caressa cameron: miss america twentyten

congratulations to our newest miss america :caressa cameron, who represented virginia in this year's pageant. in talent, she performed "listen" from dreamgirls; and her platform is REAL TALK: Aids in America, an aids education outreach. she attended virginia commonwealth university and plans to receive her Master's in Mass Communication. cameron aspires to pursue journalism as a television anchor. as this year's winner, her prize package includes a 50000 scholarship to continue her education. i actually missed the pageant this year [and i NVR miss miss america] but i'm sure i would have rooted for her anyway. you go girl! enjoy your reign as miss america 2010!

photos: jim carpenter, jeanna beasley

my little secret/ let them both be great

ok. me and the person you know as "bey" had a falling out sometime last november when she forced me to buy the deluxe edition of [hold on googling name] i am...sasha fierce album. and yes i had to google the forgettable title. but looks like me and miss "i wanna thank him for putting a ring on it" are back in business. thank you very much lady and bey. thank you.

[pause music to the left...and go!]

:best twitter quote of the night @solangeknowles @blacksocialite. ouch! (solo, your sister is giving me the business right now. slap the shit outta her for me, please.)
thanks to curtis childs for the link!

i want this forever-mayn

via her. travis barker does forever. his passion translates♥

2bd/ picoftheday

karl lagerfield wearing 2bd spike combat glasses
get yours now here.

street etiquette

trav [l] and jkissi [r] of streetetiquette.com

cant remember if ive mentioned these fellows and if i havent then my apologies for keeping them all to my self. because im majorly crushing on their style and angel cosigns with me on this one. here they are. maybe again. all i need is a guy man to cruise by me dressed like this. and im done. done i tell ya...

click pic to check their blog out gents. [and ladies.] get some tips.

beautiful music

probably should blog when i think about it. but i tend to forget and then i forget what i was supposed to be blogging about. hence the tabs i left open on my computer before *someone shut it off and now i cant remember what they were. and history seems like too much of a chore right now. anyhoo. ran across this and thought it was gorgeous. i love interior spaces and creative ways of making them more alive. so want to "do" my room. but sadly, or not, i know i wont be here long enough to care. just passing thru...

c/o youhavebrokentheinternet /areaware
bonus: post title. downloading drakes beautifulmusic. nolisten yet so critique is on u. circa07

eighteen ways/ lesson four, five, six

[see original post/ lessons one, two, three]

Learn/Evolve:

everyone likes to quote William Goldman's line about the movie industry, but it has never been truer that no one knows anything now. the ways films were financed and sold for the last 15 years are no longer do-able. audiences don't consume the way they used to. there is no acquisition market, and no business model has emerged for earning significant revenue on the internet. people have been convinced that hardware should be expensive whereas content should be free (i.e. creators have become the advertisers for the manufacturers). we have the tools to build a new model, but our ability to use them is rather limited. it's time to try new things and if you aren't learning new things on a regular basis you might as well admit defeat now. build experimentation into your daily regime, into your business plan.

Migrate:

although this is close to "Learn/Evolve," migration is a specific form. as much as we need to strengthen the net, we have to extend our web's reach. we have to both give and take. cinema requires a global awareness and participation. specificity is universal. you aren't just making your work for friends and family, unless it is the Family of Man (to borrow an inaccurate phrase). travel and source. bring it back home. give it away. extend your reach and modify your inputs, but cross borders. it is a global community, and the more we embrace that, the stronger we will be.

Aim Higher With Content Quality:

for years the movie business flourished because not enough material was available. now everything is there for the viewing when you want it, where you want it, and how you want it. as a filmmaker today, you are competing against everything that came before you. yet also as a filmmaker you have the benefit of having access to all of film history that has preceded you. you get to see what others have done, but you have to take it one step further. since you can no longer win by getting there first, you have no choice but to try to do it better.

though specifically written with film as the subject in mind, the basic idea is truth for such a variety of other mediums.

eighteen ways/ lesson one, two and three

18 Ways to a Sustainable, Truly Free Film Community By Ted Hope

You say you want a sustainable and truly free film community and culture? Then it's time to take some action.

I wish I could give marching orders instead of discussion points. I wrote this to encourage, but you can use it as a litmus test for whether you really want an independent and diverse culture. Which are these are you doing? Which of these are you willing to do?
There is the capacity for many more of us to create and prosper from creative media work. This capacity can also close up and vanish along with our audiences. The canaries are now the size of Big Birds, and we somehow have been able to ignore them.
The time is now. If we don't fully own the absolute necessity to change how we've all been working, we won't be working -- and we won't have the illuminating, inspiring, transforming films that we now enjoy.
It's your choice, but action is required.

Mentor:
if you have been working in the film industry for at least five years, you certainly have the knowledge to help lift somebody else up. ideally this would be someone from a much different background than yourself (more on that later) so things don't have to stay the same. That said, those that you lift up will also carry on some of your knowledge, so the bonds that need to be strengthened hopefully will be.

Curate:
you got into this business because you loved film, maybe you even always loved talking about films, but what do you do now to help spread the love? friends & family are the best influencers in terms of getting others to see films, and there won't be any business unless we keep people going to the movies. whether its as simple as getting friends over on the weekend to watch something they wouldn't normally have, using a social network tool to get a large group out and into the theaters, blogging about the things you think are essential, or forming a film club and actually booking films you love, there's something you could be doing to get work you love seen and appreciated. there are over 6000 films made a year; it's overwhelming. you have to become the filter for your friends, family, and followers. tell them what you love, share it.

Provide Info, Advice, Access:
industries all go through cycles, and it may have once benefited some folks who got established early to limit what others could know or get to do. but those days have ended. our future depends on innovation and unity; sharing what you know and have are the most likely ways for each to occur. if you learn something, pass it on. Post it. Tweet it. Discuss it.



c.o bfmg. part one of a 6 part special for filmmakers, filmlovers, artists and connoisseurs of great.

blogging with a purpose

mommy dearest [dearest in a good way] brought this cnn article to my attention. the story of a woman who turned to blogging as an outlet when her life was turned upside down and she found herself living in a wal-mart parking lot. not only is she writing for elle now, but after reading the article, did a drop by her blog [girls guide to homelessness] to discover that this week she taped for cnn, the today show and interviewed for npr . a story of living with purpose. despite the trials and tribulations. mama always says "its not where you start out-but where you end up".


:you may be homeless, but you dont have to be a bum*-brianna karp

never give up on your silly little dreams

"they who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night."

"hold fast to dreams for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly."
- langston hughes

some men see things as they are and say why... i dream of things that never were and say why not"
- george bernard shaw

you must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment”
- henry david thoreau

" you have brains in your head. you have feet in your shoes. you can steer yourself in any direction you choose. you're on your own. and you know what you know. you are they guy who'll decide where to go."
-dr.seuss

2am. and now i dream...

the code

Foreword to the Code
“A part of the great tradition of the theatre is the code of ethics which belong to every worker in the theatre. This code is not a superstition, nor a dogma, nor a ritual which is enforced by tribunals; it is an attitude toward your vocation, your fellow workers, your audiences and yourself. It is a kind of self-discipline which does not rob you of your invaluable individualism.
“Those of you who have been in show business know the full connotation of these precepts. Those of you who are new to show business will soon learn. The Circle Players, since its founding in 1945, has always striven to stand for the finest in theatre, and it will continue to do so. Therefore, it is with the sincere purpose of continued dedication to the great traditions of the theatre that these items are here presented.”

The “rules” follow:

1. I shall never miss a performance.
2. I shall play every performance with energy, enthusiasm and to the best of my ability regardless of size of audience, personal illness, bad weather, accident, or even death in my family.
3. I shall forego all social activities which interfere with rehearsals or any other scheduled work at the theatre, and I shall always be on time.
4. I shall never make a curtain late by my failure to be ready on time.
5. I shall never miss an entrance.
6. I shall never leave the theatre building or the stage area until I have completed my performance, unless I am specifically excused by the stage manager; curtain calls are a part of the show.
7. I shall not let the comments of friends, relatives or critics change any phase of my work without proper consultation; I shall not change lines, business, lights, properties, settings or costumes or any phase of the production without consultation with and permission of my director or producer or their agents, and I shall inform all people concerned.
8. I shall forego the gratification of my ego for the demands of the play.
9. I shall remember my business is to create illusion; therefore, I shall not break the illusion by appearing in costume and makeup off-stage or outside the theatre.
10. I shall accept my director’s and producer’s advice and counsel in the spirit in which it is given, for they can see the production as a whole and my work from the front.
11. I shall never “put on an act” while viewing other artists’ work as a member of an audience, nor shall I make caustic criticism from jealousy or for the sake of being smart.
12. I shall respect the play and the playwright and, remembering that “a work of art is not a work of art until it is finished,” I shall not condemn a play while it is in rehearsal.
13. I shall not spread rumor or gossip which is malicious and tends to reflect discredit on my show, the theatre, or any personnel connected with them-either to people inside or outside the group.
14. Since I respect the theatre in which I work, I shall do my best to keep it looking clean, orderly and attractive regardless of whether I am specifically assigned to such work or not.
15. I shall handle stage properties and costumes with care for I know they are part of the tools of my trade and are a vital part of the physical production.
16. I shall follow rules of courtesy, deportment and common decency applicable in all walks of life (and especially in a business in close contact with the public) when I am in the theatre, and I shall observe the rules and regulations of any specific theatre where I work.
17. I shall never lose my enthusiasm for theatre because of disappointments. !

:a code of ethics for theatre workers established in 1945 by kathleen freeman who at just 24 years old opened one of the first small theatres in la. talk about inspirational.
via blogstage. via lastage

melbourne theatre company

click images to see the greatness.

melbourne theatre company/ melbourne recital centers. designed by a-r-m.
photos john gollings. as seen @ bustler/hL
tbL?

spotlight / rutina wesley

first spotlight. i wanted to feature new faces around hollywood. especially black actresses. we can talk about black hollywood. the quantity. the quality. or we can think positive and embrace and support our people who are paving the road making it a little easier. rutina caught my eye with her debut as the star of how she moves. turns out she is a juilliard grad....and you know how that makes me feel. :>

spotlight on: rutina wesley

“I was born to be onstage. I loved storytelling..... I feel like that was my path.” -rutina wesley

rutina wesley hails from las vegas nevada where her father was a tap dancer and mother a show girl, surrounded by the arts at a young age. she graduated from las vegas academy of international studies, performing and visual arts. it was after high school rutina settled on pursuing acting. knowing she would have to leave her home of las vegas to pursue bigger dreams, and after missing theatre school auditions, she landed at university of evansville in indiana majoring in theatre performance. after reciving her undergraduate degree she auditioned for the prestigious acting program at the juilliard school in new york city [dream]and became a part of group 34. while at juilliard she appeared in several stage productions, such as The Winters Tale , Macbeth and The Marriage of Figaro.

She also did a summer stint @ London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts [anotherdream] where she landed the role of juliet in a production of the Shakespeare play, Romeo and Juliet. after being cast and ending up on the cutting room floor for the film Hitch, rutina graduated and was soon picked up by director david hare. she made her broadway debut as one of the original cast members in hare's The Vertical Hour with julianne moore and bill nighy.in 2007 rutina made her screen debut starring in How She Move, an independent film that premiered at Sundance and brought rutina to the forefront. currently rutina wesley stars as tara in everyone's favorite vampire show, True Blood which is currently in its second season. catch it on hbo sundays@ 9pm

my current inspiration. her story is so similar to my own and where i want to go. congratulations and many blessings in your journey rutina! cant wait to make some art with you. like that shakespeare prod. im on it.

sources: wikipedia, juilliard, kam williams interview. pics.googl images

inspiration

I am only one, but still I am one; I cannot do everything; but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do."

-Helen Keller

interior

apt@alvhem

jill malek wallpaper

anders knutsson prints

always imagined id live in a warehouse/loft. the apt @ top gives me vision for my dream space. *>

allthatblack

have the most amazing vintage black leather skirt. found @ one of my secretplaces. yet to wear. post later when i find my camera. rummaging thru foreign style blogs thnking of what 2 wear. brings me to my current issue. so need a style. got stuck watching bravos ny prep. [guiltypleasures] and the girl had a stylist. her friend was talking smck about her, like why did she need a stylist. but she is working on a career and is supposedly a budding artist. [whatshername] kelli can sing. seriously. so i do get it. even if she is quite young. nevertheless as a 'budding actress' my mom-ager. [her new name.] keeps telling me the same. preparing for the film festival she was in my suitcase picking at my warddrobe like a true stage mom. i am so proud! lol.


randoms.




erinwasson, balenciaga, balmain

hero / kimberly anyadike

she-ros. this young lady became the youngest african american female to fly solo across the u.s. how old was she? 15! though there are no records for these endeavors, she is believed to be the youngest as being a 15 year old pilot is extremely rare. Kimberly Anyadike, from California, picked up the hobby at just 12 years old, when she took part in Compton's Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum which offers an aviation program for underprivileged youths. Months after learning to fly she surprised all with the idea and when told it would be a "daunting task", she replied "Put it on. I got big shoulders" :>

The 15 year old piloted a single engine Cesna from LA to Newport News, VA encountering thunderstorms in Texas and making updates with Facebook as she stopped along the way. She was accompanied by an 87 year old former Tuskegee Airman and an adult safety pilot, crediting the flight in honor of the historic all black combat crew of World War II. During the trip she met about 50 former Tuskegee Airmen who signed the plane the museum donated for the trip. "That way they can fly with us forever", the museum founder says. She also stated she didnt fly to set a record but to inspire other children to believe in themselves.



I love I love I love.

bum.mer

iwanttorollaroundinkarlascloset.











sawthesetwice.andtheystillareridiculous.inagoodway
julie.finsk.
stylebubble/shoelust

what 'tribal-inspired' should look like
ysl "AFRICAN" beaded dress. circa s/s1967
theluxirare
[theluxiRare is inspired. see the above link.]


shesbad.
jourdandunn. for louisvuitton.

cruise.

geesh
there are some art-eests from another era among us. so beautiful in their creativity.
these stylistas who make magic with their fabric and colors and sky high stilettos. reminds me of little me. when i had an imagination and would cut up clothes, wear things backwards. wrapping yards of fabric making 'couture dresses'. what happened? having a ball discovering these little hideouts of girly paradise. rumi@ fashiontoast, rebecca@clotheshorse. fashionpaths. suzy@stylebubble. and how could i ever forget the glamourai. i am in love. truly deeply madly. now that i consider myself a fashionista by any means. please. still trying to figure out how not to live in denim. i♥myjeans. but it has opened up my box and given me that 'little me' inspiration for coloring outside the lines. have i said i love? and now. we play dress up in the closet.

*skirt.bcbg; belt.gift/[think lucky]; zipper corset. silence&noise; shoes[not pictured]. urban o?

paynomindtome. see the blogroll.