Shannon Sanders - Google Image Search

Shannon Sanders - Google Image Search

I am sitting up at a God awful hour in the morning trying to catch up blogs...and learning new ways that it all comes together and learning how awesome Facebook really is

As I listen to 365 radio streaming L& Red Soul Sessions (awesomely awesome), which I learned about from Facebook and real life freind Cushon Bell (Sidra Fulerton's sister)... I am pulling stuff together, but breaking this stuff up because all this internet stuff is soooo connected that as I am posting on facebook and trying to tell Anthony Demby to check out my blog after seeing he has a blog (both of us on Google's e blogger/blogspot) which was after I checked his AWESOME close up and personal Obama pictures. I then typed my URL in a message to him to promote my own. Facebook attached my last blog complete with the video of footage of Ali playing piano...so intuitive.

What I am breaking into pieces and pulling back together is a blog that got beat up on Wednesday (5/21).... Google Images offers you the opportunity to send a link for images directly into our blogs here at blogspot (Google's blog server). On Wednesday I had finished something I was rather proud of but I was disconected before "autosave" saved the most current draft and as I went to publish I had lost about a 3rd of the blog....I have still not recovered, but with pics from Bete's Barbecue, Nikki and Doran Wedding Toast, UCLA's Jazz Fest, Melissa's Barbecue and Battle of the Sexes Round 15 ...I can't let one monkey stop the whole show...

On Wednesday I was blogging about Shannon Sanders, a highly sought after songwriter on the Urban Music scene. In particular, I was blogging about having put in the new Lyfe Jennings CD "Lyfe Change" and specifically that Lyfe sounds like Shannon to me. People who have never heard of Shannon (most of you) think that Lyfe's sound is super unique, but for me he is following a path set about others like Shannon (and even Bobby Womack)who aren't as heralded. I am not a hater, I really like Lyfe's album, but Shannon NEVER got his due and I am just a gatekeeper trying to see that he does...

to that end I am curious about getting the blog page and link directly from Google Images because the picture thing has gotten serious for me (if you are friends with me on Facebook, then you will also note that I have posted 3 photo albums in the last 10 hours, approximately 160+ pictures).

You guys are all still going (anyone who might be reading)..."who the heck is Shannon Sanders???" Well to start he is a Grammy nominated singer songwriter out of Tennessee who with his Southern Way Records release "Outta Nowhere" made a local buzz. He then connected with Motown recording artist India Arie. He had played "Brown Skin" over the phone for me a couple of years before Ms. Arie lit up the national scene with "Video" and "Brown Skin" songs co-written by Shannon Sanders. "Video" made him a Grammy nominated songwriter for "Song of the Year" (she and Nelly Furtado were completely shut out by Alicia Keys and her debut "Songs in A Minor"). With Shannon as her collaborator, the two of them assembled the majority of what could be found on her album "Voyage to India". He also toured with her as her Musical Director.

We will close this out here to get going on Fareed Zakaria

love
dk

www.blogtalkradio.com/djdannak

Keeping up the momentum...

Everything I am is for him .....he teaches me everything I know about Butterflies and even God...

(this picture was taken with the timer feature on my camera. While this is my 3rd digital camera, this was my first time trying that feature out...it works. I don't often optimize such features on electronic gadgets and devices, but in this digital age, such an attitude will get you left behind....I don't want to be behind and I love tinkering with all of my gadgets....it's the way most of us never learned how to record on VCR's)

Started Wednesday (5/21) ...completed Tuesday (5/27) (the new updated single Kung Fu Fighting from the Kung Fu Panda soundtrack (featuring Ceelo Green and Jack Black) comes out today and with my itunes $1 coupon I earned after buying my UCLA Jazzfest through ticketmaster, I will redeem for my purchase of this highly anticipated single today)

Keeping up momentum...

Can be hard...I had a pretty good day as a teacher and after building great momentum in the classroom, I left the campus to run an erand and stopped to say hello to a good friend. She prepared me some awesome PF Chang leftovers. Despite a few moments in the car to renew before returning to work, I sit at the computer with the greatest intentions. I am sleepy as "I don't know what". I been munching on granola and trailmix looking for a lift, but I am getting sleepier.

I MUST go across the street to wash clothes (so Ali will have clean uniforms for school) and I have to got to the post office and I am sitting here with what feels like concrete in my feet. I have my book in front of me so that I can do my lesson plan, but I am just yawning. I prepared my handouts early and my lesson plans early and the day went smoothly today. I am going for the same effect tomorrow. I still have to do the mean face and the mean voice, but I am still more at peace with the outcome after reasonable preparation

I also have to go get money to wash clothes so my adventure will require that I go to two places which it makes it even less appealing.

I am enjoying the new Lyfe Jennings. His production company is called Jesus Swings (I love it). I think the album is too mid tempo for my sleepy behind. It is an awesome record, but I am not inspired to move any faster than I am moving. He learned to play guitar in prison and basically came out to record deal. He has a real and gritty voice and like Shannon Sanders and Anthony Hamilton has risen among the fray in the current R&B market place to greatly distinguish himself and his sound.

You guys are all going (anyone who might be reading)..."who the heck is Shannon Sanders???"

see the next blog I am breaking this stuff up a little....

On Wednesday when I was writing this and completed it straight off the dome by talking more about Lyfe Jennings, Anthony Hamilton and my man Shannon Sanders and then I slid into a conversation about Fareed Zakaria and his new book Post American World (check out the excerpt at www.Newsweek.com

The "autosave" hadn't hooked up my post and about 1/3 was lost so I am trying to get it all hooked back up as best as I can...I had a busy weekend that has me excited to share ...friends got married, the ROOTS were off tha chain at UCLA below is a picture is of my friend Sidra Belfield Fullerton (I had not seen Sidra in like 5 years) and being out at UCLA closed our gap and to boot in the battle for Facebook v Myspace (for which I am torn, but leaning toward Facebook) this day seeing Sidra and her sistersand then discovering we were all on Facebook and how much her sister Cushon and I love Facebook and how many photos we have tagged and shared in the last 24 hours ...Facebook Cafe is now my official hangout ! (It is Club Facebook after hours :-)

I attended Battle of the Sexes Round 15 (Alicia Yancy, Danna Kiel, Yvette Foy and Battle host Tiffany Jameson)which was awesome and there are lots of pictures and I am listening to the 365 Radio with L and Red and I am being treated to an awesome version of Golden Brown by some other than Omar here are some picture previews...

I am going to take my tail to bed...I have a lesson plan to figure out for my Geometry class and I always struggle with getting up in the morning...I am a little spun out over personal areas for which I talking to God ....in the meantime everybody remember

Change Is Now ....and it begins with you

all love

dk

www.blogtalkradio.com/djdannak

Big Saturday 5-17 (Piano and Parties)

It is Saturday and after a week of standardized testing....I am thrilled to report....I survived !
The week as always was full of highs and lows....HIGH I got T.D. Jakes book "Reposition Yourself" and I am. LOW...the death toll is rising in Burma and is now over 100,000...the earthquake in China...

High....I went to a Bowling Birthday Party for my good friend Ernest Skinner. I had the most awesome time ! My friend Teanne babysat Ali whom I usually take with me, but this year I wanted and needed a cocktail so I could just as the Omegas say "be out" and I was. Two cocktails, simple "vodka and crans"did the trick.

I bowled plenty of GUTTER balls and a couple of strikes. I had cake and a WONDERFUL time. It was awesomely awesome to be with friends Tosha Thomas, Leslie "Big Lez" Segar, Joyce Washington and Nikki Hannah. I reconnected with friend Mika Miller and soror Zhaundra Jones. I connected and hugged sooooo many ...too many to name. I saw my many faces from facebook and myspace like Amber Rasberry, Wendy Rose, Mayeen Bassey, Herb Bohannon and Birthday boy, Ernest himself (of course).

I made new acquaintences and just TRULY enjoyed myself...something I don't often get to do. I'll post pics as soon as I get them.

This saturday morning as I wrap this up ...I am proud to report that Ali's piano teacher, Mr. Lorenzo reported this is the best session/lesson Ali has ever had and gave him $5. We have been practicing and it showed. We started lessons back in October and Ali does well, but today was pretty awesome.

I only regret not bringing the camera which the little voice did say bring (the little voice said bring it to Ernest's party and I didn't I don't have on one of those easy greasy flat light wieght quick and dirty digital cameras...mine is fly but it works me with no handy hand or neck strap). Now that I sense how empty it feels to not have my own pictures I won't ignore the voice anymore.

I am proud to have my son participating in the arts...the practice is hard, but it was worth the teacher's smile and his enthusiastic approval of Ali's progress.
Beacause Ali is reading everything I expalined to his teacher that Ali is reading and singing the lyrics of the songs in the piano book. He sings with the music (the highs and lows of the notes) if you know what I mean.

As I grow more awake and aware (Eckhart Tolle-ism) I can see how meaningful this is to his development as a musician. His teacher was thrilled that he was doing this as well.

ALI GOT 3 STARS TODAY


PS: Ali also drew a fishbowl, he drew it in three dimensions....and drew bubbles from the fish's breathing ...SUCH DETAIL !!!!

More to come .....PICTURES !!!

all love
danna


GO OBAMA GO !!!!!!!!!! (I wear Obama t-shirts or pens everyday)

Life Is A Classroom....

And everyday I am getting schooled...since we spoke last Tuesday 5/6 (11 days ago) I have been schooled about a Chrysalis (a popular record label in the 70's and 80's) by my six year old who corrected me about the development path from catepillar to butterfly - egg, catepillar, cocoon, pupa/chrysalis, butterfly. Everyday though there is just something to learn about ourselves or life and it gets overwhelming if you find yourself awake for it all.

Ceelo Green is singing the theme for Kung Fu Panda. It is a lyrically updated version of "Kung Fu Fighting" by Carl Douglas one of my favorite songs of the 70's next to "Rock The Boat" by the Hughes Corporation...like my friends know that I am a Raheem DeVaughn fan, some know I am on Ceelo Green's cheering squad as well. I have loved his voice since his Goodie Mobb days. I didn’t lift up the banner for him until after I got a taste of the Soul Machine, his sophomore solo release (I honestly DID NOT pick up on his first solo album, I tried to play it....but it was too far away artistically for me).

Soul Machine was in some ways a little busy for me, but I sooooooooo got it. All of that said, I will thrilled to be watching Nickelodeon or Disney with Ali and catch them running the music video with Ceelo prominently featured and singing with the pearliest white teeth I have ever seen "Everybody was kung fu fighting....." I immediately thought …who will care ? I called my friend Elsa in New York to share my excitement.

Well since last week Obama is now ahead in the Superdelegate race and for my money Hillary just looks sillier than ever. Hillary is also upset with News Reporters declaring Obama the winner and I got my May 19th Time Magazine in the mail with Obama's wide and beautiful smile...the title reads "And the Winner * is" and next to the asterisk below the striking and handsome photo it says "and we are really sure this time".

Since my work as a precinct captain, I had been an "Obama or bust" supporter. I had decided and discussed with friends that I would only vote Democratic if he was the nominee. A few months ago somewhere between the South Carolina Primary, the California Primary, the Texas Primary ; James Carville’s “Judas Iscariot” comment and Hillary’s smug comments after her Texas primary win (not delegate win) “the country is back”; I had allowed the Crazy a** Clintons to really repulse and disgust me.

I was going to vote for Ralph Nader or John McCain if Barack was not the nominee. I was however reading a Washington Post peace last week that said something like ‘George McCain would carry out a 3rd George Bush term’ and in reading it that way…I have loosened my grip on defection from the Democratic party if Barack is not the nominee. It also helps that the numbers, the people and the media are all in his favor. Like NBC said ‘unless Obama falls down or there is an act of God, this race is over’.

Facebook v. Myspace has recently become my debate. I feel like I work daily to find myself spiritually, personally and professionally. I have found myself in the last month or so “hanging out” at facebook. I have been “hanging out” there because it feels like I am in fact hanging out with friends, in particular long lost ones. I am posting “status” updates which as I began to read others posted by friends varied from the personal to the political to the public.

I have with everyday very recently felt a little lost. Yes, lost. It’s not just as simple as insecure or low on self esteem. I have honestly felt lost in finding my way to whoever it is I really am. My book group and I made it through 3 chapters of Eckart Tolle’s New Earth and as controversy spirals into people thinking Oprah’s building a new religion, I have simply found community at Facebook. I find myself anxious to see other status updates and continue explore the community.

I find myself dueling between the two because I was a member at Myspace first. Though your first can honestly be seen as a first draft, Myspace at its best is an extraordinary community artists, friends, tastemeakers, politicos and pundits alike. We can all get together. I somehow did not realize that the nuances that I so love on Facebook are on Myspace, as well. I have begun changing status and mood lately on Myspace, as well.

From my heart though, Facebook is winning. Myspace is more familiar, but something just feels so organized and clean at Facebook and I love "hanging out" there (for long periods).

On Thursday….I went to see a production of Romeo and Juliet set in Vera Cruz, Mexico in the 1540’s like the tale in fair Verona. While I found it enjoyable and reasonably well acted. I was stunned to understand that it was set in Mexico and the leads were Caucasian not Mexican. The cast was incredibly diverse and very entertaining, but I was just surprised that the leads were not Mexican. It just seemed a little supremacist to me.

On Friday the drama class that meets in my classroom finished their generous table read of my feature script. I needed it, but I am feeling the hard work, ahead. The storyline is considered cliché’ (a friend who came and listened expressed that concern) and with what has recently entered the romantic comedy marketplace, I am being beat up by the bat of cliché’…I am therefore nervous…I have worked on this script for quite a while.

Radio Show and quotables….”Life is a classroom”, the above title came from my rocking, rolling and rambling on air. While I wasn’t quoting anybody, I am sure that thought came from something, I read somewhere by someone.

Mother's Day was great and laid back. I did not make it to church. I took Ali to a screen test thing where they were encouraging me to get him involved in Television, Film and commercial work. We will continue to investigate. It has always been a prospect to help with the college fund I have started building recently.

I went to visit friends where Ali was given Thundercats Cartoon DVD's (there is a movie coming in 2 years...I can't wait). "Thunder ! Thunder! Thunder Cats ! Hooooooooooooooo !" Liono used to roar. We were also given a Speed Racer DVD with episodes of the original series. I then took Ali to the theater to see Speed Racer which was overwhelmingly colorful and bright. It was also too much for the eye. Ali sat reasonably still, but the car fight scenes were DIZZYING. It was however well acted and I am in love with the inspector who was a German actor I was not familiar with by the name of Benno Furmann.

I still want to talk about several areas so I will continue this blog later with more to come on...
Dreaming, Fareed Zakaria/Hub and Spoke/What I like about him, Encouraging Global thinking amongst 9th graders, International Tragedies, Ali grew up my 40’s, I am older than my, student’s parents, "they are all younger than I am with children older than Ali", The life of turtles…our turtle “tuck”, New sheets for Ali

I Can Do It At Work....Obama won North Carolina

I am happy to report that OBAMA took North Carolina and he is unfortunately trailing in Indiana (I am mad at Jeremiah Wright). I lead with this info because I went to bed worried that it wouldn't go like we wanted or needed...where we needed.

After my active class day was over I was anxious to get the info....when I went to my trusty CNN.com they were dealing with Indiana and it was bad news for me. They had no numbers or info on North Carolina. I went toYAHOO an hour later to retrieve an important email had a "breaking news" banner where I got the info I needed. "Obama Wins North Carolina !"

We are winning, but our momentum has taken a hit and we just need get steady again...we can and we will !!!!!

I entered this site through my job and found out that the filter is not too high and I can get in despite what I previously thought. It however is not my intention to spend the valuable time at work typing this blog....no matter how tempting....I am proud to be gainfully employed at a Charter School here in Los Angeles, CA and will not be risking me and my son's livelihood.

It is nice to know I can check it though. I also like to show my students the other possiblities of life on this side of higher education.

I just finished an afternoon tutoring session which unfortunately has become more of a hang out for my kids than tutoring. I am stil learning the system for and finding my rhythm inputting grades so my kids are actually doing well and I believe their geometry skill set may even match the grades they currently have in the system (lots of A's).

I struggle daily with focus issues. After a day of engaging and teaching students for 3 1.5 hour periods on a weekly block schedule it is all I can do to grade tests (which some teachers say I should have Volunteer TA do) and then input those grades to see if my kids are really learning.

A lot of them can return the information verbally, but they are all so distracted by what's on their ipod, who's chatting them on their sidekick or even some crazy video on You Tube.

It has however from September to May with 5 weeks left been a evolution of my growth as an educator and a person. With every new day their are tests and trials. I am a better person and striving to be the best mother for Ali through all of it.

I pray that I am not only teaching Geometry and Algebra, but touching their lives in other ways. I gave out Neopolitan Ice Cream today...what an experience. I don't think I will do it again. Some were so gracious and other ("bless their hearts") were so greedy.

Music has always been a flashpoint of connection for my students and I. I played my Raheem DeVaughn for them today. One of my students knew his single "Customer". I am always trying to bring in the closest thing to accessible real music. The competition is great when it comes to the music.

I also listened to a Superhero by the name of Fat Momma who visited the students today to talk to us all about bullying. She was great with her Doughnut superbelt. I will try to find a picture and upload it later.

I have a mountain of papers to grade and I am pushing for tomorrow. I struggle with focus after teaching. It is hard to settle down and stay energized. It has been teacher appreciation week. They have served breakfast goodies and lunch for us this week. Today we got travel mugs. I actually love travel mugs and was very proud and excited to get one. It's the little things that go a long way the older you get. I just christened it and I am taking it home to wash it among my mountain of dishes. I am however CONQUERING the mountain today.

Clearing trash and laundry is next.

I gotta stop hear........I am thrilled and exited to share with you !!!!

all love
djdannak

check me out at www.blogtalkradio.com/djdannak

The Election and everything else

I just learned to add pictures to this blog tonight and I feel like my blog is taking shape. I am working on my editing still, but I sit here watching CNN and their pre election coverage. I started with Larry King and though determined not to be sucked in...I have been sitting in the same spot for the last hour and a half plus. I am of course getting out emails and have found myself mildly addicted to Facebook.

I am also excited to Blog because there is new stuff everyday. Besides my nailbiting about this campaign and in particular Obama's win, I discovered on Ovation TV a British artist I am officially in love with...his name is David McAlmont. Ovation TV is an arts network that has been recently added to the DISH line up. I have seen some INCREDIBLE programming on there (A documentary on Jazz and Blue Note Records).

It's like PBS meets Bravo meets the Museum meets the IFC Channel..all of which is right up my alley. I love high art, folk art and all things in between....so I get down with MTV, VH1, VH1 Soul, as well as, the Kennedy Center Honors (Loose Ends...You Can't Stop the Rain is playing in the background, I grew up listening to the radio as a lullaby and at times I see a glimpse of that life). Last night I catch a Jools Holland (British Jimmy Kimmel/Jay Leno) marathon I see Annie Lennox being interviewed. I flip forward and back to catch Jools introducing a saxophonist and a singer named David. I had to go to the website (thank GOD for websites) to look up the episode from the marathon listing and find out who the angel of a voice belonged to....

I discovered David McAlmont and Courteny Pine (whom I'd heard of) and an album called Devotion, the song they perfromed was "Bless The Weather" which I then went to I Tunes to hear more and (thank goodness for the web) found his website somewhere in there....but I am at this point just excited to extol the awesomeness of Ovation TV.

Checking into David McAlmont reconnected me with Carleen Anderson (another Black Brit) I have always adored...

the desire to connect and commune with music, arts and people is in my opinion made easier and better by the internet and the beloved communities we People are building...

well until next time ...where I will talk about the Wine Sip I went to with the Bruhs (the men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity) and post some more pics..I love you all

BE Love
DK

coming soon...what I am actually reading, the pictures from Ali's 6th Birthday and continuing to get next to what I really want to say... I want to talk about men and relationshipss

all Love
danna

Jeremiah Wright Is WRONG THIS TIME !!!

Hikka Bikka Boo

I AM A COMMITTED Obama supporter who thought the Senator was a little tough on the preacher, but my support will not waver and the senator handled the situation a month ago with a lot of GRACE and poignance and the right dash of professional aggression. The Speech was long, but AWESOME !

Here we are are a month plus later and Jeremiah Wright has lost his DAMN MIND. It's like he forgot that Barack did not throw the baby without the Bathwater, but he clearly did not offer the same loyalty or allegiance to his friend.

It appears he is trying to sabotage the campaign and that he is just being AWFUL. His celebrity is ambiguous and will be short lived....he is ruining his profile and just being a HATER !

Last year I told friends that there are not enough Black People to elect Barack but our "talking" will keep him from getting elected and while I was saying it in response to what my heroes Cornell West and Charles Ogletree were not doing which was getting on board, as well to the fact that Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson (both of whom I respect) were talking too much trash and seem to be sipping just a little bit hatorade themselves and there was the stuff Tavis Smiley was saying from the beginning and now look at what the spinners say about him ....

I did not know what form our "talking" would take but peole get tired of this stuff and Barack gets a little mired in "stuff"...with Michele Obama being such a rock last week on CNN, we will weather the storm but let's stick with

REAL CONSTITUENT ISSUES !!!

all love

danna kiel

coming soon.....blog on top 25 things that kiled Urban Music !!! (www.urbannetwork.com website)

Raheem DeVaughn....raising R&B from the dead

Raheem DeVaughn is tryign to do the damn thing....

As most of us who love R&B music know it has been on and off its deathbed in the mainstream for a while now...On the underground railroad to freedom it is alive and well thanks to the artistry of folks like Eric Roberson, Frank McComb and Ledisi who last year came above ground with her record "Lost and Found". The current Raheem Devaughn album however is OFF THA CHAIN !

Don't misunderstand... as all my friends can attest I jumped on the Raheem Devaughn train when he dropped his first single from the Love Experience (his debut album), "Guess Who Loves You More"....but I am no longer feeling "obscure obtuse so called neo soul artist", his sophmore album is making him to the Soul Powerhouse I could hear trying to come through on the Love Experience...anyway hit me up with your thoughts, JUST GO BUY IT if you don't have it. I even felt moved to post our picture from the Heineken Red Star party last October in my photo album here on the space...R&B music could really be on its way back lead by Raheem's "Love Behind the Melody"....

all love
dk

I've Let Three Weeks Go By

Time flies whether you are having fun or not. I am sitting here at an hour when I should be sleeping trying to update the spot. I am thrilled to be blogging but I choose a server that is filtered out at work so during wonderful daylight hours when I am reasonably vibrant and awake I can't update this blog. When the sun goes down, it can be a wrap for me.

I however wanted desperately to check in....

Well I didn't win the delegate race but what a thrill ride for my son and I. We met wonderful new poeple with whom I am going to reconnect as I plan on heading to Denver anyway.

This month I went to 4 child birthday parties, the last of which was Ali's (my own child) and despite all efforts to OVERCOME my CLUTTER so that we could have his party at home and set up his new train table and mega fort I was not as successful as I wanted, We did have a wonderful party set up in the driveway. I reconnected with my friend Onasis who along side friends Jennifer and Charlotte helped to make a beautiful day possible by blessing me with food for our guests and just their blessed faces and friendship energy around. Thanks for the presence of babies Noah, Isaiah and Zoe.

Ali's father and older sister came which was a blessing for Ali, he deserves so much and I am just trying to give it to him and it gets so hard sometimes. I was pretty mean to his father earlier that day. He deserved most of what I was saying, but my timing was not great. My friend Tiffany, her sister April and April's sons Mkhei and Khalil came LATE and we sat out front on blankets and played a wonderful game of K'nex ( a lego like toy ali got for his birthday).

On sunday Ali and I went to the park and played with some of his new stuff....Little Einsteins Pat Pat Rocket and watched some hispanic families fly kites and then on Monday (a special holiday at work and school) we went and tried to fly our kite. Ali was anxious, excited and impatient and I fuss too much but I tried to center myself and be permissive, as well as, encouraging....sometimes I just feel too old to have a 6 year old...Kite Flying though is all about agility and skill and you can really get into it....at least I did

The past two work weeks have been what they always are equally rewarding and draining. I have made it and I am preparing my kids for the standardized testing that is coming up and I am trying to get grades in the system and I am just overwhelmed by this stuff honestly

well I am just trying to get you guys up to speed ....coming soon blogs about

Raheem DeVaughn....Jeremiah Wright....Wine Sip with the QUES (Omega Psi Phi), Big Sunday in LA...David McAlmont...Carleen Anderson...Ovation TV

all love
danna