[dream more]

I really like this book by Dallas Clayton. I want a car that runs on jellybeans...

[laughter = best medicine]

On the spur of the moment last night decided to join a friend and attend an amateur stand-up comedy contest. The venue was The Comedy Club in Webster, which turned out to be a way better spot than what I had imagined in my head. The contest is "The Last Comic Sitting" of Upstate NY and runs each Wednesday night (7:30 pm) at The Comedy Club. It was free to attend- we had a couple of drinks- and there's food at the spot too. The comedians definitely had us laughing and the drink prices were great. I've never really gone to stand-up events and this contest kinda has me hooked- I really wanna see who wins! Heading back next Wednesday.

[justice for Oscar Grant]

Please educate yourself on the murder of 22 year old Oscar Grant, who was shot by a police officer in Oakland, CA. Grant was shot as he lay face down on the ground, unarmed, and restrained. We cannot allow police brutality to perpetuate in our communities any longer. I am posting a few links- do your own research and make sure you speak on this senseless crime with your fam and friends: The Huffington Post, KTVU News, Color of Change, 5 Things You Can do Right Now about the Oscar Grant Shooting. I will actually be in the Bay area in 2 short weeks to visit a close friend. I will definitely be blogging about my trip and what I learn about Oscar Grant's murder while on the west coast. Demand justice!

[technical difficulties]

My good old Sony VAIO laptop broke up with me. As soon as the new year started I guess it decided it was moving on. I can't complain too much since it served me well for almost four years. Now i'm going back to my first computer love- the Mac. My first personal computer was a Mac Performa (yes i'm dating myself). In college I had an iMac and then somehow someone convinced me to get a PC. Now here I am three PCs deep and I know it's time to return to Apple. So posts may not be as regular until I get my hands on my MacBook but when I do- watch out!

[who wants to be a slumdog]

Saw the movie Slumdog Millionaire. It truly lives up to all the hype. Go see it.

[canary in a coal mine]

"Since I Left You"- The Avalanches

[stop-motion]

This Is Where We Live from 4th Estate on Vimeo.

[other people's stuff]

It's fun to take a peek into other people's homes isn't it? Well photographer Todd Selby has a whole project showcasing creative people and their creative spaces. The photographs are lush, colorful and fun. Check them out: Todd Selby

[hep on the mellow side]

I've always been a jazz fan but it was around '98 when I really started listening and collecting my jazz favorites. My friend KB had made me a lovely mixtape and included plenty of Cab Calloway, Sarah Vaughn, and Billie Holiday. Anyone who listens to Cab Calloway knows that you are quickly drawn into his energetic style. And it's a fact that Mr. Calloway was born in Rochester, NY. There's even a plaque on Sycamore Street commemorating him.


Last year we saw Stormy Weather at the Dryden Theater. Amazing movie with incredible musical performances by Cab Calloway and Lena Horne. Plus the dancing by the Nicholas Brothers and others will literally blow your mind.



I'm loving black and white film again, and vinyl, and vintage everything. Starting the new year in a very "old-fashioned" mindset- embracing the classics and inventing the rest.

[imani]

Happy Kwanzaa and Happy New Year! Today marks the last day of Kwanzaa and the first day of 2009. The last principle of Kwanzaa is Imani (faith) : To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle. -The Official Kwanzaa Website