New Year's Eve

Is everyone ready for New Year's Eve? I am. I just came in from shopping. It is a snowy day in The Big Apple. I'm going to stay nice and warm in my apartment. Watch a an old movie. Maybe Love Affair (1939) or The Barretts of Wimpole Street (1934) then ring in the New Year.

Thank you all for you great and wonderful comments on my pictures. I am going to use Girl Next Door and Me in all My Shellness for my headshots. I'm going to get 50 copies of each. Once I get them done professionally, I'll show how the finished products look. And Quiet, please send me your e-mail address I couldn't contact thru your blog.

I finally used my spanking new shiny red digital camera. I took these two cool pictures outside where I live.


This picture is what I call the leaning tree. This beautiful tree is leaning sideways from all the strong storms we had this year.


This tree is still full of berries. This reminds me that even in Winter there is still life and beauty.

I am wishing you all a Happy, Adventurous, Creative, Romantic, Abundant New Year. As for New Year's Resolutions, there is one true Resolution to me. Resolve to Live as authentically and creatively as you can be. If you do this, whatever else you want to do or be will fall naturally into place.

Sweet Dreams.

PS. Check out Hanna she has a great posts on how to end and begin a year.

More Glam

Happy Monday, everyone. I had talked a few posts back how I went to get a makeover and got all glamed by the talented Abigail. I wanted to share with all of you the top three pics for me. Two of the three are going to be my new headshots. A headshot for an actor is like your business card. To get called in for an audition, you might have only seconds to capture the casting director's attention. So it's important that the pictures look like you and convey some of your personality.

These pictures are not retouched. When I get them professionally printed, the pics will be cleaned up a bit. I'm so happy with my pictures. I can't wait to start using them. Please let me know which picture or pictures you like the best. Feedback is always helpful.

(Giving Good Glam Face)

(Sweet girl next door)

( Me in all my Shellness)

Final New Moon of the year

Yesterday was the New Moon. I'm just celebrating this today. I just got this cool book called Awe-Manac: A Daily Dose of Wonder by Jill Badonsky. I couldn't resist it at Barnes and Noble. I have her first book The Nine Modern Muses and A Bodyguard which I loved. Her new book is chock full of creative fun and adventure.

For 2009, I'm all about stepping up in my creative and artistic life. Swanofdreamers has helped to spark new ideas which I'm excited about. Time to smash barriers and expectations.

On this New Moon and fitting for the close of the year: I am getting out of my own way. What is working in my life, I embrace. What is not working, I release gracefully.

Sweet dreams to you all.

I love you, Eartha

My mom and I had a wonderful Christmas together. We had the news on when we both saw Eartha Kitt had died. I can't explain how much Eartha means to both me and my mom over the years. Eartha's music was always playing in the house. Ever since I watched her as Catwoman in the Batman tv series I was hooked on her too. She is a woman of dazzling talent, beauty, sensuality, strength.

I met the legendary Ms. Kitt when I was a little girl. My mom took me to one of her concerts in the city. I waited on line to say hello after her show. I wanted to tell her how much I loved her as Catwoman. She was and always will be Catwoman to me She was so sweet to me and told me I was such a pretty little girl. I loved her even more after that. My mom and I both got to see her together on Broadway in: Timbuktu and The Wild Party.

I am going to do an another and longer tribute to Eartha at a later date. Her passing has hit me hard. I feel like a part of my family is gone. Even writing this much makes me sad. I'm going to end this by saying: I love you, Eartha.
I love her in this. Here it is: Eartha Kitt singing I want to be Evil.

Twas The Night Before Christmas

This is from me to all of you: My reading of Twas The Night Before Christmas. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Dream Thought#7

"In order to be creative we must be vulnerable. We block our creativity when we toughen up. The same hard shell that protects us, keeps us from being open to our own experience. Shutting down to protect ourselves from creative pain, we shut down our creative joy. And so you must draw a sacred circle, a protective ring, around yourself and our fledgling work. Think of yourself as a creative child and your work as creative brain children."- Julia Cameron: The Vein of Gold.

Here Comes The Sun

Happy Winter Solstice and Yule wishes to everyone. Though it is the first day of Winter, the light is returning. From now on, each day the sun will stay longer with us. That is a reason to celebrate.

Did you make a good Winter wish for yourself? I hope so. I made one. I'm going to keep my wish private for now. If it comes true, I'll share.
Wherever you are today, say hello to the sun. If where your at is overcast, as it is in The Bronx. Remember even when skies are gray, the sun is always there.

Winter Wonderland

Me and my friend, Anakin just came back from being out in the snowstorm. I'm now very glad to be snug in my nook where I write. I can watch the storm from my warm bedroom.

I've had a busy week. On Wednesday, I went with one of my bests (best friend) to a party at one of the museums she works at. She is a museum educator and works at all the top museums in the city. The museum's party was fun. (I rather not mention the museum out of respect for my best's privacy.) It was crowded. All her co-workers couldn't be nicer. The food..especially the sweets were delicious.

Last night, I read my Tarot cards at a Christmas party. It was me and a cartoonist as the entertainment. This is the best party I've worked so far. The atmosphere was festive and lighthearted. People came to me with great questions and were open to the experience. As a reader, it makes my job much easier and enjoyable.

I got a great early Christmas present from my mom. I told her to get me one thing for Christmas: a digital camera. She said she got that and wanted to me a new t.v. I repeatedly told her I was fine with the one gift. Around the 10th time she asked if I still wanted the t.v., I finally gave in. I now have my 20 inch flat screen t.v. It is truly beautiful. I am loving it. So what can I say, you can't say no to Mom.

Erin asked me was that me in the picture of the Glam post. I wish. I just like the picture of the model. I should be getting my pictures from my tuesday shoot with Abigail this weekend. I'll post them for some feedback.

Now, I've rambled on quite enough for one day. I'm now off to go around in blogland to visit all of you. Take care and have a wonderful Friday evening.

Glam

The snow was so beautiful last night in the city. I went out and took a mini trip to meet Abigail about fifteen minutes from my apartment. She is a makeup artist and photographer. It was so worth going out in the snow. I got all glam with a facial, makeover and getting pictures taken. She uses only Mary Kay which I love. Abigail is so cool and vibrant. We had a great time together.

I should have the pictures to show you all next week. One of those shots I'm going to use for my new headshot for my acting. I need a fresh new look for 2009. I've had it with my other pictures. Tonight, I'm supposed to go to a holiday party at a Museum here in the city. One of my bests works there as a museum educator. It should be fun.

Being an actor you have to put yourself out there constantly. I've gotten use to doing it but it still doesn't make it any easier. So all the wonderful comments and support for my video that all of you have shown means so much. I appreciate it greatly. Thank you. Stay warm everyone.

My Video

I just came back from my walk. It is a beautiful day in the big apple. It's going up to sixty!!! Which is insane because on Saturday it was 23 degrees. I'm just going to enjoy the warmth while we have it.

The video I'm sharing today is from the short film The Presence I worked on. It's psychological thriller about a woman who is drifting in and out of reality. I edited it to use for a mini video for my acting. One of my big creative goals this week is to work on creating a reel out of all my latest films. A reel is basically a visual portfolio for actors to show of their work to directors, casting, writers, etc.

I have to tell you it is true: The camera does add 10-15 pounds to you! I did this in early September. I've released more weight since then. Well, now on to the video. Enjoy. Have a beautiful Monday everyone.

Dream Thought #6

You may think you need a grand vision with great steps of action. But you simply need lots of little, little, little acts true to your intention- Jill Badonsky: The Nine Modern Day Muses and A Bodyguard.

Full Moon on Friday

The Full Moon in Gemini is tonight. Are you feeling in the mood to be outrageous or go on some grand adventure? Or maybe on this Full Moon you want to nest and dream about what is to come for next year? Tonight, I'm hoping for clear skies so I can see Lady Moon shining.

I love that each Full Moon has many names. Here are some of the names of this Moon: Snow Moon, Star Frost Moon, Oak Moon, Moon when Wolves Run Together, Long Snows Moon, Yule Moon, Long Nights Moon.

Last night, I went out in all that torrential rain to a screening at New York Film Academy of a film I acted in. It was graduation night for all the directors. They showed all ten films. It was amazing at the scope and depth of talent there. I was so nervous to see myself up there on that screen. I survived and I'm glad went to support my director, Suchi. She wants to work with me again and I really love to. She is a talented director.

After the rain of last night, today is simply beautiful. All blue skies and sunshine. Tonight, I'm going to stay in. Maybe work on my next Audio post and dream under the Full Moon. Have a beautiful Full Moon night everyone.

Happy Birthday Rita

Growing up wanting to be an actress, I looked at not only my Black actresses for inspiration, also, other actresses of color. This lady always is at the top of the list for me. Very few actors win Oscars. Even fewer win an Oscar, an Emmy, a Tony and a Grammy. Rita Moreno is part of an exclusive club of nine performers who have achieved this honor.

This accomplished and beautiful Oscar, Emmy, Tony and Grammy award winning Latina actress is 77 years young today. Go on, Rita. I remember Rita of course from her Oscar winning role in West Side Story as "Anita". Rita was one on the few Latina actresses I saw working consistently in movies and television.

Rita is a true trailblazer. She has talked openly about the racism she faced and how she did her best to battle on. Early in her career she was always cast as the "spicy spitfire" and sometimes other "exotic" role as she was in The King and I. Despite all of this, Miss Rita has carved out a long, full and successful career in film, theater and television. I respect this lady immensely. Rita Moreno is a true legend.

Now you know I had to leave a clip. I love this song.


BTW, Tonight my sweetie pie, Laurence Fishburne is joining the cast of CSI. I know it's the highest rated show. I've only seen one episode. Now, I have to start watching it with him on it. Also, thank you to everyone for your kind words during my break. I'm healing and doing better.

Relax

It's time to let go and relax. Get my heart and head back in sync. I'll be back by Thursday. I like to keep it real and be authentic. I don't want blog about positive stuff when I'm not feeling upbeat.

Before I go, I heard the song at Marlou B. I looked for it on You tube. Then I remembered it from Curious George. I love Curious George: the movie and the series. Yes, I am a big kid in my heart. The song is called Upside Down by Jack Johnson. It makes me happy to hear it. Enjoy. Have a beautiful Monday everyone.

Love

Feeling like this:


I try to remember this:

Happy Friday

Happy Friday everyone. We can take a deep breathe and say we made it through another week. I'm sitting here in the kitchen frying chicken for the weekend. I love fried chicken especially the next day. I eat it nice and cold from the frig with the spices all nice and settled in. I try not to eat too much of it because it's fattening. Ooh, it's so good. The way I fry chicken comes from my Gram. So when I fry, I always think of her.

Thank you Beverly. She gifted me The Girl Power Blogging Award!
I am going to pay it forward soon. So lookout for it.

I was surfing You tube looking for something fun for Friday. I saw this. And I thought perfect. So what to do you get when you cross Star Wars with The Monkees. Have no idea? Well watch the video and find out.

Celebrating Winter

Out of all the seasons, I feel poor Winter gets the shaft. I know people hate the cold, the ice and the snow. I love all of that. The wonder of snow blanketing the city. It's clean, quiet and beautiful. The spare beauty of the trees without leaves. My sister trees: the majestic pines. Whenever I see them begin to grow, I know my birthday is coming.

Once I had my own place, I decided to celebrate Christmas and Winter. I have my standard Holiday decorations. I thought about what really is a good image of Winter: snow. I started buying snowmen and women. Plaques that said I love winter and I love snow with more snow people. I even branched out to Bunnies or other animals dressed up in winter gear. I also buy Angels as well. Because Angels are all year round to me. You can even do Faeries. Because we all know Santa Claus is a jolly old elf. Last year, I found a Sparkly sun to celebrate the return of light coming which happens in Winter.

When Jan 1 comes, I still have a whole slew of happy, funny and sweet Winter decorations that I keep up until Spring. This season look out for decorations you can keep up all Winter long. Or make decorations yourself. Think about what Winter means to you. How you can bring light, warmth and cheeriness to the season for you. I promise you it will help you with the winter blahs that we all are subject to.

Inspiration

My sweet Muse is talking up a storm to me. All these ideas are buzzing around me, inside me and through friends. I'm doing my best to take the hint and write them all down before they flit away.

Big thank you and hugs to everyone for your support and love on my audio post. I so appreciate it. There will be more audio posts. I just have to figure out what poems I want to read. Maybe even do some reading from classic novels? Hmmm. I was a English Major at college, so I have huge amounts of literature stored in my mind. Like I said before, any poems or stories you like just pass it along to me. All suggestions are welcomed.

I have been lax as of late with paying forward with the blog awards. So I want to rectify that. I pass on this award to the following bloggers:



Em
Joelle
Beverly
Her Speak
Lady Laurie
Kathryn

All of these ladies' blogs are creative, beautiful and individual.Go check them out.Now it's time for me to do some blog surfing and follow my Muse. Take care everyone.

Something Different

I decided to do something different on Swanofdreamers. This is my second video and my first time actually with audio. It is a bit rough. I am now nervous about posting it. Sometimes you have to stretch out of your comfort zone. So here I go. Play the video.