I Gotta Have It

Around the time I last came to Nueva York (in June), I had the chance to speak on Rasu's camera about how Spike Lee influenced me as an artist.  (view the clip HERE)  That clip was passed around to one of Spike's staff, who then said I was bonefide Spike Joint material (acting-wise).  In straight disbelief, I got hype on the possibility of actually working with the director I so long had admired.  I began to do research - find every Spike Lee joint I could and watch with commentary, just so I could get a feel for how this man works, and how he casts roles.  Then I slowly became obsessed with Spike Lee...

Recently I picked up this amazing book called "SPIKE LEE: That's my story and I'm sticking to it" as told by Kaleem Aftab - which details his entire career from his days of playing with a Super 8 camera to shooting Inside Man.  The book is complete with interviews of his cast and crew, production notes and the social-political context which all his films take place.  The book is baddd and luckily, I came across an even MORE intriguing book - his first, "Spike Lee's Gotta Have It".  
In which he breaks down how incredibly difficult the filmmaking process is, especially one without any budget whatsoever - and this is all being told to you by the journal he kept while making the film.  It's funny because I felt like I have so much in common with him, I still keep a journal, and evidently he was broke and famous at the same age I was.  Its also the way he thinks, certain things he does, an his work ethic - and most of all - his unshakeable faith in himself as a filmmaker and the inevitable success that was encumbent upon his hard work and committment that makes me feel like I know this man like I know myself.  
It's probably the craziest book I've ever read because he goes from having just the title for his then next film, "She's Gotta Have It" to having a script, to having a film, then to having film deals made and awards won because of the film - and none of it wasn't without a fight.  It really made me realize that noone is just a genius and noone has overnight success and luck, especially noone of color living in the United States of America.  The book inspired me to fight for what I believe, and do what I want to do BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY...  Ya dig?  Sho nuff.


If this was Oprah's show, and I was Oprah, I would give all of you readers a copy of your own to see what I'm talking about...  But maybe u should try finding ur own copy!  I know I gots to have mine lol...         

"Live to Change Something Through ART..."

One of the things I miss about Brooklyn is its amazing artists. Next Saturday (11/21/09), those who are lucky enough to be in the New York City area will be privy to witness 23 artists who were hand-picked by my homie RASU JILANI of COUP D'ETAT BROOKLYN" for the opening his "Live to Change Something Through Art" Exhibition at RESTORATION PLAZA. With this being nothing short of amazing,the show will include all of painting, photography, sculpture, video and installation by artists such as Molaundo Jones, Suhail Smith, Sam Wilson, Rob Fokused, Alice Mizrachi, Stephanie Land, Deka, SeeOne, One9, Alzo Slade, Ana Bravo, Berman Fenelus, Jen One, Reuben King, Amanda Diva, Nelson Rivas, Paul Deo, Robert Trujillo, Suncadm Bey, and my good friends Kwesi Abbensetts, Lichiban, Ibrahim, and Yang-Chi. If you don't find that exciting, you must not be breathing!

Thanks to RENAE BLUITT of CRUSH MEDIA, I've been able to take a more insightful look at this event, hence where I got the info for this blog... Thanks, RENAE! And now... *ahem* may I present to you some of their super-illified artwork!












(above left: LICHIBAN's "Superheros of Brooklyn", above right JENONE'S "Rasinskispike", right IBRAHIM's "untitled", below SUHAIL'S "Basquiat is King"... AMAAAAZING!!!!)


This is one of the things that makes me furious that I'm not in Brooklyn right now! The fact that I can't attend this show. Originally, I had planned to go, but I am slated to judge a UNIVERSITY DANCE COMPETITION at McMaster University... So I regrettfully won't be able to make it (though judging will be mad fun ;). I'm gonna miss this event, but I look forward to reading about on TWITTER and FACEBOOK...

RESPECT TO THE ARTISTS! and as they say... "Live to Change Something" (-Coup D'Etat Brooklyn)

LIBERATING STYLE Magazine featuring ME!

  













Huge thanks to ANGELA CLAY and JOE YOUNG for this outstanding feature.  Shouts also to Nathaniel Anderson my photographer for being so cool and professional working with me for the first time...  Plus you're a hottie lol.  And of course Sherlyn Torres my amazing makeup artist whom Ive graciously worked with for the second time, you never cease to amaze.  And last but not least my Kuya Jodinand V. Aguillon (aka "Jodee") for providing me with the essential Pilipino threads and beads and to make me look extra extra glam lol -- lab u por-ebur...  Big shouts out to Kapisanan Philippine Cultural Center for providing the space to prep this shoot on a Sunday.  Thanks, Kevin and sorry for waking you!  Lol

Nothing but love...  Also featured in this issue is Lichiban an amazing friend and someone who Im honored to call my fellow artiste.  She is astoundingly talented and she's made more than one appearance here on this blog...  So y'all know I give her maddddd props lol...  Anyhow enjoy this in-depth interview !!

Peace and Love

Fly Di

Day 1: the WILD-ROSE detox! lol

No, it's not what you're thinking... I don't have to mix lemon and maple syrup in a bottle with cayenne pepper and drink it all day long. The WILD ROSE HERBAL D-TOX is a 12-day program whereby you take the tablets within the kit, along with 30 drops of this other stuff (blech!) and it's supposed to rid your body of the toxins you've taken in since your last cleanse (if you ever did one, that is). I kind of equate this to going to confession after years of sinning, and then saying your penance to relieve yourself of all those sins - it's the Catholic in me I guess - and the detox is kinda like your penance - which you say everyday by only eating specific foods (they give you a meal plan) and taking 2 of each tablet (there are 3 kinds) and the liquid with breakfast and dinner.

Today is DAY 1 for me, and it ain't so bad, except for the fact that I feel fatigued and slightly nauseus. I attended an orientation at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) about an upcoming exhibition, and I felt like I had smoked a joint or something - I started seeing stars. This is one of the side affects, which are noted alongside nausea, headache and other symptoms. It also states one might hafta go bafroom more than usual and I caught wind of that for sure with a grumbling tummy...

Other than feeling pissed I couldn't open a cup of jello-pudding snacks or a bag of chips, I feel aite... Which is really the whole point of me doing this - to become more disciplined with what I take into my body (you khow what I mean dammitt!)...

Anyhoo, more details as they arise.

TAH

TAH

(*PS: big shout out to GEETA KHANNA my homegirl who introduced this notion to me about a year ago. miss you bella!

i love halloween

a girl can dream

one day this will actually be true!... the power of visualization is A MUTHA!

Things that I am thankful for:

My agent.  My acting coach, Lewis.  My older cousins.  My bed.  My new iPhone.  My baby nephew Ayden.  My sister Angela.  My mother and my father.  My father's music.  The Internet.  The ability to work and make money.  Free healthcare.  Kapisanan.  The ability to finally realize what the crap is in my life, and the power to want to eliminate ALL of it....  The fact that you're reading this right now.  My dance ability.  My ability to see things before they actually happen.  Facebook.  My hair.  Value Village.  My life...

I was about ready to give up on the acting game, and the entertainment business in general.  It's been getting difficult and the demons I my head weren't helping...  I asked God, if I was really meant to be doing this, then give me a sign...  And last night my acting agent Sandra Gillis (from Premier Artists) came to see my progress in my acting class...  She had very encouraging words, and her being there alone is proof that I exist, and proof that I truly am meant to be doing this.  (because it's rare to have an agent do that!  That showed a true committment and investment in me...) She said I came a very long way, and so did my coach Lewis Baumander.  I'm blessed to be working with the best in the business and Im thankful to God for that sign...  Lol.  He knows I needed it! 

Thanks for reading!

-Di.

3.2 million of you!... pretty kewl.

yes i know. i google myself, whatta narcissist! lol. but i have recently come to discover that i am a pretty popular search. with over 3 million results, i think that's pretty kewl!

now the pressure is on to create more dope shit! hahhahahahaaa... (*evil laugh*)

bye bye IRIE FOOD JOINT!

anyone who knows me knows how much i used to loooove IRIE FOOD JOINT -- the place where i first learned how to waitress. it was there that i served many celebrities -- KELIS, LUDACRIS, WYCLEF JEAN, SPLIFF STAR, Olympic Gold Medalist DONOVAN BAILEY, Actor/Rapper MAESTRO FRESH WES, etc etc. back in the day (2003, 2004) this used to be THE SPOT! anyone who was anyone used to pass through there (NAOMI from ELEKTRIC RED used to frequent the place and i used to ask her how she got her VISA for the US -- hee hee). but owner CARL CASSELL is now closing its doors forever.

*TEAR!*

many of my friends out here who are doing their damn thing artistically have worked there. it's truly a legendary spot, and i'm gonna miss it, even though it fell off the past few years (just didn't have the same flava after Queen West became GENTRIFIED).

anyhow, SALUT! i still work for the owner at their other spot HARLEM so ain't no huge thang, but still, i'll miss IRIE.


peace!


-Di

finally about to get LAID...!

thank goodness. it's been a while........ since i've talked to my good friend SHANNON BOODRAM author of her new book LAID! heh heh. had u there for a second, didn't i?!

well, as a sexual freak myself (who loves the DISCOURSE of sex, you pervs!) -- i've been fortunate enough to have parents who never sheltered me from the subject. so i precociously knew many things about sex from an early age. i've always loved the topic and have been fascinated by this wonderful thing of nature. i'm sure reading about it by a friend of mine will be even more fun... well sorta. heh.



here's the synopsis via BARNES & NOBLE

"In this hard-hitting anthology, journalist Shannon T. Boodram collects the compelling and personal firsthand accounts of young people dealing with sex in today’s world. Laid covers a range of important topics, from teens’ first times to STIs, abstinence to unplanned pregnancies. Boodram, an up-and-coming voice for her generation, engages teens and twentysomethings in honest dialogue and explores how they see and experience sex, how and why it shapes their beliefs, and what they have learned about themselves and their sexuality through their actions. Laid is a great conversation-starter, and doesn’t shy away from the personal topics. A great resource for young people, Laid invites teens and young adults to take a close-up look at sex and sexuality. Boodram’s chapters offer more than 40 personal narratives, from both female and male voices, with in-depth analyses, facts, and Q&As to further the discourse. Responsible and thought-provoking, Laid offers a range of honest perspectives on young adult sexuality in today’s easy access culture"

sounds sexy to me!

copies of LAID can be found at BARNES & NOBLE, CHAPTERS/INDIGO, AMAZON and BORDERS.






you should get LAID NOW!