hbo

Showing 5 posts tagged hbo

2.16.13.

guys. i’m just. i feel elevated. my spirit is so full. you know when you just have one of those days. a day full of affirming messages and so much love. where you feel like everything is amazing and anything is possible. today was one of those days. it’s taken me hours to put it into words because i’ve felt so wonderfully overwhelmed, and i wanted to be as present in it as possible. but i know i’ll never be able to sleep if i don’t get this out.

today i participated in this amazing event: the LOVE mob. a group of beautiful souls got together to spread love on skid row. we gave out clothing and toiletries. we held hands. we hugged. we sang and danced. we connected with each other and with the people we were helping. there was so much love. and an individual milestone moment: i got to personally thank Rev. Dr. Michael Beckwith for his contribution to my life. he spoke to the group, i expressed my gratitude, we hugged, it was beautiful. i’m grateful for the entire Love Mob experience. there is a shift happening. there is so much good. and an ABUNDANCE of love. it’s everywhere. it’s in us. it’s growing. we can change the world. there are big movements and there are small acts. they are all significant. they’re working because we’re working. it’s so incredible. i hope i can continue to be a part of whatever spreads this feeling. thank you, thank you, thank you to Preston, Allison, Quddus, the entire LoveMob team, and all the volunteers (including some of my fave LA folks). God is love. all is love. all is God. and so it is.

image

also, i must admit. this high, this elevated state, was only enhanced by watching the Beyonce documentary, Life is But a Dream, in a room full of awesome women. i know, i know what you’re thinking, but it’s real. watching Bey doing it her way, that work ethic, her love for her husband, hearing her talk about her lessons and appreciation for empowering women, her choice to live and create freely…it was inspiring. yes, the performance footage was phe-nomenal, and those costumes, and her seemingly flawless unmade face, and those scenes between her and Jay (frankly, i’m over not being best friends with them.) but, for her willingness to share so much of herself, i applaud her. i was moved. and the energy, from her and in the room between all us girls…amazing. i know how ridiculous this must sound. but it’s the truth. sometimes, even in a simple something on TV, you can get something of value. the signs, the messages, the energy…it’s everywhere. in all forms. we just have to be open to it.
image
today just felt…encouraging. and affirming. and i feel energized and confident. in who i am, in where i’m at…it all feels connected and good. i’m excited. i feel something greater in me, around me, and i’m recognizing it in others. God, love, all of it. it’s amazing. what a beautiful day. shared with such beautiful people. i am so blessed. happy birthday week to me.

one more thing. i’m thinking of creating a club. a club of girls who get together to learn Beyonce’s dance routines. and that thing she did on the piano in that one scene. and possibly a subgroup that recreates her costumes in pajama form. in case anyone is interested… #LOVE

while i was away.

i’ve been on planes and between time zones for a few days, celebrating nuptials (other people’s, relax) and hopping in and out of cabs with over-sized luggage. so, i missed a few things. in an effort to refrain from posting back to back lengthy posts, below is my attempt at very brief recaps of things that i feel compelled to comment on, in no particular order of social or personal importance:

a collection of hoodies and how we rise with words:

while i don’t think it benefits any of us to dwell in anger or angst, as this is the Martin family’s tragedy to find forgiveness and strength in, i do believe it is our job to continue to have dialogue about the Trayvon Martin case. we can continue to discuss it’s societal implications and it’s affects on all of us. here are a few people and pieces that did just that:

From Martin to Martin: Hoodies up on the Mountaintop - Michael Skolnik, GlobalGrind.com

No Apologies: On the Killing of Trayvon Martin and Being “Good” - Danielle Belton, BlackSnob.com

Will You Wear Your Hoodies Up? - Rachel Sklar, hellogiggles.com

Michelle Obama speaks on Trayvon Martin - GlobalGrind.com

each of these pieces was written by someone who’s face i would never be able to pick out of a line-up (aside from the Michelle audio clip, i’d totally know her if i saw her). and there are more. i’ve read at least a dozen. and now i’m writing this. and maybe someone will comment or reblog or share or write their own piece. see how this works? i can go back to posting cool vintage photos and dresses i’d like to wear as soon as i’m done. no harm, no foul. but when Trayvon comes up in conversation, i’m going to use that opportunity to have some dialogue. if i see an interesting or moving post, i’m going to reblog it here or pin the photo that will link back to it.

speaking on something so serious and heavy doesn’t mean you can’t post pretties and funnies. do it. i do. use your space to be yourself. but, if you feel a way about something, use your voice. i believe in the power of sharing one’s aesthetic and the inspiration that can ensue for so many others, especially in the times of pinterest and polyvore but, don’t forget your words. with our words, we will create conversations, awareness, unity and change.

we are in the times of followers and friend requests. in many ways, it feels like the reason we feel so stagnant, unable to create real movement like those who came before us and made such strides, is because we’re celeb-stalking and retweeting behind our computers. but, we have to look at this differently. no one says you have to quit your job, art or leisure to be an activist. don’t associate dialogue with such a burden. all it means is being informed, speaking up when you have something to contribute and taking action when given the opportunity. if everyone used their words, their various outlets and online presences, we could do so much. awareness is half the battle, right?

Girls:

this show is fantastic. it’s wonderfully written. funny, smart, uncomfortable, revealing, all my favorite things. and, even though Lena Dunham and i couldn’t have grown up more different than each other, i identify with so many pieces of these conversations and situations. of course, i’d love a brown girl character too. but, this is not a show about a “diverse group of friends making it in America.” i appreciate the authenticity of her experience and her commitment to creating a truthful show based on exaggerated versions of her and her friend’s lives. if you were given the chance to create a show and use your friends, wouldn’t you? i absolutely would. with no apologies.

ugh, brief. i have many things to say on this topic but in an effort to keep this post from becoming a book, i’ll stop myself here. but, here are a few pieces worth checking out:

Jesse Levine | Glennis McCarthy | Carlye Wisel | Amy O’Connor

ok, last thing: i watched shows like Girlfriends, Frasier, Will & Grace, A Different World, and many others with the same…uh…”monochromatic palette” and never questioned it’s diversity efforts. they were just good shows. so, shut up.

belated friday fave: lugless.com

they ship your luggage to your destination. door to mutha-f*ckin door. and for less than it costs on most airlines to check the same luggage. i know! best thing ever.

thanks, PureWow!

community is everything:

i know, no news there. but, recently i’ve been keeping the company of some pretty talented, encouraging, inspiring people. women, mostly. which is even more exciting. with some of those same women, i’ve seen some great shows & films that restored my faith in this sometimes discouraging business. it is possible to make great things with your favorite people without compromising who you are or your creative vision.

also, have you noticed how many incredibly funny women are on TV right now? i have. i’ve seen some good film lately and it’s definitely being made but, TV is kind of killing it right now. i think it’s all the funny women and writers. Amy Poehler wrote and directed this week’s episode of Parks and Rec. pumped! 30 Rock is live this week. yes! BFF is hilarious. Queenetta, i love you. HBO is on fire. all these awesome ensembles, these funny women, these talented people, a lot of whom are making things with friends and long-time colleagues…it just confirms, the people we surround ourselves with and those we choose to work with is everything.

okay, whew! all caught up. i feel better. don’t be mad at my long post. i promise to post pretty pics and good songs to make up for this crazy long mess. you don’t want to see what happens when i can’t say the things i need to. it’s something like this.

…only because i think it would make a really great film.  in the least obnoxious, self-indulgent way of course.  oh, how i wish i could write that way.  think something like “Antoine Fisher” meets “Erin Brockovich” (maybe add a little from each of Julia from “Pretty Woman” & “Steel Magnolias” for good measure.) meets “Funny Face” meets “Girl Interrupted” with a half a cup of “Reality Bites”, a sprinkle of “Devil Wears Prada” and a dash of the Julie side of “Julie & Julia”. oh, and definitely include a helping of Miss May from “Secret Life of Bees”.  yes, that would maybe do it.  with a Gnarls Barkley & Erykah Badu soundtrack.  huh, there’s no real funny in there.  hmmmmm…oh well.  guess i’ll just have to play myself.  love her, but if rashida jones plays me i’ll lose it (i love her, really i do.  it’s just that she has my career and i can’t get past that.).  maybe zoe kravitz would be up to it?  sorry, focus…life story movie.  nah, no press tour.  just the big interviews.  i’ve been dying to do the interview with O that i’ve been rehearsing in the shower (thats where my best ideas and sound bites happen) since i was 12.  maybe a barbara walters special…but only if she agrees to film at my italian home.  since, that’s where i’ll be living after filming has wrapped. ok, maybe just a little self-indulgent.  sorry.  it’s not me.  it’s the S.A.D. talking.  straight, madness. (via wishopeace) —->  lovin the stuff they post!

…only because i think it would make a really great film.  in the least obnoxious, self-indulgent way of course.  oh, how i wish i could write that way.  think something like “Antoine Fisher” meets “Erin Brockovich” (maybe add a little from each of Julia from “Pretty Woman” & “Steel Magnolias” for good measure.) meets “Funny Face” meets “Girl Interrupted” with a half a cup of “Reality Bites”, a sprinkle of “Devil Wears Prada” and a dash of the Julie side of “Julie & Julia”. oh, and definitely include a helping of Miss May from “Secret Life of Bees”.  yes, that would maybe do it.  with a Gnarls Barkley & Erykah Badu soundtrack.  huh, there’s no real funny in there.  hmmmmm…oh well.  guess i’ll just have to play myself.  love her, but if rashida jones plays me i’ll lose it (i love her, really i do.  it’s just that she has my career and i can’t get past that.).  maybe zoe kravitz would be up to it?  sorry, focus…life story movie.  nah, no press tour.  just the big interviews.  i’ve been dying to do the interview with O that i’ve been rehearsing in the shower (thats where my best ideas and sound bites happen) since i was 12.  maybe a barbara walters special…but only if she agrees to film at my italian home.  since, that’s where i’ll be living after filming has wrapped.

ok, maybe just a little self-indulgent.  sorry.  it’s not me.  it’s the S.A.D. talking.  straight, madness.

(via wishopeace) —->  lovin the stuff they post!