Its been a while so I hope 2012 is already treating you amazingly.
The world collectively self reflects and thinks of the previous year's shoulda coulda wouldas at the end of every year. For most of us, during the last few weeks of a year leading into the first new weeks of the new year, we hope and plan for our old disappointments to turn into achieved goals.
I am #teamResolutionsAchieved but prefer take on tasks instead. I don't know about you, but resolutions have a way of becoming optional to me as time passes, so I'm working on my 2012 by way of 2012 assignments. Class 2012 for me will be an A+ if by the end of it I (*crossing fingers* *turning to God* *actively hoping*) can say that I gave myself more credit, was consistently prepared and that I constantly sought out inspiration (see Borrow Art & Be Inspired Post).
My first assignment was to create a working reel and I proudly use "was" because after an Apple One to One session on iMovie and some playing around (for hours!), I've put together a little ditty that I am proud of. Amateur editing et all.
I love that I am out here working but I miss how the days/months/seasons can escape everyone from the valley to the water to hills as result of perfect (minus smog/ridiculous pollution) weather.
Cali is gorgeous with a lot gorgeous opportunities
but ok Chicago. I like you too and I'm here.
Performer/Actor/Dancer/Model scenes are so easy to find in NYC and L.A. but I'm a little lost here or the folks I'm looking for are hiding. I need Chicago artists to tell me how they stay sane and in the loop here. Most of the best artist/performers I know I are from Chicago so i know its going down somewhere and I just am not in the know. I need some help here in the windy city.
So i stopped by my Chicago agency today. Caught everyone in the office after lunch in hopes of finding everyone in a good mood. Considering I dipped out of market and also spent the +10 added to my last check that I didn't realize was added to my check but instead believed had been already been sent directly to them, I needed to make sure all my stars were aligned. Figured I could be approaching my agent's _____ list.
Not so :)
More of an informal dropping off of new headshots and quick updates on life and work. 30 minutes in and out. Nothing major and I love that things can be informal like this. However, I am not ashamed to admit that I did get ready like I was going in for a commercial audition. Needed to remind them why I should be submitted lol.
Been a long road of agent hopping and it sucks when you don't mesh with your agency. Agent to Talent is a partnership where each party has to work hard for the other... or at the very least like one another. Hasn't always been the case for me, but glad that things are now looking up.
Whats your outlet and have you treated yourself to it recently?
Shout out to all the DJ's competing for sharing each of his and her outlet with us. I enjoyed you all...crazy transitions, electric slide mash ups et all. Good luck!
And big ups to ABDC's Footworkingz for the amazing cyphers.
Make sure to be on the look out for the premiere of season 2 on Centric coming sometime this fall.
I did a little interview after the Master of The Mix House Edition DJ battle on my thoughts on the battle and also got asked to share my perspective as a professional dancer on the house music space which is that it means a lot to me as lover of the art of freestyling and expression. I of course shouted out my favs in the competition.
Shrine's guest house DJ Ron Trent held it down in between battle sets and after the competition and if this fact I'm about to share is unknown, I'm marking it as the truth. Ron Trent is a beast and when I'm in Chicago, I'll be at any party he spins at. This man took a room of booers and napkin chuckers and shut them down with his music and got them smiling and dancing and flirting again.
House music parties are like church to me. Every performer needs an outlet and house music is mine.
The energy in a room full of people living to some house music feels like what I imagine my ancestors must have felt when praising god through dance. (yea, i can get corny lol)
BET's Master of The Mix featuring Just Blaze, Kid Capri, Vikter Duplaix, and (inexplicably hot) Amber Rose came through to Chicago's own the The Shrine with season two's DJ contenders. The Battle Challenge: House!
The DJs met a tough crowd of House lovers... OG Househeads ready to shake their heads and chuck a collective boo of disapproval at a sloppy transition... Dancers stopping mid rock to the wrong track...Self appointed music connoisseurs giving throwback Showtime at the Apollo to the left arms, and prissy girls in heels like me who somehow managed to get busy to most of the dj's sets lol.
it's been a great few months considering what things were like this time last year. While I looked forward to my birthday back then, I felt a lot of worry and guilt about not being where I felt I should be in most aspects of my life. My version of being at bottom was bleak but whatever efforts I could put in to help myself was a step up off the ground even if I didn't realize it at the time. It didn't feel like I was doing much, but I would later find out that I had been planting the appropriate seeds.
With putting more effort into helping myself came the realization that i also needed to be around people that wanted to see me up as well. For us artists, we have to be protective of everything we are and be aware of everthing and everyone we're exposed to. If you feel that you're in the midst of people or situations that ridicule your dream (however playful it may seem), get your gaurds up and try your hardest to not let the messes or doubts of another person affect what you feel called to do.
You're supposed to wake up everyday feeling hopeful and excited about what is to come.
Congrats on the good news you'll hear this week :)
it doesn't matter where I am when I hear this song. I'm getting up and just might put on a show lol
Had an amazing experience performing with Beyonce for Oprah at the United Center with all 59 of the other dancers!
To be a witness to Beyonce's work ethnic and her spirit was so inspiritng. After the first rehearsal with her, I understood why she is where she is in life.
Right Place at the Right Time with the Right People
Doing Back up for Tina Turner (make believe lol) as an Ikette with Ike and Tina. I had the opportunity to work with a woman who created most of the work that inspired my wanting to be a dancer when I was younger, Fatima Robinson.
When I decided that I could have everything my heart imagines, struggle became a wrap. Do you all invision things for yourselves or feel as though your potential is greater than what you are doing at this very second? I did for a long time, but during that long time thought that all these things would forever remain in my heart and mind as simply thoughts.
Remember that there is nothing new under the sun. We've all been charmed by some influential someone who stands as the tangible example that a dream can come true.
I'm going all Disney on you guys :)
Everyday isn't easy, but I wake up smiling and looking forward to my day and thanking the powers that be for this.
I make my living doing something that people told me for years would not work. So if you're reading this and not doing what is in your heart because some other imperfect human told you that your dream is impractical, rebel and live/love your life.
yay Oprah!
