TAKE EM TO THE JUNGLE!

I need a vacay on the ASAP! I've never worked this much in my life. It's really starting to take a toll on me actually. The bags under my eyes are growing heavier by the moment. But as I look at the accumulation of ducketts in my savings account, I won't complain (too much). But I did dip into my funds to support a duo that may work harder than me.

Source: Thosegirlsarewild.com

The lovely Shannon Boodram and Andrea Lewis of Those Girls Are Wild make working hard, making moves and looking good, look easy and attainable for all us "wild gals" out here. The website Thosegirlsarewild and Youtube pageThosegirlsarewild/videos are two outlets for young women who are devoted to mentor-ship, embracing themselves, embracing others, changing the world around us, being game changers, following dreams, inspiring others and making moves (to name a few things).

When they designed the "TAKE EM TO THE JUNGLE" snapback, I knew I had to be apart! So I bought mine over at thosegirlsarewild.bigcartel.com. And since I've received it I haven't been able to take it off! I LOVE the Kente print and the slogan, which I've interpreted as a way of saying, "Show everyone who you are. Even if you're a little crazy. Be you. Completely and Un-apologetically."


Yup, so that's that. I have to say; I appreciate them reminding me that in the end all this hard work will definitely pay off.  

....as easy as 1,2,3!

Today is my first ENTIRE day off in a while. I owe blogger my time and energy and decided to start my blogging session off with a cute tag from the Marvelous Kimberly of BANG. Please feel free to do it as well. I need to look forward to reading something for my next day off =D

[A] Age: 23 years young
[B] Bed Size: Full...I rather have more space for artwork, dream catchers and candles.
[C] Chore that you hate: WASHING DISHES! I despise it. Ask ANYONE who knows (or has lived with )me.
[D] Dogs: I've never owned one. My list of pets are limited to goldfish, a hermit crab and hamsters.
[E] Essential start to your day: Meditation, India Arie's, "Good Morning", a shower and Tazo Green Tea.
[F] Favorite color: Yellow. In all of its various shades.
[G] Gold or silver: Gold. I have yellow undertones (warm toned) so gold jewelry makes me GLOW.
[H] Height: 5 feet. 11 inches. And I'm perfectly find dwelling on the edge.
[I] Instruments you play: Where to begin?...Clarinet, bass clarinet, flute, alto sax, tenor sax, baritone sax, trumpet, trombone, tuba, oboe, guitar, cello, violin, snare drum, marimba, tympani, piano (barely) and I'm probably missing a few... 
[J] Job title: BAWSE! Alright...I have two jobs which I'm actually a Supervisor at one and a Liaison at the other.
[K] Kids: Married? No. Therefore, kids: none. (had to steal this Kim!)
[L] Live: currently in da ville, but hopefully not for much longer.
[M] Mother's Name: Ohhh Evelyn. 
[N] Nicknames: Shay, Shay-Shay, Shay-buttah, M-shade
[O] Overnight hospital stays: only once and I pray never again!
[P] Pet Peeves:Folk who choose to remain ignorant when the option to be anything but is possible. Walking into bathrooms that someone just showered in. People who smack their food. =(
[Q] Quote from movie: "It does not do well to dwell on dreams and to forget to live." - Albus Dumbledore
[R] Right or Left handed: Righty For Life.
[S] Siblings: only one and trust me, she's quite enough!
[T] Time you wake up: ...that suggests that I sleep...
[U] Underwear: Is this asking if I wear them? Why yes...yes I do.
[V] Vegetable you hate: CELERY. =(
[W] What makes you run late: TUMBLR....always.
[X] X-rays you've had: I don't think I've had any other than for dental procedures.
[Y] Yummy food you make: I'm known around these parts for my jerk chicken wings and Italian bruschetta.
[Z] Zoo Animal: Leaping Lemurs!

Dear June,

        It's me. Shay. You may remember me from about 31 days ago. Although the difference in time has only been  about 4 weeks or 744 hours or 44,640 minutes or 2,678,400 seconds (depending on how you look at it), some major changes have been evident all around me. Last month I was scrapping at the droppings of childhood I had left. And now that it's June I feel more mature than I did a month ago. And I've finally accepted the adult that I am.  After some deep reflection I realized that the things that seemed so important the last few years/months/days are so small when compared to the grand scheme of things. And the things and people I took so very lightly are what truly matter. A month ago I was finally beginning to think that I found good footing in the idea of living for myself. 31 days later I don't think that I understand that concept...I KNOW I do. I've mastered differentiating "living for me" from "selfishness". And I've put that knowledge into direct application. I've become a bigger person and ultimately a better person for it. I've stopped allowing my need for control to be an excuse for depression. I understand that things don't always work out the way you want no matter how much "work" you think you put into it. Life happens exactly the way it's suppose to. Everything takes place for a reason. Life's a process and I'm finally learning to love that process.

May was a life-changing month. But June....June, you will be overwhelming in an astonishing way. I'll be taking every revelation, epiphany, situation, opportunity and realization I experienced the last 31 days and make you the month I'll be excited to tell July all about.

The Abyss: Too Deep

I consider myself to be more than skin deep.

I, like the next person, appreciate something that stimulates my core. Something that allows my mind to tap into the Frontal Lobe of my Cerebrum. So I can utilize the parts of my brain that allows me to use my abstract thinking, problem solving and creative thoughts to get to an appropriate conclusion. Most times I’m usually the first of my colleagues, peeps and peers to understand that there is a hidden message or meaning behind something. I'm usually the one saying "Wow! That's Deep." and  “Oh, I get it,” more frequent than none.  Especially when it deals directly in the arts.

But this time I’m as Clueless as Cher Horowitz and Dionne Davenport in the 90’s.

My musical and lifestyle muse, Erykah Badu, has puzzled me deeply and I need to understand.  I don’t know how long I’ll be able to stand not knowing why she and band members of “The Flaming Lips”, decided to take this direction with this video. As an anti-slut-shaming promoter and a glitter enthusiast, I was down with the nudity and the glitter vomit (for lack of a better description). But someone has a whole lot of splainin’ to do (*Ricky voice*) for the rest of the vid. Let me just say that I can’t see my girl -and fellow Alum- Roberta Flack, thinking that her original song would be portrayed like this.

I won’t say anything else.

Just watch.

     Welcome to the re-launch of chaoticDAYdreams... 

enjoy your stay.

Maybe it's because it's commencement season...

...but I am feeling SO BLESSED right now!

Who will Survive in America?

The Video for one of my favorite songs off of Kanye's, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. 

And you already know that I love it!

Creativity.Talent.Art

Announcement Time!

In my little update post I stated that I've been working on a new and improved "Super" blog. I don't know how super it may be but it definitely will be new and improved.

 Most folk know that I also write a natural hair blog called Shay-Buttah. Unfortunately I haven't been fully happy with the look/content of either blogs. Now don't get me wrong, I love both of these blogs but because of my newly active life, and my feelings of guilt for being so neglectful of of the two, I've finally come up with a plan. It's actually a bit ridiculous that I didn't think of it earlier. The solution is so simple and definitely a "duh" moment. Starting mid-May I'll be putting both blogs into one!

Now don't think, "Aww nah man, this is about to turn into some natural hair fanatic blog." It won't be all that. The site will encompass the same content you're use to (my life, thoughts, ramblings, ideas, music and whatever other fuckery you're use to over here.) It will just be super charged! Basically I'm writing what I want and EVERYTHING I want. It's going to be a jungle of topics and such and I don't think you'll be upset at what you'll find. I've been working on this for a while and I'm almost ready to shut 'em down, open up shop!

The blog will remain under the same name, chaoticDAYdreams, because it speaks personally to me and I can't imagine giving it up. The posts will be daily because I won't have to worry about doing a post over here...and then a post over there. It's all right here and it will be easy to navigate for the readers. You can find/read/watch (yup I said watch!) what you want without being bothered with anything that does not interest you. (Which I can't understand what wouldn't...kidding! ;D )

It's been a while since I've been this excited about something internet related. And I hope you'll be excited too. I'll throw some positive energy into the atmosphere and say this.... It's going to be great! So bear with me while I make this transition. and until the re-launch I'll be posting a few things that I think you'll want to stay tuned for!

until then....peace, and thanks for your continued support. I freakin love ya! =D

Coco&Robin

Sometimes I just feel like some artist are just too cool for me. Too deep for me. Too soulful for me. Too perfect for me. Example numero uno- Quadron. Get hip...and FAST. It's music for the soul.

Where you been, trick?

Girrrrrrrrrl. I've been off the map during April....Actually i've been all over the map. I've been making moves and getting all up in everything. So let me give you a super quick update...

-Went to South Carolina for my God-sisters wedding
-Got into The University of London
-Will be getting a Master's in Ethnomusicology
-Went to London to visit the school/have my interview/and ask BEG for money
-Went back on my juice fast. Its day 23 of 60! We outchea!
-Lost almost 40 pounds since March (sounds crazy but it's super healthy)
-Found myself heavily involved in the dating scene (with one person in particular)
-Getting mentally prepared for Commencement in May
-Going to Sunday School and Bible Study, religously (see what I did there!?)
-Reading a lot of self help books
-Journaling daily
-Staying away from social networking
-Mediating, yoga and exerscising daily
-Began the process of creating a "super" blog. (more info on that to come.)

And since Instagram makes me feel like a photographer/model/foodie/etc here's some pics...

my parents

                     

                                            

Londontown

Big Ben

London Bridge

my&mydaddy <3

(instgram: Shay_buttahh)

Reason 4252464 why I pray for my people

Working hella hard tryna make that paper right now. So until I can be about this blogging life again please enjoy the fuckery that keeps me from watching television anymore.I think I'll go wash dishes and laundry at the same damn time...

Ideas Worth Spreading |1, pt.1

I have no idea why I haven't written about these before. Especially because 5 out of the 7 days in a week I either start or end my day watching one. Technology, Entertainment, Design or TED as it's commonly referred as, is a conference that brings together the most fascinating thinkers and doers of our world, challenging them to give about a 20min talk of their lives. It's like the quintessential moment for some of these great influential folk of our time. Where they can either sum up their lives work, offer knowledge to a vast community and most importantly share ideas with a world filled with curious souls and future world changing innovators. I believe passionately that the power of ideas can change attitudes, lives and ultimately the world...and so do they.

On my life bucket list right up there with traveling to Uganda and Sierra Leone, and being in a mosh pit at Coachella, I want to attend a TED Talk Conference. Only problem is that the conference is around $6,000 and the waiting list is EXTREME! We'll see what we can do in the future but until that registration fee becomes chump-change for me, I'll stick to watching the free talks and performances on their website.

One of my favorite writers of one of my favorite books, Eat, Pray, Love (yea I actually read the book, not just watched the movie), Elizabeth Gilbert,  luckily was able to give a Talk. For me it was very moving, inspiring and thought provoking. And above all it allowed me to challenge the way I think about the idea of creativity. She discusses how to allow it to fester and continue to flow. The talk also invites us to stop thinking that creativity and suffering are somehow linked. And to know that artistry does not always lead to suffering in the end.

Lyrics Aint Never Been So Real...again

*Le sigh*

Oh SNAP!

Right when I was about to do another "Bootleg Instagram" post Android finally has it

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

It's about to be a muthafuccinwrap!

Instagram name: Shay_Buttahh


(Follow me so I can follow you. I'm tryna stalk everyone's life =D )

BK Lounge meets Mary J

Watch......

and then watch....

my thoughts...exactly.

Thoughts evoked by an early morning dream...

While I was growing up I wanted so much to hit the "age milestones" (10,13,16,18,21). I wanted to grow-up so fast. But now that I'm at this point in my life I want nothing more than to revisit those times for a completely different reason. There's so much I would change. So much I would cherish. So much I would have appreciated. It's not a matter of regret but more of a recognition of Missed-Moments Syndrome. There are very specific moments in my life I wish I could relive. I didn't appreciate my youth and the carefree oblivion it brought. And now I'm paying for that mistake, what seems like, everyday. As much as I try to recapture past moments- those memories, I have to accept that it will never be the same and trying to stay in/ recreate those times is borderline pathetic. I know it's time to let go, move on and savor those memories. I know I need to use these feelings of neglected past to direct my future. But it's difficult not to reminisce...The places, situations and people you have to leave behind, and allow to only remain in your memories...

Unfortunately the past sometimes looks brighter than the future.

"I Wanna Go to Marz"- John Grant feat. Midlake

Today will be GREAT!

It's SATURDAY!



What more can we ask for?!?!

Throwback Thursday!!!

It's been ages since I did a throwback Thursday. But I had to do this song. This is one of the first albums I remember my cousins and I bought. I decided to pop the tape (yes CASSETTE) into my stero last night and I forgot that "If You Love Me" was "accapella" on the Album. Dang...a time when vocals really mattered. So here is both versions. It's great that each can stand alone. 

The Other Side of Love

Sometimes, even when you try really hard to deny/hide/suppress it, your feelings come as swiftly as the weather. Sometimes you need just one of those days to sulk in the underbelly of depression. Of course it does not do well to dwell in those unhappy moments but it's okay to visit them periodically. And today on this rainy spring afternoon I've decided to succumb to the emotions. But only for today. Tomorrow is Thursday which means a giant step towards the weekend, and everything will be on the up and up again. Until then. Here's my rainy day playlist for today.

The Other Side of Love from harmonyp03 on 8tracks.

(Download the Mix HERE.)

yeah...she gives me life

I don't want to hear it. I know I have an unhealthy obsession love for female spittas. And since Nicki has left me underwhelmed since "Beam Me Up Scotty" (my love with her was short lived) and I ain't learned a Kimberly Denise lyric since The Lox's "Crush",  I'm on to the next one. And right now Iggy Azalea is my not so guilty pleasure. I really have no idea why I love her. But she satisfies my hoodrat criteria, exponentially, with out over doing it with the likes of Kreayshawn. Plus she's beautiful and I love beautiful women. Until she renacts a crucifixion/conception/exorcism at an award ceremony... we cool.