I know it’s forbidden to post about religion or any God’s served, but if we didn’t write about what we feel, think, or experience blogging would be purposeless. So, we’re all given gifts & it would be a shame not to utilize them right? Right. Well, last month I was inspired or enlightened by God to sing a Gospel song, I mean I was raised up in church. This weekend I sing in front of a bunch of people for the first time since 2009. Me? Sing? In church? Where they won’t lie and tell me I sound great when I really sound terrible like my friends would? Yes. Sing. 

I’m so self-conscious & bashful when it comes to vocalizing… but I have so much confidence and excitement to use this gift in a different light. The beautiful thing about it is my mother is playing the keys alongside me. I’ve always wanted to work with my parents musically. Another, is that I never stressed about writing any lyrics down, they spilled out my mouth in an instant melody. And, I’ve been blessed by the words, I hope someone else is blessed Sunday.

Gifts, give and receive.

I’ve been reading a lot of Toure’s & Dream Hampton’s articles, in addition to a ton of other authors and they’ve awaken me so much as a thinker, as one who has loved to write since Elementary. Influencing me to read books differently, to write more, seek more, take classes, practice and actually let others read my writings. Caught myself thinking to… well myself while driving realizing that I have so many options, talents and abilities, but I have yet to attack ONE and exercise its potential continually. I’m painfully content with being “good” at something, forgetting there’s “great,” a habit I need to drown quickly. I have true aspirations to write in top tier music & entertainment, cultural-societal & lifestyle magazines, columns, essays and the like. I will, I have to. Dana you have no choice because you’re great and, um… yeah, don’t know how to end this either, just thh—ink-ing a—looouuuud.

Beginning w/ chicken and fish, shortly after no meats at all. Did this last year, backtracked to a certain extent. Just saw a stomach churning video about the affects of eating pork, I hardly do anyway. I’ve always been hesitant about eating meat or touching raw meat. This isn’t a resolution for the new year, just something I should have kept up with back in 2007.

There’s a certain necessity for tastefulness that’sto be captured while shooting nude photographs of women. There’s an artfulness that’s missing in a lot photographs I’ve seen. I am still a novice and have much to learn as a photographer so what do I know? But having a set of eyes can see that a lot of photographers interest is focused only on the actual opportunity of photographing naked women without any visions of what’s portrayed. No artistry existing. I guess some women are easily accessible and are just as easily suckered into elated to pose in front of anyone with a camera. This isn’t going anywhere, I have yet to photograph nudes, but I know what not to do.

A woman at my church has asked me to counsel her middle-school aged daughter, you know at that age a lot (not all) of young girls are out of control. The situations and issues the woman has gone through with the girl had me pissed off; her mom isn’t perfect neither. The girl has taken refuge to my office during the week after school sometimes, and I guess a friendship foundation was laid. She puts on the angelic act for me, and I know her actions are the opposite in reality. I mean, Jr. High School girls are vulnerable and straddle the ropes of “seeming goody goody” but “being” bad for the boys. I knew it was coming, I dreamt about someone asking me to talk to her. When things appear in my dreams they usually happen. 

…Trying to find the right questions and words without causing her to shutdown.

Back story quickie: Thundercat Show, pre-sale tickets sold out online. Boyfriend and I planning to go a week before. Got in line at 7:45, ticket office doesn’t open til 9:30, we chillin crossing our fingers we get in (early). The thing with Thundercat is he’s affiliated with mad people we love, so we HAVE to get in.

Story quickie: Driving to Walgreens to get to an ATM, I peep this woman in a big tux hat walking down the sidewalk. I slow my car down, smh Erykah Badu. I’m hype, we’re hype, hyping up the show cause it’s gonna be the best thing ever. We get in line, but we’re not guaranteed tickets, but we’re first so we have a chance.

Between 7:45 - 8:30 we meet Flying Lotus (yes), Thundercat, my boyfriend peeps B. Coleman, his business partner is Bplus (my fav photog) and I’m hoping he’s there! We see other people less important at the moment (so rude), but it is what it is. The big hat lady comes out again, this time right next to us. “Saraaa Bellummmm” she turns to us with a big smile and the rest was history. Man, her booty though…

The show was amazing, my cousin played the sax for Thundercat’s band. I had no clue he was going to be there, he blew my mind also. I stuttered and forced words out my mouth as I spoke to Bplus (yup). I actually approached him, so out my element because I’m scary, but I had to. I was supposed to be there last night, it’s beautiful being a fan, and an artist.

I have too much hw to do, I can’t write in full sentences right now. Bye.