Mandela- day 345 (project 365) 12-6-13

As the world knows Nelson Mandela has left this realm.   Not that I am surprised by my own reaction of crying when I heard on NPR driving in my car.    It was evident that his time on this earth was soon coming to an end months ago  and even then I felt shocked.

What was going through my head?    I honestly was thinking this is an end of a generation of warriors, those who fought for not only their lives but others, a different time.   Don't get me wrong , I know there are new warriors and will be those that have a voice and impact.   Am I being nostalgic?   Maybe.

I was in high school when I first really was aware of what was happening in South Africa and this system "Apartheid" , and realizing just that some 20 plus years before in America it didn't seem so different.   Although so many things in high school were so trivial , I started really paying attention.    I remember getting a shirt "Stop Apartheid" and wearing it so proudly- I was making a statement and saying I am with you Nelson Mandela , people of Africa , people of the world !!!   What did that really do?   Nothing of an impact except for myself realizing that I was not taking a blind eye to the struggles that exist, I was conscious and aware and that was a beginning.  

So to all of you past and present on those front lines, I salute you.   To those quiet soldiers , you tread softly and in strength...I salute you. 

The fight is far from  over for South Africa, may Nelson Mandela's spirit continue to strengthen the people of South Africa and inspire the world. 

my superstar - day 222 (project 365)

I have another busy weekend ahead of me ---  the Heiva San Diego is this weekend and I am working/volunteering my time ( I will be helping the camera production crew from Tahiti - a great opportunity and experience) .  My groupie and superstar is modeling the shirts we had printed for the event and can't wait to see the dancers.  Two days full of Tahitian dancing ,music, food, & vendors in downtown San Diego.   I hope to try to enjoy part of the festivities.

  p.s. my daughter is having some contractions and crossing my fingers that it is the real deal.....come on little baby!

playin' catch up -again- days 208-215 (project 365)

Once again I have to post the images that I have taken for the past week.   It has truly been a chore to keep up lately....so much going on.   I still have 4 months left to complete this project ....wow.   I am really hoping for some creative time and images coming soon.   Yes, soon come.

 

Day 208 7-26-13

 Mahlia looking like an old vintage painted photo....

Day 209 -  7-27-13 Anaheim 

     

Dance group  from Tahiti youth - more photos.

-

-- day 210      7-28-13

 

 

 

Take what you need!!!  

day 211 - 7-29-13

coming soon SFSU

day 212- 7-30-13

 The 4 generations---

day 213- 7-31-13

day 214- throw back 8-1-13

day 215-08-2-13

yes....done and to sleep , until next time!

senior exhibition- day 157 (project 365)

Tonight was Jai's senior exhibition- final one before graduation.   He and his classmates had their presentation of their project for a concept of a clothing line.  Now heading to Los Angeles in the early morning hours to San Francisco State orientation, all day long I might add.   I just ask for safe travels. Time for rest.  

magic of possibility - day 157 (project 365)

Yesterday I mentioned how music is inspiring and it just made me think about my inspiration board in my room.   I randomly put things around it , write on it if I hear something or read or something that I feel will be positive.  Positivity and manifesting those things into your life and life's work, most of all believing in the magic of possibility.  That is another addition to my board -"Believing in the magic of possibilities" .   I occasionally am pretty brilliant (big smile).

tishomingo blues- day 156 (project 365)

Music.  It can be so many things.  Relaxing, stress reliever, bring back memories, mood altering and inspirational.
 I was listening to Louis Armstrong, Ella  and  Geroge Lewis and his Tishomingo Blues.   I had to have had a life before this one during the time period of the 30's and 40's.   I can totally see myself during the Harlem Renaissance and New Orleans with the great jazz singers, and artist.   Although not the best of times for anyone of color but there was so many people expressing themselves and finding freedom through art and a powerful movement of civil rights ...writing, painting, photography, acting, dancing with the likes of photographer James Van Der Zee, Gordon Parks, Count Bassie, Countee Cullen,  Langston Hughes, Josephine Baker, Zora Neale Hurston , and lets not forget the UNIA and  Marcus Garvey and the list can go on.

 Oh to dance,to march, to love ,to feel freedom through expression, power and strength.


Now without getting to far off base I am a fashion whore at heart.  Women wore dresses , skirts and fabulous shoes, while the men most often had a suit jacket or vest and a hat looking sharp and when that night was over .....draped over a chair  just waiting to be put on again another night.

check out George Lewis-

in a little while- day 154 (project 365)

Birds on a wire- doves to me represent love.  I have a sculpture of my fathers of two doves that were given to my grandmother.   I have them now and they are very special and dear to me. 

 I will be there
My shining heart still  beats
I will recognize you and acknowledge us
in a little while
no
it is in the  now
as the sun rises
and sets
I am
here
always (siempre)

parking lot sales and proms- day 153 (project 365)

Morning parking lot sale ....  I guess the secret to keeping young is having a doughnut , coffee and riding the exercise bike as Miss Ann was showing us..she is a fabulous 74 years young.  

Big day for my youngest .... his prom!   He looked very handsome and grown up and Laura looked lovely.   Oh how time goes by so fast.

 

wouldn't it be lovely- day 150 (project 365)

Wouldn't this be absolutely lovely for this reality of Justice, Freedom, Equality, Liberty ?   The one reality is that we can do this for ourselves.  

.....Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;
None but ourselves can free our minds.....  The Prophet  Robert Nesta Marley (Bob Marley )

city slickers - day 149 (project 365)

I have been helping out my son Jai and his classmates with their senior externship...this is were they create a business venture and/or spend time at an employer or business to find out how they operate , etc.    These young men have decided to create a clothing line.  I have been teaching them about different printing(actually printing and doing the whole process)  other items they can create , design, and the industry.   They have  great creative energy , (when they can harness it) and have had some great ideas .  It's been fun and I could really see them launching a line if they really follow through.  

Good job young men.  Much success in all your endeavors and in your college education.

tourist in my own town- day 148 (project 365)

Today for a few hours acted as a tourist in my own town.   I had never in all the years living here gone to the San Diego Mission.   I had really been talking about heading out there for the past month and made it there today.  Having some basic knowledge of the history ,  I and actually learned a lot about the missions here and up and down the state.   Spain and the Catholic church and it's influx here to gain control of Northern California and it's people (natives). ...  San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Jose, San Francisco and so forth and so on.     I surely didn't know that Spain was making sure that Russia didn't gain control of the northern part of California.   I will say that I can always appreciate the artistry, and the gardens were quite beautiful as well.   Cactus probably close to 100 years old , bells and excavated items from the site .   A great few hours and will have to be that tourist in my own town again soon. 

beach & flags- throw back thurs - day 143 (project 365)

My throwback Thursday is my little groupie and one of her first times trying to be in the waves on her own a few years back.  It is summer soon  my people and this weekend is the kickoff for most.

This weekend is a time when most kick off the beginning of summer months and the remembrance of those who have fought and lost their lives for this country.   I am not a big fan of the military truth be  told but I will say that the loss of life among anyone is such a travesty.  I do respect peoples choices although I may not agree why they may do what they do.   We all , regardless of our political or social beliefs , know someone and/or  many in the armed forces and I don't love my dear friends or family  any less.   I just pray for them , their safety and lives.   My friend Peter just came to mind and his family ( in Germany right now?).  I adore them , they are wonderful people and I think about him often and his loyalty to his country and the love for his family and friends.   I ask for his safety often.      Again a double edge sword, for better lack of words.  In the case of the need of protection from negative forces for citizens I truly am grateful.  I just don't believe in the poli-tricks of the world and reasons that we send ours troops or any others elsewhere.   Only one person's opinion, feelings, and truth.   May all of you enjoy the long weekend in any scope you may.  

  

in the now - day 142 (project 365)

Was having a reasoning session with someone today about living in the now.    To often we don't let go of what has happened in the past and work so hard and worry about what the future holds, and yet we don't live enough in the now!!!!    The past we can not change , it is done and hopefully good or bad we learn from it.   The future is just that....the future and no guarantees.    We can do only our best to prepare ourselves for the future, by doing our best today and now.   I was  in a little meditation enjoying the now and thankful.  

family - day 141 (project 365)

Tonight  visiting with the extended family from Toronto .   A great time indeed.    It got me to thinking about family.   We have the bonds of blood with some and others just the bonds of love and friendship .  They are all family.  

where are we runnin' -day 140 (project 365)

It has been a beautiful day yet long day at work and lots on my mind and need to clear my head . Tired of feeling stressed from a days work and have it go on for weeks over nonsense.   I need to take control  and stop runnin' from myself.
 Was listening to music and my man Lenny Kravitz....Where are we runnin???????     I don't want to be that person that doesn't enjoy life as I have it.   Working so hard to get old and retire and not be able to enjoy it.    The greatest thing is to love what you do no matter what it may be , and enjoy the moments now , as often as possible, and hope to be blessed to see those golden years and enjoy it then too.   Mañana es ahora !!!!!!!





Lenny sings ...

'Fast lane
 High speed
On the grind
24/7
No time
Always runnin' here and there
Chasin' the money
So much jibber jabbers
Cloggin' up our soul

Where are we runnin'
We need some time to clear our heads
Where are we runnin'
Keep on working 'til we're dead
Where are we runnin'
Oo wee oo wee oo
Where are we runnin' now...................................................

eyes that sing- day 137 (project 365)

Yes....in continuation of Womanifesto-  " ...i am eyes that sing- smile that brightens- touch that rings- and supplies euphoric release- I am a Grand Dame Queen Beast..."  (Jill Scott - Womanifesto)

Grand Dame Queen Beast-  def.   a most often middle aged or older woman , with style , grace, flair, experience......The Grand Lady!!!

I must embrace this time in my life!  I am the Grand Dame Queen Beast! 

Lip Smacking peach deep - (throw back thursday ) day 136 - project 365

In continuing inspiration of Womanifesto.   "....and lip smacking peach deep- sometimes too aggressive in its honesty and heart sweet- that loves whoe-ly and completely- whom it may choose- whom ever it may choose.... "  (Jill Scott)

So I am guessing that when Jill Scott was talking about  "lip smacking peach deep" that she was probably talking about not being superficial and that woman has deep thoughts and feelings and maybe  not .   I would read this line and every time this image that I took right before the New Year  came to mind.     I have my own interpretation and feelings about this image and not going to share them because I really want others to have their own .  Just for a moment be that sometimes pretentious  person/people that stand around a  piece of art and say" I really feel what the artist is trying to convey.....she is speaking about societies view of woman..." etc. etc. etc.  and the others are nodding in agreement ,  etc. etc. etc.  (huge smile!) .  

Would love to hear what it is.   

Knees that bend - day 135 (project 365)

In continuation  inspiration of Womanifesto... "knees that bend to pray-clean from Ajax washings"..... (Jill Scott)


These knees
 that clean these  floors
 have bent for others
to many times
to often
to many ways
are the same that kneel to pray
every morning
when I wake
and evening
before rest
the same
that find the strength
to lift
and pull me up
to walk tall
everyday


(ghia dulcia larkins)

 

diamond mind - day 134 (project 365)

Printed up some shirts for Dawud today to promote his Diamond Minds project/cd.   A conscious hip hop artist ( http://dawudhasan.jux.com/) ,believe me they are out there.    



Diamond Minds .   What does that mean to me?   We all have potential,to be that raw stone and turn into that brilliant gem, to shine. 

I am active brain......  another part of the poem Womanifesto .   Need to be that active brain with a Diamond Mind.    Wake up!!!!

Two hands that fist- day 133 (project 365)

Jill Scott was an inspiration for me today .....what a powerful poet and songtress she is. Oh to express in such a way.  Check it....empowering!!!!   I will have to do an image with the whole poem...yep that's it.    So I will do that with my images and be raw about that expression.   This series when completed will be fierce...Thank you miss J I L L S C O T T-eeeee....

Womanifesto

Clearly I am not a fat ass
I am active brain
and lip smacking peach deep
sometimes too aggressive in its honesty
and heart sweet
that loves whole-ly and completely
whom it may choose
whom ever it may choose

I am not gonna lie and pacify
I am arms to hold
I am lips to speak
I am a muthafucking "G"

Strong legs that stroll off the 33 bus
or out of a money green Phantom confortably
Knees that bend to pray
clean from Ajax washings
hair that is thick and soft
Thighs that be-twixt
an amazing all expense grand prize

I am eyes that sing
smile that brightens
touch that rings
and supplies euphoric release
I am a Grand Dame Queen Beast

I am warm
I am peace
From the roads of Botswana to 23rd Street
From the inside third eye
ever watching this wicked wicked system of things
I do see

I am friend to pen
and a lover of strong women
A Diamond to men
I am curious and interested like children
I welcome the wise to teach
appreciator of my culture
Thick not just from bone dense and eat

I have a rhythm in my ways
and a practice in my seek
and yes I do crave the rhythm of my space
with a man that rejoices in God's Grace

with faith I do hear to listen
two hands that fist
when forced pushes to shove
and your ego won't submit

I am gifted
I am all of this
and indeed the Shit

Clearly I am not just an ass