STORE. I GLANCED AT MY PHONE NOTICING THAT IT WAS WELL PASSED MIDNIGHT. I LOOKED BACK AT THE KID WHO WAS NOW FIXED ON THE GROUP OF TATTOOED AND PIERCED TEEN AGED GIRLS GIGGLING ABOUT WHATEVER. I DON'T PARTICULARLY REMEMBER BEING ABLE TO RUN THE STREETS AT HIS AGE OR THEIRS, BUT I GUESS-AS EVERY GENERATION STATES ONCE THEY'VE REACHED A CERTAIN AGE- "TIMES ARE CHANGING". I MEAN THERE WAS THAT ONE INCIDENT AT THE AGE OF 15 GETTING CAUGHT AT THE CLUB BY MY PARENTS DOWNING A FEW RUM AND COKES AT THE BAR, BUT I MEAN YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE RIGHT?

happy father's day

2008-06-15T08:41:00.000-07:00

pleather

2008-06-12T12:22:00.000-07:00

AFTER A FULL HOUR OF PREPPING, TRYING TO FIND ANYTHING LOOKING REMOTELY LIKE A MOTORCYCLE/BIKER FIT, I JOURNEYED DOWN TO THE LOWER EAST SIDE ALL BY MY LONESOME TO DAMON PERUZZI'S DANCE.MUSIC.SEX.ROMANCE PARTY AT THE HOTEL RIVINGTON. THIS TIME AROUND THE THEME WAS LEATHER, TATTOOS, CHEST HAIR, AND VESTS ALL IN CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTH OF STYLIST AND JUST PLAIN SEXY SHAUNDEL.

FEELING LIKE DOROTHY AND THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD, THE FIRST FRIEND OF THE NIGHT I BUMP INTO WAS A RETRO KID REJECT DECKED OUT WITH THE HIGH TOP FADE, ACID WASHED SKINNY JEANS, AFRO BEADS, AND SNEAKS. WE SHARE A CAB DOWNTOWN, BECAUSE THERE'S NO WAY I CAN EXPENSE THIS TRIP TO MY JOB AND THE FARE WOULD BE JUST PLAIN PSYCHO, AND COME TO FIND OUT WE WENT TO THE SAME UNIVERSITY. SMALL WORLD. I PARTED WAYS WITH MY NEW FRIEND AFTER DROPPING HIM OFF AT LOTUS NIGHT CLUB, WHICH BY THE WAY CLOSES AFTER THIS WEEK, AND TRIED MY HARDEST TO EXPLAIN WHERE I WANTED TO GO TO OUR SPANISH CAB DRIVER WHO DIDN'T KNOW MUCH IN ENGLISH EXCEPT "PAY ME NOW." TO MAKE IT A LITTLE EASIER FOR HIM I HAD HIM DROP ME OFF A BLOCK FROM THE VENUE ON A MORE POPULAR STREET.

THIS IS WHERE I MEET THE SCARECROW LOOKING FOR A BRAIN. JUST KIDDING, I WASN'T TOO SURE IF I WAS GOING THE RIGHT WAY, SO I STOPPED THIS GUY TO ASK HIM WHERE RIVINGTON STREET WAS LOCATED, AND WITH THE MOST PLEASANT ENGLISH ACCENT, THIS TALL WIRY FELLOW AGREED TO TAKE ME TO MY DESTINATION. AS WE'RE WALKING I LEARN THAT NOT ONLY IS HE A COOL DJ, HE IS ALSO WELL ACQUAINTED WITH THE HONORABLE PATRICIA FIELDS AMONGST OTHERS. THEN FROM STAGE RIGHT, IN COME HIS ENTIRE POSSE. DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY CAME FROM, BUT THEY WERE SOME PRETTY DOPE PEOPLE. MY SLENDER ROCK STAR POINTED ME INTO THE APPROPRIATE DIRECTION AND WENT ON WITH HIS JOLLY EVENING. CHEERS.

NOW TO THE ACTUAL EVENT. THE PARTY WAS A "IF YOU HEAR ABOUT IT, YOU KNOW ABOUT IT" TYPE OF AFFAIR WITH NO LINES, NO LISTS, NO QUESTIONS, JUST ENTER. SO THAT'S WHAT I DID, I ENTER PASSED THE VELVET ROPE, MADE MY WAY THROUGH TWO DOORS, AND NESTLED IN THE BACK WAS THE BLACK AND PURPLE VELVET ROOM STOCKED WITH DANCE FLOOR, BAR, AND STRIPPER POLE? BY THIS TIME THE PARTY WAS JAMMED PACKED WITH BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE DOLLED UP, THEMED UP, LEATHER AND RUFFLED UP. I WALKED THROUGH GIVING CHEEK KISSES TO THE REGULARS, I BUMP INTO SOME OLD FRIENDS WHO I DIDN'T EVEN EXPECT TO BE IN TOWN, AND GOT REACQUAINTED WITH A FEW PEOPLE I HAVEN'T SPOKEN TO IN A WHILE. AS I MADE MY ROUNDS I NOTICED THAT ALSO IN THE BUILDING WAS THE BAD BOY GANG INCLUDING SEAN "DIDDY" COMBS SUPERSTAR ASSISTANT KARLEEN ROY, RICH DOLLAZ, AND RYAN LESLIE, JUST TO NAME A FEW. AND I CAN'T FORGET MISS TAMIKA McCORMACK OF VIOLATOR RECORDS.

MODELS, DESIGNERS, STYLISTS, AND ENTERTAINERS GATHERED AROUND TO WATCH RYAN PERFORM TWO OF HIS LATEST HITS WHICH PUT A PAUSE TO THE PRINCE RECORDS AND DONNA SUMMERS HITS PLAYING MINUTES BEFORE. AFTER THE PERFORMANCE, THE CROWD SLOWLY WITHERED AS TALKS OF HEADING TO LOTUS ARISE. AS MUCH AS I TALK ABOUT THAT SPOT, YOU'D THINK I OWNED STOCK, IT'S A SHAME IT'S CLOSING.

THE CONGREGATION MADE ITS WAY OUTSIDE FOR MORE CHAT AND MINGLE, DISCUSSING OUR PERSONAL VIEWS OF THE LOWER EAST SIDE, GREEK LIFE, AND THAT "NEW YORK VIBE." FINALLY POLISHING OFF THE NIGHT UPTOWN TO GRAB A SLICE OF PIPPING HOT PIZZA AT BIG AL'S.

ALL IN ALL, THE EVENING WAS A SUCCESSFUL ONE.... UNTIL NEXT TIME.

what would you do?

2008-06-06T07:43:00.000-07:00

THERE WAS A HIT AND RUN YESTERDAY IN HARTFORD CONNECTICUT. WATCH HOW MANY PEOPLE CHOOSE TO IGNORE THIS 78 YEAR OLD MAN FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE.

i don't know about you but...

2008-06-02T14:11:00.000-07:00

....I HAVEN'T BEEN TOO HYPED ABOUT THE HYPE LATELY. MAYBE I WAS THE ONLY FEMALE IN NEW YORK CITY, BETTER YET THE WORLD WHO DID NOT SEE THE PREMIER OF THE EVER SO ANTICIPATED SEX AND THE CITY MOVIE. BUT YOU KNOW WHAT, I HONESTLY CAN WAIT UNTIL IT COMES OUT ON "MOVIES ON DEMAND" AND I HAVE THE OPTION TO PAUSE IT IN BETWEEN TAKING LOADS OUT OF THE LAUNDRY. I ALSO DON'T REALLY CARE TOO MUCH WHETHER OR NOT NAS COMES OUT WITH HIS N*GGER CD. MAYBE YOU DO, I'M NOT MAD.

THE ICING ON MY DROLL CAKE, AND WHEN I USE THE WORD DROLL IT'S ONLY BECAUSE OF MY FEELINGS OF ENAMOR FOR IT, WAS WHEN I COULDN'T STOMACH 2 FULL HOURS OF ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITE AWARDS SHOWS, THE 2008 MTV MOVIE AWARDS. AFTER TAKING IN SIGHTS OF CHRIS BROWN'S OUT-DATED, AND NOT IN A COOL WAY, MOHAWK I REALIZED I COULDN'T TAKE IT. I ALMOST STUCK IN THERE WHEN MIKE MYERS FLASHED HIS PASTY WHITE BELLY ROLL, BUT THEN ON SECOND THOUGHT I OPTED OUT. I HEARD THERE WAS THE TYPICAL MAKE OUT SESSION ON STAGE, AND THIS YEAR IT WAS BRIANNA EVIGAN AND ROBERT HOFFMAN WHO DID THE HONORS.

MAYBE INSTEAD THEY SHOULD'VE REINACTED WHAT "REALLY" HAPPENED WHEN 50cent's HOME WENT A BLAZE WITH BABY-MAMA, BABY-MAMA NEW BOO, BABY-MAMA NEW BOO'S HOMIES, AND BABY SOUND ASLEEP INSIDE. NOW THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN ENTERTAINING. KELS, WHEN YOU DONE GETTING CAUGHT, GET ON THE REMIX, AND MAKE "THAT" A BALLAD!

fale portugues

2008-06-01T16:55:00.000-07:00

THE 12TH ANNUAL BRAZILIAN FILM FESTIVAL KICKED OFF LAST NIGHT IN MIAMI WITH THE OPEN AIR CINEMA OPENING NIGHT CEREMONY. THE FESTIVAL IS GOING UNTIL THE 7TH OF JUNE, AND YOU'RE SURE TO SEE THE BEST OF BRAZIL'S INDIE FILMS IF YOU CAN MAKE IT.

AT THE COLONY THEATER....

Features and Short Films Screenings: Saturday 7pm, 9pm & 10:30pm; Sunday & Monday 7pm & 9pm Colony Theatre - 1040 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach Tickets: $10

IF YOU CAN'T MAKE IT TO MIAMI, CINE FEST BRASIL WILL BE MAKING ITS WAY TO THE BIG APPLE IN AUGUST 10-17. SAVE THE DATE. MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW.

WHILE WE'RE ON THE TOPIC OF BRAZIL CHECK OUT THE LINK BELOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT VOLUNTEERING TO HELP THE STREET KIDS OF BRAZIL.

http://volunteerbrazil.com/streetkidsproject.html

.......OBRIGADO CIAO!

just too funny

2008-05-30T15:03:00.000-07:00

the world is their canvas

2008-05-30T12:40:00.000-07:00

STILL OBSESSED WITH NEW YORK GRAFFITI ART, AND OFTEN CLAIMING IT TO BE THE SCARS AND TRIBAL WOUNDS OF THE CITY, I WANTED TO GET A LITTLE MORE INSIGHT ON THE SUBJECT. USING SPRAY CANS AS THEIR PENS, AND THE STREETS AS THEIR CANVAS, MANY G.ARTISTS HAVE MOVED TO OTHER MEDIUMS PUTTING THEIR AMAZING DESIGNS ON T-SHIRTS, SHOES, HOODIES, AND EVEN CREATING COLLECTIBLES ON CANVAS. BUT WHAT ABOUT THE HISTORY MAN?!

APPARENTLY THIS UNDERGROUND MOVEMENT STARTED BACK IN THE 30'S ON THE WEST COAST, MAKING ITS WAY TO PHILLY IN THE 60'S WITH THE LIKES OF "CORNBREAD" AND "COOL EARL" WHO MANAGED TO TATTOO THEIR NAMES ALL OVER THE FLESH OF DOWNTOWN PHILADELPHIA. FINALLY THE PHENOMENON MADE IT'S WAY TO UPTOWN MANHATTAN IN THE 70'S, AND LIKE WILD FIRE A NEW ART FORM WAS BORN. POVERTY HIT, AND WITH MORE CRIME THAN THE POLICE COULD HANDLE, BOMBING, TAGGING, AND WHOLE CAR LAYOUTS TOOK THE CITY BY STORM.

BY THE LATE 80'S THE STATE GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO FIGHT BACK, AND CLEAN THE CITY UP. THEY FELT AS THOUGH PEOPLE ARE A PRODUCT OF THEIR ENVIRONMENT, AND IF THE CITY WAS WELL MANICURED, SANS THE ART OF THE URBAN YOUTH, THEN THIS WOULD HELP CUT BACK ON THE CRIME AND DRUGS. NOT SURE IF IT WAS BY CHANCE OR COINCIDENCE BUT APPARENTLY THE CRIME DID LAX, BUT THE CREATIVITY WAS STIFLED IN THE PROCESS. LOCKED UP FOR SEEING THE WORLD IN AN ABSTRACT WAY, THESE STREET POETS HAD A HARDER TIME GETTING THEIR MESSAGE OUT. SO NOW YOU HAVE ARTISTS LIKE THOSE WHO MAKE UP 2ESAE INCLUDING MIKE BACA WHO HAVE COME OUT WITH CLOTHING LINES LIKE UR.

LINKS:

http://www.at149st.com/

http://www.robotswillkill.com/

http://www.dazeworld.com/

http://www.urnewyork.com/

http://www.interhaze.com/

get your 10 cents worth

2008-05-27T10:13:00.000-07:00

IN YOUR FACE! I'M HERE AND WHAT?! B!TCH....

THAT'S THE VIBE YOU GET FROM THIS FAIRLY NEW URBAN LADIES LINE, DIME PIECE. IT SCREAMS GIRL POWER TO THE EXTREME WITH IT'S FUNKY STYLE, AND CATCHY NAME. THIS LINE IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART. LEAVE THE FRILLS FOR THE TEA PARTY. IF YOU WANT SOME HOTNESS TO ROCK IN THE STREET THEN LOOK NO FURTHER. DIME PIECE HAS BEEN A PRETTY BIG DEAL OOUT IN LA [WHERE THEY ARE BASED] FOR OVER A YEAR NOW WITH RECOGNITION IN MAGAZINES LIKE YRB, XPOX, AND 944.

http://www.dimepiecedesigns.com/ FOR MORE INFO...

OR BUY EXCLUSIVELY ONLINE AT http://www.cultistshop.com/

weekend roundup 5.24

2008-05-24T10:03:00.000-07:00

SPARKY'S FLAW IS A FIVE MEMBER BAND OUT OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. RECENTLY GRADUATED, THESE KIDS GOT TOGETHER DURING THEIR EARLIER UNDERGRAD YEARS AT UVA, AND HAVE BEEN ROCKING OUT EVER SINCE. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THEM LIVE A FEW WEEKS AGO AT A SMALL TAVA [NEW PEPSI BRAND BEVERAGE] SPONSORED SHOWCASE IN THE CITY, AND I MUST SAY THE LEAD SINGER, WILL ANDERSON, IS A FULL OF PERSONALITY AND TALENT TO SAY THE LEAST. THEY CAME OUT FULL FORCE, NO INTRODUCTION, JUST STARTED THEIR SONG, AND IT WAS LIKE THAT THE WHOLE PERFORMANCE. THEY HAVE A VERY BLUNT, HERE'S OUR MUSIC, LIKE IT OR LEAVE IT APPROACH, AND APPARENTLY THE CROWD LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT.

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO WILL BE IN THE SUNNY STATE OF FLORIDA THIS SUMMER, YOU SHOULD CHECK THEM OUT, AS THEY WILL BE TOURING THROUGHOUT THE STATE IN THE MONTH OF JUNE.

IF YOU WANT MORE INFO ON SPARKY'S FLAW VISIT THEIR WEBSITE http://www.sparkysflaw.com/

it's "good"-er

2008-05-23T18:26:00.000-07:00

TWO REMIXES THAT I THINK THE WORLD SHOULD BE HIP TO, "LUV IN THIS CLUB REMIX" FEATURING EVERYONE IMPORTANT IN THE INDUSTRY RIGHT NOW INCLUDING WEEZY F. BABY [PLEASE SAY THE BABY], AND THE NEW SPIN OF OFF THE CLASSIC "I HEART NY" TEES, THE "I HEART NASTY" TEES BY CALI BASED EK5OBITION/DAME DECO. YOU CAN FIND THESE TEES AND MORE SOLD ONLINE AT THE INVISIBLE STRIPES WEBSITE LISTED BELOW. HOW MANY MORE TIMES CAN I SAY TEES?

...BUT THERE'S MORE (this shit right heeeeeeere!)

ENOUGH WITH DAME DECO. WHAT ABOUT EK5OBITION?....

http://www.ek5obition.com/

http://store.invisiblestripes.com/

ONE MORE REMIX FOR YOU KIDS, "EVERYONE NOSE" FEATURING KANYE & LUPE. THAT'S ALL.

greens the new cool..duh!

2008-05-21T08:04:00.000-07:00

I GUESS IT'S NOT A BAD THING THAT THE "COOL NEW THING" TO DO IS BE ECO-FRIENDLY. WITH GAS PRICES ON THE RISE, HOTTER WINTERS, HARSHER NATURAL DISASTERS, AND OXYGEN "FOR SALE" ON THE WEST COAST, IT'S A NO-BRAINER THAT SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE. MORE AND MORE COMPANIES ARE NOW DOING THEIR PART BY EMBRACING RECYLCING, AND ELECTRONIC FILING AS OPPOSED TO THE PAPER TRAILS OF YESTERDAY.

WHO SAID ART DOESN'T IMITATE LIFE? CHECK OUT THESE COOL ADS BY NEW ZEALAND BASED ECO FRIENDLY MANUFACTURER ECOSTORE.

THANKS KANYE FOR PUTTING ME ON.......

brand new!

2008-05-19T17:02:00.000-07:00

WHO DOESN'T LOVE A HOOK-UP? IF THERE'S ONE THING I LEARNED FROM HOWARD UNIVERSITY, IT IS THE POWER OF A HOOK-UP. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED THE JOY OF GETTING A JOB, GETTING INTO AN EVENT, GETTING A BRAND NEW FLAT SCREEN TV, OR SOME FLY GEAR OFF OF SOMEONE WHO KNOWS SOMEONE WHO CAN GET YOU WHAT YOU NEED, I'LL FILL YOU IN ON WHAT YOU'VE BEEN MISSING....GREATNESS. THERE'S NO BETTER SATISFATION THAN FEELING LIKE YOU'VE BEAT THE SYSTEM. ONE POINT FOR YOU, ZERO FOR THE "MAN"!

NOW IT'S MY TURN TO GIVE THE JOY OF A GOOD OL' FASHIONED HOOK-UP. FOR ALL OF THOSE STARVING CELEBRITIES OUT THERE. I'M GIVING YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH THE WORLD. SHOW OFF YOUR AMAZING SKILLS AS AN MC, IMPRESS THE AGENCIES WITH YOUR BEAUTY OR FIERCE WALK, CAPTIVATE THE CROWD WITH YOUR WITTY JOKES, OR CONVINCE THE WORLD THAT YOU WERE BORN FOR THE BIG SCREEN!

STARVING CELEBRITY NOW HAS A SITE DEDICATED TO YOU. CLICK ON THE LINK AT THE TOP OF THE HOME PAGE TO EXPLORE, OR GO DIRECTLY TO THE LINK BELOW.

starvingHOOK-UPS

there back pha-REAL!

2008-05-16T08:29:00.000-07:00

I'M SO GEEKED I GUESS YOU CAN CALL ME A NERD!

I AM SUPER DUPER EXCITED ABOUT N.E.R.D'S LATEST LP SEEING SOUNDS SCHEDULED TO DROP NEXT MONTH. TAKING A THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED AND LEAVING THE CLUB BANGERS TO THE OTHER KIDS, N.E.R.D IS GIVING THIS LP A MORE EURO LAYERED VIBE THAT THEIR FANS CAN ROCK OUT TO. EXPECT "A BIG ALBUM OF LSD, SONIC DRUG." SAYS BAND MEMBER CHAD HUGO IN AN INTERVIEW WITH MTV.

take that, take that

2008-05-16T06:28:00.000-07:00

LAST NIGHT I ATTENDED A WONDERFUL SHOWCASE OF TALENT AT THE HIGH LINE BALLROOM HOSTED BY SEAN "DIDDY" COMBS. THE NIGHT'S SHINING STAR WAS JANELLE MONAE. HIGHLY ENERGETIC, MONAE IS THE EPITOME OF A ROCK STAR, ACTING OUT STUNTS LIKE SLIDING ACROSS ONE SIDE OF THE DANCE FLOOR JUST TO MOONWALK HER WAY BACK TO THE MIC. DIDDY SAID WE WERE STARVING FOR A NEW ARTIST LIKE HER, AND HE WASN'T LYING. HER PERFORMANCE WAS MORE THAN FULFILLING.

AS USUAL, DIDDY MANAGED TO STEAL THE SPOT LIGHT, BUT THIS TIME IT WAS NOT ON PURPOSE. I JUST GOT SO DISTRACTED WITH HIM WINDING HIS WAIST, AND MAKING LOVE IN THE CLUB [TO HIMSELF] THAT I HAD TO REDIRECT MY ATTENTION HIS WAY.

SHORTLY THEREAFTER I ACCUSED HIM OF NEVER CALLING ME, AND GOT A GROWN MAN CHUCKLE IN EXCHANGE.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CAB RIDE TO VENUE: $8

SCARF FROM STREET VENDOR TO SHIELD FROM THE COLD WHILE STANDING IN LINE: $7

DRINKS AT THE BAR: $20 [ON THAT GUY WITH THE SHOES AND T-SHIRT ON]

MAKING A MILLION DOLLAR MOGUL SMILE WHILE WALKING DOWN THE STREET: PRICELESS

redrum! redrum!

2008-05-14T07:11:00.000-07:00

IF YOU THOUGHT THINGS COULDN'T GET ANY SPOOKIER THAN S. KING'S THE SHINING, YOU HAVEN'T CHECKED INTO THE STOLI HOTEL.

EVERY YEAR STOLI TRAVELS THE US [WELL NEW YORK, MIAMI, CHICAGO, AND HOLLYWOOD] TO SET UP THEIR POPULAR STOLI HOTELS THAT BECOME A NON-STOP-ALL-YOU-CAN-DRINK PARTY FOR 10 DAYS STRAIGHT.

IN NEW YORK, THINGS KICKED OFF MAY 7TH WITH THE GRAND OPENING HOSTED BY DJ VICE, FOLLOWED BY EVENTS HOSTED BY THE ROLLING STONES, VANITY FAIR, HOUSE OF DIEHL, TRADE NIGHT, AND LAST NIGHT'S GQ MAGAZINE TO CELEBRATE ROBERT DOWNEY JR'S AMAZING COVER.

EVERYONE IN THE PLACE SEEMED TO BE OVERLY SELF IMPORTANT, FLASHING BUSINESS CARDS, AND GREASY SMILES, AND RANTING ABOUT HOW THEY WERE "SOMEBODY IMPORTANT... JUST YOU WAIT AND SEE!". IN ATTENDANCE WERE THOSE SMALL TIME WAITING TO BLOW ARTISTS, AND STARVING MODELS. THERE WAS EVEN A SIGHTING OF THE "BLACK SOCIALITE." [SO I'M GOING TO COME OUT AND SAY IT. SHE TOTALLY STOLE B. WOMACK'S TITLE ON THAT ONE!]

EVERYONE WAS ENJOYING THEMSELVES, BUT THERE WAS SOMETHING VERY EERIE ABOUT THE WHOLE THING. ALL NIGHT I WAS APPROACHED BY STRANGE PEOPLE MAKING THE ODDEST REFERENCES TO PLACING CONDIMENTS INSIDE OF BODIES, TOUCHING CHINS, RIPPING OLD FRIENDS A NEW ONE, FLYING TO STRANGE PLACES, ALL HUMANS COMING FROM THE SAME SEA, CAPTAIN CRUNCH HATS, AND PLASTIC BLAZERS. I FELT AS IF I WERE IN THE HOTEL CALIFORNIA INSTEAD OF THE STOLI HOTEL, AND I WASN'T SURE IF I WAS ALLOWED TO CHECK OUT. WHATEVER WAS IN THOSE DRINKS COULDN'T HAVE POSSIBLY BEEN JUST VODKA!

AS I'M SITTING THERE SOAKING THIS ALL IN, A THOUGHT OF MY BROTHER POPPED INTO MY HEAD AND I COULDN'T STOP LAUGHING. I REMEMBER WATCHING THE NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD WITH HIM, AND HIM CONCLUDING THAT IF YOU'RE EVER SURROUNDED BY ZOMBIES TO JUST ACT LIKE YOU'RE A ZOMBIE UNTIL YOU CAN MAKE A RUN FOR IT. SO THAT'S WHAT I DID. I PUT ON THE CRAZY FACE, AND STARTED MAKING ODD COMMENTS TO RANDOM PEOPLE UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO SEE THE EXIT AND DASH OUT OF THE DOOR.

NOT TO WORRY THOUGH, THE FUN ISN'T OVER JUST YET, THE VACANT SIGN WILL STILL BE BLINKING UNTIL THE 17TH.

where "yo" head at?

2008-05-13T12:36:00.000-07:00

DOES ANYONE CARE THAT REMY MA IS GETTING 8 YEARS IN PRISON, AND HER BOO, RAPPER PAPOOSE, IS BANNED FROM SEEING HER FOR 6 MONTHS BECAUSE HE TRIED TO SMUGGLE HER A HANDCUFF KEY? OR DO YOU CARE THAT LIL WAYNE IS GOING BACK TO TRIAL TODAY FOR POSSESSION OF 29 GRAMS OF COCAINE FROM BACK IN JANUARY IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA (FOR WHICH HE IS TRYING TO SAY HE ONLY HAD 8 GRAMS...DUDE YOU STILL HAD COCAINE!)? HOW ABOUT THIS, DO YOU CARE THAT OJ SIMPSON GOT HIGH ONE NIGHT AT CONFESSED TO KILLING HIS WIFE, THEN GOT SNITCHED ON? NO? WELL WHAT ABOUT THE FACT THAT JAY-Z'S ILLEGITIMATE RAS-CLOT YOUTH SCANDAL IS RESURFACING RIGHT AFTER HIM AND HIS MISSES TIED THE KNOT? I MEAN, I CAN GO ON. THERE IS AN UPDATE ON THE R. KELLY TRIAL I HAVEN'T MENTIONED, OR THE GLORIFIED T.I. GUN CHARGES IN THE NEWS LATELY, OH YEA AND THE PICS ON THE INTERNET OF SUGE KNIGHT GETTING KNOCKED THE F*** OUT!

I ASKED FOR SOME TYPE OF RESPONSE AS TO WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD TODAY AND THIS WAS THE RESPONSE I GOT:

Me:"So.. Do you understand that what you guys are doing is absolutely ludicrous, and I'm not talking about the rapper.."

Confused Black America: "Yes, but I wanted to do hood rat stuff with my friends."

Me: "You don't think you should be punished for all of this?"

Confused Black America: "Just a little bit — no video games for a whole weekend."

word!

2008-05-12T13:01:00.000-07:00

WORD ON THE STREET IS MEKKA DON HAS DONE IT AGAIN! JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT WAS ALREADY "BROUGHTEN," AND YOU GOT SERVED, HE MANAGED TO SOCK IT TO YA ONE MORE TIME.

CHECK OUT HIS NEW SINGLE BY CLICKING BELOW.

http://www.zshare.net/audio/117737284c792fe0/

..AND DONT FORGET TO GO TO THE WEBSITE FOR MORE AT WWW.MEKKADON.BLOGSPOT.COM

weekend roundup 4.12

2008-05-12T12:00:00.000-07:00

YEA YEA I KNOW IT'S MONDAY, BUT WEEKENDS ARE RELATIVE, AND IN MY OWN MIND IT'S STILL THE WEEKEND. SO HERE'S YOUR ROUND-UP...

IN FAVOR OF ALL THINGS DIFFERENT, IN A VERY REMINISCENT FAMILIAR WAY, HERE'S ANOTHER ONE YOU CAN ADD TO YOUR RAINY DAY CD COLLECTION. NOT NECESSARILY BIRTHED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE MAP, BUT DEFINITELY RAISED AT THE TOP, IS "SOUL"TRY ACOUSTIC R&B ARTIST JUSTIN NOZUKA. BORN IN QUEENS, SIXTH OF SEVEN CHILDREN, JUSTIN WAS MOVED TO TORONTO AT AN EARLY AGE WHERE HE TOOK A KEEN INTEREST IN HOCKEY, AND SAW HIMSELF MAKING A CAREER OUT OF IT UNTIL HIS LOVE FOR MUSIC GOT TOO LOUD FOR HIM TO IGNORE.

WHILE STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL, JUSTIN DECIDED TO HIRE PRODUCER BILL BELL, SANS A RECORDING COMPANY, TO HELP HIM PRODUCE HIS DEBUT ALBUM NAMED AFTER HIS MOTHER, HOLLY. WITH A SOUND MUCH OLDER AND FAR MORE MATURE THAN YOU WOULD EXPECT FROM SUCH A YOUNG GUY, IT'S NO WONDER IN SUCH A SHORT TIME SPAN JUSTIN HAS ALREADY SHARED THE STAGE WITH GREATS LIKE ZIGGY MARLEY, JOHN CALE, AND SAM ROBERTS.

high! how's the view?

2008-05-09T14:18:00.000-07:00

AS SUMMER SLOWLY APPROACHES AND NEW YORK TURNS INTO AN INFERNO, MANY OF US TRY TO ESCAPE THE SEARING STREETS AND HEAD TO HIGHER GROUNDS TO SIP OUR MARTINIS AND MARGARITAS. IF YOU'VE GROWN WEARY OF THE HOTEL GANSEVOORT'S ROOF TOP, OR 230 FIFTH THEN YOU'RE IN LUCK. SCHEDULED TO OPEN LATER THIS MONTH IS HIGHBAR LOCATED AT 251 W 48TH IN MIDTOWN.

ny real estate at an all time low

2008-05-06T11:54:00.000-07:00

....AT LEAST WATER IS INCLUDED

the world's youngest what?!

2008-05-05T14:13:00.000-07:00

WHAT WERE YOU DOING AT AGE 15? PROBABLY NOT TAKING RUSSIA'S FASHION SCENE BY STORM, OR WORRYING ABOUT OPENING UP YOUR FIRST AMERICAN STORE IN SOHO. BUT THEN AGAIN KIRA PLASTININA IS NOT YOUR AVERAGE 15 YEAR OLD GIRL. STIRRING UP CONTROVERSY LEFT AND RIGHT, IT'S KIND OF HARD TO TAKE THE DAUGHTER OF ONE OF RUSSIA'S RICHES MEN, ONE WHO PRIDES HERSELF OFF OF USING PARIS HILTON AS A FASHION MUSE, SERIOUSLY AS A DESIGNER. BUT NUMBERS DON'T LIE, AND APPARENTLY LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE HAS A CULT FOLLOWING LARGE ENOUGH TO LAUNCH HER GLOBALLY. CLEARLY SOMEONE FINDS TALENT HIDDEN IN THE RUFFLES OF HER TACKY TULLE. PASSING OUT LOLLI POPS AND ICE CREAM IN THE STREETS THIS WEEKEND TO CELEBRATE THE OPENING OF HER FIRST U.S. STORE IN NEW YORK CITY, MANY FLOCKED TO SEE WHAT THE BIG FUSS WAS OVER, I BEING ONE OF THEM.

THE WHOLE STORE WAS BUBBLE GUM PINK, THE TABLES WERE JAMMED PACKED WITH JARS STOCKED FULL OF CANDYLICIOUS ACCESSORIES. THE WALLS WERE DRIPPING WITH MASSES OF COLOR PILED ONTO CHEAP COTTON TEES WITH EVEN CHEAPER SENSOR TAGS STRETCHING OUT THE CORNERS, AND I THINK I CAUGHT A TOOTH ACHE FROM THE 50TH LOLLI POP THROWN IN MY FACE FROM THEIR OVERLY EXCITED CREW. YOU KNOW WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE CHERRY ON TOP? MAYBE IF SOME TRANSIES ON STILTS SHOWED UP POURING GLITTER FROM THEIR MOUTHS. BUT BESIDES THAT, I DON'T THINK ANYTHING COULD HAVE BEEN MORE RIDICULOUS. THE NEXT STELLA MCCARTNEY? I THINK NOT. BUT SHE SURE DOES GIVE FOREVER 21 A RUN FOR THEIR MONEY!

www.kiraplastinina.com

street art

2008-05-04T20:00:00.000-07:00

THERE ARE A FEW SONGS OUT THERE THAT CAN TAKE YOU BACK TO A TIME YOU'VE NEVER BEEN BEFORE (AND I'M SPEAKING TO MY 80'S BABIES ON THIS ONE), BUT THE PICTURE IS SO VIVID YOU FEEL AS IF YOU'VE LIVED IT FIRST HAND. A PLACE WHERE IT SEEMS AS IF IT WERE 90 DEGREES ALL YEAR ROUND, POLYESTER ONLY CAME IN TWO COLORS [MUSTARD YELLOW AND FADED MAROON], EVERYONE WALKED WITH THEIR HANDS CUFFED UNDER, AND ALTHOUGH LIFE WAS A STUGGLE EVERYTHING WAS DYNOMITE. ONE OF THESE SONGS I SPEAK OF IS ISAAC HAYES "WALK ON BY," ANOTHER ONE IS MARVIN GAYE'S "INNER CITY BLUES," BUT THE SONG PLAYING ON MY IPOD AS I LEFT THE HOUSE WAS ONE THAT REALLY MAKES YOU WANT TO SAY 'DAMN IT FEELS GOOD TO BE A GANSTA'....AL GREEN'S "LOVE AND HAPPINESS."

HIT PLAY ON THE PLAYER ABOVE AND CHECK OUT SOME OF MY PHOTOGRAPHY INSPIRED BY NEW YORK CITY'S URBAN STREETS THEN AND NOW VOL. 1

*duplication or use of any of these images without the authors concent is prohibited. Copywrite 2008.

happy feet

2008-05-04T19:21:00.000-07:00

APPARENTLY THIS CHICK HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR YEARS, AND I'M NOT THE FIRST TO YOUTUBE HER. SHE'S GOT SOME SERIOUS TALENT!!!!