Activism Right There Festival - U.C. Berkeley

I apologize for the picture quality, I'm no photographer and I could barely stand still through the music. There was a sign outside that said "NO CAMERAS" so I assumed that I couldn't take any pictures and had my flash off for the first couple of performances. But by the the time Bambu came out, I said "Fuck it" and camera flashed away. And, dammit, I failed to catch a flick of Brwn Bflo... but they were pretty effin' sick performers.

My girl, Haze, of 40Love

Los Rakas

Zumbi of Zion I


DJ AmpLive of Zion I

Bambu

(check the story here)



DJ Phatrick



Invincible


And the dance crews!! I only took shots of the B-Girls cause they held it down....

Brown BGirl Representin'

White BGirl Representin'

Turf Fiends

Turf Fiends

My Sistahs!

(not pictured: Ms. Tonya Galvante & Ms. Daphnee Valdez)

All in all, a night well spent. The performances were slappin'. The poets inspirin'. And the vibe was swell all around. My only *ish of the night? Ms. Thang standing next to me loudly complaining, "God! Why do they keep talking about Palestine!? It's making me sad!" Duh, girl this is an activist event! Where the fuck did you think you were at, a Britney Spears concert!?

2nd Annual Activism Right There (A.R.T.) Festival, 3.10.09

Host: JENNIFER JOHNS (Oakland)
DJ: K-SALAAM (Minneapolis)$5 youth under 21 and students $10 non-student adults

Tickets will be available soon at the Zellerbach Box Office, or at http://tickets.berkeley.edu/

The event will kick off with a panel discussion by the Third World Liberation Front. TwLF originated in the late 1960's at San Francisco State University (my alma mater!) as a coalition of the Black Students Union, the Latin American Students Organization, the Filipino-American Students Organization, and El Renacimiento, a Mexican-American student organization. Together these organizations led protests, strikes, and sit-ins that eventually lead to the establishment of SFSU's College of Ethnic Studies and expansion of the Black Studies department. This event will celebrate, honor and encourage student activism through art: music, dance, and spoken word.

Performances by: (not full list)

I'm hella looking forward to catching another set by my new obsession 40Love. I caught their performance last night at Milk and was blown away by the powerhouse female emcee Haze. Not only does this fly Miss have style I can relate to (wife beaters and kicks all day, ya'll) but she has a tongue that spits Bambu-style like a machine gun. AND SHE'S FROM THE BAY. I had to bow down. Last weekend I lost out on the Blue Scholars performance (FML!) and I don't wanna miss out on another chance to get lifted! I haven't heard live music since Hopie and Bambu blew the stage out at FatCity, damn..... My body, my mind, and my soul are awake and alert now. I am ready to be rejuvenated by my favorite love: hip hop.

Happy Birthday Bob!

"Life and Jah are one in the same. Jah is the gift of existence. I am in some way eternal, I will never be duplicated. The singularity of every man and woman is Jah’s gift. What we struggle to make of it is our sole gift to Jah. The process of what that struggle becomes, in time, the Truth."

"Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you riding through the ruts, don’t complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy. Don’t bury your thoughts, put your vision to reality. Wake up and live! "

“When you smoke the herb, it reveals you to yourself.”

<3>

Why Do Bad Things Happen

Many of you know that I am a huge fan of the independant Filipino Hip Hop MCs of the West Coast. These brothers and sisters have birthed countless rhymes and lyrics that have helped me develop and come to know the person that I am today. They have provided me with the musical therapy to get through tough times whether it be emotional heartache or questioning my reason for living. It is through their strength that I am able to be strong and through their struggle that I am able to survive.

As another form of therapy, I've come to regularly frequent their blogs... it aids to remind me that these MCs are REAL people. They are not fictitious characters in some fantasy world. Reading about their lives, their thoughts, and their worlds reminds me that I might (someday) be someone that other people can look up to. That being said, after a verrrrrry nice 8 hours of sleep (something I haven't had in almost a month) I woke up to read a disheartening peice written by one of my personal living heroes, Kiwi. His words have always led to me to seeing the greater good in all small things and to work for what really matters in this world: the people. He believes in the advancement of struggle and constantly speaks of following dreams... something I feel true to within myself.

His recent entry poses the question... why do bad things happen to good people? As you get to the end of his story, you'll see the truth that comes with the answer. Without the bad, one cannot discern the good.

It’s been an emotional and pensive last couple of months, and these young men couldn’t have picked a more interesting time to do this to me. Instead feelings of anger, I rode home afterwards thinking, “what lessons to i take from what just happened?” Of course, I was thankful that my physical bruises are for the most part not life-threatening, and that I was able to walk away in one piece. I’m also thankful, believe it or not, that they didn’t take my bike. Of all the things they stole/could’ve stole, this bike is the one thing that, right now, makes me most happy.

Most of all, I’m thankful for everyone who, last night, reminded me that I am not alone, and that I am loved. [READ FULL ENTRY]

Keep ridin' brother.



<3 eL

Keeping It Real for the Fellas

"I can do for you what Martin did for the people
Ran by the men but the women keep the tempo
It's very seldom that you're blessed to find your equal
Still play my part but let you play the lead role
Believe me
I'll follow this could be easy
I'll be the help whenever you need me
I see you hustle with my hustle
I can keep you
Focused on your focus
Let me feed you."

-Upgrade U

Beyonce

"Nasty" - Janet Jackson // Objectives

Ms. Jackson at her finest. Not only is the song an anthem for all the ladies who know what they want. . . the video is true poetry in motion.

---

I'm not a prude,

I just want some respect

So close the door if you want me to respond

Cause privacy is my middle name

My last name is control

No, my first name ain't baby,

It's Janet... Ms. Jackson if you're nasty

----


When writing a resume one must be specific in naming an objective. It is the first section in your resume (after your contact information) and gives employers an idea of whether or not the position you are applying for is right for you. An effective objective is clear and direct. This is what you expect to gain if hired. I have learned that putting

"To obtain full-time employment in the Criminal Justice field."

is not as effective as:

"To obtain a full-time case management position in a non-profit organization that provides services for low-income citizens."

Yes the first example may get you a job, but the second objective will get you a career. Trust, I have written and rewritten my resume many times. Objectives will change as your experience in the work field grows. With each new job you learn what you are capable of doing and what you refuse to do. Honestly, writing new resumes was always a positive way for me to build self-esteem and the perfect chance to manifest new responsibilites in my life.

In order to successfully manifest your dreams (if that is what you are inclined to do) you must be clear and specific in knowing what you want. So check your vocabulary because sometimes the Universe gets confused.

That being said, I have changed my vocabulary.

"A paycheck" becomes "a living."

"A job" becomes "a career."

"A perfect body" becomes "A healthy body."

"Friends" become "companions."

"A boy" becomes "a man."

Objectives 1 & 2 realized. Objectives 3, 4 & 5 in progress.

Brandy - "I Wanna Be Down (Remix)"

A Brief Encounter // Lyric

Dear Boy,

I thought I had only imagined seeing your face last night. That moment could have been a dream - my heart beat echoing in time with the technotranceravehouse music in the air, neon lights flashing red blue green and yellow. It could have been a dream. You reached around my waist, like you did once before, and by that simple connection - the skin of your fingers and the skin on my stomach - I knew I wasn't dreaming. You are real. You exist.

With a slow burning cigarette balanced in between your fingers, you take off your hat, like the true gentleman that you are, and I am reminded of everything you once told me. You wanted to be mine. My mace, my lover, my best friend. And then in the midst of trying to remain strong independant and unbroken I let you slip out of my life and into the arms of another woman. I let you go because I was afraid to hold on to you.

Seeing you with someone else was not the tragedy I expected. It made me happy to see you happy. It was what I wanted for you all along.

And so you keep coming back to me, dear boy, in times and ways that I never expect. The reality of our relationship is this: I cannot hold you down as you cannot hold me down. I cannot promise you what you cannot promise me. Right now, we can only give each other the peace of mind that comes in knowing that the other exists. I believe our time will come. For now, I am satisfied for another opportunity to press my lips against you and let you know I am doing well.

Until we meet again...

Signed,

Lauren

----

"Let me surround you

A sea to your shore

Let me be the calm you seek

Oh, and everytime I'm close to you

There's too much I can't say

And you just walk away

And I forgot to tell you I love you

And the night's too long

And cold here without you

I grieve in my condition

For I cannot find the words to say

I need you so."

-I Love You

Sarah McLachlan

Musical Therapy

Dedicated to the late Claire Gunn.

Sean, if you're reading this . . . I think of you more often than you think.





"I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me
To see the beauty in the world through my own eyes

You used to rock me in the cradle of your arms
You said you'd hold me till the pains of life were gone.
You said you'd comfort me in times like these and now I need you,
Now I need you and you are gone.

I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me
To see the beauty in the world through my own eyes.
Since you've gone and left me, there's been so little beauty,
But I know I saw it clearly through your eyes.

Now the world outside is such a cold and bitter place,
Here inside I have few things that will console.
And when I try to hear your voice about the storms of life,
Then I remember all the things that I was told.

I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me
To see the beauty in the world through my own eyes.

I think on the things that made me feel so wonderful when I was young.
I think on the things that made me laugh, made me dance, made me sing.
I think on the things that made me grow into a being full of pride.
I think on these things for they are true.

I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me
To see the beauty in the world through my own eyes.
I thought that you were gone but now I know you're with me,
You are the voice that whispers all I need to hear.

I know a please, a thank you, and a smile will take me far,
I know that I am you and you are me and we are one,
I know that who I am is numbered in each grain of sand,
I kow that I've been blessed again and over again.

I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me
To see the beauty in the world through my own eyes."
-Wanting Memories
Sweet Honey in the Rock

Reason # 2 Why I <3 Music.

It provides a bridge between people to connect on one united front. It brings a message to the people.








Due to a lack of cable TV, I missed the entire convention. But I loved this. Thank you, Ricky Vincent.

A Water's Sign's Soundtrack

The entire beat was made with water.

Rock the Bells 2008

8 hours of bass heavy medleys. Shiiit.



Highlights:



*Rolling up in the parking lot, 8 heads deep and the first thing I hear after the parking break cracks: "Who wants some medicine?"



*Jay Electronica carrying a staff around the theater promoting "real hip hop" in the early morning to "real hip hop heads."




*Two hours in and I turn to my girl Drea, she's wringing her hands and looking HELLA confused, "I think those brownies had a little too much magic in them."



*Climbing solo to the top of the lawn and soaking in the last of the Summer sun while I could.



*Getting DENIED at the VIP bar. This was the funniest thing I didn't realize I was trying to do.

"You're trying to get into the VIP," the boy says to me.

"I'm just trying to party," I reply, shrugging my shoulders.

*DJ GI Joe looking absolutely chewable while working real turntables ie. NOT a computer screen.



*Method Man and Redman playing the best set of the night. For some reason, everyone had left to go to the bathroom and I had the whole row to dance my ass off. Redman got that swaaaag that I like!



*Mos Def, incognito. But he didn't slow it down long enough to toss my lace underwear on the stage.....



*A TRIBE CALLED QUEST doing a freestyle acapella that segued into Bonita Applebaum.



Honesty? This shit tired me out. We were so close to the speakers and got lost in so many clouds that walking out of the amphitheater was like waking up from a long dream. I woke up this morning and couldn't remember how the hell I got into bed. My body aches in places that have never ached... and I've got this stuck in my head...