No Transitions

I was on twitter this morning and started to rant, so I stopped myself and decided to make a post. It's funny, cause I almost use twitter as a journal.. not so much of tweeting things that are going on in my life. But from a sense of expressing beliefs that others can pick and choose to listen to, or not.

I just realized that I haven't lived at home for the past five years.. neither have I been in the same state as my family. Growing up in Omaha, I always wanted to be in the big city. So once I got to college, I always went home with friends on holidays and weekends. We would go to Chicago a lot! And then during basketball season, there was no chance of me going home much, because of travel and practice. Even after I graduated undergrad, I didn't even go home. I was in NY for the summer, went to Maryland for a little over 3 months after that, and then went to Chicago for another 3 months. I have now lived in NYC since mid January.

I always had everything I needed growing up. But seeing my parents struggle from week to week did something to my psyche. Don't get me wrong, I've had the best times with my family! Money or no money.. we have always been close and never let money determine our happiness. But as a kid, you don't want to see your parents struggle.

I have been working extremely hard mastering my craft. Trying to learn and push myself to be more creative. Working hard to change things for my family. Working hard to break cycles in my culture. A lot of times, I get so caught up in working, and not wanting to waste time, that I don't really slow down to just enjoy.. but I feel like I cant enjoy. I know people are counting on me, i know i have lives to touch.. kids to save. I want to accomplish things that are out of this world!! How can I do that, and not work all the time?

How do you find that balance... family, friends, life, school, love, reading, creating, changing, challenging, enjoying...

Well.. right now, i only have one speed.

I love you momma!

In due time..

I've been living in NYC since mid January, and in another week and a half, my first semester of graduate school is coming to an end. It's no surprise to me that time is flying by. I had specific goals set on the move here...and I'm not too far off. My art is being appreciated by people that I respect, Nerdy is making great moves forward, I'll get A's in both of my classes and I'm doing my best to continue to challenge myself to be the best man of character I can be. I just haven't got a million dollars yet!! haha

This morning I made it to my train at 7:37am and it departed at 7:39am. I attempted to pull an all-nighter and fell asleep somewhere in the mix. None the less, I went to Yonkers, NY to film Alimi Ballard speaking at Saunders Trade & Tech HS. I had a good time, and Ali is really a genuine, good brother. He's in the movie that come out today, the 'Fast Five'. 

This week I also met with the beautiful people of "The Strivers Row". An awesome management company that has amazing artist that they represent. I'll be doing some artistic direction for them and their artist. It's a beautiful opportunity because what they do aligns up with who I am as a person, and what my art represents. I'm excited to get started and create some magic. 

Stay tuned on my tumblr site as I will be releasing some videos soon. I'm also working on a project that is close to my heart, and I'm look to have it done within the next two weeks. 

As the summer approaches and people begin to enjoy the weather, I'll be in the lab creating! 

Never be outworked! 

One love.   

.. just thoughts.

I think about a lot of different things, throughout one whole day. Between school, my creative world of photography, nerdy, and trying to have money to live.. you can only imagine what those thoughts are; especially living in mid-town manhattan. I live in graduate school housing on 58th, and I really relate to what Lupe said.. about being teased with the upper crust. But hey, who am I to complain..being in graduate school and eating dollar slice pizza everyday is upper crust to most.

In the world that I live in, i feel like I don't have to search for inspiration much. Its the simple things to me. Like yesterday when I was at McDonald, and a brother asked me for some change. Or when I get on the subway, and everybody is sleep. Or even when someone from across the country reaches out to me.

All of it is right. All of it is beautiful. All of it is a beautiful struggle!

With love.

25 years

Twenty-five years ago I was blessed to have life on planet earth. I had no idea where I would be on this day. I could sit here and name all of the things that I have accomplished, where I have been, things that I have done.. but what does that really mean? Does that make me better than anyone else? Will it make me happy about the life that I have lived so far?

On this day, the one thing that sits at the front of my brain is love. I want to love all that I do. So from this twenty-fith year and on, I promise myself to go after all of my dreams and aspirations.. not only for me, but for my brothers and sister. For my family, for my ancestors, for my fellow creators, and anyone that may come after me. Its crazy, because this road that I am going to take is all uncertain and unknown..but I'm ok with that. Because loving and creating is who I am!

a letter from  4/16/11

with love.


(photo by: Rog)

To be Hip!

To be Hip, Gifted & Black, a panel event I went to with my brother, Rog. This was a pretty good discussion about creatives, and what it takes to do what they do. As we all know, following your passion and heart may not be the easiest thing to do, but in reality, it may be your way to true self expression. You missed out on a treat, if you weren't able to attend.

Here is what I know best...

The Process

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to return to my undergrad university as an alumni and be apart of the Cultural Leadership Conference. Having not been back since May, I was excited to return and embrace being on the other side of the spectrum.

Of course, I had to take some stills and do a small/short film. The process of life is a beautiful one, and I'm just excited to keep growing and learning in every capacity. I don't want to take away from the piece, so you can view the full spread here.

I hope you enjoy this document, as I enjoyed making it.

FULL SPREAD

With Love. 

Your Path

Life is to be lived to the fullest. It's lived so you can reach and capture every thought and aspiration that you have ever wanted... that you have ever dreamed of. And now I live in New York, where they say all things begin...

You grow up and get an education, a masters, masters. House and a resort, kids and porsche!

9-5 and P.T.O, only because school won't teach you how to be the CEO.

I know life is to be lived to the fullest. I know I can reach my dreams and aspirations.
But what happens when your told to go right, when you want to go left?

...I guess time will only tell.


With love.