Poetry in Motion: LUAM

“In order for your body to move, your mind has to be free.”

-Luam

Ain’t that the truth. This chick right here inspired me to run back to the studio after about 8 years of deferring my dreams. Throughout my young life, I admired choreographers like Rosie Perez, Fatima, and Tina Landon and dreamed of one day becoming a Fly Girl (Josie was my favorite.) So, in my sophomore year of college – I announced to my parents that college wasn’t for me (despite the fact that I always excelled in academics and was an honors student at the time) and I wanted to quit and pursue my dreams of becoming a choreographer and writer. Long story short – the parents weren’t feeling that idea at all and I caved. I continued to dance but set my professional dance aspirations aside in the meantime. After graduation, I set out to audition for a professional dance team when I was thrown off track yet again by a boyfriend, nasty breakup, and depression – in that order. The latter really took the wind out of my sails, which is why the aforementioned quote about the correlation between your mind and body really struck a chord with me. For years I simply could not dance. In order to dance, you have to feel the music and I was just struggling to feel like dragging myself out of bed in the mornings. It’s like my feet were mired in clay. I even stopped dancing at weddings. Well, never again!

Luam is one woman who stood her ground and pursued her passion at all costs and she is most definitely a source of inspiration, no matter what your personal pursuit may be. A former Ivy Leaguer turned choreographer and designer extraordinaire, she took the road less traveled and I for one, applaud her. Check out Nicole’s post on Luam Keflezgy for more.

Get it Girl! :o)

Today's Random Shuffle:

A Dream, Jay-Z
Start Over, Joy Denalane
Dum Dums, Das EFX
I’ve Just Begun (Having My Fun), Britney Spears
Long Way 2 Go, Cassie
Movin’ Together, Richard Dorfmeister
Summer Love, Justin Timberlake
What Is It About Men, Amy Winehouse
Supa Emcees, De La Soul
Little More Oil, Dj Rupture

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Divas & Girlfriends

“If there is any type of competition, it’s a healthy competition.”

My love/hate relationship with women's magazines aside, I am loving the cover of the Essence holiday issue. Out of the two options, I chose this one, but I'm also digging the inside shot shown below. Be sure to check out the behind the scenes video (click the cover photo above.)

Photo by: Matthew Jordan Smith

Today's Random Shuffle (up to 20):

Tangled, Maroon 5
Toothache, The Charlatans UK/The Chemical Brothers
Your Child, Mary J. Blige
Below the Funk, Rick James
Raincoat, Kelly Sweet
Every Breath You Take, The Police
Love’s Train, Con Funk Shun
Do You Love What You Feel, Rufus & Chaka Khan
Another Day, Stateless
Me & U, Cassie
You Dropped a Bomb on Me, The Gap Band
When I See You, Fantasia
Creepin’, Marti Pellow
Glad You Called, Anthony Hamilton
Area, De La Soul
Something, Musiq
Silicone, Mono
S.O.S., Rihanna
Too Good to Be True, Hill St. Soul
Breakadawn, De La Soul

Player: Pandora

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Fall Fun

Today's Random Shuffle

That’s How I Know, D’Nell
Poetry Man, Zap Mama
Break It Off, Rihanna & Sean Paul
Fontana Blue, Marco Di Marco
The Way I Feel, Remy Shand
Different Day, D’Nell
Fall Into, Stateless
Centre of Nowhere, Ladybug Mecca
Ooh!, Mary J. Blige
You Got Me (Live), The Roots f/Erykah Badu & Jill Scott

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I’m a big fan of aromatherapy. I haven’t researched it and I can’t tell you which fragrance does what. All I know is that it works for me. Without my oil burner and scented candles, I’m a mess! Whenever I need to focus, relax, or stir up some inspiration, I light my favorite Pacifica* soy candles in Brazilian Mango Grapefruit and Tuscan Orange, or burn my absolute favorite scented oil in Cranberry, and play some soothing tunes. It never fails. I usually pick up Pacifica candles at Borders, Hallmark, or Whole Foods and I’m partial to The Body Shop’s cranberry oil*, but there are others. Pacifica is distributed by various stores so if you’re interested, check their website for locations near you.

*Neither company paid me to endorse these products.

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One thing I absolutely LOVE is music. As a little girl, I even wrote and recorded my own songs with a little tape recorder. Today one of my favorite, albeit little known, artists popped up in my rotation of tunes. Have you heard of Alice Smith? I don't know why music lovers haven't caught on yet! What I like most about Smith, besides her unique sound, is that she doesn't have a gimmick. She takes the stage just as she is, as if to say, "F*** it. I'm here to sin

g - period." Not that there's anything wrong with a costume (some of my favorite artists wear elaborate wigs, stick feathers in their hair, paint their faces, etc.) It's just refreshing sometimes. There's something raw about a singer rocking a simple tee and jeans. It's like she just strolled into the joint and felt the urge to sing. In fact, when you see her, you may think someone from the crowd just hopped up on stage...until she opens her mouth that is.

Drive, Fertile Ground (2xs)
Early Daiquiris, Club des Belugas (2xs)
Guns Are Drawn, The Roots
Futuresex/Lovesound, Justin Timberlake
Thieves in the Night, Black Star
Soul Power, James Brown
If We Knew, Goapele
Love Has Found Its Way, Dennis Brown
Breeze, Stereo MC’s
Fake is the New Real, Alice Smith

* Today's shuffle isn't entirely random. I did a lot of skipping around. I know I know. Takes all of the fun out of it right?

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Cool Shoes

There's just something about these heels that I really like.




Today's Top 10 Shuffle



I Need Love, Robin Thicke
Love Song No. 3, Me’Shell Ndegeocello
Same S**t Different Day (Pt. 1), Jaguar Wright
Love Poems, Bilal
Tears Dry on Their Own, Amy Winehouse
Satisfy My Soul, Bob Marley & The Wailers
I Don’t Know, Jaguar Wright
Nature Boy, Victor Fields
Bustin’ Out, Rick James
In My House, Mary Jane Girls

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LOL Cats

I'm done. I almost fell out of my chair when I saw this. I have Strength to thank for this gem which she found at LOLCats. I browsed the site and this photo was by far the funniest thing I've seen all day.

Sorry, no playlist today!

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Out of the Office

A friend sent this email a few days ago. Funny stuff

Wouldn't it be fun to use one of these "Out of Office" email Replies?

1 . I am currently away from my desk, beating my head against the wall. Your message will be replied to once I have reached a level of numbness sufficient to cloud my vision to the point I am able to formulate an appropriate response to your request.

2. I am currently out at a job interview and will reply to you if I fail to get the position. Be prepared for my mood.

3. You are receiving this automatic notification because I am out of the office. If I was in, chances are you wouldn't have received anything at all.

4. I will be unable to delete all the unread, worthless emails you send me until I return on April 1st. Please be patient and your Mail will be deleted in the order it was received.

5. Thank you for your email. Your credit card has been charged $5.99 for the first ten words and $1.99 for each additional word in your message.

6. The e-mail server is unable to verify your server connection and is unable to deliver this message. Please restart your computer and try sending again. (The beauty of this one is that when you return, you can see how many in-duh-viduals did this over and over).

7. Thank you for your message, which has been added to a queuing system. You are currently in 352nd place, and can expect to receive a reply in approximately 19 weeks.

8. I've run away to join a different circus.

9. I will be out of the office for the next 2 weeks for medical reasons. When I return, please refer to me as 'Marvin' instead of "Martha."

Today's Top 10 Shuffle
Llorca – Indigo Blues With Nicole Graham
No Parking, Midnight Star
Do It, Nelly Furtado
Beck-Farewell Ride, Subtle
Clock With no Hands, The Roots
Searching, Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth
Wishes and Luck, Cool Calm Pete
Spinning Wheel (DJ Spinna Remix), Shirley Bassey & DJ Spinna
Close Edge, Mos Def
Woodcabin, Saint Etienne

Player: Pandora.com

I've been TAGGED by Nicole! Unfortunately, because I have other blogs, I've been tagged by and tagging my blogosphere buddies in recent weeks so I'm all tagged out, but here are the rules (which I proceed to follow half-assed) and my 7 weird facts:

A). Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog... Check!
B). Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself... Check!
C). Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs... Ummm
D). Let each person know that they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog... ummm

1. I’m allergic to raw apples but I still eat them (very small amounts). Oddly, I can eat and drink apple byproducts (apple sauce, juice, baked apples, etc.) without a reaction.
2. I am deathly afraid of ticks, spiders, and maggots. (I can't even look at a maggot.) However, I'm not afraid of snakes. I'll touch a snake before I touch a spider or even look at a maggot. (Just saying the "m" word makes me queasy.)
3. I ate dirt and mud as a child. There are pictures of me grinning with mud around my mouth.
4. When I was a kid, my dog snatched a chicken bone out of my hand as I was eating. Apparently, I pried his mouth open and stuck my little arm down his throat, pulling out the chicken bone. I attempted to finish the meal so my parents had to snatch the bone from me. Scary for my dog I’m sure and clearly I did it out of my own interests, but it probably saved his life.
5. My parents used their first dog, a rather large German Shepherd, as a live baby monitor for me. My mom would leave me sitting on the couch (or wherever she left me) and instruct the dog to watch me if she had to step away for a moment. He would alert them by barking if I cried or moved. Obviously, I wouldn't advise this, but...I'm still alive! :o)
6. I drive fast yet I’ve only received one ticket (from a camera) and I’ve only been pulled over for other reasons – never speeding. Why? I have special rules for avoiding speeding tickets (foolproof unless you’re dealing with cameras) which I only share with a few select people. Wouldn't YOU like to know! :o)
7. I hate wine. I’ve tried different types and I just don’t see the attraction. Actually, I can’t stand most alcoholic beverages. Liquor makes my bladder hurt and my eyes and mouth feel like cotton and that's no fun.
   

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An Open Letter to Monday

Dear Monday,

You are not my favorite day of the week. As hard as I try to like you, we just aren’t compatible. I thought we could work it out. You tried to make it work with cool prime time shows and Monday night football but the shows have jumped shark and you know I’ve never liked sports. I’m pretty sure I’ve told you this before. Have you been listening to me?

Monday, I appreciate the effort but let’s not pretend. I just can't take anymore. You deserve someone who looks forward to your arrival. I’m sure you’ll find someone out there for you. The two of us just weren’t meant to be.

Regards,

Tbyrd


Geez, that was rather harsh huh? LOL
Actually, I am more refreshed this morning than usual thanks to Daylight Savings time (and falling asleep rather early last night), but the weekend flew by so fast that I’m sure we could all still use a little pick me up. So if you’re into tongue-in-cheek humor, Check out these funny sticky notes, to-do lists, books, and other gifts by KnockKnock Biz. (Self Hurt series? ROFL!) I’m sure you’ll crack a smile.

Now if a dose of inspiration is more your speed this morning, check out Monica Lee. Besides her wonderful illustrations, I found the personal story she chose to share on her site quite inspirational. Take a peek.

Today's Top 10 Shuffle:

Stray Away, The Rebirth
Habitat, Mos Def
Storm Coming, Gnarls Barkley
Playtawin, Gang Starr
Shiver, Maroon 5
Let it Whip, Dazz Band
Dosed, Red Hot Chili Peppers
Midnight Vision (Bossa Mix), Maria M
Fell in Love With a Boy, Joss Stone
Rain, Leela James

Player: Pandora.com

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This Johnson's Baby Oil ad really stood out to me. The color pops and the photography is out of this world. I like


Today's Shuffle:

Can’t Knock the Hustle (Live), Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige
Remember, Me’Schell N’degeocello
Run to the Sun, N*E*R*D
Thank You Lord, Faith Evans
Subject, Dwele
Arise/Shine, Shekinah Glory Ministry
Waiting On the World, John Mayer
Wipe Me Down [remix], Lil' Boosie
I Know I’ve Been Changed, LaShun Pace (wow, what a transition)
Resolution, Aaliyah

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