Festival Fever

Can you find me amongst the crowd…I’m in the second row with my hand in the air skinning teet! JOKE!!! Not really, I know I play too much! However this is how I will be next Saturday as I’m attending the Montreux Jazz Festival-YEAH BABY!!!!!!

I’ve become a real festival junkie I know I’m a bit late but I’m jumping right on that bandwagon. Why go to a concert when you can go to a festival and get a handful of acts on the same stage. Dance around and laze in the sun if the weather’s nice and providing it’s an outdoor event (that’s my only gripe about Montreux), meet new people as you’ll be there for a few days and drink, drink, drink some more if that’s your kind of thing the list is endless. Hence the reason I’m jetting off to Switzerland next weekend with my home girl. The line up for this year is SICK and its hip-hop all the way for me. I’ll be jigging along to Mos Def (that reminds me I need to listen to his new album ASAP), Black Milk and Little Brothers. It was pretty hard deciding which week to go as Black Eyed Peas, N.E.R.D, Lilly Allen, Q-Tip and Raphael Sadiq are a handful of the acts to grace the stage during the 2 week festival.

I think it’s because this is my first festival and that it’s out of London which makes it all the more appealing. To see everyone jumping in the air with their plastic cups, swaying/rhyming/dancing to the beats and to just feel the vibe within the arena. I better be careful I don’t forget myself and act a fool out there, as I know I’m going to be extremely hyper and will probably mirror the behaviour of the people around me. The only difference being that I won’t be intoxicated like some.

My only hitch now is what to wear? I want to look cool but not overdressed and comfortable enough to tap my toes but still girly…. decisions, decisions!

The Taking of Pelham 123

I've just got back from “The Taking of Pelham 123” screening and I have to say it was good! I’m intrigued to see how the original panned out as this is a re-make of the classic 1974 thriller.

Synopsis in a nutshell:- Denzel Washington plays the character of a transit cop who goes up against a group of hijackers lead by John Travolta who take's over a subway train in exchange for a ransom of course. This film is very gory and left me a little uneasy at times, so much so I was covering my ears and eyes to avoid witnessing any more bloodshed.

John Travolta put in a good performance (although not as good as in previous roles such as “Face Off” and “Swordfish”) and played the role of an audacious hijacker well. Denzel was Denzel and played the role of good guy transit cop down to a tee. The typical roles that we are used to seeing Mr Washington play. Despite this film getting mixed reviews I enjoyed it and I give it a 5 ½ /10.

Drama Week 7

Only 3 weeks to go and I can see the progression that the whole group has made.... sniff I’m so proud of us all. So next week is the big one the monologue slam the week we have all been preparing for. The week where we gauge whether we have taken anything away from these Drama classes.
Today was all about practicing our one minute monologues and ironing out any problems. I need to memorise my piece by next Monday which won’t be a problem as it’s not that long. Everyone liked my piece and the only advice I was given was to ham it up a bit, in other words K-Hart just act really extra on stage next week. I’m actually looking forward to it now as it will be such an achievement for all of us. Just to think how timid and self-consciousness some of us where when we started 7 weeks ago and to see us now-WOW!
If anybody had asked me last year whether I could see myself performing a drama/speech in front of a room full of strangers they would have got the side-eye. Who me?!?!?!? Not that I thought I wasn't capable, I just couldn't see me putting myself in that kind of situation. As an associate of mine said "when the pupils reading to learn the teacher will come".

Jill come back!

Golden oldie for ya’ll. I heard this song on the radio this morning and it brought back memories. This song was most prominent during my last year of college 2000/2001, the year I decided to knuckle down and focus.

I wasn’t quite ready for this album when it first came out. I had a copy and gave it away- WHY?!?! I was too into Bad Boy, Dru Hill and Total at the time. I think the reason why I really love this song is because it reminds me of a good old friend/associate of mine. He was originally from Bristol and came to study in the land of Brum and had a slight edge compared to the usual Birmingham mans dem (I wonder what he’s doing with himself now). Anywhoo he was into conscious music the likes of Jill Scott, Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill and he helped influenced my musical direction.

So I brought the album again “Who is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds vol 1” to follow fashion and grew to love it. I think this is Jill’s finest work to date but then I’m always a bit biased when it comes to artists and their debut albums. Not to mention I went to see her at Brixton Academy when I first moved down south and to this day that gig is still part of my top ten. Jill you need top drop another album soon!

The Wire

I have finally finished watching all 5 seasons of The Wire and I can honestly say it is the best TV show I have seen to date. I know it sounds a little cliché but honestly no show has gripped me like this. I love “Desperate Housewives” and “Heroes” but neither of their storylines are as compelling and hard hitting as “The Wire”. The cast are the ones that really make the show they are so convincing and bring a sense of realism to every storyline from Marlow Stanfield, Snoop, Omar and Stringer Bell… oh I miss it already! The final season focuses on journalism and ties up all the loose ends of the last 4 seasons. What am I going to watch on TV now?!?! Hats off to the creator David Simon he did a brilliant job, so much so I have gone on and brought his book “Homicide- a year of killing on the streets”. If you haven't watched The Wire what are you waiting for?!?!?

Drama Week 6

6 down 4 to go! I have to admit their have been times where I’ve wondered if these drama classes are benefiting me, and yesterday’s class confirmed that they are! I have seen a difference in my confidence levels both in and out of classes. In particular within my Entertainment slot that I do fortnightly on the radio. The self-consciousness is slowly beginning to disappear; it’s funny how we are so critical of ourselves. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy!

Yesterday’s class was really fun! We started off with our usual warm up/ shouting exercises. Then we moved on to a quick game, there were 5 props on the floor e.g. a string of pearls, a flower, a box etc. We then had to improvise with the use of all 5 props; it was fun to see how creative and spontaneous each member of the class could be. It was then down to business as we had to prepare for our monologues slam in two weeks time. This involves us having to recite a story, piece, poem to a group of about 100 people. I have decided to do a piece by Mayou Angelou titled “Phenomenal Women” but I’ve tweaked it a bit and really made it my own. I can honestly say I’m not nervous about it, although this may change once I take to the stage. Although I usually just psyche myself up and pretend that I’m with a group of friends. It feels like I step out of myself once I’m in performance mode….watch out MTV-NY Imma coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What am I using Now.....

This post is long overdue! I should have done it last Saturday after being tagged but due to lack of time and laziness I opted out. After a recent reminder here goes...

Hair-So I crossed over to the dark side at least 14 years ago, that’s the side of chemically processed hair lol. Yes I rock a perm and I’m proud as I have recently been converted from habitually adding hair extensions- WHAT A FEELING!

Shampoo - I am currently toying with different shampoos at the moment as I refuse to buy any more until I have got rid of the dregs in my numerous bottles at home. It is a combination of Aphogee shampoo for damaged hair (although my hair is not damaged) and Porisity Control Shampoo.

Conditioner- The most important element to any woman’s hair regime! There are two phases to my conditioning treatment, the first being Motions Critical Protein & Treatment Conditioner recommended by my hairdresser. It has a combination of 15 African herbs and prevents breakage. I then sit under my hooded dryer for a deep steam. Phase 2 consists of Motions Moisture Plus conditioner, which I apply abundantly. I almost drown my hair with this stuff and wash it off after about 10-15 minutes.

Styling Products-

Body- Sanex or Original Source shower gel (the mint or lemon flavour)

Moisture- I used to use the Body Shop’s body butters but they are too tief! As well as Palmers Coco Body Butter as I tend to get dry skin but I have found a cheaper alternative which does exactly the same thing which is Hollywood Beauty Cocoa Butter.

Deodorant- The cheapest going (thank the lord for Pound land). At the moment I am using Radox Daily Elements as well as Vaseline Intensive Care deodorant…

Perfume- Sean John Unforgivable Women, J’Adore and Chloe.

Sun Care N/A... I know ignorance is not bliss.

Face-If I had a pound for every product I have used to get that “perfect complexion”. I have tried Clinique’s 1, 2, 3 range, Clean & Clear, Neutrogena, Dove soap. I am finally content with Superdrug’s Tea tree facial wash and facial scrub.
I then tone with their tea tree cleansing and moisture lotion.

Moisture- My face tends to get quite dry so I use Dermatologic E-45 cream in the day and at night I use Holland and Barrett Vitamin E-Oil.

Mask- I’ll give anything a whirl (probably not wise).

Lip Balm- I used to use Vaseline but have now converted too Carmex Lip Balm.

Make-Up- Phew where to start?!?!? I’m a bit of a MAC junkie and have quite a few products as I love to play up me eyes but I rarely use them.

Concealer- This is a must I use either MAC NW50 Studio Touch up stick corrector or NW50 Studio Finish Concealer. The latter is quite good and is usually enough for me to not need to any foundation.

Foundation- MAC Studio Fix Liquid although I don’t really love foundation as it feels like my skin can’t breathe. It is very rare that this gets used unless it’s a night out.

Blusher- MAC Raizin Matte again this rarely gets used.

Eye Liner- Rimmel Exaggerate Eye Liner, MAC Engraved Power Point Eye Pencil and Rimmels Soft Kohl Eye Pencils in Jungle Green, Black and Denim Blue.

Lip Gloss- MAC Tinted Lip Conditioner, MAC Lickable Crème sheen lipstick and MAC Lip Glass (every woman should own one of these true classic).

Mascara- Maybeline Great Lash Mascara as my eye lashes are quite short so every bit of mascara helps and I find this is one of the few that gives the illusion that I have eye lashes.

Nail Polish- I have every nail colour under the sun courtesy of Rimmels 60 second nail polish.