Next Performance, That's What She Said

I will be performing at 'That's What She Said' in two weeks time. The event is hosted by For Books' Sake which is an organisation that champions female Writers, I'm all for it! Come down, get entertained, have a drink and say Hi. More Info


Wed 27th Jan 7pm
£5.00 tickets

@ The Book Club
100-106 Leonard Street
Shoreditch
London
EC2A 4RH

RIP to a British Rock Legend

I just found out about the passing of Rock/Pop legend David Bowie. Something I saw on television reminded me of him the other day, he is the epitome of the word 'icon' and I don't just mean in the UK but in music and fashion, he has contributed so much to pop culture and certainly the music industry (do your research if you don't know any better) that is still apparent today. His music even influenced contemporary Hip Hop icons of today, did you know that both P. Diddy and Jay Z have sampled his music?

Bowie is very well known for his eccentric and eclectic unique (at the time) style of fashion so it is no wonder why I see the fashion industry speak on his death also, neither was it a surprise to me to see an exhibition held in his honour at the historic V&A museum that I really wanted to go to. I am so p*ssed that I didn't go, just another reminder to cease the opportunity while it's there. Time waits for no one and circumstances change. Indeed.

I knew he was loved but I did not know just how popular he was with his industry peers until I saw this all blow up on social media, he's either worked with such and such or was a personal friend of such and such. There is a lot of sincerity in the messages that I have seen online from others who knew him.

Personally, I liked that he was just himself, unafraid, innovative, incredibly unique and outspoken in his activist way. Anyone can respect someone who stand up for what is right despite how it may affect their image or career and he done that in regard to race and other matters it's quite admirable. I first came to know of him from an old fantasy film called Labyrinth, I remember thinking that he looked strange but good-looking. What I loved the most about Bowie in later years was his loving relationship with his wife, supermodel Iman. In actual fact they are both icons of their day and although they were an unpredictable couple to be they made perfect sense. They are beautiful to look at together. So much so that I referred to their relation in my poem My Sermon, My Plea where I say "As believable as Iman and David Bowie." Audiences of my age and upwards fully understand what I mean and I get agreeable feedback on that often.

They really were a great couple (feels awful to say that in past tense now) to admire over the years, always caught happy in pictures and as Damon Dash rightly pointed out once, you never saw or heard of them in tabloid nonsense. Judging by their apparent positive partnership it was inevitable for me to include them in my poem along with the many other examples I gave of other famous couple that I admire.

This is almost affecting me as much as it did with Cilla Black another British legend but in TV, who I'd known throughout my childhood more so than Bowie and wanted to meet one day. Cilla Black was also in a (nationwide) famous long-term marriage that was very much adored by the public. Every single time she would come into conversation someone usually adds "She really loved her husband so at least she's with him now..."

Much like when Ruby Dee died, that brought me down as I have always known who she was of course but I was more familiar with her acting work. It was only in recent years that I became a growing fan of her decades of activism alongside her famous other half Ossie Davis. I also came to learn that she too was a Poet thanks to the documentary she did with Alicia Keys not long before she died. Coincidentally I also have a line in that same poem for them too "Better yet the Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis till death do us part, love...." Ah, still gets to me.

All such icons, such pioneers in their fields and such great examples of strong, long lasting marriages. So sad. Rest in peace.

New Year, New Things

For some reason the past few weeks of 2016 have been very enthusiastic around me. I mean that in regard to the talk and attitudes of others as well as in pop culture, it's like everyone feels that this is either their lucky year or even better they are making productive plans to make sure that they get the best of out this year. Positivity is what I like to see and hear so it's all good.

I myself have jumped on this bandwagon but then again, being the planner that I am I make productive plans and set out my goals for myself every year anyway, as well as between the time. My main resolution last year was to smile more, I did and it worked for the most part. My resolution this year is to care less about things that don't matter or that are simply out of my control because like Lauryn Hill sang 'After winter must come spring, everything is everything.' Too true.

My main goals for 2016 are to promote the ?*@# out of my new book, have my book tour and make the necessary preparations for my next project. I will always be pro-active with my career goals however, this year I intend to do more things that make me happy in general such as food blogging believe it or not (which I wouldn't have believed myself years ago despite that I studied food and love to eat), enjoy life more and deflect stress more. Don't we all.

I am grateful for many of the great things that have happened to me in 2015, even with the bad things as you do not often get one without the other. My greeting card service did very well, its popularity and sales grew, I published a book and I sold books, I took on film jobs that I did not expect the opportunity of (I am a Filmmaker and freelance in film/video production by trade), I learned a lot and as I love to learn I'm happier to be smarter than I was last year, I also realised my true potential in some areas where I overlooked my talent. Many of my goals were achieved (on paper anyway), I overcame some obstacles and just got on with it. Good things definitely happened and I am pleased.

Bring on 2016!