2 posts tagged “new york”
I'm utterly speechless right now. I almost feel like crying. I feel like I'm experiencing another epiphany.
For the past couple of days, in light of my conversation I had with my aunt , I've been mulling over pushing myself (even harder) out of my comfort zone. As I scoped out a few more frelance gigs on journalism job boards, I almost felt intimidated. A lot of the freelance gigs that are up for grabs are based in New York. I thought back to one of my old writing & reporting professors and the journalism logic he shared; a journalist my have to be a nomad from time to time. So I'm not a full fledge journalist and most of the freelance projects I'm doing are more so on the creative side now. However, a lot of the "cool" projects I see are outside of DC. I STILL have this mindset that I can find a freelance gig or two in DC (or at least in the area) - one that I LIKE! It would accommodate my lifestyle and be convenient.
I often complained how creativity is often underground, hidden in the cracks of this city. It may not be as prevalent as in New York, maybe Philly and perhaps San Francisco or Chicago, because politics is the mother load here. So yes, I've been trying to carve out my own niche. However, today I took a look at what some of the projects from New York are looking for. Guidelines seems simple enough, but there goes that pain-in-the-ass self doubt. Am I really an expert on fashion? The woman who just put some pink and white poka dot sheets on her bed?
(don't ask)
I even considered posting a profile on another journalism site under their freelance section. That other pain in the ass set in, intimidation. I began to feel really small when browsing the other profiles and taking note of how many years they have been at this.
I started reading emails and clearing out my inbox. I came across one of those weekly gossip thingys that Ms. C always sends me. To be fair, the one she sends is really the most truthful. She actually sent it a week ago, so I'm a bit late on the latest. I skimmed through not caring much about Star Jones and Al Rynolds' divorce, Eddie Murphy wanting the engagement ring back from Tracey Emmonds or even Whitney Houston and Brandy's brother, Ray J, dating again (yuck!). My eyes locked on a small paragraph about Jill Scott.
Jill Scott, along with actresses Angie Harmon and Gabrielle Union, go nude for Allure Magazine's annual "nude" issue. I did a quick search on the net and there is was, a pre posting of what to expect in the May issue of Allure Magazine.
I got a chance to read the inset attached to her picture. Jill talks about how nervous she was. She couldn't sleep the night before. She didn't think she would feel comfortable in doing this. Her comfort zone of being her naked size 16 self is usually in her home, when she is alone. Yet, she did this to join up with Allure's cause - to celebrate EVERY woman no matter her size. Basically Jill pushed passed her comfort zone. The end result; a liberation she never felt before.
(see photo shoot in video below)
I
I feel inspired. Being naked in front of strangers, let alone to have your "beauty" posted for publication is not the easiest thing to do - unless you just that damn confident about yourself. My writing and my professional experiences, creative or journalistic, are me; EXPOSED.
My self doubt and intimidation are going to have to take a back seat. I'm on a mission as I seek my liberation.
Ever been to a good party or had a real genuine good time at a club? I'm not talking about because you got wasted all night and did freaky sneaky things that you had a smashing time. I'm talking about when you went, mix and mingled and EVERYONE was about the music. It wasn't about profiling, spitting lame pick up lines or finding a conquest for the night. It was all about the POSTIVE energy, the dancing, making new friends/connections because of a common love.
I have.
I actually miss it. I long for it. Just once more.
Take me back a few years.
Home - Washington, DC
My friend Mona and I hit up a local reggae spot - The Kaffa House.
Outside of Mona, none of my friends share the same interest in reggae (roots rock) and dancehall.
We had arrived kind of early, but it was fine. It gave us time to "chill" and watch the sights entering the building. Midnight the place started jumping. Two o'clock the place was packed. Three o'clock we were rocking with some guys that traveled from New York City.
I was 20 and staying out until five in the morning was a new found thing.
A couple of years later.
Baltimore.
My friend Kel hosted her thirtyish-something birthday party at Downtown Southern Blues. It was small jazz restaurant/lounge located in the city's art district. Unfortunately, as new and nice at the place was, it didn't last long. The party, however, last well into the night and probably would have kept going until dawn if management would have allowed. I was somewhat a fish out of water, only knowing Kel. However by the end of the night I would have been introduced to her life long friend, internationally know DJ Karizma - yeah... the one of former Basement Boys production fame. I had also met a local author on the rise and other faces that have been a constant in Kel's life.
It was her Anthology party.
Again - it was looking like a 5 A.M drive up the DC/Baltimore Parkway back home.
Fast forward a few more years later.
New York City.
It was St. Patrick's Day weekend. Part of my stay in New York was to visit my cousin "T" in Brooklyn.
We spent much the day in Manhattan with a quick run to her place in Brooklyn. Later we met up in Times Square at the Fashion 40 Lounge. You would think with a name like that and it's location it would be stuffy and posh. True, there were people standing around, but after a while (and perhaps a few drinks) everyone was dancing. It was about the music.
Today... I want whoever finds and reads this to think back. Think back to the time of your life where you had genuine fun…where the atmosphere was positive and you felt this vibrant energy. You released all of your frustrations on the dance floor. It's almost as if you "went to church."
Today I'm thinking of the people who made those pilgrimages to The Shelter in NYC, Who came here to DC to party at Club Red (RIP), Five, DC Sanctuary, who went to Baltimore to catch Oji, Karizma, D-Low and others. For the followers of DC's Sam "The Man" Burns. For those that traveled to Chicago, Miami and London.
For my brother Chuck who knows were I'm coming from with this.
For the guy with dreads I met in Seattle, whose house party my family and I were invited to
For Kel who inspired me and re-introduced me to REAL house music.
For Karizma who spoke candidly to me, but I never got to publish his article.
For DJ Barry in the UK, we will meet up
For Ben Watt, whose music and mixes I'm addicted to
For those that don't understand my thoughts right now.
For wherever you found your good time and for some reason those days seem to be a faded memory.....
Weak Become Heroes
By The Streets
Turn left up the street
Nothing but grey concrete and dead beats
Grab something to eat
Maccy D's or KFC
Only one choice in the city
Done voice in my pity now lets get to the nitty gritty
Tune reminds me of my first e
Like unique still sixteen and feelin horny
Point to the sky feel free
A sea of people all equal smiles in front and behind me
Swim in the deep blue sea cornfields sway lazily
All smiles all easy where you from, what you on and what's your story
Mesmerizing tones risin pianos this is my zone so stop clonin
Pick paper scissors or stone
Coz me and you are same i known you all my life i don't know your name
The names European Bob sorted anyway
Gonna have dance now see you later please to meet you
Likewise a pleasure
We were just standin there mindin our own
And it went on and on
We all smile we all sing
The weak become heroes then the stars align
We all sing we all sing all sing
We were just standin there mindin our own
And it went on and on
We all smile we all sing
The weak become heroes then the stars align
We all sing we all sing all sing
The night slowly fades and goes slow motion
All the commotion becomes floatin emotions
Same piano loops over
Arms wave eyes roll back and jaws fall open
I see in soft focus
Chattin to this bloke in the toilets
Dizzy new heights blinded by the lights
These people are for life its all back to his place at the end of the night
They could settle wars with this
If only they will imagine the worlds leaders on pills then imagine the mornin after
Wars causing disaster don't talk to me i don't know ya
But this aint tommorow and for now i still love ya
Hours fly over sail round diamonds and pearls never seen so many fit girls
Discover new worlds look at my watch can't focus
Last two hours i lost every move fills me with lust
All of life's problems i just shake off
Mad little events happen things map out and a few blue maddens alight the toilets
Big beefy bouncers out to reveal us geezers on e's and first timers kids on whizz darlins on
Charlie
All come together for this party
All races many faces from places you never heard of
Where you from what's your name and what you want
Sing to the words flex to the fat one
The tribal drums the sun's risin we all smile we all sing
We were just standin there mindin our own
And it went on and on
We all smile we all sing
The weak become heroes then the stars align
We all sing we all sing all sing
We were just standin there mindin our own
And it went on and on
We all smile we all sing
The weak become heroes then the stars align
We all sing we all sing all sing
Then the girl in the cafe taps me on the shoulder
I realize five years went by I'm older
Memories smoulder winters colder
But that same piano loops over and over and over
The road shines and the rain washes away
The same Chinese takeaway selling shit in a tray
It's dark all round I walk down same sight same sounds new beats though
Solid concrete under my feet
No surprises no treats the world stands still as my mind sloshes round
The washing up bowl in my crown
My life's been up and down since i walked from that crowd
We were just standin there mindin our own
And it went on and on
We all smile we all sing
The weak become heroes then the stars align
We all sing we all sing all sing
We were just standin there mindin our own
And it went on and on
We all smile we all sing
The weak become heroes then the stars align
We all sing we all sing all sing
Outta respect for Jonnie Walker, Paul Oakenfold, Nicky Holloway, Danny Rampling, and all the peolple that gave us these times
And to the Government I stick my middle finger up with regards to the Criminal Justice Bill
For all the heroes I met along the way (The weak become heroes then the stars align)
We all sing we all sing all sing
The weak become heroes then the stars align
We all sing we all sing all sing
We were just standin there mindin our own
And it went on and on
We all smile we all sing
The weak become heroes then the stars align
We all sing we all sing all sing
