30 somethin, Rich and Foolish: A Placeholder for Rage

The topic of this entry: 50 Cent...

I will leave it at that...I don't trust myself to write this piece now because I know I am going to go all the way in. Therefore, I am going to chill out for now. Still, I need to hold myself accountable and shame myself in to finishing what I've started. Here's the reference:

http://www.allhiphop.com/stories/multimedia__video/archive/2009/11/12/22026038.aspx

Feel free to look it over until I can get my mind right.

Deal?

Woman of Interest: Patricia J. Williams

(photo courtesy of of www.drexel.edu)

Inspiration comes to me from the darnedest places...music...books...films...everyday life...presentations by Law professors!

I have know of my Woman of Interest for the week, Patricia J. Williams for years. I knew she was a prominent legal scholar and recipient of the distinguished MacArthur Fellowship. However, it was not until last week that I had the honor of witnessing her genius in person. I went to a panel discussion about the work of Édouard Glissant at my alma mater, NYU. What an amazing evening...I fell in love over and over again with everyone in the room. But Ms. Williams really struck me with her elegant speech, humility and grace. While everyone else on the all-male panel decided to take a more prepared academic approach to their presentation, Ms. Williams just told a story...one which made an impression on everyone in the room. Surely I could go on and on about my geek crush on this amazing woman, but alas I will allow you to find your own way to her greatness!

For more information, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patricia_J._Williams

This Is It!: A Revelation

Nothing much to say but...if I am not willing to work as hard as MJ did in rehearsal for his O2 run...then I should probably stop doing WHATEVER it is I think I am doing right now...be it academia, music, business or any other endeavor. MJ was a genius but pushed himself to the max and did so not just for himself, but the world. The film "This Is It" was for me an eye-opener...a revelation.

What shall I conquer now with this new found enthusiasm and zest?!?!! 2nd album? advance degree? a family? thriving business? peace? balance?

First and foremost, MJ was focused...thus, FOCUS IS MY CURRENT FOCUS! ;-)

"Who Am I Anyway?"

This is what I go through and how I feel each and everyday (at work, school, personal life, etc.)...



...Life is really one long audition for me...and I keep getting cut...yet I keep coming back to the line.

If I give up, what else can I do? Life goes on whether I participate or not...so for me...there is no other alternative but to keep getting back to that line...LIFE...here goes!

Rio2016: A view from the favella

So I am super excited because I have decided to embark on a new research project today. Over the next several days, months and maybe even years I would like to look at how the preparations for the 2016 Olympics in Rio De Janeiro impacts the poor people (particularly youth) of Brazil. Back in 2004 or 2005, I wrote a piece on the Juvenile Justice System in Brazil. I am now wondering how the Brazilian authorities urgent need to clean-up the crime ridden streets of Rio before the games might effect the poor youth of Brazil. My project will also focus on other related topics such as: the meaning behind the Olympic sponsor village as a global village and the opening ceremony performance as a cultural artifact. In looking at these and other themes, I am wondering what it means for Brazilians to have the whole world watching them more closely as a result of these games coming there for the first time. What will this new view of the world from their window mean for the local people of Rio?

There's already tons of controversy surrounding the crime issues in the city. Check out this article and pay special attention to the title. The media loves this stuff...let the games begin!

Woman of Interest: Paula Kelly

Hey y'all...I know it has been a minute since I've shared a "Woman of Interest" with you. So without further adieu, it is my esteemed pleasure to introduce the incomparable: Paula Kelly.

She is a singer, dancer and actress...a black beauty...and another woman I want to be when I grow up. I could go on and on about this immense talent...but I can show you better than I can tell you. Check her out in action with another fierce lady: Chita Rivera (love her!) in "Sweet Charity":



For more information on Paula Kelly, click here.

Can I have a moment?

Life feels so arbitrary yet blah today...it is becoming more and more clear that nothing is as it seems. BUT I am not going to carry on in this direction as it will only make me sound like one of those bratty and ungrateful cosmopolitan elites...soo..

I just have a word of advice for my fellow academic enthusiasts...the more you use your brain the more you will ponder randomness ad nasueam...tis not a great thing if you have other stuff to do like work, music and...well...living life, in general. The kind of inquiry that I am engaged in at present must be for young folks or perhaps the independently wealthy...I am trying to keep the lights on and the Frigidaire full! How do I do that while at the same time wrestle with ideas promulgated by a bunch of fellows who have not been with us in centuries (and would likely have me working the fields)!?!?!?!?!

ONE DAY IT WILL ALL MAKE SENSE...for now I will just do my best MARGO CHANNING and act like it does! ;-)