Friday, October 24, 2014

the GIRL project

 photo IMG_9072_zps681ba736.jpg  photo IMG_9181_zpsebb7c970.jpg 

So I started this little social media experiment/online art instillation that I've been calling "the GIRL project." It's really simple actually. Nothing too wordily or big. My whole inspiration came from the Pharrell Williams's GIRL album cover controversy. (MTV article here and Huffington Post here)

 photo pharrell-williams-girl-cover-art-main_zps60e1ff8a.jpg

To break it down; many expressed disapproval and/or angry that the album cover "didn't" feature a black woman. Pharrell shortly after came out with a statement saying that the girl closest to him is indeed black. Just light skin.

The debate really got my attention. I can understand where fans and Pharrell were both coming from. And being a fan of the album I realized that the whole project in itself is a celebration of women. All types! Black, white, Asian, tall, short, big, little, Marilyn Monroe's to Cleopatra's. (Of course making reference to this song) He explains his opinion on the whole meaning in this video "Dear GIRL"

Which then got me thinking. Being a feminist, an artist, a fan of my gender, and a strong believer of this message (that women come from all walks of life) I straight up started adding the word GIRL on photos of different women.

 photo IMG_9180_zps44e0e1db.jpg

I started with celebrities because it seemed the easiest and most tangible. Then slowly realizing that using a social media platform like Instagram makes more sense. And really, what showcases the modern girl today better then her Instagram account. Which in itself is just a window into her life. A sometimes vague and well edited depiction but still a view none the less.

Not to mention - Instagram is so interested in the sense of what we choose to post. But that's a whole another post!

Some of the girls I know personally, others I am just fans of and follow. They range from writers, bloggers, poets, musicians, fashionistas, Instagram famous ladies, to your girl next door. Which I then  posted via my tumblr. (or just searching the tag itself: the GIRL project click here)

 photo IMG_9070_zpsaeb014a6.jpg  photo IMG_9183_zps245f8096.jpg 

I mean this isn't groundbreaking to say the least but something I am doing and wanted to share. Wanted to express my reasoning on why I was doing this. Not to mention I haven't posted in awhile so... yeah.

Well! There you have it. Enjoy & hopefully share.

Thursday, October 9, 2014

End of the 1st Quarter: Turning 25

 photo IMG_8451_zps4e200ba5.jpg

I love my birthday. I always love the idea of getting one year older. One more year full of adventures and mishaps. For me getting older is the price, the dollar amount you pay to live. It’s like rent money.

Now! What annoys the shit out of me is when my friends say things like “Oh my god! We are so old! 25 is so old! Why are we getting so freaking old?!” 

I mean, really? Are we really “that old”?

A.) No
B.) You are giving yourself way too much credit if you think you are mature enough to have this whole life things figured out. Being old comes with wisdom. And clearly we don't have the wisdom to realize being a 20something and 30something is a blessing. "Youth" is really wasted on the youth.

You know what old is too me? 92. 92 years is hella old. That in mind - we are so far from being truly OLD.

I am a strong believer that age is just a state of mind. If you already feel old at 29 or 35, well then sure. Life is pretty much over for you. However - you can still change. Start living life to the fullest. My mother always told me: "you are only young once but can be immature for life. And the rate you are going at you are going to be immature on your death bed." Trust.

On the subject of my mother, the OG K Dot, is 63. She has written countless books, still writes to this day, worked as a journalist, had a job as a producer for numerous radio shows, worked as a copy editor in an advertising company, successfully started her own business, gave birth to two healthy daughters, has been to Paris, Rome and Ireland, has had a hip replacement and is a survivor of cancer. That’s only a few plot points in her 63 years on this planet. And she still has so much time left!

I am turning 25 at the end of this month. For those who have been following my wild journey of my birthdays might be aware that I christen each year with a title and goal. When I was 23 it was my “Jordan Year.” Goal - to do shit with no fear of failing. I was very satisfied with the results.

Turning 24 I made it my “bitch don’t kill my vibe” year. To be completely honesty, I feel like I failed at my goal. Which was to worry more about me and careless about what people think. I got sidetracked the coldest and really lost myself. But that's OK. No need to shame myself anymore. I can only just move forward from here. 

24 was a really tough year. Not a bad year, just tough. A lot of changes and growth happened. With growth comes growing pains. One can not happen without the other. Bittersweet but oh so very deliciously in its rewards.

After watching Love & Basketball (all big life choices should be made after watching that movie, just saying) I have now deiced to calling my 25th year on this earth “The end of 1st quarter.” If I’m lucky I will live to be 100 (the women in my family tend to live very long lives) This is just the ending of my first quarter. 

If life is a game - here’s the recap: I survived middle school and high school. Two places I was pretty sure were going to eat me a live. I was a poet for nearly 10 years! Landed my “dream job.” Quit my “dream job.” Stopped being embarrassed to be called a writer. Went to film school. Nearly died twice. Once from a ruptured appendix. The other time was being hit by a drunk driver. I published a book, made friends, lost friends. Grew up with my family. Grew apart from family. I am someone who lives with depression, PTSD, and is bi-polar. I fell in love. Deep, rich, beautiful love. I had my heart broken. Shattered. Ripped from my body. I laughed a lot and I cried just as much if not more. But here I am. Honored to be getting another year older. Also! I moved to Los Angeles. Truly getting on the road to get on Saturday Night Live. (Or become the creator of my own awesome show…)

So let's say an ESPN report was interviewing me I would be like; 

“Well Natasha, thanks for asking. I am really proud of what’s happen so far. I had a lot of doubt going into this but I’m trying my hardest to stay strong. I took a lot of uncalled for hits. Even threw a feel myself. Which I am embarrassed to admit too. I did make some bad plays in the beginning (thanks for pointing that out.) I did take out the wrong players at the wrong times. Even traded a few. I met new players who have done nothing but encouraged me on becoming a better performer. Bounced around for a bit, lost site of my goals. But overall, things are looking up for me. I still have 3 whole quarters ahead of me. And it’s anyone’s game at this point.”

(I get I am going super strong on this sports metaphor right now but like I said Love & Basketball man. Such a great movie.)

Maybe next year I’ll adventure out of the sport metaphors.

But look! What I am trying to say is - life is fucked up. Life is beautiful. Life is fucking beautiful. Do you. Do you to the fullest. Things will hit rock bottom way before you can catch your breath. Then again, there will be times where you are so overwhelmed and dizzy off happiness. And drunk off good vibes.


After this summer, negative thoughts still burn holes in my mind. I like to think I am just making space for more important, happier thoughts. I can be negative when I'm dead. I'll be like man, I am dead. This really sucks. But until then - here's too another 75 years.

Saturday, October 4, 2014

LA x Snaps

 photo DSC_0006_zps49418daa.jpg

around town and around my apartment. enjoy.

 photo DSC_0005_zps62081cf7.jpg photo DSC_0082_zps408c7e32.jpg photo DSC_0001_zps14d134be.jpg   photo DSC_0079_zpsc53ca6fb.jpg  photo DSC_0078_zps135dc711.jpg  photo DSC_0077_zpsd4c93b1e.jpg  photo DSC_0058_zps6d276808.jpg  photo DSC_0057_zps85e9b0ed.jpg photo DSC_0044_zpsf0eca7fa.jpg photo DSC_0053_zps073ad00b.jpg  photo DSC_0046_zps8ce8e11b.jpg  photo DSC_0045_zps9a416ae4.jpg  photo DSC_0043_zpsc8644371.jpg  photo DSC_0041_zpse5808071.jpg  photo DSC_0035_zps6cb89bc1.jpg photo DSC_0037_zpsaa78f9ac.jpg  photo DSC_0036_zps62a6f4a6.jpg

Stomping around my epic ass neighborhood. LA is one big movie set. Full of characters, set design, and props. Mad props.
  
 photo DSC_0031_zpsa3a8ed15.jpg  photo DSC_0026_zps4ca34b9f.jpg photo DSC_0025_zps448763c2.jpg  photo DSC_0020_zps1be1da21.jpg  photo DSC_0015_zps357d5fba.jpg

If you follow me on Instagram you know I got a chance to go to the LA Mart trade show building where I got to check out Moleskine, Chronicle Publishing, and other great companies. I even got to walk away with an amazing goodie bag!

 photo DSC_0002_zps7dc7eba6.jpg