RIOT IN THE SKY

Pineapples are one of my favorite fruits.  They’re kind of like interesting people—eccentric beauty with a tough and sharp exterior that protects a deliciously sweet and tender inside.  SLURP ALERT! THANK YOU Great Creator for blessing us with pineapples!!

How to cut a pineapple—a demo by yours truly:

I’m hella thankful for my time in Los Angeles.  I spent time kicking it with the homies, getting good advice, giving good advice, eating and taking care of bidness.  The days were pivotal and every moment was fulfilling and magical and challenging.  The universe was talking to me heavy, and if you don’t know what I’m talking about, here’s another MUST for the Readership Hit List:

I treat The Alchemist like my bible.  I just finished reading it for the second time and all my friends are so damn tired of hearing me make Alchemist references with every other point.  “I said, I JUST WANA BE A SHEPHERD! FREE!” This is my most highly recommended book.  In a nutshell, The Alchemist is a story about pursuing your dreams.  When you want something, the entire universe conspires  to help you achieve it, because people’s dreams come from the soul of the universe.  So when you’re happy, the whole world is happy. “All things are one.”

Janet was also talking to me in LA.  She used to always say, “Do what makes you happy.  The rest will come.”  Wednesday night was my performance tribute to Janet Brown and as stated in my previous post, I was crazy nervous.  I performed a series of three pieces: a letter to Janet (new), a poem written 365 days after Janet’s passing, a poem soon after Janet passed in 2009.  In an effort to avoid my self-deprecating tendencies (awful posture, short mic, poor lighting, awkward inflection, etc.), I’ll just say I was humbled by the standing ovation.  If I could connect people with Janet’s spirit even the slightest bit, then I’m happy.  Plus, I heard hella people cried, and I love making people cry. 8^)

Another highlight of my trip was chilling out at the UCLA Annual JazzReggae Festival:

I was a featured artist in the VIP section, GYEA!  I was torn between chilling in the VIP area waiting for the different artists to arrive so I can meet them, or lying out on the grass in front of the stage.  Sorry Nas and Damian, but I just couldn’t resist that California sun I didn’t get to meet them, but at least I got a tan. Holla.

Me and my east coast squeeze, Anjali

My own tent in the VIP section

One of my personal favorites, “Obama Pride”

Nas & Damian Marley performing