I Believe in Magic

I had so much fun this year at the Santa Fe Renaissance Fair at El Rancho de Las Golondrinas. It was such a blast and I love that fair more every year. This is the third or fourth year that I’ve gone. I’m seriously contemplating being a volunteer next year, just to camp on the historic property.

Sucked that I missed the fire dancers this year. Here is a link to a video I shot of one of the fire dancers last year on the My Voyage Through Time YouTube channel. The belly dancers are always great to watch though~ mesmerized by bouncing bellies n shit. Hahahaaa! Of course…I went to the fair *after* a killer back workout!

Wicked

Dropped a grippa cash on Friday for tickets to Wicked. I can’t wait. Looking forward to a “wicked” October.

Locked and Reloaded

Locked and Reloaded shot glass from the Miranda Lambert concert in Albuquerque, New Mexico (2013)

Check out the Locked and Reloaded shot glass that my gurl B scooped up for me. She went to the Miranda Lambert concert in Albuquerque last Friday and came back with this lil glass shaped like a shotgun shell. What a sweet surprise! It also lights up so you can remember where you put your drank! Haha… Naw~ I’m on a one way mission in the gym, so the dranks are few and far between. It’s kinda small for a protein shake ha? It’s a cool keepsake though! We have been lovin’ us some Pistol Annies (Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe, and Angaleena Presley). Their new disc is smokin’ just how I like it!

Garrulous Grammys

So here is my breakdown of the 55th Annual Grammy Awards~ or what I feel was worth a mention anyhow. The awards were hosted by LL, who is also a winner of two Grammy Awards. He opened with a shot out to Beyonce, Carrie Underwood, Adele and Rihanna (who looked super smokin’ with her hair down and with red lips).

I’m not sure how to feel about Taylor Swift being the opening act. I don’t think she pulled off the Mad Hatter with that “we are never ever getting back together” noise. She has way better songs on her new album Red. She also needs to learn how to move with the music~ and was lookin’ rather stiff. Only Adele can stand up there with just her flawless voice and pull that off.

JLo and Pitbull gave out the first award of the night lookin’ super hot with lots of leg and swag. The award was for “Best Pop Solo Performance” and it went to the lovely Adele. She is simply awesome!

Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert (with her hot pink mic) did a good job on two songs. Her dress was pretty. She seemed a little nervous or something? I gotta love the acoustic guitar that Bentley stroked.

Miguel and Wiz Khalifa were~ just wow. They didn’t get enough time on stage! I loved the completely red set with black and white outfits. “Adorn” is one of my favs from Miguel, though I did post the other night that I wished he would have performed “Hard Way.” They presented a country award afterward. Ha??

Faith and Tim are a straight sexy couple. I just can’t believe the award they presented didn’t go to Miguel? Really?

Mumford & Sons did such a good job. I have been listening to them a lot lately. Now that is what you call jammin’ on a banjo!

I am so excited that Justin Timberlake is making a comeback. I luv JT, but I gotta say that “Suit & Tie” does not tickle me just the right way. Unfortunately~ a special intro from Beyonce and the guest feature by JayZ did not help in the least bit! Hopefully he finds his mojo soon cuz I do miss him.

Kelly Rowland had on a super hot black dress. It was my favorite dress of the night! Her arms were buff making it look even better! Beyonce who?? Kelly and NAS presented an award to Frank Ocean who so deserves it! Still~ I couldn’t help but feel that Miguel should have taken that award!

Do I even need to comment on Maroon 5? Adam is always awesome~ plus he hired Minka Kelly (go Albuquerque~ NM) to be in the 2012 “One More Night” music video (which is a hot video). Then the M5 performance had to be ruined by Alicia Keys.

Hands, hands, hands down…. In my book, the best performance of the night went to Rihanna and Mikky Ekko. “Stay” is just *such* a great song. Rihanna looked so beautiful in a plain black dress with a hint of red. That song reminds me of a friend. How appropriate that she said the new music video for “Stay” will be released tomorrow (on the 11th). The woman is very sentimental when she sings that one. I can feel her soul in that song.

Did JayZ really dis on The Dream’s hat instead of thanking anybody when he won a Grammy for “No Church in the Wild” ~ Really? Talk about rude. What a schmuck!!

The Bob Marley tribute with Bruno Mars, Rihanna, Sting and the Marleys was cool. A bit of Marley takes me back.

Carrie Underwood’s butterfly light effects were interesting.

I loved the guest appearance by Prince! He came out to present the Grammy for “Record of the Year.” I wish Prince would make a comeback. He presented the award to Gotye and Kimbra. I thought Frank Ocean would take that one.

The finale was much better than the intro. It featured LL Cool J, Chuck D and Travis Barker on the drums. For being older, LL still rocks some big ole gunz.

The 55th Annual Grammy Awards were good this year. For the first time in a few years, I was able to watch the long show from start to finish. I stayed entertained throughout the night. I still say that Rihanna gets my vote for the most heartfelt and beautiful performance of the evening.

Waiting for the Sweet Sounds

On Friday I took the time to pull all of my old and new Donell Jones CDs together. He has to be one of my all time favorite RnB artists. Now there is one gifted man. There are not many artists that you can say bring it on every single track when they put a new album out.

I want to make a mix with some of the best tracks Mr. Jones has given us. At this point, I have a few ideas for a mix title. Today while I was exercising at the track, I combed through my mega Jonezzz list~ deleting the songs that I didn’t see fit for the special mix I want to create. While the cold chill brushed my cheeks I wondered what happened to Mr. Jones? How could such an awesome man just disappear?

There is one web site I check regularly for music news in this particular genre. Tonight I checked it and low and behold~ just a few posts down I discovered that Donell is indeed looking to make a major comeback in the first half of 2013. The post went up on January 31. Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about! I just can’t wait!!! Check out the video for Shorty Got Her Eyes on Me~~ That’s some pure awesomeness!

After hearing that song, if you still don’t believe that DJ has the love sounds on hot lock, take a look at the February 14th event scheduled at the Warfield in Cali. Blaqline Ent is presenting “Love Affair” on Valentine’s Day with Donell Jones, Teedra Moses, Musiq Soulchild and Netta B. Wish I could be there…

The Unreal Perfectionist

Last night when I got home from work, I was inundated with Beyoncé news just like the rest of the world. At first, I thought about how the media turns anything into news and makes something small into a national scandal. What a waste of time, money, and air waves! I will say that I am a Beyoncé fan, still I was a bit disappointed in her decision.

After my initial thoughts about the music and pop culture anthem fiasco, I was left feeling rather sad for B. Frankly I could care less if the woman moves her lips to the music. The real story here is not that she faked the performance, but rather why she faked it. By now we all know the story is most likely true because a gazillion people have combed through her footage and photos looking for clues. Again an utter waste! If we look deeper than well trained lips, why did she really do it?

Humans are in a constant fight in the illusive quest for perfection. There is so much pressure not only for the rich and famous to be perfect, but even for us normal folks. Since “perfect” is basically an impossible goal, we are doomed to failure. Honestly I didn’t even care to research the excuses B would likely give for the facade. If her voice cracked, if her tongue had frost bite— it would have all been news right? So who really cares? Her performance would have been just as beautiful with any of the glitches.

It drives me nuts that we are slowly being consumed by plastic. Why do we need to have perfect voices, perfect bodies, perfect hair, perfect partners, perfect friends, perfect jobs, and perfect lives? Is there no one out there who still believes that flaws, scars, tears, and mistakes can be beautiful? Imperfection should not be a crutch. It is just a confirmation of the human condition. Until we can accept that we will never be perfect no matter how hard we try, we will never find true happiness.

I do feel rather sad for Beyoncé. Who cares what people think? No one will stop buying her music. No one will stop thinking she is beautiful on the outside. I wonder if the perfectionist is really happy though? Does she have inner beauty? She is such a lovely woman. If only she could see that. In the end, her quest for perfectionism could crucify her happiness. B will risk becoming yet another needless casualty in a world of plastic.

When Amazing Voices Collide

Adam Levine of Maroon 5 in his Dr Dre Headphones~ The Voice

Nicholas David in the Live Finale~ Season 3 of The Voice

When amazing voices collide you are watching the live finale of The Voice. The season 3 finale included a star studded list of sheer awesomeness!!! There were so many good performances in the two hour long show. I love me some music. The last three “voices” standing in the competition belonged to Terry McDermott, Cassadee Pope (the winner), and Nicholas David (my favorite who didn’t win).

Rihanna flawlessly performed “Diamonds.” She is very connected to that song and it is obviously about someone she cares deeply for. Rihanna put her heart into that performance. I could literally feel the emotion in her smokin’ lyrics. Of course the “diamonds” in this song are not really diamonds, but the word is symbolic of something worth a lot or maybe even priceless and rare. The “diamonds” represent stars~ or more precisely what lovers create when stars collide.

Nicolas David and Smokey Robinson’s performance of “Crusin'” was good. Still~ the best rendition of that song goes to D’Angelo~ hands down.

My man Adam (Maroon 5’s frontman~lyrical genius~and my tattooed super hero) was highlighted as a multi-talented musician. He was rockin’ his Dr. Dre headphones~ no doubt professional grade. Nice…

Terry McDermott performed “Baby I Love Your Ways” with Peter Frampton and that was an ok performance.

Rascal Flatts was in the remote spotlight to sing Happy Birthday to Mz. Christina.

Bruno Mars performed~ but I really wish it would have been “Locked Out of Heaven” and not “When I was Your Man.” (right Marlene?? 😉 )

Nicholas David performed “End of the Road” by Boys II Men, an old school favorite of mine. He opted to perform with Trevon, Amanda and Dez.

Season 4 of The Voice will feature Usher and Shakira as new coaches. It is sad to see Christina and CeeLo go, but the addition of Usher is sweet!! I can’t wait for season 4!

Hitz and Skipz: MTV Video Music Awards 2012

The awards were hosted by funny man Kevin Hart the “future President of the United States.” He was escorted in by his gang of secret service agent little people wearing black sunglasses. He is 2 much! “HART 2012” Haha! I am only going to mention those artists and performances I felt were more than worthy. Anything else I’ll skip over right quick.

The show opened with an awesome performance from Rihanna. Mz. Sexiness was splashed with red sheer clothes and rocked out with green laser lights and a grip of dancers. That woman can move and has swag! I just love all the techno infused RnB that’s been coming out these days- the upbeat tunes are perfect for the gym.

A pretty and sleek Katy Perry presented Best Pop Video to the boy group One Direction– What the?? Major disappointment because Maroon 5 featuring Wiz Khalifa (Pay Phone) should have smashed that one up to bits! How could Adam not take it Britney?? One Direction? Really?

Dwight Howard (the man with the gunz and shoulderz like boulderz) gave a really huge token jersey to lil Kevin Hart, but it wasn’t a Magic jersey. As a new resident of Los Angeles, Howard is now part of the Lakers. Howard’s move was just part of a wicked plan to beat King James this year. The Lakers may need those gunz to beat MIA!

A Dwight Howard Workout

Lil Wayne (Weezy F Baby) was sportin’ a sick red headset. What brand of headphones would Weezy rock other than Beats by Dr. Dre? Nice… He had them on through the whole show. They were either on his ears or around his neck. I assume he used them to “skip” a few of these bunk performances.

Red Pro Beats by Dr. Dre

Chris Brown was the winner of Best Male Video of the Year with Turn Up the Music. This was apparently the first video he directed. This video rocks! In the video he spanks the dance floor and lets out a few crazy warrior cries. Last week I literally shut the treadmill down at the gym burning up the belt to the song.

Pink?? Ummm… Maybe we should skip her performance?

Frank Ocean performed Thinking About You while fire and ice illuminated the background with red lights, stars and the moon. I love this man. His set design smashed all of the others with creativity and was aesthetically delicious. Ocean is one of my favorite artists. I kind of wished he would have performed Love Crimes or Novacane (my favorite Ocean songs). “Murda, murda, murda she wrote— Love Crimes- Love Crimes.”

Frank Ocean Performs Thinking About You
at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards

Best Hip Hop Video went to Drake featuring Lil Wayne which I wasn’t crazy about. Kanye West featuring 2 Chainz should have snagged that award with Mercy. 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne performed together and that was a cool performance. Kanye and Kim K. were supposed to make an appearance, but I never saw them? Maybe the Kz were upset about the loss of this award?

One Direction? Ummmm…. Let’s skip that performance and get some coffee fast! Fo’ real!

Nicki Minaj had on an black lace cat suit which highlighted some seriously out of control ash! Is that for real?? She took home the award for Best Female Video with Starships.

Green Day?? Ummmm…. Why don’t we skip that performance?!

Breaking Dawn “the epic finale” was previewed by all the cast members except Kristen (of course). It looks like the finale (if that is really the case) will be a good one. The last vampire romance flick opens on November 16 Marlene— mark your calendar gurl and get your red eyes ready!

Breaking Dawn the Epic Continues

It was seriously crushing to see One Direction take Best New Artist. Frank Ocean looked crushed as well! Really? Who invited these guys? My boy Frank was cheated and I demand a re-vote!

Alicia Keys? Ummm… Yeahhhh… I’ll skip that performance as well. I am getting tired.

Rihanna on the Red Carpet at the 2012 VMAz

Video of the Year went to a much deserving Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris. We Found Love is an awesome song! I loved that Rihanna thanked her “Glam Squad!” She looked beautiful with her super short hair and in a long white backless dress.

The finale was an uncoordinated train wreck by the **once again** heartbroken Taylor Swift. Unfortunately, the nicest hair and sweetest lips in the world couldn’t help Mz. Swift. Boring… I’ll skip that one and sign off for the night!

Jessica, Isaiah, Felicia and Daryn at the Wise Fool Parade

Jessica, Isaiah, Felicia and Daryn – Growing a New Mindset at the Wise Fool Parade. The parade was intended to educate people about avoiding consumerism by giving nature and the world around us our attention and love. They also talked about investing in The People’s Bank or investing our knowledge, skills and love in people instead of investing in material things. Great message!!!
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Today my cousin Jessica sent me a Smilebox. It was such a cool thing to get. It reminded me that I had not yet posted about our fun day at the Railyard Park in Santa Fe. We went to see a puppet show by Wise Fool at the end of April, and it was a great day. We laughed so much while we were there. Jess and I joked about how Santa Fe may be the only place where you can catch an educational puppet show about consumerism and attention to nature (such a great message for kids), participate in a march for women, and see a fund raising walk all in the same day. During the march for women, one woman was waving a sign which read “women belong in the House and the Senate.” Nice… The boys had a chance to let out some energy at the park, and we had a picnic. I only wished more locals would heed the messages I embraced that day. Anyhow— thanks for the Smilebox Jess! You made my day….. 🙂

Print screen from the Smilebox my cousin Jessica sent me today.