dkfjlskjfslkdjflksjdflksjdfsdf: April 2006

Monday, April 24, 2006

humble and curious...

above, a quick oil pastel sketch of wooden monochromatic african statue [done in color] by me.

{like a kneeling adorned "jonyele" type of statue with a baby on her back, a small bowl in the front.}

quote: Its not what they call me, but what I answer to.

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"TO PLACE YOUR IDEAS, YOUR DREAMS BEFORE THE CROWD IS TO RISK THEIR LOSS. TO LOVE IS TO RISK NOT BEING LOVED IN RETURN. TO LIVE IS TO RISK DYING. TO HOPE IS TO RISK DESPAIR. TO TRY IS TO RISK FAILURE. THE PERSON WHO RISKS NOTHING, DOES NOTHING, HAS NOTHING, AND IS NOTHING."

--ANONYMOUS

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I am back from a checking up a wonderful event, and I'm kind of fired up and rejuvenated, so forgive my glow.I am extremely humbled to have had the opportunity, to even sit in on a few of the classes, mini seminars, demonstrations & performances and now much more determined, to sort through alot of suggested material and new reading lists, and conclude my own truths about many things in life, concerning spirituality and history.

I give alot of thanks to My Parents, that I was not brought up to think one religion is better or superior over another, there were many religions in or extended family. [ one destination many paths ]
I was exposed to many. It's left me with curiosity, to connect the commonality of religions as a whole.

I had an "afrocentric" professor once that always spoke of cell memory and why some people are more in tune with their ancestors, culture and environmental issues than others will everbe. Manifestation of an innate knowing, of your heritage and culture, and when you are going against, your core beliefs. It also explains why some people never quite, get it.[ their's are damaged, shut off or suppressed]

I've honestly met many people of color, who express no interest in knowing where they came from, have nothing in their homes reflecting their heritage or roots. They don't read or study? That's pretty frightening to me.. but many people of color live that way. [I guess to each, his own] It's strange, when I encounter it. {and I have a few times}

Although My Husband's forte is studying the brain, it's mechanisms & human behavior?
I've been reading up on this lately, it's fascinating! [Epigenetics]

adapted from the internet - The idea is that genes aren't just sitting around expressing
themselves, but that they can be switched on and off, during
ones lifetime. During epic or traumatic events, by some
biochemical switch.

I would say that would make a lot of sense from the point
of view of darwin, because populations would be able to
genetically, actively respond to their surroundings. .

Also, it brings the idea of inherited memories just a little closer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epigenetics

http://www.epigeneticsnews.com/

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film

It's film festival time again, here are a few to look out for. [of african interest]

By Jude Katende
Kampala

Finally, the first Uganda-Nigerian movie will premiere on our local entertainment scene.

The directors of Paragon Promoters, Emmanuel Onuoha and Dare Folder announced that on April 30, the movie, Roses in the Rain, will be premiering first at Didi's World and then at the National Theatre.

The directors announced this last week at a cocktail organised for the press and actors of the movie. At the cocktail, were one of the actresses, Karitas karisimbi, was MC, the Nigerian High Commission's counsellor, Enock Ngazi, unveiled the title of the film.

The film is about royalty, greed, girl child challenges, the HIV/AIDS scourge and how stigma can affect society. http://allafrica.com/stories/200604101297.html

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The African Film Festival, Inc. >LincolnCenter

Present

The 13th Annual New York African Film Festival

http://www.africanfilmny.org./

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photography

http://www.akintolahanif.com/

HARRIET'S ALTER EGO presents...

"The Other Side of Fear"
Photography by Akintola Hanif
http://www.intelligent.com

Works on view: April
9 - May 7, 2006

Special screening of Akintola Hanif's short film Freedom or Everybody
Dies

HARRIET'S ALTER EGO
Where Fashion Imitates Life...
www.harrietsalterego.com
www.myspace.com/harrietsalterego
293 Flatbush Ave. Bklyn, NY 11217.
(btw. St. Marks & Prospect Pl.)
718.783.2074

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texts

I am not Moorish American but Hakim Bey's has very interesting pamphlets
published. I've read about the planet mu & theories awhile ago in another text. [lmyths? lost pyramids, atlantis , etc.] His writing has a different interesting spin with moorish/ african/kemetic based history.

http://www.mu-atlantis.com/

SCIENCE AND AN AFRICAN LOGIC

this captivating book, Helen Verran addresses precisely that question by looking at how science, mathematics, and logic come to life in Yoruba primary schools. Drawing on her experience as a teacher in Nigeria, Verran describes how she went from the radical conclusion that logic and math are culturally relative, to determining what Westerners find so disconcerting about Yoruba logic, to a new understanding of all generalizing logic. She reveals that in contrast to the one-to-many model found in Western number systems, Yoruba thinking operates by figuring things as wholes and their parts. Quantity is not absolute but always relational. Certainty is derived not from abstract logic, but from cultural practices and associations.

African Astronomy

http://www.wam.umd.edu/~tlaloc/archastro/ae28.html

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- a coffee break without the coffee [alternate nostril breathing]

http://www.dhyansanjivani.org/nadi_shodhan.asp

http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/pranayama/basic/viloma.asp

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art

http://www.claudeclark.com/

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<FONT lang='0style="BACKGROUND-COLOR:' color=#ff0000 FAMILY="SERIF" PTSIZE="8" BACK="#ffffff" #ffffff?>music

"Toto Bona Lokua"

3 singers from martinique, congo & zaire, in shared musical effort!

listen here http://dissidenten.com/exilneu/5555-totobonalokua.html

http://www.putumayo.com/radio.html

ayub ogada - http://www.putumayo.com/realaudio/kothbiro.htm

http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/1223790/a/En+Mana+Kuoyo.htm

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interesting news

NYU lecture series /Ghana Arts Presents

Mon. May 1, 2006

DR. ROBERTA BONETTI
ARTIFACTS IN TRANSIT: CONTEMPORARY ART OF SOUTH GHANA AND ITS
CIRCULATION AND REPRESENTATION IN THE WESTERN WORLD

http://www.nyu.edu/africahouse/news.html

BALANCING THE HUMAN ENERGY SYSTEM, meridian eco system and the body

http://home.xtra.co.nz/hosts/Wingmakers/Cause%20And%20Affect.html

Energy flow within the human body. Meridians.

http://www.hps-online.com/hmer.htm

books on meridian theraphy & chinese massage techniques.

http://www.plumflower.com/chinese_medicine.htm

the tummy specifically [organs of the earth]

http://home.xtra.co.nz/hosts/Wingmakers/Organs%20Of%20The%20Earth%20Meridian.html

on the Ethiopians and Khoisan, DNA links [before the great african migration]

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=384897

a good site

http://www.unesco.org/culture/ww/africa/

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other news - family matters

http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/2-28-2004-51063.asp

http://www.arisingpeaceofart.blinks.net/about.html

http://www.babyfit.com/articles.asp?id=527

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The Movie - Akeelah and the Bee" opens soon!

http://www.akeelahandthebee.com/

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feathering the nest

a people united

http://www.apeopleunited.com/

I recently bought a hand carved ornate bench from india for $200. - they have finely made king & queen sized bedspreads from india, torans, pottery , ornate saris [which i use for curtains & dinerware from morocco , candles, african statues and world music cd's this place is fierce! [I always do damage here....]

another good place - west elm

http://ww5.westelm.com/

a good african gallery

http://www.irokogallery.com/

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quote: Its not what they call me, but what I answer to.

In Life people will call you many things, out of ignorance and hate.
Youdon't have to dignify or acknowledge it.

Continue to thrive.
Live in Love and Light.
Let negative, evil people - marinate & stewin their own hateful venom
[to quote my Dad] Let it pickle them!

Stay Positive & Go forward living your best life.

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until next time, walk good ~ peace, nyao

Saturday, April 15, 2006

a few poems, news & links

above, an older oil painting done by me, titled "ava in pink" [sold] Painted during my love affair with winsor newton color phthalo cyanic Blue. The original image & slide is legally copywritten & property of the artist [me!] The original poetry is copyrighted too!

Tulip

it must have happened while we slept

on cool spring's night,
a secret kept...

toiling through dawn
'til it was done

unfurling leaves to morning's sun

golden cupped petal beauty appeared in
wild tussled blades of grass

among the season's first his year
and hopefully, won't be the last

endured noon's rainy gray skies
soft intermittent showers

in evening garden proudly stands
season's most precious flower

each time at I glance through window's pane
I cannot help but smile

september's realized promises,
grow tall & stay awhile !

poem by me [nadine]

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[untitled poem]

like dancing moth
fascinated by
luminous flame

i craving....

moving like
snake

gaze down
on

satin sleek
hard
ebony obelisk

form... pure perfection

size impressive

loving your stamina
and motion

eternally
internally

sweet moments
calculating ..

waiting

wanting to
seize...conquer
and devour all

[poem by me 3/2006, copyrighted & inspired by who else ???? my husband! - from poetry's page]

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2:AM precision sting

whileI'm sleeping
you like to sweetly disturb...

awakening the feisty scorpion

that's dangerously situated
between two calm
honey'd thighs

I hear your softly moan and sigh
stroking my silk, unit l'm so wet

your slippery fingers slide,

inside, as I grip tight

you hold your breath.....

Now that,
I'm awake no longer dreaming

the iron's hot pressed hard against my spine

I'm feeling you but....
taking my sweet time

calculating my own strike
on your post midnight maneuvers

as you continue innocently to play me
like instrument

wanting to get me crazy

I feel pure fire,

my muscles
constricting inside like python
ready for prey

I can be fierce, on to your game

Make you cry
call out my name

turn your tables
back on you

when i constrict around sweet iron,
as I love to do

once I've got you on your back

working you
know, I'll attack

a twilight challenge
from onyx and well hung

I'm waking up...
Want to get stung?

Watch me

Make u

scream!

[copyrighted poem by me 3/2006]

from by me from my poetry homepage -link

http://hometown.aol.com/ooonadine/myhomepage/favorite.html

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Wisdom -Stay away from unhappy
gossiping backstabbing women
They are quite miserable & want you to be that way too! ---quote - my Mom

Small Minds - Talk about people
Average Minds - Talk about events
Great Minds - Talk about ideas

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NEWS

Science News-Africa's losing it's horn, but gaining an ocean.

http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/spiegel/0,1518,405947,00.html

http://www.sciencenewsblog.com/cgi-bin/snblog.pl?snblog=315061

Other News - Check out....

Uhuru - on Spruce Street in Philly 1220 Spruce St. [ a short walk from Sharne's Twist-a furniture/design - place to draw inspiration from at 11th & Pine. [btw 11th &12th- and while you're in the area- check out "more than just icecream" I used to stop there as a carefree skinny little kid, for my "rum raisin' addiction coming from charm school! It's located @ 1119 Locust St Philadelphia. [gotta love the tree named streets in center city philadelphia] now back to -------

Uhuru is
One of the coolest places to buy used furniture and collectibles [for a great cause]
in Philly and haul them back home, on 1-95
if you're a "hands on"kinda of girl [like moi] that likes to paint, decoupage,
age & distress, stain and refinish your own furniture.

[a bit of distressed furniture looks great mixed, with a few sleek modern pieces - mixed with african, sculpture paintings & art!]

articles about uhuru *

http://citypaper.net/articles/2006-03-16/naked4.shtml

http://www.apedf.org/

more than just icecream [ philly] - http://search.cityguide.aol.com/philadelphia/restaurants/more-than-just-ice-cream/v-108071653/reviewsprint

Cool Music to vibe with -

http://www.discontinued.cx/music/discontinued/discontinued20040524.rm

[ i love the selections, omar's breezy "music",

Enjoy the dub!...

others mixes are here - for cool happy ipods.

http://www.discontinued.cx/cgi-bin/chartmaker.pl?type=all&dj=konny%7CDiscontinued

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a SAD commentary -
An article brought to my attention
from my Honduran friend Joy.
Racism still rearing it's ugly head in 2006 toward Afro Honduran
& the Garifuna. [ Miguel Angel Gámez comments on Race]

I am glad the Ambassador of Bolivia Garzia-Paz, Congressmen Rangel, Payne, Meeks
respectively, Sent the a letter requesting an inquiry to President of the Republic of Honduras.

[translated from Spanish]

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://www.proceso.hn/2006/03/29_racismo.php&prev=/search%3Fq%3D%2522Miguel%2BAngel%2BG%25C3%25A1mez%2B%2522%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DG

How ignorant? imho - I hope they vote him out of office, soon or he changes his mindset, to progressive.

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other pages I've come across...

http://www.ayaduafe.com/ayaduafemain.html

a cool author - Men Maa Aim Ra of the book

"Paut Neteru: Company of theGods " - http://kamsaia.com/products.php

http://kamsaia.com/author.php

one of mi esposo's favs. and mine ! [we're busy merging the music too!]

cassandra!

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/showcase.php?id=337

http://www.cassandrawilson.com/

an interesting blog - Garvey's Ghost

Note To The So Called POC Revolutionaries and
Big Daddy Kane's - comment on race - in latin americas *

http://garveys-ghost.blogspot.com/

a movie [about the african art/trade business]

http://christophersteiner.com/in_and_out_of_africa.htm

http://christophersteiner.com/pdf%20files/Aufderheide%20Review%201994.pdf

a good page - http://thenationofmoorish-americans.org/links.htm & http://www.kobek.com/moors.html

an art exhibit in brooklyn

http://blog.myspace.com/keurafrique

http://www.iboundoye.com/home.html

reggae train music http://www.reggaetrain.com/default.asp

my beloved hairwraps & geles - http://www.bilaldesigns.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPRODGROUP&ID=1

http://rastaheadwraps.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1&zenid=2ca32731b8f65aed0a04bb7365a20a7f

headwraps a global journey - book by georgia scott - http://www.amazon.com/Headwraps-Global-Journey-Georgia-Scott/dp/1586481096

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great local poetry & spoken word of brownfish

[cut n paste, ghetto folk songs & more]

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=48119548

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http://cdbaby.com/cd/jahiti jahiti of b.r.o.w.n.f.i.s.h.

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skarr akbars' page

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=64464619

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b-fly's poetry page

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=44592375

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http://www.myspace.com/jenebasuma

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archiethe messenger's page

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=35638789

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c clear's page

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=52450690

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more poetry, various

Queen Sheba

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/sheba

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&fri endID=44008418

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UVA

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/uva

Rashid

http://cdbaby.com/cd/rasheed

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Africanicons

We've made a purchase of african art recently...
no...... not the lobi erotic bétise figures from burkina faso [smile]
but another series of [3] ethiopian icons [like little painted books on wood]
We saw an exhibit once, and fell in love with them, - We are renovating 2 rooms, currently.
I can't wait to see them displayed, in theatrium/library we're renovating!

bought type similar to these -

http://www.hamillgallery.com/ETHIOPIAN/EthiopianIcons1/EthiopianIcons1.html

http://www.thesmithsshop.com/Closeup%20Ethiopian%20icon%204.htm

great booksfor those feathering their nests [in an ethnic inspired flavor]

African Interior Design - by alejandro bahamon
Inside Africa - by angelika taschen [2 books ] http://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/books/lifestyle/all/facts/01626.htm

City Living - by sharne algotsson [philly]
Spirit of African Design - by sharne algotsson

http://users.telenet.be/african-shop/african-home-decoration.htm

Sharnes's store Twist! 1134 Pine St. http://www.twisthome.com/pages/bio.htm

another book, African Style - by stephane guibourge

a link to tribal arts journal & back issues african arts journal

http://www.tribalarts.com/

http://www.isop.ucla.edu/africa/africanarts/

and this place[baltimore] I bought a cute reasonable ornate chest/ from india

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/baltimore/S27009.html

oh well? Back to feathering our nest!

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until nexttime, walk good ~ peace, nyao

Monday, April 3, 2006

spring fever -

Quote:

i found God in myself
& i loved her / i loved her fiercely!

- by ntozake shange

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a poem - spring's back

late afternoon
lights low in the house

sipping jasmine tea at kitchen's table

before seriously considering preparing Bunmi' s dinner
[en route on the road, somewhere still traveling...]

it's alright
because
this is my time

to decompress, chill and space

Watching lace curtains

dance deflate and billow

like pristine white sails on a playful ocean's breeze

inhaling tea's jasmine mingled with

curls of powdery scented
nag champa wisps

confronting me

as it creeps

from room to room
like a thorough night watchman

signaling to all four rooms corners
that I've safely returned

Stillvisible throughkitchen's window screen
the dull blue sky, pink & white flower buds
on blooming trees

now shifting to grey tinted
stippled pastel Monet's hues

an impromptu storm will roll in soon

rain is good for the Earth
and Air

sitting here without much care

watching the changing light

as evening descends
like the softest sheerest silk around me

I've waited all through winter

to be reunited with this very special color palette

hey, Spring....

I bid you Hello!

Welcome back

[written by nyao]

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[photo above little potted indigo plant out back]

I love indigo's regal color. It is used to make wonderful

adire fabric in west africa .

http://www.adire.clara.net/indigointroduction.htm

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sewra's belly beads

http://www.waistbeads.com/new/photogallery.html

music to explore

http:// www.cdbaby.com/cd/motta1

ed motta/ed mota's great music from brazil - dwitza* [i always love his work!]

Very smooth! Um Dom Pra Salvador, Malumbulo, more.

I loved his uncles music, as well. .

ola onabule [smooth]

http://www.olasmusic.com/

to read about - brazilian singer "joyce" [her voice is so soothing & amazing!]

http://www.brazzil.com/musfeb99.htm

and zouk's tanya st. val [one of my all time favorites]

http://www.tanya-saint-val.com/

I've been a huge fan since I've
heard the song "darling, solitude & mi lanmou"

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on a personal note * -

My Dad once gave me great advice....

If you don't like your world?
Do something to change it.

I've inherited that same belief from my Dad -

I am Blessed to have married a Man, with the same "can do "spirit,

vision & drive. He's a Special Man, a Strong Man.

I have a very low tolerance for whiners and complainers.

[comes from a military family's upbringing]

It's right up there on my list in 2006 - next to -- Way too many women who repeat by rote every idea or fact presented

& fed to them without the proper study---- Usually it's Women who are so desperate for approval from men. they blindly follow any available male figure - who may not even remotely be personally experienced, or have any formal training in a particular field of study or subject. Too many intelligent women are so afraid to study, do the necessary intellectual & physical 'legwork" & research.In Effort to Truly Learn,Think for themselves & Form their own opinions. [ It happens in some cults, churches, sects & in everyday life in general ]

I like church, but?
I once got into trouble because i questioned a Sister outside of a church, taking donations for the Pastor's new car. She was announcing to everyone, leaving the multi - million dollar - mega church that "Pastor needs a new car!" ..I like pricey shoes -- i have to work for them - Let him work for it, too! -- Stop allowing yourselves to be pimped, ladies. Drop the cult mentality - Donate to your children's educational funds, instead. Tithing is fair, but I'm not buying any Pastor a Lexus. Ever.

Treat your Husbands as well as You treat some of these Men of the Cloth, then come back & tell me about it. You have some 'good" church going women, with cold hearts -- that can't even speak two kind words to their Husbands, who will blindly follow a Pastor. Charity always, always begin at home!

I thoroughly believe in -

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth." --2 Tim. 2:15.

God gave you intelligence that works very well.
Check out more than a few sources on particular subject.

Actively Participate, Research it on your Own & Study,
Then deduce your own valid conclusions.
[not someone's else's rote & often biased conclusion- do the study yourself]

then form Your Own Conclusions.

[ A True King has no need to chastise his
Queens in public view with an audience, nor does

He seek to control her every word or thought.* ] Quote by Omar Allen Bey

Building on the Wisdom of My Father

I'll say --in the spirit of -

Umoja -To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, race.

Kujichagulia - To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves instead of being defined, named, created for and spoken for by others

Ujima - To build and maintain our community together and make our sisters' and brothers' problems our problems and solve them together.

Ujamaa - - To build and maintain our own stores and other businesses and to profit from them together.

If you don't like the public schools?
- Support & Create your own charter schools & programs

If you can't stand your neighbors?
-move.

If you not satisfied with your body image
or current health - change it with diet discipline & exercise.

If you hate your job?
- Study , Apprentice& Train, then when ready? Step out on your own
Start your own businesses.

If you don't like your relationships
-chuck it, or improve them.

If you don't like your local leadership
or politicians
-vote them out of office or run for public office yourself.

If you don't like the books, out there?
-Do the needed research and write your own
follow up and [publish them]

If your want intelligent, strong minded well rounded children

Stop leaving , their nurturing up
to the TV, and public schools, the thugs in the hood
and your perceived oppressors.

- Make an effort to be a hands on quality active parent.

Support the relevant supplementary educational

organizations in your area & use them.

Once in this country - People were punished and killed for trying to learn
to read , for trying to teach their offspring how to read.

People once died trying to get education.

Yet people waste the opportunity to receive an education, these days.

People were hurt & killed trying to get the right to vote.

Join at least [minimum] two Cultural or Business Organizations in your area
wherever you happen to reside.
Participate, Stay Active & Network, with Others in Your Community.

it's 2006.

Drop the excuses and complaints,
the unending list of reasons of - [Why it is]

You're not involved and actively changing your world
It really is up to you!

It's True.

The first step to Changing the world, is changing your very own, often limited mindset.

Get Active.

Stop focusing so much - on the "it's not" & focus on the " I can! " --{nyao]

Thosewho give too much attention to trifling things become generally incapable of great ones.
François duc de la Rochefoucauld

The first steptoward success is taken when you refuse to be a captive of the environment in which you first find yourself.
Mark Caine

A weak mind is like a microscope, which magnifies trifling things but cannot receive great ones.
G.K. Chesterton

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a good book