I just found out about a parade that's taking place this evening Downtown. I saw it on facebook, and it seems to be one of those impromptu events like the public pillow fights or perhaps similar to the zombie walk.
This event is called a Ninja Parade, which I have heard about in other cities, though I don't have any specifics.
It starts at 6pm, and the parade route will be from G.E. Patterson on South Main to the east end of Beale Street. Should be interesting.
How about this weather? Go springtime! Today will actually be pretty warm, according to the forecast. It will be a good day to get the year's first kiss of sun, unless of course you're stuck in an office. And if that's the case, what a shame.
But what a difference some sunshine makes. I'm not sure if things are looking up because my attitude is better, or if my attitude is better because things are looking up. Either way, the clouds of last year's gloom and the gray of winter are dissipating and letting the sunshine in.
A few professional possibilities have surfaced and seem promising. I have been working hard, and I am finally seeing some rewards. Thanks to my friends who have had a part in this.
Spring is nature's promise of new beginnings, and though it hasn't officially started yet, spring fever is in the air. All sorts of fun things are coming up as festival season approaches.
First, April will bring rooftop season, kicking off at the Peabody Apr. 9th with an exciting line-up -- Shinedown, Free Sol, and crunktastic Lord T & Eloise. You better get there early for this one, kids. $5 cover/Ladies free until 8pm.
The 7th Annual Hot Wing Festival (now in South Main) will take place on Sat., Apr. 18th. Contestant fees are due on Mar. 25th. Find more details at www.southernhotwingfestival.com.
The following day, Apr. 19th, is the Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival, which takes place at Wagner Place (between Union and Beale).
Then of course, there's the month of May with a Music Fest line-up that is possibly the best ever.
http://memphisinmay.org/line-up
Cheers!
Christmas is over. No more giddy suspense over what Santa's going to bring. Oh, darn.
My Christmas was enjoyable, but at the same time, it was just another day in this shithole of a year but with the added stress of meeting high expectations. Well, fuck Christmas. Yeah, I said it. This year sucks, and the only thing to look forward to is a new one.
A reader/friend commented on my last post, asking if I was on strike. Well, yeah, I guess I was. On strike against life and against the perpetual mountain of shit that is 2008.
I checked out for a while and took a virtual vacation. Lack of sunlight and the drab scenery outside added to my lack of interest in ... anything. No wonder the suicide rate goes up this time of year. Depressed yet? Good. Because here's the good news: the promise of a new beginning is real.
Okay, there's no guarantee for tomorrow, but assuming you live through it, a new year is a real chance to start over. It's not just another holiday -- it's an opportunity to reinvent yourself.
We all know the cliche of broken resolutions, but January 1st is a time to reflect and introspect and to give yourself the life you want.
For the love of God, don't make an overwhelming list of things you know you won't stick to. Keep it realistic. You'll get a lot more satisfaction and fulfillment if you choose one thing to work on.
Last year, my resolution was to be a better listener. I used to be a lot quieter, and in recent years, certain social circles required unnecessary spewing of witicisms in order to hold my own. But I've come around to thinking I liked myself better when I wasn't so witty, so I resolved to listen more and talk less.
Everyone always needs an ear. Listening is the cornerstone of friendship. I did improve, and I'm continuing this resolution because it's a valuable quality that just can't be beat.
It's always good to consider what can be learned from negative experiences, and I've been thinking about what I learned this year.
2008 got off to a horrible start. I lost a best friend, and I almost lost my dog. I told off a family member and am still working things out. I lost work and money. But what did I gain?
I gained friendships and wisdom. I learned that I can conquer my biggest fear in honor of a friend's life. I gained the respect of family members and the reassurance that dogs serve an important purpose. I developed new interests and talents and gained some appreciation for them. And I learned that it really doesn't pay to have some frat boy slacker in the White House.
I learned that there are a lot more good people in the world than I thought, and I learned that you can become someone new every day. However, you can't get drunk every night, toasting to a new beginning. But you can do it, acceptably, once a year.
You can do it, and you can mean it because they have this revolution of the earth thing down to a science. That's what your calendar's based on, after all. It's not just a made-up milestone. As sure as the earth rotates every 24 hours, creating the phenomenon of night and day, it revolves around the sun every 365 days. So get the champagne ready 'cause here we go again.
And here are some instructions on how to impress party guests, opening that champage: http://www.wikihow.com/Open-a-Champagne-Bottle-with-a-Sword
Well, it's official. The holidays are upon us. You've probably already gained some weight, and now Christmas is only about three weeks away. When it comes to decorating and planning the holiday season, there are some great tips in this month's Downtowner magazine. I learned a lot from the organizational expert I interviewed for the article that starts on page 38.
It's a great time of year. The holiday parade on Friday was great, and it really gave me that warm and fuzzy feeling. However, I don't feel that this is the time of year that the rest of the year is preparation for. But it is a good time to appreciate what you have.
In my little South Main neighborhood, every day is a holiday. We're always doing something to make any given day special. We're always decorating building facades or parking meters with artsy embellishments, and you never know when an impromptu dinner party might break out. I'm constantly surprised at how fortunate I am to be part of such a community. And it works because we have the best people I've ever known.
South Main and Downtown are full of friendly, caring people. My group of friends has recently expanded, and though we may not have a lot of time behind us, my new friends are real. There's no doubt that they are genuinely kind people who all seem to be good at befriending other good people.
Our circle is complete with characters who may have been outcasts in high school, but in our little world, everyone is free to be one of the cool kids. South Bluffs must require personality tests of potential residents. And the quaint retro warehouses of South Main must attract truly special people with big hearts. Everyone should be so lucky.
Every day of the year is already special when you're part of a community that celebrates life every chance it gets. The hope of snow and some twinkling lights are just all the more reason.
I finished my new digital short just in time to enter the yourmemphistakeone.com contest, and I'm pretty proud of it. Today was the first day people have seen it, and I've gotten some really good feedback. I'm especially proud and appreciative that the CCC requested to post it on their website.
One of the prizes is a youtube viewership prize, so I have to post a link to the youtube video. Please watch it, and pass it on. Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro0FO61xzbI
I am working on finishing up a movie right now, so you know what thay means. I am in mad scientist mode, totally fixated on that project and deadline, although I am having to work on others as well. I haven't had time to blog much, which is why I need an intern.
As you can imagine, my inbox has been flooded with responses, but the most qualified candidates remain my current coworkers, Tulip, Dixie, and Floyd.
Thanks to everyone who's commented and offered leads on the job search. And to the anonymous commenter who offered "advice," I customize my resume to any and all actual job postings or those I am specifically interested in. The resume I linked on my blog is more diverse so that friends and acquaintances can see what all my skills are in case they hear of something.
And yes, I already know that creative positions are hard to find, but I disagree that they don't generate revenue. That is a myth because tangible results are harder to link to creative positions, and that is the very reason creative types are treated as disposable while they are actually needed and offer important skills that make "necessary" work better.
Creative thinking isn't that different from strategic thinking. Writing skills make all business correspondence better and enhance a corporation's image. All creative skills give a business the edge that can put them ahead of the competition. Just look at advertising, and advertising pretty much rules the world.
Every revolutionary business started with a great idea. Good business is really based on meeting needs creatively, unless you're in a field such as the financial industry. You don't have to be that creative when your product is money, and I know because I used to work on a trade desk.
But thanks for your input. I'm sure you meant well. To quote the movie Citizen Kane, "It's no real trick to make lots of money if all you want to do is make lots of money." Some of us want to make the world a better place, and that should be a sought-after quality. If you want to make the world a better place, you'll make where you work a better place as well.
I know. I know. I should blog more often. And I know some of you are wondering where the videos are I promised and when you will get to see my last movie. Soon, soon.
Even though I love those things and they could theoretically generate income for me, I have to put guaranteed paying assignments ahead of those projects. And even though they are not quite as frequent as I would like, it is difficult to juggle all the projects I have going on. And it's for that reason that I've decided I need an intern.
At any given time I am blogging, writing magazine/newspaper articles, filming and editing video for a new website and for other digital shorts, and other possible projects like web content for clients, screenplays, or books. So not only do I need a lot more regular income, but I am having trouble keeping up with myself. I am in the process of coming up with a more scheduled, productive system, but I need help!
So if anyone is interested or knows a college student who would be interested in being my assistant for absolutely no pay but tons of invaluable experience, please let me know. Here are more details:
JOB: Creative Communications Intern
COMPENSATION: Big fat zero, but very rewarding resume builder
REQUIREMENTS: Some college, interest and demonstrated talent in visual arts, film, video, communications, journalism, writing, or related fields. Creative, extremely organized and detail-oriented, preferably female (because they're smarter), and doesn't talk too much. Good sense of humor, ability to prioritize, and impeccable grammar and proofing skills. Familiar with Movie Maker and Premier Pro and ability to multi task.
DUTIES: Reports to me, President of Kramerica Industries. Wakes president with coffee (2 creams, 2 sugars) M-F, provides daily blog topics, maintains project board and daily agenda with projects broken down into prioritized time allotments, and will assist in all areas of video production and with occasional premier parties. Responsible for invoicing, A/R, and selling online ads. Preferred candidates will also possess the ability to make a mean breakfast and the occasional bloody mary.
IF INTERESTED, SEND RESUME AND STATEMENT AS TO WHY YOU'D LIKE TO BE MY LATEX SALESMAN TO: ultraviolet@memphislimelight.com
I'm not a religious person, but in the back of my mind, I tend to believe in karma. It's a nice thought to believe that if you do good for other people, it will come back around. In fact, doing nice things is self-rewarding. It feels good, and in desperate times, the idea of a karmic payoff is reassuring.
It's a nice thought because you can do a lot of nice things with limited resources. You don't have to have money to perform random acts of kindness, and if you do good things and you work hard, why wouldn't you eventually reap some benefits? Well, fuck karma.
I, like you, am responsible for whatever success I may or may not have in my life. I know this without a doubt, and I'm grateful for it. But the fact remains that everyone, even the most proud, is forced to ask for help now and then.
Because it's always who you know more than what you know, I have asked for help in finding a job recently, and besides some heartfelt encouragement and priceless support, the response has been overwhelmingly underwhelming. What do I have to do?
I'm not one to sit around, hoping something will fall in my lap. I actually have several projects going on at any given time. I constantly work to increase my freelance income and to secure a full-time job. I have also, as the coordinator of the Downtown Olympics, a member of Handling-Panhandling and the SMA, and other networking endeavors, invested time and effort in improving the Downtown community that I love.
I am a qualified account manager, communications specialist, event coordinator, (award-winning) video artist, and writer/reporter. These are all related skills that could be utilized in any number of professions. I have proven myself and asked for help, and now I'm mad. If someone doesn't extend just a simple introduction or recommendation, I'm about to go Erin Brockovich all over your asses.
I feel like I know a lot of you that read this blog, and you are all good people. So please don't take any of this too personally, but I've reached a point where I have to express my disappointment in the general lack of concern (and lack of recognition) for others that I see in our society.
I'm not a socialist or a hippy. I don't have one bumper sticker on my car, and this doesn't have anything to do with Barack Obama. But something has to change. It's not just about me.
Our community is full of compassionate, generous people, but I'm suggesting that perhaps we should act on those qualities more often. Everyone is always busy, and it's easy to be complacent or wrapped up in your own problems.
But in light of the current economy, I believe it's important to be as generous and thoughtful as possible, even if just with your time. I know it sounds sappy, but the only way to make the world a better place is (not to depend on the government, but) by being useful and through your interactions with other people.
Be the leader of your own movement. Pass on some kindness. And unless you want me showing up at your office all demanding and bossy with too much cleavage, check out my resume, and get back to me. Thanks!
Well, life is a soap opera sometimes. And just when you start something new and exciting, something may happen to crush your dreams. As you know, I've blogged about Lolo's Table a couple of times recently, and then last night, I received some possibly bad news for the new owner.
The chef-turned-owner got some surprise demands from the landlords that he has to pay $8,000 in back rent by Wed., or he'll be out. This is a big bummer, as you can imagine.
New owner Jason Idleman just took over recently and as I blogged before, is taking the restaurant in new and better directions. I didn't know Jason until I interviewed him for an article, but I now consider him a friend because he's a great guy. And you can be part of the solution.
Lolo's is hosting a party tonight with $2 beer, $3 for all other drinks, and 20% off food, which is great by the way. If you don't know, Lolo's is located on Monroe, next to McEwen's, and the event will take place 4:30 - til.
I hope all Downtowners will show their support and bring your friends!
I'd like to start this blog by giving a shout out to Robitussin and my good friend Ruby. I don't know what tussin is, but it works. And thanks, Ruby, for acting as my notebook last night (which I left at home) by texting me reminders of what I wanted to blog about.
We started at Lolo's, and I have to say it has a really nice atmosphere. The dining room is really relaxing, romantic even, and the bar area is laid back. The smoked trout cakes were great, and we got a dessert that was nothing short of heaven.
It doesn't have a name yet, but it was a mango and guava mousse, drizzled in a raspberry sauce and dotted with blueberries. You've got to try it. All I can say is "OMG!"
Someone brought to my attention that they have a problem with the current dumpster-free trash collection pilot program. I hadn't paid attention to the details, but apparently, the proposed solution is to place bagged trash on the street M - F nights instead of in the dumpsters. This is supposed to deter dumpster diving and related problems.
The business owner who brought this up says the trash is now getting strewn about the street instead of being contained in the dumpster or at least the alley. Seems like the logical outcome to me. I could've predicted that.
The flyer he gave me about the program states that it has been successful in Vancouver and Seattle. Hmm, I don't see any similarities between Memphis and those cities, but what do I know. Is this a big problem? Dumpsters? I don't think so. When it comes to trash, we need recycling.
Coincidentally, the South Main Association's monthly meeting, Tue., Nov. 11th, will have Joy Williams from the Public Works Division as the speaker. She will talk about the dumpster pilot program and about plans to bring recycling downtown. The meeting starts at 6 pm at the Jay Etkin Gallery (South Main & Huling).
As I typed part of this, Obama gave his first press conference as President-Elect. One reporter asked what kind of dog they're going to get, and he answered that since one of his daughters is allergic, they need a hypoallergenic breed, although they would prefer a shelter dog, which would be a mut like him. Gosh, he's funny, and it's nice to have a President-Elect who can pronounce the names of foreign leaders.
Now, it's Friday, and you only have two more hours of work. Right now you might be thinking you can't make it two more hours, but you can. I believe in you. And then you'll be so happy it's happy hour.
In case you haven't heard yet, Lolo's on Monroe is under new ownership. I just did an article on them for the Flyer (which should be out next week), so I can't give everything away. But I was excited to find out that the new owner is catering to Downtown and offering some good specials.
The already resident-chef Jason Idleman is now the owner, and I think he may turn Lolo's into a cool place. They now have HDTVs for football games, and they're giving away FREE FOOD one surprise night a week.
Specific to Downtown, Thursdays are Downtowners' Nights with 15% off the entire check. They're now doing Downtown lunch deliveries, and their Happy Hours (M-F, 4:30-6:30) include $2 PBR!!!
I feel really smart lately. It's like I have a second brain, a searchable database from which I can snatch any information on demand. My recall is faster than ever. Go ahead -- ask me anything.
Want to know the capital of Australia? It's Canberra. What's the scientific name of that moth in Silence of the Lambs? It's Acherontia Styx. (I only had to look up how to spell it.)
I know everything. Want to know my trick? Google. Don't you feel smarter lately? I know it's been around for a while, but when I stop and think about it, I just love the internet and, especially, Google. Forget the Greatest Generation. We're the Smartest Generation.
Hey, is the little girl in Hitchcock's The Birds the same actress that grew up to be in The X-Files and Aliens? Yes, it is, and her name is Veronica Cartwright. Need brain surgery? Fine. Give me a minute.
How could anyone even lose at trivia anymore? (Am I right, Rapscallions?) Thanks to Google, nothing is rocket surgery anymore.
I voted today, though it's remarkable I was able to drag my ass out of bed because I'm sick as a dog. I guess it's just a cold, but I feel like crap. So I ate some soup and loaded up on DayQuil and Kleenex and headed out to vote and expose other people to my germs.
I'm not going to say who I voted for because, honestly, I almost didn't vote at all. Besides being ill and an independent, it's always hard, in my opinion, to vote for either choice put in front of us.
I lean towards the left, but Obama's association with Rev. Jeremiah Wright (not Bill Ayers), is enough to give me pause. Wright is one hateful, racist preacher, and it's just plain scary to me that Obama still claimed him as his reverend.
Obama and McCain are equally guilty of deliberately misleading the American people in their speeches and commercials, regarding their policies. And I guess you have to accept that it's just part of campaigning, but I have trouble swallowing it, knowing one of them will be president. They have both proven they're willing to purposely mislead us.
On the other hand, McCain is a really nice old man and a war hero, who demonstrated extremely poor judgment in selecting Palin as his running mate. I don't think she's dumb, as she's been portrayed. I think she's a quick study in spite of her ignorance on issues, but she's also quick to speak and act on those things she's ignorant about. McCain, in my opinion, probably isn't McSame, but Palin sure does remind me of someone currently in office, and McCain is the candidate more likely to die soon. But even if he doesn't, we really don't need another running joke in office, even that of V.P.
But I had to make a decision. I feel compelled to vote since there were women who endured being jailed and mistreated so that I have the right to do so.
On a humorous note, I'll leave you with what I heard while casting my ballot. An older woman asked an attendant for help. They were right beside me. She asked for large print and then said, "I want him -- Biden." The attendant said, "Well, that is his Vice President." And the voter replied, "Okay. Well, where's Tomeka at?"
Halloween is, hands down, my favorite holiday. It always has been because I've always been a little weird. I dated a guy once who criticized me for liking to dress up for Halloween. He said I must have missed out on something as a child. Well, that relationship didn't last long because he wasn't fun at all. I mean there was nothing fun about him.
I'm not ashamed. Halloween is a chance to shed one's everyday mask in exchange for being an alterego for the night. It's theatrical. You might even say it's therapeutic, and it's the only American holiday that's still true to its pagan origins.
You probably know the story, but here it is as told on www.history.com:
The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter.
To commemorate the event, Druids built huge sacred bonfires, where the people gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities.
During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other's fortunes. When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires, which they had extinguished earlier that evening, from the sacred bonfire to help protect them during the coming winter.
By A.D. 43, Romans had conquered the majority of Celtic territory. In the course of the four hundred years that they ruled the Celtic lands, two festivals of Roman origin were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain.
Following Halloween is the celebration of The Day of the Dead on Nov. 1st and 2nd. This Aztec and Mexican tradition often appears as a mockery of death while it celebrates it as true life following the dream of living. It is thought that it's easier to commune with the dead on these days, and altars are constructed to commemorate them.
I love the beautiful bright colors combined with skeleton imagery and candles. But I guess I'll have to settle for the typical costume parties and RiverArtsFest this weekend.
In addition to the Big Foot party and some private gatherings I can't mention, here are some events you might want to check out:
10/31 - Trolley Tour will be a ghostly gathering as it falls on All Hallow's Eve with parties at Safari and E & H. Safari is having a Masquerade Ball, $25 w/mask or $35 without, which includes dinner, DJ, and cash bar. E&H is hosting the annual Hell On Earth bash with several bands, $7 at the door. Both parties start at 9 pm.
11/1 - Of course RiverArtsFest is Sat. and Sun., and South Main fests are fun, fun, fun. Be sure to check out the art of Shane Paris while you're there! Sat. night starting at 7:30 is "A Night in the Village," a fundraiser for Victorian Village with a few events throughout the evening. If still available, tickets are $50. Find more info at www.victorianvillageinc.org.
As much as Halloween is fun, it's also supposed to be frightful. If you're like me, you can't beat a good scary movie like The Exorcist or The Shining. Movie horror is a lot better than real-life terrors, like that of public speaking, spiders, or the religious right.
Speaking of, anyone seen the latest DNA newsletter? A certain president who wrote a discriminatory letter for all to see was met with a backlash by neighborhood residents. A friend of mine sent out an email of concern for the DNA, which was met with a lot of support and the resignation of the president. But he couldn't go quietly. He filled my inbox and that of others with childish, nonsensical, mean-spirited, though religious, bickering.
If someone like this comes into your life, here's a spell you can cast (as described by www.witchs-brew.org) to get rid of them:
During the waning cycle of the moon (after the full and before the new), burn a roaring fire. Shout the name of the one you wish to be rid of as you pick up a pile of dry leaves. As you throw the leaves on the fire, recite the following: Here is my pain; take it and soar. Depart from me now, and offend me no more!
And last, but not least, enjoy a Halloween cocktail I got from my favorite Food Network witch, Sandra Lee:
Vampire Kiss Martini
In a martini glass, top chilled vokda with a splash of champagne. Pour Chambord in over the back of a spoon so that it floats. Garnish with candy corns or vatever you vant.
Paul Ryburn's blog mentioned yesterday that someone suggested to him that he start his own tribe or movement to encourage more people to earn a living outside of the 8-5 status quo.
It's a great idea, but I scoffed cynically at reading it. I scoffed, not at Paul, but, shamefully, at the optimism. And I am an optimist. Hope is the only thing that keeps me going. It keeps me determined. But I've been trying to earn a living outisde the cubicle or inside one, and the fact of the matter is that artists are simply disposable.
I keep asking myself what I'm doing wrong. What do I need to do? Am I not trying hard enough? And the one thing I can think of is that I, honestly, haven't been writing creatively enough. I've been holding back on this blog. Fear is the artist's kryptonite, and with all my attempts to "put myself out there," I have still let fear hold me back.
I have been cheating you, dear reader, and I apologize. I haven't been writing to my full potential, and I'm going to try to turn over a new leaf. This is my confession. It's my new committment to you, though I have to admit I'm afraid even to give that. I'm afraid I'll be afraid again; afraid to reveal too much or for this blog to become a form of cyber psycho-therapy.
I'm not whining, but added to the pressure of trying to make a living is the artist's apprehension to promote your work when the world doesn't seem to think it's worthy (until you're dead). I'm not whining because I make the choice to stay true to my art. In fact, the hindrances I'm met with serve as motivation almost as much as they discourage. And that's why this tribe thing is a good idea.
Amazon's description of Seth Godin's book explains that it's always been human nature to form tribes or groups of similar individuals and that the internet has provided a venue for expanding these groups. The idea is that while the web provides this venue for communication, tribes still need leaders, and the book teaches leadership skills for achieving new levels of success in ever-expanding arenas.
I think I want this book. It sounds interesting, and its message is an idea that's actually been on my mind for several months. It's the idea that while artists tend to be loners, their success and survival depends on networking even more than it does for corporate types.
I'm already part of a tribe, though we don't even have to acknowledge our collective existence. The successes I have in current projects are due to delegating tasks I can't handle to willing and capable friends. And in turn, I help them with what they can't handle on their own. It's the basic give and take of friendship expanded to professional endeavors.
I recommend to other artists that while you're trying to achieve your professional goals, take on responsibilities and make things happen for others in your tribe. It will make you less disposable, or you'll at least feel less so.
On my way up (because I do feel that something big is about to happen), I may not be making the big bucks yet, but I am fulfilled by creating connections and projects and results for others. And for me, fulfillment is one kind of success.
