Thursday, October 26

Fright Fair

Last week a friend invited me to "Fright Fair, Scream Park After Dark". It's part of a Halloween Harvest Festival at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, California.

He treated me to the full service scare - Corn Maze, Haunted House and Haunted Trail.

Now I think of myself as a pretty tough individual but boy oh boy and girl oh girl did I lose it.

My Step-Grandmother used to always tell me I was ass backwards because I felt safer in the street with hoodlums than in our house (with a security system) and I'll say on this day, October 26, 2006 over 20 years later....She is correct.

I'll take the evil I know, anyday, over monsters, ghouls, demons and the likes. Make believe, shmake believe. There is a line from Toni Morrison's book, Song of Solomon, it reads "What difference do it make if the thing you're scared of is real or not?" AMEN to that. If I jump out of a high-rise window trying to escape a make-believe monster, I'll still wind up scattered on the sidewalk.

So...We get there..... LATE. We get to the Haunted house and we're told...."The creatures are on a 10 minute break" You think that would help ease the fear, once you are told creatures have to eat and take bathroom breaks...but no, not at all.

First of all...If I ever go to another Haunted House or Cornfield, I need to go with a GROUP of people. It was just the two of us and because they were about to close...it was really just the two of us. I wasn't safe walking in front of him, I wasn't safe walking behind him. I wasn't safe jumping on his back. There was no safe haven. I needed one more body to sandwich myself between. It was outrageously horrifying to me. Opening doors and walking through different rooms with different horrible and bloody scenarios. Sometimes we'd hear moaning in the next room, so we'd know we were in for it and sometimes the creatures (dressed up teenagers, I'm sure) would come from behind.

It's amazing how a grown woman such as myself and a grown man such as my friend..we'll call him K for short, completely lost our senses in a Haunted House set up in the middle of a field on a College Campus. And the screaming....I hit notes I never thought possible and I really didn't realize how much I was screaming until K let me know about it. The screaming was innate..I couldn't stop.

I still can't decide which was scarier...the Haunted house or the Haunted Trail (in the middle of a cornfield). Actually, as I type this I realize, CORNFIELD! Mucho scary as hell. I mean, who wasn't horrified at the thought of " Children of the Corn" and a cornfield all by itself is scary enough. But add monsters, ghouls, fools with chainsaws and the memory of that screen ode to dysfunctional kids in a field and you've got the recipe for a FIRST CLASS HEART ATTACK.

And, I, of course was wearing heels (never wear heels) but when an invite comes in, ya gotta roll with the punches.

Punch 1 - Heels in a haunted cornfield.

The first scare was a big football playing looking child of the corn. And man for a big guy he chased me a longggggg time. Because when he jumped out, I went back to my days of high school as a 100 yard dash sprinter. The problem with me, is I am a sprinter. I am incapable of long distance running, apparently even when a 350 pound monster in blood drenched overalls chases me in a cornfield. K, who I wouldn't let out of my sight, went down as well and had the nerve to wave the ghoul on...telling him to go get her. Her being "eat my dust" Dayna. I was sprinting right out of his realm until ..BOOM..I took a hella dive. Here's some advice - Don't run with scissors OR in heels. And they were boots with heels, good solid heels, but I'm a flip-flop girl. So I went down.......hard. I'm not ashamed to say it. Jumped up caught my breath and took off running again (still trying to get the grass and dirt stains out of my favorite jeans.) There was no end to the cornfield and no end to the amount of creatures jumping out from behind the stalks.

Finally K, caught up, because I could no longer run. I even told a monster to just keep me. I mean it was really unbelievable. The deep, heartfelt horror of it all. The pain in my chest from screaming AND sprinting at the same time. They should add that to the Olympics roster - Horror sprinting. You have to run for 200 yards while screaming the whole time.

When we emerged from the horrifying haunted trail. We both were sore, it was like a horrifying work out at the gym. A "hurt so good" feeling. Crazy. I slept like a baby that night. Until I heard a noise in my kitchen around 4am. I'm certain it was a creature from the cornfield (grown world traveled woman here) but I can't be sure.

Eddie Murphy does a stand up joke about the difference between white and black people when it comes to being scared. He uses Poltergeist as an example.. A White family buys a new house, hears a ghost say "get out" and they invite other people over to come hear the ghost. A Black family buys a new house, hears a ghost say "get out" and they take the ghosts advice. I felt similar when I heard the noise/creature in my kitchen, I didn't get up and leave, but I sure as hell didn't get up and go investigate. I just moved the stungun closer to the bed and layered my sleepwear in case I had to escape through the window.

But after all of the fear, the running, the screaming, the busting of my ass, the staining of my jeans and so on and so forth....I had a slap ass good time. I really did. A horrifying and gratifying good time. But I'm not going back. No haunted houses and trails for at least 3 years. I mean the whole concept is brilliant! You walk in with your lips twisted in disbelief and you walk out humbled because you damn near wet your pants. Brilliant!!! Though I suspected I'd be an easy target, just didn't know the level of horror. And thank the Big God of little Fishes, I wasn't drunk or on any hallucinogenic drugs. I would've been featured on eyewitness news.

Thanks K-MAN. Let's have more fun, more fun!!!!! Oh, Halloween in West Hollywood. I haven't done that since I moved to California. I'm working that day, but I'm dedicated to making it. We'll see.

This is the entrance....other than those lights....DARKNESS!!!!!

Thursday, October 5

We love fabulous gay men....


So if all these so called straight shooter left wing "closeted" bible-belt Republican males just embraced their desires and picked up a copy of Diana Ross' greatest hits...and a Barbara Streisand box set.....wouldn't life be grand. Although, the thought of Mark Foley, in drag....not so much.

The issue here, is not that this man is/was a closeted Republican, it's that he decided he likes, little soft "confused" boys, who are looking to be mentored, not molested. He decided to take advantage of a situation, instead of being a responsible grown gay male, who takes the time to DATE other grown gay males. Nothing wrong with that. Something way wrong with seducing young "confused" males who are probably only going along with it based on his position of "power." Sad...sad...sad....and disgusting. I mean if these boys ARE gay, would that old, ugly man be their first choice of a love interest.....hell no.

I'm sure the parents of these boys were so proud of their sons, so happy for the career path they were on. Then they learn, the career path was really just male prostitution. God help an old man who'd try that on an offspring of mine. I hope to raise a child who would take the inappropriate solicitation, first, to me and then, second, to eyewitness news. I can't imagine....What was Foley trying to create, a new legacy of confused Republican, molested males to take over Congress one day. What he did to these boys is beyond unfair, selfish and nasty...it's beyond. Okay, so you have these thoughts and feelings towards little boys that you can't seem to control. Then move to a mountain and live alone or seek psychiatric help. You selfish bastard. Now you've got several boys who have to grow into men and function in society with the memory and public humiliation of some old stinky Congressman who took advantage of them. A vicious cycle of abuse.

It's funny how, because this guy is Republican...every excuse in the book is being brought to light for his sexual deviance...he was molested and yadda, yadda, yadda. And when Michael Jackson's dysfunction came out, nobody cared or excused his alleged inappropriate behavior with kids, whose own PARENTS dropped them off at grown ass Micheal Jackson's house. I wonder who molested Michael and if and when that comes to light, will he be excused for "unproven" lewd acts.

And oh how they are going on and on about....these, being, just text messages and Foley, never had sex with any of these boys. Of course he did. Maybe not all of them but at least one. Or some kind of inappropriate sexual act with a minor... of the same sex for God's sake. Come on. Denial really is a river in Egypt when a Republican's dirt is aired. If this guy was a democrat, he would've been exiled and dropped in the middle of the Sahara dessert. "They" would magically find old condoms and bottles of alcohol with leftover DNA from the teenage pages in the deviant democrats house. So I see why the wicked claim Republican...you get away with doing a busload of grimy stuff. And if by chance, you do get caught....no matter how heinous the crime....you get a tiny slap on the hand to keep the public quiet and then you get a gift basket filled with chocolates and champagne as an apology for the public slap on the hand your cohorts were FORCED to give to appease the masses.

Outrageous!! But all things come to light. So I've said this before and I'll say it again and I feel the same way about myself....If you don't want anyone to know about some shady shit you're doing.....Don't do it. Because if one other human knows, rest assured, several know. And eventually you'll have to deal with whatever it is you were trying to hide or deny.

This man, Foley, makes enough money to go get therapy for his sick addiction. And that's what he shouldv'e done. But we live in a society where if you have enough power and money, you and several fools under you, will start to believe your own bullshit of...."Whatever I want I can have and whatever I want to do is okay" And with several yes men or women whispering behind your back but not telling you to your face how sick and disgusting you are.....you are never checked and the monster just grows and grows. This dude was really throwing stones in a glass house. Good for the Aide who ratted him out. I'm usually not a fan of rat finks, but I love a good shake up amongst the so called "Elite". This Foley guy is the elite of America....money makes it right.

Money makes, extortion, adultery, child molestation, murder, mayhem, sodomy, R. Kelly, rape, and a slew of other wrong things....right.

Wrong!

I have to be a bit shallow and add what I just read....Foley has allegedley been involved in a long-term relationship with a dermatologist..Ummmmm....Foley's skin shows otherwise. So if this is true, either that is the worst dermatologist on earth or he didn't like his boyfriend very much.

Thursday, September 28

Thankfully, it is now like this...

Life is 10% what happens to you, 90% how you respond.



My mantra...and it really works for me(as long as I remember to remember this point)

The Sun continues to rise and shine EVERYDAY!!! Unless you're in Alaska....no thank you.. as I am solar powered.

Hip-Hop Hooray!!!!

Tuesday, September 26

It's like this right now:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Wednesday, September 13

let's revisit an older post..

Because...If true....This (being a divorce) would be the best decision Whitney Houston has made since deciding to become a singer. Whitney Houston being my favorite, singer, celebrity, person in the world. Person...as in one I don't really know but has had a serious impact on my life anyway. And I still plead the fifth when all who know me want to "gossip" about my girl. Not doing it. Not interested in doing it. And get the hell out of my earshot if you just can't stop yourself. Just two weeks ago I was out at a club, a club. And the poor souls I was there with, thought it would be entertaining to start doggin' my girl out because all who know me know it usually starts a heated debate. Well thankfully, I stopped talking altogether and not to pat myself on the back, but I was commanding the fun, and the fun went out the window when I gave them the silent treatment so they quickly ordered another round and changed the subject. I didn't have to do the usual temper tantrum and take the bus home bit...although I was driving and had they not been smart enough to respect the DRIVERS wishes. Three buzzed chicks would've had to call a cab....a very non-fun (and costly) thing to do in Cali.

Originally posted 7/17/2005...

Desperate Jackass forces prideful lioness wife to air business for the sake of peace and harmony on the homefront.....the new name for "Being Bobby Brown".
I have not seen the show and am actively avoiding seeing it. I've seen it all before. Dysfunctional obsessive love for being in a dysfunctional obsessive love. I've heard enough and read enough about it to last me a lifetime. I may have even been in a few....short-lived....

Let me start by saying..my love and adoration for Whitney Houston spans two decades and up until this moment I have exercised my right to remain silent on her personal life. Because........

1. Is it really my business (although I kinda feel like it is, but not in a star gossipy way, more of a concerned cousin kind of way.)

and

2. Is it really your business

But now that she has signed a contract for all the world to see, I am officially prepared to release a statement.

My heart breaks for what I see when I look at this life Whitney Houston has been fooled into living.

What Whitney as performer has done for me...1987...was the first year I saw Whitney live and it was my first "Hey this is the greatest singer I've ever heard". I was gone. Completely won over and on my way to being the biggest Whitney fan of all times...I really am....I'm not trying to prove it...it is what it is. Framed photos of Whitney are on my walls (plural) Unconditional fan. I'm sure I am here (meaning alive and thriving) because of my love for Whitney Houston...Kept a depressed suicidal 15 year old girl preoccupied...guided me to Arista Records as an intern and from there begins my crazy life in the world of entertainment. I am working in the entertainment industry right now because I wanted to work at Whitney's record label.

We're talking about 1991.....I was brizzzzzoke (broke) out of my mind....half working, half going to school, half just figuring out where I wanted to be in the world and what kind of person I wanted to be (a decision more people should spend time on.) Owned a raggedy ass 1987 mitsubishi mirage. It looked nice enough but man....don't sit still in traffic....the fumes were out of control...but it got me all around New Jersey and New York, in to and out of all kinds of mischief...more importantly it got my ass to Hershey, Pennsylvania to see my favorite singer/entertainer.

To this day, I have not felt the kind of thrill I felt at this concert. My cousin(invited herself) and friend(fellow Whitney fan) came along...My friend's financial situation was worse than mine....I with my no money havin' yet determined self..wound up paying for her as well. But my cousin...God Bless her.....had some dough and God Bless her again...I'll never forget what she did for me and my friend....Paid the extra cash for second row center seats....We would've been sitting on the lawn....instead....a scalper came to us...I had not one extra cent (had to make sure I had gas money home) My cousin paid for me and my friend. She barely knew my friend. I actually need to drop my cousin a note and some photos from that day....over 14 years ago...One of the best days of my life....not to mention how we spent the day in Hershey Park, met Whitney's dancers and her brother, hung out with them for a little bit and kept it movin' and I won a huge stuffed animal. Security thought I was bringing it for Whitney, wrong, that was for my Great-Grandma. It was Babs Bunny and she is still in my Great-Grandma's room, right now in the year 2005 thank you very much...If I had given it to Whitney, Bobby would have thrown it out of a window in some angry fit.
Waited for hours outside her tour bus....the crew kept telling me she had left...I mean the woman who played piano in the band tried to tell me Whitney had already left....yeah right....I waited and waited...backed down a one way street in the smoke-mobile and my poor cousin and friend had no choice but to wait with me..My cousin started to complain...I turned a deaf ear to her and walked closer to Whitney's tour bus.....and guess what.....after hours...Whitney was tired and I'm sure not in the mood...I asked "Whitney will you take a picture with me?" she stopped, her security stopped, she turned to look at me....studied my face for a moment (I guess saw the painful desperation and took pity on me ) walked away from her security and towards me...."Okay, baby come on" as she stretched her arm out to me.....GOOD GUGAMOOGA....I could've died right then...
Yeah baby, I have too many "Oh my God I just met Whitney" moments.....I'll share later..if it comes up. All this to say I was a huge fan, And still a huge fan , except I'm older and I have more of an indepth understanding for life..its fulfillment and its disappointments and how this might affect an "individual".

Whitney the "individual" not "entity" is what I see and have seen and every time I see her now...My heart breaks a little more. I wish I could carry the addictions for this woman....kick them for her and allow her to regain the light she has allowed her "betrothed" to smother out. Seriously...

Bobby Brown is obsessed with fame and stuck in a nostalgic box of memories of his former fame.....he is failing, has failed, at his current career, which is father and husband and being a grown ass man.....It's a job and he is not on it...when someone fails at his or her job what usually follows is his being fired. Fire that fool. I wish an angel would come to Whitney in the night pack her and Bobbi Kristina's belongings....move them, while they remain asleep, out of GEORGIA (I will address my contempt for this place at another time) and either back to some remote town in New Jersey or California or Florida.....or out of the damn country. And somehow magically keep Bobby Brown held captive in the house they once shared (like the ghosts in beetlejuice).....Just leave the whole scene behind and focus on her daughter and kicking her addictions...one being addicted to her husband...addicted to chaos and aggravation. I understand those addictions and I also understand the only way to kick them is to put some space between yourself and whoever or whatever you're addicted to....It's impossible to kick something when it's staring you right in the face. Remove yourself from the situation and take the blinding goggles off so you can see how crazy things really are.

Every time I see Bobby Brown shucking and jiving for the camera (other places, not "his" new show) I'm reminded of a scene in The Five Heartbeats when the washed up ego maniac of a drug addict ex-lead singer shows up..all beat down.....talking about TA-DA...donning an old shirt from one of their performances.....Pitiful.
Bobby Brown was never, will never, has never been the King of R&B. If he's the King in the Houston-Brown household so be it...but give the rest of the world a break. And please give me a break. I can't take it. I get it. I totally understand it. But I can't take it.

Instead of being grateful for the life and wealth Whitney has provided him with he's mad about it. Trying to make her believe something's wrong with her cause' he's the man. Classic scene. Except this one is on a more public scale.....Some of the best advice I've ever heard was in Forrest Gump (I love this movie and will refer to it many more times)....Some kids were coming to harrass Little Forrest....His best friend Jenny, yelled "Run, Forrest, Run"....to my Whitney I give similar advice..."Run Whitney, Run." and take that little girl with you. It's not to late. Look at Tina Turner, she ran, late, but better late than never. You can still live the great life God planned for you and get out of the life the Devil tricked you into believing you were supposed to live.



P.S....when I say unconditional fan...I have met Whitney when she's not in the greatest of moods....and got my feelings hurt a little but I've also met her at her best and she treated me wonderfully.....everyone has a bad day...Rich, broke, star, unknown whatever and we all get burned by someone in a bad mood....from a Judge who had an argument with his wife before coming to work...to a doctor who's not feeling too well but still performing an operation....to the guy in charge of french fries at the fast food restaurant and lastly a celebrity....I'd rather fall victim to a cranky celebrity than a cranky judge deciding my fate or some angry french fry guy dropping fries on the floor or throwing gross objects into the fryer with my fries.

And don't get it twisted....back in the day..Loved me some Bobby Brown....My Prerogative and Every Little Step...what....he was a dancing and entertaining fool.....turned ego maniac....the young R&B girls have Usher now Bobby, hang up your dancing shoes and feel pleased about making room for the next generation of dancing fools....and either love her or leave her....don't stick around hating on her....

Houston he has a problem....

Bobby Brown is to Whitney Houston what the moon is to a werewolf.....a terrible influence.










What a fool believes he sees, no wise man has the power to reason away.

-WHAT A FOOL BELIEVES (written by Michael McDonald & Kenny Loggins) performed by the Doobie Brothers..

Which Doobie you be??????

Thursday, September 7

The 100 Most Powerful Women

I don't have much to add to this. I found it interesting. The world keeps on spinning and women across the globe are spinning right along with it. Great!

My first reason for going to check out this link was to make sure the most powerful woman in my sphere was there... Miss Oprah Winfrey coming in at a lovely number fourteen in rank. MAJOR, on all kinds of levels. Too many for me to get into right now. After Miss Winfrey invites me on her show and gives the audience a complimentary copy of the cutest children's book to come about in the new millenium, I will then get into "My life with, without Oprah" and the impact. I found a high school picture from my Junior year last week, flipped the photo, and on the back was....To Oprah Winfrey. My junior year..I was 15 years old. In my first oral communications course in college, after my presentation (I suffer from a serious phobia of public speaking) the professor compared me to Oprah. Little things are major boosts. Of course I was horrified at the thought of having to speak in public like Oprah does everyday, but it was beyond nice to have a black woman doing wonderful things in the media to be compared to, especially when film and media studies was my major. Truly. And here we are many, many years later and though I still suffer terribly from public speaking. I do rise for the occasion and with sweaty palms and a lightning fast heartbeat...I do what I have to do.

See how I start going on and on about Ofrah? Maybe I'll write a book and title it "My life with, without Oprah".

A picture really does speak a thousand words.

Condoleezza Rice,who was #1 for a spell got demoted to #2. I know it's not supposed to matter because she is a woman doing things and all, but good Lord, what is she and where is she from...poor 'ting. I'm afraid for her. She looks like she is in a constant state of "deer caught in headlights." She looks like a woman who signed on to do something she's not sure she should be doing but feels she's gone to far to turn or come back now. I hope she's inspiring some little girl who doesn't really know the specifics except this woman of "some" color is the Secretary of State. It's what I hope of our 66th Secretary of State....missing one 6 to hint at deals made.
I think she was inducted on January 26th....there's your other 6. Too many of those upside down 9's involved for me to put my raised eyebrow to rest. But I still maintain....God Bless Her!!!!

And that's all I have to say about that.

Tuesday, August 29

In the great words of Erykah Badu.....

"Now keep in mind, I'm an artist, and I'm sensitive about my s*&^!"

I got my first OFFICIAL rejection letter from THE publishing company I wanted to be the home
for my outrageously adorable (and marketable) series of children's books. My blood, sweat and tears was sent back to me in the pitiful self-addressed envelope I enclosed with a even more pitiful 4X6 piece of scrap paper. With the stock response....We apologize for this impersonal response but the amount of submissions we receive, outweighs...blah, blah, blah and your work was given careul consideration....yadda, yadda, yadda but NO!!!!!!! NO!!!!! NO!!!!!!

Now I know you're saying..."One rejection letter, Bitch please." But this is how I operate. My confidence is (was?) right up there with the stars. The screenplays....I'll give you an inch on rejecting those. That's a whole other show Oprah. But this book my aunt and I have created. This legacy. I mean if I had an extra $20,000 laying around, I would self-publish the first series. Get everyone's attention and then make him come high with the numbers, for the rest of the series.

And if, if was a fifth....We'd all be drunk.

I'm running out of optimism. Even though I know, I know, it's my own belief about most things.....If you line your ducks up in a row..and it still doesn't work out, then it wasn't meant to be. I know this. I maneuver through life with this. But sometimes, I get knocked on my Arse and this is one time. I did my research on children's book publishers and reached out to this company...exclusively...because I'm not the one for settling. But I do know, what we think we want is not always what we are supposed to have and so the path for my children's book has switched up a bit. The way I would prefer it to go down...if I submit my work to a company I'm not supposed to be with then my lawyer would negotiate back and forth for a few weeks until we finally decided not to go with the company. That's more ideal and hella' easier to swallow, than a big fat, NO!!!!!!

The problem is, I've reached a dead end in the maze and I'm not sure of the next move. THIS IS MY PROBLEM. I rarely suffer from this affliction, so when it hits, it hits hard. Sucks. Truly. For many reasons. Many more than I care to share.

And not to compare, because it's nowhere near as intricate and massive (nor is it meant to be, thank you very much) but my friend told me, through my tears, that several companies passed on Harry Potter. Kicking themselves all in the arse now I'm sure. My book is much more simple aimed to spark the imaginations of the little 2-6 year olds. I already envision the border of my (yet to be conceived) baby's room painted with my character. And the next picture is walking into Target...pronounced Tarjhay....when we need to be fancy....and seeing the character on lamps, bedspreads, shower curtains and so on and so forth and shoobee doobee dooobee......

So....there you have it.

Down but not Out and working on getting back into the stars, because seriously. The book has been tested on its future consumers, any and all 2-6 year old children I come in contact with. And they all give it a thumbs up. One darling child (Offspring of two beautiful celebrities and I mean beautiful), even drew a picture of the character on the chalkboard for me after she read the book. And then we had a cartwheel competition that she quickly won. The bones of a 34 year old in comparison to the bones of a 6 year old. Oh, the CUTENESS...Last year my aunt took it to a pre-school....read it for the kiddies and they LOVED it. They even chose specific pages they loved. So these kiddies should NOT be denied. Dangburnit!!!! Nor should this kid or the illustrator who brought my words to beautiful life. As her sister (my mother) brought me to life...it's a lovely cycle....It's beyond my doing. It's heavenly ordained. SHWORD!!!!

A preview:

Thursday, August 24

Segregated Survivor


OH MY GOD BECKY!!!!!

I think that is an awesome concept. I mean for real. Black, White, Asian and Latino. Dare I take a stab at who would win. I'm not going there. And I have to tell you, I don't think it would be the Black team. They will give it some lovely spice. Like pepper on eggs, but win...By any means necessary. I don't think so. It'll take a more desperate sort. Because if I was on Survivor, I most certainly would be the cause of my race being disqualified. As in.......I quit. Get me on a helicopter, RIGHT NOW! It might cause some kind of Slavery flashback of my former life and at that moment I'll need be flown to a W nearest wherver the hell they are. But, best believe, I would be offered another reality show faster than the speed of light. I'd call it something like "Dayna's Devastion". That could be the spin off.

Some NYC officials want CBS to pull the "Segregated Survivor" season....they are friggin' crazy and need to get a grip. This is America, a whole load of different races smashed together. There is always going to be an "issue". And anything from chocolate and vanilla ice cream to the President of the United States to a simple game of checkers or chess, has the ability to spark racial issues. Racial issues will cease when we've all mixed races so damn much that we don't even know what we are...We as in my Great-Grandchildren's grandchildren. Oh yes, that's where we are heading. No more African American, Caucasian and blah, blah, blah.....in the very far future.....especially thanks to black men who these women (of other races) LURVE to death, out here in Cali. The speed of mixed mutts is being accelerated and I love it. I hope I'll be on my way back to earth as one of those mixed mutts hundreds of years from now. I'd like to be a part of it.

Anyways, I MUST buy a television because I most certainly will tune in. And if by some dumbass chance CBS comes under fire too much and pulls the series, I look forward to purchasing the box set.

The success of television shows rest on DRAMA...Segregated Survivor is DRAMA FOR YOUR MAMA!!!!
GENIUS. I had an idea for a pilot many years ago and it was called "Back to Africa". That treatment was too controversial for me to even go there on my blog. The title should give you an idea.

Folks need to relax, we've got bigger problems than Segregated Survivor. It seems a majority of Americans look for any excuse to flex their angst. Survivor won't create any racial issues that weren't already festering amongst the masses of underpaid, aggravated minorities in America. That's the problem. I can't wait to see it, if I could stand bugs and rodents and things, I would've even loved to have been on the show. In my lifetime, I wanted to be on The Real World and a VJ on MTV and have auditioned for numerous game shows, was even on a few (and won by the way)but honey, hanifala, I've never had the urge to go on Survivor, Amazing Race yes. Survivor....NO THANKS!

But I still love the concept and look forward to all the Flowers in, Americas Race Relations, attic to pour down on our heads, where we are then forced to start picking up scattered petals....BRING IT!

Wednesday, August 23

Quotables

When I'm busy, being lazy or starting a new gig this is my blog filler....but these are great quotes. The first one is my favorite of all times. Thank you, Gandhi.



"Be the change you want to see in the world"
"As long as you derive inner help and comfort from anything, keep it."
-Mahatma Gandhi


"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours."
-Henry David Thoreau


"Talent is like electricity. We don’t understand electricity. We use it."
"If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform one million realities."
"Nothing will work unless you do."
"Self-pity in its early stages is as snug as a feather mattress. Only when it hardens does it become uncomfortable."
-The mighty Maya Angelou


"Sometimes I feel discriminated against, but it does not make me angry. It merely astonishes me. How can any deny themselves the pleasure of my company? It's beyond me."
"I want a busy life, a just mind, and a timely death"
"Learning without wisdom is a load of books on a donkey's back."
- Zora Neale Hurston.


"Nothing contributes so much to tranquilize the mind as a steady purpose — a point on which the soul may fix its intellectual eye."
- Mary Shelley.


"What difference do it make if the thing you scared of is real or not?"
- Toni Morrison in Song of Solomon.


"I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have."
- Thomas Jefferson


"If you scatter thorns, don't go barefoot."
-Italian Proverb


"If you do not tell the truth about yourself you cannot tell it about other people."
"I meant to write about death, only life came breaking in as usual."
I thought how unpleasant it is to be locked out; and I thought how it is worse, perhaps, to be locked in.
"If we didn't live venturously, plucking the wild goat by the beard, and trembling over precipices, we should never be depressed, I've no doubt; but already should be faded, fatalistic and aged."
"One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.
-Virginia Woolf



I don't have false teeth. Do you think I'd buy teeth like these?
-Carol Burnett


"Frisbeetarianism is the belief that when you die, your soul goes up on the roof and gets stuck."
"I have as much authority as the Pope, I just don't have as many people who believe it."
"May the forces of evil become confused on the way to your house."
-George Carlin


The trouble with some women is that they get all excited about nothing-and then marry him.
-Cher


"Reality is a crutch for people who can't handle drugs."
"We are all in this together, by ourselves."
"Why isn't there a special name for the tops of your feet?"
"Why is it that when we talk to God we're said to be praying, but when God talks to us we're schizophrenic?"
-Lily Tomlin


Love these all...

Tuesday, August 1

Cooties, Shared Germs and Executives....OH MY!

Why on God's great grand earth do people, especially the executives at the various production companies I freelance with, think or fail to think about how WE THE little PEOPLE, don't want to share their bodily excretions. I've seen it too many times. I've had to throw away good meals because of it.

My angst of the day....I was two seconds from popping open the side order of rice ordered for the OFFICE. Not for one executive to walk by....sloppily tear the top off dip his friggin' personal fork into it, take a mouth full, pause because it was so good and circle back around to dip his fork in it again....again I say. This man, this executive who...for all I know picks up prostitutes on Sunset every night while simultaneously tongue kissing his dog, didn't think once or twice about mixing his saliva into the batch of delicious looking rice that I now have to go without. My Achilles heal is being denied good food. And I know all kinds of stuff goes on in kitchens and blah, blah, blah....the office is not the kitchen and I'm not hanging out in restaurant kitchens to see what's going on, because I don't want to know. But these executives are blatant with it.

I had an exec. at a different company, my first time working there, she didn't know me from Adam, Eve or Amy, but she felt comfortable or goddess of her office enough to put her (God knows where they've been) fingers in my plate and grab some fries. This woman who owns a big dog, loves her big dog and I'm sure feeds him right from her own fork. That's your deal...fine. I was raised by a Southern woman who taught us that dogs and their excretions, belong outside. I make doggie cootie exceptions for people I know and like and little cute dogs, but I'm not stopping in the street to coo and make out with random dogs. The obsession with dogs as pets is ownership and loyalty but if an owner really stops and pays attention, most dogs, a majority of dogs, will follow the food. Not the love of some human holding them captive and dictating to them when it's okay to eat, pee and other gross things. And I said OBSESSION with dogs as pets. We had a dog named Christmas, Chris for short and I loved that little so and so. But he knew his place and his place wasn't on my bed or my Grandma's bed or our couch or the dining room table. He slept UNDER my Grandma's bed and spent most of the day running (and shitting) around the nice big yard we had. And if he had a momentary animal instinct relapse and jumped on a table or couch, he was quickly reminded. Don't call the humane society yet, he understood my Grandma's stern voice and my hysterical screaming to mean he was doing something wrong. That is a normal animal/human relationship. Chris was great company for me and protection even though he had a mean bark and that's about all that was mean. But fools coming to violate didn't know, they just heard a wild animal with sharp teeth warning them to stay out of our yard. But again....I digress.

Back to the executive cooties running through my bloodstream....I'm at her company, working for a living, I'm not the Princess Leia to her Jabba the Hut. She doesn't know what I did to that food before she came along and violated my plate and I don't know what she did with her fingers so......I tossed the whole thing and subsisted off of water for the day. It's an outrage. And honestly I've experienced it in Los Angeles not New York and I've worked for years in both places.

I really don't know if I'm really staying here in Los Angeles, yes the weather is da' bomb. But I have winter coats and boots and I'm really, really not feeling the majority of God's children I've come across here in the city of Los Assholes.
Being here is beginning to change how I feel about people. I find myself saying some really nasty things to and about everyone I come across and I'm trying hard to love all God's LOST children. I had to reprimand myself because I actually had a moment where I wished for an earthquake in Los Angeles because I felt that would be the only way to put these egomaniacs in check. Mother Nature is the only one. Shake things up a bit and let these people know...the one with the most money and power, still dies in the end. If you want me to be impressed figure out a way to live forever (an awful thought) but if you can do that, then your money DOES count in the realm of nature and life and death. If a tornado hits the center of a city you are visiting and your money and position at some company keeps you from being swept away while everyone around you flies into the air...then I stand corrected. Pour some hot fudge on my words so I can much away on them. And then bring me some stockings and dress suits, I'm about to become a natural disaster exempt executive.

A 45 minute break.....


Again one of my rants was interrupted by work. And good thing. It always reminds me of how important it is to WALK AWAY. I must walk away, cool down and then return. It's what I have to remember in all aspects of my dealings with humans, from lovers to friends to family to stone cold enemies although I have forgiven all former enemies so I no longer acknowledge having them. Walk away and breath, don't drink or anything like that just walk away.

What I will say about these gross execs who have somehow equated their positions of power with making all others in their company ingest their cooties, is that when I come across, the kind and sensible production company executives who are pretty well adjusted and grateful for what they have been able to accomplish over the years, it makes me appreciate the absolute hell out of them and then I go above and far beyond any of my duties to help and make sure I respect their homes (offices) when I'm in them. God help the nasty and ungrateful ones whose homes will be amongst the first to go in whatever natural disaster is coming this way. Not their families, just those possessions they hold so far above human interaction. The humbling experiences we all have, to remind us of the kind of people we are supposed to be. Thank you very much.

And while I'm ranting.....let's just address Mr. Mel Gibson. One of my fav's. I've never seen "The Passion of the Christ" because I heard it was extra specially gory and I just can't take it, I really can't. But cheers Fool for having the balls to make it. And so I'm in Starbucks today and I hear this woman going ballistic...."Yes he apologized, but he didn't mean it and I hope it doesn't work". I mean discussing it like this guy aimed a nuclear war missile at Switzerland. I know she's talking about his apology not being accepted by more of those lovely executives who are making the decisions about his professional career. And I say this....



Firstly.... if this is really your mug shot, good for you Mel Gibson, you look damn good for a DUI charge.


Secondly...Here in Hollywood, Film Directors can molest kids, kill their wives, do lines of cocaine off the backs of underage mail order prostitutes and a whole lot more and still get a busload of work, respect and awards. So for real they are trying to Crucify this middle aged acting talent who we've all loved for so long. He really set himself up for some dumb shit to go down in the name of religion. Damn Mel. I say you leave the country for a while. Like Michael Jackson. It's about to be the new movie "The Passion of the Mel" because he's about to get his testes handed to him on a brass platter (not even silver.) Though I'm hoping for a swift blow over and then on to the next bullshit controversy.

and Thirdly.... I read that he referred to a female officer as Sugartis (hilarious.) I think Sugartits is a compliment. It's better
than being called Bittertits. Right?

I mean a lot is going on in the world right now and Mel was probably just getting out some of the many thoughts that are going through plenty of folks minds. Not mind per se, I remain silent about these wars because I feel too helpless and distraught.......see.....zipping my war tongue right......now. So give Melle Mel a break. He did take a load of crap over his career decisions and clearly he has a bit of a substance abuse problem, like every third human in the entertainment industry.....hey me included. Coffee is da' bomb and I can't stop. But I have yet to crash a car over some coffee, even when I happen to spill a hot cup on my lap.

I'd like to teach the world to sing.... in perfect harmony......perfect harmony and then I'd like to buy the world a coke...but only the ones made to for distribution in Mexico because they are made with real delicious SUGAR, not lethal High Fructose Corn Syrup.


It's just so crazy to see what pisses the masses off and what the masses are willing to brush under the rug. Everyone is so on edge and looking for anyone to jump on, shall I point my arrow towards the east side...ummmmm.....say......around the Washington D.C. area, for you fools who like to waste energy on the rants of a drunk and frustrated Hollywood entertainer. But I guess all this mish mosh of mishaps does make for entertainment. I wonder if God is entertained by all the things done in his name.

Monday, July 24

Gnarls Barkley...what the !!!!!!!


So, Last night I went to a show at Avaland, I believe was the name of the place. One of my L.A. buddies who is great about doing thangs..ie...going to concerts....she is dedicated and I'm grateful, had an extra ticket. It's very hard in this line of work to make plans, yet we continue to try. So we wound up with two extra tickets. We sold two. It always feel so strange, seedy even, acting as a scalper, but we sold those bad boys. Whispering out the sides of our mouths "tickets, tickets anybody need a ticket." Scandalous. What a sense of accomplishment, seriously.

Gnarls Barkley is the group. Now I'm all.....Who? and What? But whatever I'll go,because I'll try anything once..except anything that requires ingestion through the nose or by needle....never say never they say....I'm sayin' never. Never!!!!!!!!! not willingly at least. But I was game for a Sunday night concert. So I went. And what I found out was, Gnarls Barkley consists of Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo(formerly of the hip-hop group, Goodie Mob). I am so pleased I am an individual who goes with the flow, because had I turned my nose up at the unfamiliar and refused to go, I would have missed this cool ass show. Author, Author to that singing and rapping man...Cee-Lo. I'm so pleased he is out doing thangs'. Touring and earning a living. Good for him. Because I don't know how well his solo album sold, but I sure as hell enjoy it.

The band, which changes with the tide, the only constant being Danger Mouse and Cee-lo entered the stage decked out in Emergency room gear. Doctors and Nurses and orderlies...Oh my!!!! There was a cellist and a few violinists, bass guitar player, background singers, all decked out Emergency room style. My friend informed me they come out in different costumes every show. An outline of a gun with a heart extended from it was the stage decor of choice for this Peace and Love promoting duo. As they entered the stage....a funky rendition of Dr. Feelgood played, how nice. I didn't know any of the songs, had no prior exposure, whatsoever,yet enjoyed it nonetheless. And music really does have the power to unite the masses, because that was the strangest yet most interesting mix of an L.A. crowd I've experienced to date. From corny frat boys to grunge kids to women with mohawks to scandalous women in halters and then back again. I love diversity but there is still a very apparent difference in seeing a concert in the east versus the west. Poor folks from Los Angeles really lack human interaction skills. It's sad and whack. Had the same concert been in New York, the pulse of the audience would have been bumpin'. There are some definite intimacy issues plaguing the masses here in Sunny Southern Cali. It's kinda gettin' on my nerves. Especially since I'm not coming to a solid enough understanding of how guarded and detached from human emotion all these HUMANS are. It's weird. But the concert was still quite entertaining. Short, as Gnarls Barkley, only has one album out, but good. I look forward to seeing this very eccentric duo perform again. Hopefully in an amphitheatre with a more loving group.

I just realized I didn't address the kind of music this is....Mmmmm let me see. I'd say it's some kind of strange fusion of soul, rock, electronica and plain out old fashion madness. And I love plain out old fashion madness, it's best for creating wonderful works of art.

Monday, July 10

In the unfortunate event I wind up in a coma or (allow people and their madness to run me into ) a crazy home (hey you never know), below is the list of songs to help bring me out.....


PART I - CONDITIONING THE MIND FOR RESPONSE

L'Arena - Ennio Morricone/ Kill Bill 2 soundtrack
She's Not There - Santana
Stay - Chaka Khan
He's A Friend - Eddie Kendrick
Unbreakable - Alicia Keys/ live
Cinderfella - Dana-dane
Climb Ev'ry Mountain - Mother Superior/Sound of Music soundtrack


PART II - GET UP, DAYNA, GET UP!!!!!

I Wanna Dance With Somebody - Whitney Houston
I Want You Back - The Jackson 5
Play That Funky Music - Wild Cherry
These Boots Are Made For Walking - Nancy Sinatra
Can You Feel It - The Jacksons
One Moment In Time - Whitney Houston
Jump - Madonna

L'Arena again...



If I'm not up or ready to get out by the end of this playlist, wait a couple of days, play once more. If I'm still out or in.....then leave me!!!!! :-)


Honorable Mention: You are my friend - Patti Labelle * This song might wake me out of my coma or send me straight to the other side...either way it will move me.

Tuesday, July 4

A Holiday Ode to Julia Roberts


I stopped in Connecticut for some mystic pizza
Making me late for my best friends wedding.
A grand affair for america’s sweetheart
Whose favorite catch phrase is, I love trouble.
Her fiancé let us all in on his conspiracy theory
While she defended her case like erin brokovich.
She reluctantly confessed to sleeping with the enemy.
Still hoping for the chance to become a stepmom
She forced some tears to get herself off the hook
No longer under the spell of her mona lisa smile
His heart was as hard as steel magnolias.
Refusing to be known as a runaway bride
She professed her love while moving in closer.
He turned and fled to notting hill.
Leaving us all with something to talk about.
Left all alone, she cried like she was dying young.
At the end of the day, I guess everyone says I love you
When looking into the eyes of a pretty woman.



God Bless Julia Roberts!!!!!!!

Sunday, July 2

The Devil Wears Prada

Bored out of my mind and climbing the walls because an intense project I was working on came to an abrupt end, I forced myself out of my friends home in Brooklyn and graced the Cobble Hill Cinema in Brooklyn with my presence.

I've heard nothing but good things about The Devil Wears Prada, but I still carried worry into the theatre with me. I hoped this movie wouldn't take one of my favorite actresses of all times and make her look like she was the lead in a lifetime special. Thankfully, It didn't. I actually did read one negative review, but the overall feel, from actual humans, not bitter reviewers, was "It's all good." May I never lose my ability to just plain out enjoy a movie to the secret jealous caverns in my writers mind. I hope I don't posses secret jealous caverns.

Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly was a divine affair to watch, especially the hair. The hair was bad ass.

I don't have a bad thing to say. Even if I searched deep within the crevices of my inner cynicism, I'd come up with nothing. This is what movies do for me....I was feeling lost in direction, bored, tired didn't know my next step, career wise. I left the theatre aspiring to find a Miranda Priestly (or maybe a little softer version of) to work for, with or whatever. A challenge is a beautiful thing.

Anne Hathaway as Andy Sachs, the fashion challenged wannabe journalist, law school drop out who must learn to take her job seriously, even though it's fashion and not "real" journalism.....Great! Her big inquisitive eyes made her a perfect fit for this role. Don't get me wrong, Andy Sachs ability to go from flats to heals in less than 60 seconds was a bit of a stretch, but that might be my own issue as I was forced to wear heals as a bridesmaid in a wedding, over five years ago and I'm just now able to wear those actual heals without crying or walking like I suffer from rickets. Heals do lift things to such nice proportions, but damn, they hurt.

Even Mr. Stanley Tucci, the forever sidekick, B-list , very talented acTOUR was a gem as Nigel, the loyal to a fault, art directing, right hand, mirl (man/girl), to Miranda Priestly. Mr. Tucci, slides into the craziest roles and make them his own. He is a "that guy" for sure, as he is one of the most steady working, under billed actors in Hollywood. But at least he doesn't have to wait tables in between gigs.

The fashion icon cameos were subtle and few and far between. They weren't used to draw interest, just used to add validity to the power of Miranda Priestly as editor of "Runway", one of the top fashion magazine's in the world. Very nice.

Go Patricia Field, you accessorized the hell out of this movie. Our three leading ladies, Miranda, Andy and Nigel were dressed to death. And I'm the last to pay attention to clothes in a film (Unless it's a period piece of course), but Miranda and Andy were undeniable. Patricia field had quite the challenge, considering, fashion was the focus of the movie. She rose and rose to the occasion, I can only imagine how many bottles of Tylenol the Wardrobe department went through. I think the last movie I distinctly noticed the garb on an actress was Stepmom. Julia Roberts, to quote my Grandfather, was SHARP! And I thought, how strange I noticed.

The best for me.....Miranda Priestly's ability to get everyone to jump high into the sky without ever changing the tone of her voice. A gift most, fail to possess. Working in the world of film production, I really admire, power without kicking and screaming. So nice.

The cast, especially Ms. Streep, carried The Devil Wears Prada, up and over the moon.

The Devil Wears Prada is a must see. Great Comedy! Great Summer release. And did I mention how great it was to see Meryl Streep. It's always great, isn't it?

Friday, June 30

SUPERMAN RETURNS



Three words....

An Instant Classic......As far as I'm concerned.

My love for Superman takes me back to my childhood. A time where I found refuge from adult angst and pain in the fantasy (but really real) worlds of Paradise Island and Metropolis. Wonder Woman and Superman were my subconscious saviors and 28 years later I still find comfort in these heroes and their make believe worlds.

So going in, I thought.... No one can top Christopher Reeve as Superman. And how dare they attempt. Arms crossed, lips twisted, standing my bullheaded ground as I was herded into the theatre with the rest of the cattle-like, eager movie goers. Who later proved to be rude, loud fools who just wanted to see some ACTION! Not interested in STORY! Well then go see X-men 3, all the bang, bang, fire and explosions a kid could hope for sans the depth.
So holding my breath as the house lights dimmed, I began my journey into the reincarnation of Superman 2006.
I stand before Warner Bros. and Bryan Singer....humbled, quieted and pleased as punch at the return of Superman. Bravo and well done. Bryan Singer is one hell of a director...he takes the impossible and makes it flow like water over pebbles in a river. For example...X-men and X2. His sensitivity, unlike Luther Vandross' song, does not get in the way, it actually helps him to create classics in the new millennium...How nice. Here is a movie I'll be able to sit down and watch, happily, with my (yet to be conceived) children.

Kate Bosworth as Lois scared me initially....bowled over, post viewing of Superman.
The dude who played Cyclops in X-men, James Marsden as Lois Lane's man.......disturbed initially as he is like an Orange County, weight obsessed, spoiled boy Cyclops in X-men, turned out to be quite the capable suitor, in Superman.
Kevin Spacey as Lex Luther.....Good in theory, Great in the can (on film).
Parker Posey (love that name) as Kitty, Lex Luther's partner in crime, wasn't to shabby either.

and Mr. Brandon Routh as Superman....author, author man...you did it. You were able to make a blue and red spandex suit look normal, good even. Small number of humans who can do that.
I laughed, I cried, I was pleasantly surprised by plot twists. Goosebumps and chills ran through my body as Superman did what he does best....Save foolish humans who, in the face of danger, freeze like Deer caught in headlights.

I intend on seeing it again in the imax theatre, far from the hood. I went to a hoodrat theatre in Brooklyn and honey child....cell phones ringing, babies crying, loud brotha's commentary, bags of (not theatre) food rattling and the two girls who sat next to me who I guess never learned the ever so gentle art of whispering, was way too much for this serious Superman fan. Seriously. And let me just add....if you can't go two hours without checking your cell phone then you are into some serious s&%# and might want to consider, NOT, attending a movie, EVER. Turn the damn thing off and leave it off....it's two little hours. Obstetricians and Cardiologists are excused.

After the credits started rolling, a young brotha' who I'm sure is still pleased with the laughs he collected in the theatre earlier today, hollers out...."Batman was better" and all the uneasy followers of the crowd laughed, long and hard.

OUTRAGEOUS!

Yet still, Superman was a pleasure. A brand new bundle of joyful entertainment. I look forward to more. Ahhhh it's always nice to have something to look forward to, necessary for the soul.

EXHALE!!!!!!

Pay Bryan Singer whatever necessary to have him direct Wonder Woman.....pahhleasssseeeee.

Wednesday, June 28

Second official year of Los Angeles livin'

The five people you meet, your first year in Los Angeles if you're me:

Porn Star (in a house in the valley.) or more like a Porn Actress - "Star" is a bit generous.
Semi-retired (quite high) rap star.
A soon to be divorced swinger.
A waiter you think you know...but you just remember him from some old movie...
A couple of extra-drunk girls (in the bathroom stall) trying to level themselves out with an altoid can full of coke.

Ohhhh La La land......


I ain't mad at cha'

Happy Aniversary to me.... THE SECOND YEAR!


I'm bringing in my second year anniversary of my move to Los Angeles, here in New York...that's right. And bummed out that I'll be going back at the end of the week. I'm sure once I get back I'll start to appreciate some things about the land of plastic...ie...not running from big hunks of trash swirling around the street and not having to holding my breath when some fool sneezes and coughs in my direction, on the subway. Trying to find a different exit from the subway, because a rat the size of a small dog felt the need to dash out at the moment I looked up. Gross....but again I'll say..I'm willing to deal with it for the love of NYC.

Let's see..The five people you meet your second year in Los Angeles.....is just about the same as the first year, except I learned to avoid going to barbeques in strange homes in the valley, hence I was spared the porn actress scene. Oh and I've met at least 400 film producers. :-)

Friday, June 16

New York, New York


I am back. Working, living, drinking, loving and just lost in the wonders of NYC. I left Los Angeles like I was on the run from the law. I'm not back as in....packed up all my stuff. I'm back as in, coordinating an independent feature film. And although independent feature films have a tendency to be ABSOLUTELY HELLIFIED in the amount of things you are supposed to get done with zero dollars and zero time....I AM LOVIN' IT!

I've cried, I'm working 13 to 15 hour days, six to seven days a week, where I'm so amped up after work I can't fall asleep for hours. Meaning I get about 2 to 3 hours of sleep a night. Again I'll say....I AM LOVIN' IT!

I love the people I work with. LOVE. And for me that is the key. I will draw my own blood for you in the name of love be it work or professional. I have a major problem working, well better yet, we will have a major problem if I attempt to work..just for the dough. I've taken a pay cut (Good God!) and have accepted four times the amount of responsibility, and for some strange masochistic reason.....I AM LOVIN' IT!

1. My car is parked, garaged in Los Angeles...lurve it!
2. I can walk across the street from my office, to the hole in the wall pizza joint...and grab a SLICE of heavenly pizza.
3. I have lost myself in work so I can remain distracted from the loss of my best friend.
4. Bacon and egg sandwiches.
5. Drinking wine on the balcony of badass highrise apartments with unbelievable views of the city.
6. Missing my subway stop and getting a little turned around in brooklyn because I fell asleep (drunk) on the train.

Making sure I fulfill all my four food group needs when I'm in NYC...Salt, Sugar, Caffeine and Fat.


I started this post before my body started to reject this lifestlye.....Ummm...it's used to existing off of Green tea, water, ice, veggies, bacon and Trader Joe's white cheddar popcorn and didn't take long to scold me for expecting it to quickly adjust to my NYC sinful food, liquor and partying ways. I've not been congested in two years and here I am....congested. From friends and co-workers who smoke in my face. Not to say the same doesn't go down in Cali, but I believe my immune system is able to fight it off when I'm not abusing it.

This post has taken me ten days to finish...I'm finishing now. Lost my voice. I've never lost my voice not in my entire major shit talkin' life. Los Angeles has softened me. The stress of this movie I'm working on doesn't help. The behind the scenes of this movie is driving me crazy. Friendships are going down the drain. Lovin' less and less the people I work with as they begin to love themselves less and less. Realizing I didn't know people as well as I thought or they don't know me as well as I thought. People are LOSIN' it and trying to make me lose it. But I'm a rock who, I believe, suffers from some serious emotional disorder. That I would subject myself to making less money and working five times as harder on an independent film where they expect us to subsist off of fritos and twizzlers is insane. Not to sound snobbish but me body, when worked far past it's limit needs things like, carrots, celery, maybe a little hummus, is that too much to ask when you're on your fourteenth day straight of working fourteen to fifteen hour days, everyday. Some healthy, not just bags and bags of chips. But again, I'm a sadomasochist. So there you have it. I have met some wonderful people which always gives me a boost. But my body is not agreeing with my sadomasochistic ways and I am SICK. No voice to speak of...get it...to speak of. Oh, isn't it great to find humor in my agony. I'm boiling water right now for some magical garlic concoction I'm about to force myself to drink and then.......SLEEEEEEP it off. I've got to get the immune system up and running so I can continue to abuse it.

Good night.

Monday, May 29

X-MEN 3 - The Last Stand



The last stand indeed....maybe. I had been living for the third installment of my beloved X-men. They were my beloved before the release of any major motion picture. I read the comics (collected more than read). I use to collect X-Men trading cards. And one of my favorite Sega Genesis games (back in the day) was X-men, Wolverine was my X-man of choice. The ability to heal oneself is priceless.

So...Now I have to find the next thing to live for because the release of X-MEN 3 hath cometh and goneth, in this beautiful memorial weekend.

I was a bit apprehensive going in, because this movie was given to Brett Ratner to direct. Brett Ratner got his start, his roots and all that stuff in the music video world. And having started my production days working on hellified music videos, I have a block with most music video directors, especially the wanna be cool and down ones. I like to describe the wanna be down ones as fathead opportunists who talk most shit about the hip-hop artists they use to get on the featured director map. Don't worry about being cool and down, just direct the damn video. I don't wanna knock this guys hustle. I'll go down in the books saying he's good at what he does, but X-MEN 3 could've been in a whole other category of great, had it been someone else. The director of the first two installments of X-MEN for example.

I liked the movie. I didn't love it like I loved the Matrix when I first saw it and had to watch it again immediately. What would have made me love it....more attention being paid to the emotional battles here over the explosions and car crashes. Now I'm not pointing any fingers but I'm led to believe we have Mr. Music Video Director to thank for the very explosive X-Men 3. We could play the whole movie replace the sound and play a prodigy song over it. Brett Ratner also directed Rush Hour, which is fine for action sans the emotion, I mean the stars were Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan. A match up made for action and comedy, not depth.

My review is going to be a bit biased because I just kept wondering how much better (in my opinion of better) X-men would have been had Bryan Singer, the original director been available to handle the (supposed) last installment of X-men.
There was little space for major disappointment for me because just seeing my super-duper X-Women Jean Grey and super-duper mutant villain Magneto gets a girl all excited. My two favorite characters hands down..as far as the movie release favorites. Historically for me it's Storm. Of course. Little black girl reading about great black woman who controls the weather. And though I love Halle Berry and am not knocking her hustle at all.....This Fox motion picture Storm is just too watered down for me to get excited over. Iman....now that's a Storm for your ass....but not for Hollywood. I get it. So by default and her own wonderfulness Famke Janssen as Jean Grey worked her way right to the top of my fanfare pot. I feel like she didn't get enough screen time (but that's my issue). Jean Grey as Phoenix, the most powerful mutant of all, is just too much excitement for me. So I'm glad (in a way) she didn't do too much, get me too excited otherwise I might have been asked to leave the theatre.


I'd like to get a hold of the screenplay because it seems like it was a great one. I enjoyed the movie. It was entertaining as a movie should be. But, this movie would have been mounds better had it been handled with more emotional care and less focus on the shoot'em up bang, bang. Not to say there was too much action. It's a comic book turned movie, action, I suppose is to be the focus. But action doesn't draw people in and keep them. It's just a temporary fix. Story keeps us. It was the non-action scenes. They lacked emotion and failed to show the intense struggle these characters (especially Dr. Jean Grey) were going through. I mean the dude (director) had some wonderful talent to work with. Who's better than Ian McKellan? Seriously. That guy is a master. Hugh Jackman is a joy, even as a difficult and rebellious self-healing mutant. Seriously, I love that guy. Rebecca Romjin is officially Mystique to me. She can be Pepper Dennis and a slew of other characters from here on in, but she put her foot in the role of Mystique and that's who she is. And Kelsey Grammer as beast sounds exciting. But wasn't really as exciting as I had hoped. (Love Frasier though.) And I need to find more of Famke Janssen's work, I've only seen her in one other movie, but I appreciate her existence in the film world, really I do. And love Phoenix/Jean Grey with long wild comic book hair, much better to me than the suburban wife haircut she rocked in the previous X-MEN.



X-MEN 3 - The last stand was good. I will watch it over and over like I do the other two but I will watch it as strictly action, almost like I watch a cartoon. This could've been a classic action movie shocker where it would've been steeped in emotion like Batman Begins. We were supposed to cry for Jean Grey, The Professor, Wolverine, Rogue, Magneto, Mystique and all the trials and tribulations, okay maybe not cry, but at least care. It all sped by too quickly to draw you in and make you care. It was almost like we were being shown flash cards of the intensity of these very emotional characters. But I don't want to show my nerd card and break it down to much, so let me just wrap this up.The little 5 and 6 year olds in the movie theatre enjoyed all the action. Us grown folks who like to check out in to the fantasy realm every once and a while, could've gone for a little more substance. Or maybe I'm just a nerd who's reading way too much into the X-men story, but that makes 50 million of us then.

Bummer, but not a total lost. I was left feeling a tad bit empty. I'm sure Brett Ratner did the best he could and again I don't like to knock anyone's hustle. Because I would've taken the gig too. I just would've asked for a lot of help, don't be afraid to ask for help Mr. Ratner. At least I don't want to find the director and beat him up. I have experienced those levels of disappointment. Oh well. Mr. Bryan Singer, I look forward to the release of Superman. (I believe the reason he was not available to continue directing his legacy of X-Men movies was because he was busy with Superman Returns, which Brett Ratner was originally attached to direct. Good Lord.) And if there is to be another X-Men (with all the box-office records broken, I suspect there will be.) Please be available to direct. Thank you!

And a Happy Belated Birthday to Magneto..Sir Ian McKellan - May 25

Sunday, May 21

The Da Vinci Code


Caught a lovely Sunday crowded as hell afternoon showing of The DaVinci code. I say this every single time I go to a movie no matter what the outcome "Blessed are those who expect nothing for they shall not be disappointed".

I had not signed on to the "The DaVinci Code" scandal. I have a block when it comes to mass hysteria novels. The Christmas gift novels...ie....Harry Potter, The Davinci Code, A Million Little Pieces, She's Come Undone, Lovely Bones, Wicked, The Five People You Meet in Heaven and The Celestine Prophecy. To name a few of the, "Everyone's gone mad for this book", club. In order for me to sign on, I either have to discover the book before the mass hysteria (Lucky for me I found "She's come undone", before the mass hysteria because I love it, love it, love it and would still be waiting around to read it had I not.) Five of the above mentioned are all books I want to read, but just can't because of my mass hysteria block. So needless to say I didn't really know the real deal of The Davinci Code, just the gist of it.

My love, respect and admiration for Sir Tom Hanks is what got me in to see the movie, because I had no urge whatsoever. (The free "Davinci Code", movie ticket courtesy of the Spiderman box set didn't hurt either) First of all the billboards scattered about Los Angeles for the movie did not draw me in at all. They look like some advertisement for an old Lifetime Television special.
I paid little attention to the media's coverage on the religious upset and all that jazz because I shut down. And I still can't believe I hadn't heard the specifics of the religious uproar, especially me, with my beliefs of women as the martyrs, the superior yet most abused, mistreated and taken for granted group of humans, sadly, even by ourselves.

After seeing the movie, I intend to read the novel. That's for damn sure. I could tell without reading the novel that this was a hard one to transfer to film. I'm sure if I had read the book first I would've been upset about all that was left out and how things should've been made clearer and yadda, yadda, but lucky for me I didn't and my interest in the book has been fueled by Ron Howard's interpretation of Dan Brown's work of fiction. The movie is getting mixed reviews. And I understand, but Dayna Clark, as general Jill Shmill audience, enjoyed the movie and all it's performers. Tom Hanks, Ian McKellan, Alfred Molina, Jean Reno. Love all these guys, these gifted actors.


Outside the theatre, there was a woman in a wheelchair with an elaborate spread of signs protesting The DaVinci Code...Denouncing the DaVinci Code. Just sparking everyone's curiosity, making everyone want to go see what all the hoopla is about. Her purpose and all the other protestors....fanning the box office sales flames.

In the world of fiction and movie fantasy women can be raped, cut into pieces, thrown from moving vehicles, stabbed, shot, raped again, have babies ripped from their wombs, all kinds of horrific things I could never imagine in my wildest writer's mind has happened to women on screen and in print.....But actually glorifying one and raising questions about a woman's role and worth in biblical times the way "The Davinci Code" did, causes protests and gasps from the religious masses. Sad State of Affairs.

Don't get me wrong, I get why it would cause protests, because it sure raised some questions in my mind. Even though it's supposed to be a work of fiction. But at the end of the day.....it's still supposed to be a work of fiction. A Hollywood adaptation of a novel, said to be a work of fiction. Protestor's just make folks feel there must be something to it.


All this to say....The Davinci Code is worth seeing and a reminder to the all too serious protestor's.....Richie Cunningham(Ron Howard) directed this movie, not documentary, movie. So relax and continue to believe what you believe and leave Hollywood to it's sinful ways. It's Hollywood, we're talking Poltergeist, Blair Witch, The Omen, The Exorcist....can't stop, won't stop!

Friday, May 12

Feliz Cumpleanos






1978 Jason Biggs (actor)

1969 Kim Fields

1968 Tony Hawk (skateboard star)

1966 Stephen Baldwin (actor)

1962 Emilio Estevez (actor)

1963 Vanessa Williams (actor- The New Jack City one.)

1961 Ving Rhames (actor)

1948 Steve Winwood (singer)

1939 Ron Ziegler (journalist)

1938 Susan Hampshire (actress)

1937 George Carlin

1936 Tom Snyder (broadcast journalist)

1929 Burt Bacharach (composer)

1925 Yogi (Lawrence) Berra (baseball)

1820 Florence Nightingale

and me!


Tuesday, May 9

This Entry..

reminds me of something a bill collector said to me in one of my numerous heated and accusatory phone calls with bill collectors and gym membership cults.

Me - "I don't have the money, it's plain and simple as that. You can't get blood from a stone."

Bill collector - "The walls of our banks are covered with blood we've gotten from stones"

Yes...I was on the phone arguing a friend's case....not even my own when I provoked one of the craziest comments ever, out of one of those pesky, persistent collectors.

In other words...I am my own bill collector, squeezing an entry out of me, so that I might shake myself out of this rut of sorts and start blogging again, because my lack of entries does not reflect a lack of "things happening" in my life.

Four major 'tings:

1. Survived (but still suffering from) an "Amazing Dumbass Race" aka " Dayna's suicide survival mission impossible" aka "In the name of commercial production" to Ciudad Valles in piss poor Mexico (by raggedy ass truck - not plane.)


2.Survived Coachella, a mega outdoor concert near hotter-than-hell, Palm Springs, with a Mexican parasite actively setting up shop in my spine and lower intestine and only a few rows of * Port-o-sans, for use by the 60,000 drugged and drunk college aged attendees, to comfort me. I did rock out to some cool artists and bands..had to excuse myself from the crowd when the drugged college kids around me started raising their fist for the struggle in unison to rapper, Kanye West. I couldn't take it. 'twas not the crowd for me to see Mr. A.D.D. hyperactive Kanye West live with, fer sure. I braved most performances alone as there were a hella' lot of bands and the variety of friends who were scattered across the fields of Coachella wanted to see bands whose serious bass playing and loud verbage, angered my spine- attached, hard-working mexican parasite.

Madonna, Kanye West, Common, Depeche Mode, Massive Attack, Digable Planets and my absolute fav...worth it all..Damian Marley (Jr. Gong). Those are the artists I caught on stage....no complaints. Except....Madonna's stage.....holy spumoni, I mean outrageously crowded and crazy but my love for Madonna gave me the strength to get right up in the madness, me and a friend (my birthday sister) braved the crazy ass crowds for a glimpse of that "in the shape of her life" Lucky Star.


3. I experienced my first racial slur(?) from a Mexican man, driving a pretty decent car, which I suppose he thought made him instantly superior to this "Black Bitch" who he damn near backed in to, as she strolled up the block she resides on, sipping her coffee (her being me.) Now I'll admit I played my part. I gave the "jerk off" sign to him because of his rude and dangerous actions and he played his part right back. His exact words - "Go back to the ghetto, you black bitch"..and for the first time in my history of dealing with racism....I laughed at a racial slur instead of getting angry. It was such a ridiculous assumption and comment, coming from a dude whose "peoples" are still pretty low on the work and finance food chain in America and then of course, after the nervous laughter..the disappointment in humanity, kicks in. Like, for real? Is this how it's going to go down? Obviously he and his peeps don't know what I know about noisemaking minorities in America...... I yelled back some ignorant stuff that I won't share. Though, I don't think it was too bad, considering his offense. Anyways, After driving 14 hours through the four levels of Mexico...Poor Poor, Dog Poor, Piss Poor and S%^$ poor, and picking up a friendly parasite who loves me as host, I have to say, I would take flight with my own wingless appendages trying to get the hell out of Mexico, were I a resident. I'm not even trying to go there for vacation after my life changing experience.
I said I was ending this didn't I.....okay....ending....right....now.

4. Due to the "Amazing Dumbass Race" I went on in the name of production, I have had to re-evaluate my life decisions and job decisions. I prefer to care and be cared about....if caring is a business flaw....then I stand before the work world.....FLAWED. So to find something more suitable to a chick that gives a damn about humans, I have taken on the responsibility of "Talent Manager extraodinaire", (the outrageous earning potential doesn't hurt either)....still working on the extraordinaire part and still working in commercial production to pay bills......oh these dream careers of mine.

It is said that we all have three careers inside of us.....

My first one was...Perennial college student. Bopping around here and there, doing what I wanted first and then handling business....ie.....late for my job because I was still on line for the MTV wannabe a VJ contest (nothing ventured......). That was me right up until......today.

In the great words of Madonna (human nature) - ABSOLUTELY NO REGRETS! (except failing to buy aol stock in the early 90's.)

Second one is writing (that's right...paid or not.)

And the third one......Artist (talent) management. It's my calling and I've run from it for years and I mean years (I've also run from the Artists). But with the recent shift of my life....childhood - over as of 3/20/2006 adulthood - beginning 5/8/2006, I'm ready, I suppose, to take on the R word....it's been banned from my vocabulary...just shown in some of my actions, but now I'll use it...RESPONSIBILITY....whew!!! that didn't hurt too much.

I'd like to push my official adulthood date back as well.....let's say 5/12/2006...a day of great importance in my life, every year since 1972. Yeah...4 more days to act like an irresponsible cooky bean and then....shuffllepapertime, begins...yawn, in a very on the edge of something new but, sh%& is really all the same, kind of way.

(Also went to see Mission Impossible on it's release date to see what all the hoopla was about.)

Damn I got a lot of blood from that stone.

footnote - I do not use port-o-sans...i'd rather go out in the wilds of nature and I did....scoopoftruth's the name...giving a scoop or so of the truth is the game.

Sunday, April 16

In search of....

The will to care.


Going to Mexico for ten days or so. Hopefully I'll feel like blogging again when I get back.

Friday, March 24

AN ANGEL SPROUTS HER WINGS



Rain showers taper off to a light sprinkle.
A simple seed advances to a blooming bud.
Beams of sun burn through dark clouds.
A stalk peeks its narrow head through the mud.
A flower commences to life on earth.
And Mother Nature is made aware of her worth.

A human seed takes root through love.
A tiny heart, find it's first beat.
Protective walls of love form in a womb.
A baby in waiting discovers his feet.
Unbreakable bonds take form through birth.
And a woman, turned mother, is made aware of her worth.

Tears of joy, replace those of grief.
Birds chirp soul-easing songs of release.
God's heart smiles, the bells of heaven ring.
And Saint's gather in choir-like fashion to sing.

Every time......an angel sprouts her wings. ©

-Dayna Clark



For my beloved Great-Grandmother, who though she has left this trivial world in body, has created a legacy of love on earth and will always reign supreme in my heart. I am forever grateful for my Great-Angel, Minnie Pearl Clark.

Monday, March 13

Chappelle's Block Party

Finally went to see a movie....it's been a long spell.

Dave Chappelle's Block Party. I was afraid but hopeful. I wondered if this Block Party would have a plot, in the manner of most movies and what would it be. This was an official block party. A warm hug from a big loving southern Grandmother. That's what Chappelle's Block Party was for me. It didn't need a climax, beginning and end it just needed to be seen. It was a feel good about being black, about loving live music, about loving comedy, and embracing chaos that may surface in between. It was like being in a village in Africa, free to enjoy the things "we" (black folks) love without being made to feel predictable and petty for posessing the ability to find happiness through song, through drums, horns, percussion and piano. All the while eating fried chicken, watermelon and drinking malt liquor (kidding).

One of my all time favorite "things", "people" are black college marching bands. Chappelle's block party features a surprise performance by Central State University's marching band...thick sisters, with thick thighs stepping to the tunes of big brothers playing the tuba and drums, it's just too much wonderfulness to stand. And though regretfully I have to travel to the racist south to see them..... They are.....I can't really find the words. Just the feelings....they feel alive, vibrant, vivid, moving, inspirational and just plain out make you want to dance and celebrate and even worth the trip (except Atlanta) to the south.


Chappelle's block party made me homesick for New York, for Brooklyn, for little nameless holes in the walls with impromptu jam sessions and herbalicious filled air. We're talking......Erykah Badu, The Fugees, Common, Mos Def, Kanye West, The Roots, and Talib Kweli. With Dave Chappelle and all his hilarious glory offering laughter and comfort in between these incredible performances. I didn't even mind Jill Scott ,who, though I appreciate her existence in the music world, her overall demeanor annoys the hell out of me...she reminds me of a know it all annoying (big) girl in high school who was (or wished to be) the head of the Drama class. All these gifted passionate artist on stage together sans the top-billing ego's that usually go along with this kind of musician stage party...it usually becomes a battle of who gets more time and blah, blah, blah, blah...these artists jammed on stage while the other's performed, waited in the background, hung out and chilled. It was a beautiful sight to behold. Now I can't say if little arguments broke out or not but from an audience member's view....it looked as beautiful and loving as a harmonizing (baptist) church choir. You know how the choir rocks back and forth and claps while the soloist sings his or her heart out.....like that.

And I must address the resurfacing of my beloved Lauryn Hill, whose shirt I'm wearing today. No shame in my game, I have a Lauryn Hill hand-me-down shirt and it is one of my favorite shirts. Seriously. It's a simple black shirt with a donkey on it and I love it. And so does everybody else it seems, I get many compliments and comments when I wear it. And it has lasted through my harsh washings (everything must be wash and wear) for years. Thanks much Lauryn, if you see me on your front lawn it's because I'd like you to throw more wonderful used clothing down to me. :-) My point in bringing up Lauryn Hill.....Pras (the very fortunate third member of The Fugees) addressed in the movie how much of a fan he is of Lauryn Hill's despite the fact that he is in the group with her. Yes, Prakazrel (Pras), recognize. I guess he had to be left out in the cold, starving before the swelling of his ego went down enough for him to see the truth.....He and Wyclef are beyond fortunate and lucky for Lauryn Hill. Without her, Wyclef is a producer, not a featured artist....Producer, nothing wrong with that, unless you have a big head and think you are the S%^$ alone. Recognize boys that without the "Girl", and I mean "The Girl" not some stand in...The Fugees would NEVER make it, nobody would care. Wyclef should be sending fresh flowers of thanks to Lauryn, each and every day and Pras should be sacrficing goats to his God in deep gratitude.

I wait with bated breath for the soundtrack to Chappelle's Block Party to be released. I will conduct my own make believe jam session in Los Angeles.

Monday, February 27

Good Eats

Asia De Cuba

Located inside the so-called trendy Mondrian Hotel on Sunset in West Hollywood. Rumor has it, when the hotel revamped they fired all the brutha's who worked the door, because they were going for a certain look. That's right, I put them on blast because I noticed the change myself. But I digress.....

I went there for a birthday dinner. We ordered a bus load of appetizers and entrees and dined family style.

Stand out delights:

Butter Fish
Oxtail Spring Rolls with Mango Salsa
Lobster Mashed Potatoes
Plaintain Fried Rice with Avocado
Tuna Tartar
Calamari-banana salad


My Friend had to raise the dead to get them to seat eight people without the other two scheduled....ten in total...which I find to be a bit extra...you've got eight diners coming to spend a nice hunk of change...birthday cake already ordered in back..and you're willing to allow these people to leave in anger instead of being accommodating...If they wanted to obsess about something, they should've been focused on the condition of their ladies bathroom....it was an abomination to God....truly. I mean if that is how high society trashes a toilet....then the women who used the bathroom that night....wealthy or whatever, should be institutionalized immediately.

Once the buzz of the lovely Cabernet the waiter recommended, kicked in, I approached the hostess about the condition of the bathroom. I told her I was a travel writer who loved to address the condition of bathrooms in swanky restaurants and how I didn't want to mention the condition of their bathroom, because I enjoyed the food so. She was all.......Sorry and Oh my Gosh, Becky, and this never happens and yadda, yadda, yadda.....but seriously I've only seen the likes in a Starbucks in Times Square.

So....The hoopla of the food....Above average. The hoopla of the ambiance....average. The hoopla of a fancy, yet neglected and trashed bathroom.....Gross me out.

I'll go back....for the Plaintain Fried Rice and Tuna Tartar, and the waiter who suggested the smoothest Cabernet I've had to date (can't remember the name, dammit) but not for the "scene".

Monday, February 6

Walk the Quote Land Three

"Be the change you want to see in the world"

"As long as you derive inner help and comfort from anything, keep it."

-Mahatma Gandhi



"If you scatter thorns, don't go barefoot."

-Italian Proverb



"Sometimes I feel discriminated against, but it does not make me angry. It merely astonishes me. How can any deny themselves the pleasure of my company? It's beyond me."

"I want a busy life, a just mind, and a timely death"

-Zora Neale Hurston



"If you do not tell the truth about yourself you cannot tell it about other people."

"I meant to write about death, only life came breaking in as usual."

I thought how unpleasant it is to be locked out; and I thought how it is worse, perhaps, to be locked in.

"If we didn't live venturously, plucking the wild goat by the beard, and trembling over precipices, we should never be depressed, I've no doubt; but already should be faded, fatalistic and aged."

-Virginia Woolf



"Nothing will work unless you do."

"Self-pity in its early stages is as snug as a feather mattress. Only when it hardens does it become uncomfortable."

-Maya Angelou



And because laughter always helps.....


I don't have false teeth. Do you think I'd buy teeth like these?

-Carol Burnett


"Frisbeetarianism is the belief that when you die, your soul goes up on the roof and gets stuck."

"I have as much authority as the Pope, I just don't have as many people who believe it."

"May the forces of evil become confused on the way to your house."

-George Carlin


The trouble with some women is that they get all excited about nothing-and then marry him.
-Cher



"Reality is a crutch for people who can't handle drugs."

"We are all in this together, by ourselves."

"Why isn't there a special name for the tops of your feet?"

"Why is it that when we talk to God we're said to be praying, but when God talks to us we're schizophrenic?"

-Lily Tomlin