Monday, January 30, 2012

Becoming a hollywood producer...

Day 15,725 of the Journey...(Desperate to Get It Right...) 

    Monday January 30th, 2012
  


I saw this today on Lionel Spearman's twitter feed which shows up on FB as well...under it was a credit to a Facebook "Like" page for Gusto and the text read...

"You are a perfectly acceptable human being right now, this minute. You are just as valid as any other human being, without changing a single thing about yourself. That doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to want to grow, evolve or improve yourself, or you can’t do better sometimes. It just means that right now this instant, you are worthy of your own self love. Even if it is hard to love yourself sometimes, or you’re struggling with some really difficult stuff in your life, you still deserve it. So be kind to yourself, be kind to others, and give the best version of yourself that you can give, but know that even in the tough times, you are still valid, worthy and deserving." ~ Gusto

All of that above was extraordinarily timely because even when I patch up the hole where FAITH leaks out, the bandages pop off the wound where self-worth spills out.

There's a trick in there.  I believe that we are not suppose to doubt our worth because of our FAITH that God knows what She is doing.  I think FAITH is the bandage for self-doubt.

that's the ticket...

Today there was a bit of a street fight. FAITH and self doubt were mixing it up on Adams Blvd between Arlington and 10th Ave., I got hit ...a few times...but I was not knocked out.

I am still Fighting...fighting with FAITH as my weapon...(you should too)



write, produce and direct



Danna Kiel

Friday, January 27, 2012

Becoming a hollywood producer..

Day 16,0something of the journey..

     Friday, January 27th, 2012
 
          Becoming a hollywood producer...



We love the photo booth app on my laptop...

It's Friday and I reminded today to keep fighting, but fight with faith.

write, direct and produce



Danna

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Becoming a hollywood producer...

Day 16,0something of the Journey 
 
Thursday, January 26, 2012

Becoming a hollywood producer…

image

I love this photo…it was taken with Photo Booth, an app on my computer. The Love patchwork was hard at work today…this picture pays homage to that patchwork and that Love.

I am checking in because I’ve missed writing this blog over the 7 days that I’ve been absent.  I will resume daily updates. This is important to me…the tough thing is the road to becoming a hollywood producer requires a mastery of time management that is still a work in progress for me.

Becoming a hollywood producer feels all consuming at times…but the work requires balance…prioritization.  I should not become or feel consumed if I am focusing and prioiritizing.

I took a step today by focusing and prioritizing some late school-work. I completed one of many late assignments. It felt great.  I had to sit in the same place for a very long time.  Most people already do.

If you are great at time management…send me tips, by posting comments.  I am open to self-improvement which is critical to becoming a hollywood producer.



write, produce and direct



Danna Kiel

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Becoming a hollywood producer... (2 for 1)

Thursday, January 19th 2012....

Today is my Dad's Birthday ...

.


He turned 78 today...I think he looks amazing....

Yesterday....Wednesday January 18th, 2012 was my mother's birthday.




She would have been 71...God had a different plan...I celebrate that I am hers and she is still mine...

In the business of becoming a  producer, most days I only have time for the work itself which is at this stage calls, emails, more calls, more emails and never enough writing (my love). I also pitched a project to a friend yesterday that I am praying she will have time to be a part of...we will see.


I am a mother. Most of my time is spent providing for and taking care of Ali, my son; translation: Breakfast, lunch/snack, clean clothing (and bedding), discipline, daily talks and  lots of hugs and kisses.

I am graduate student so I spend the remaining time reading, writing and prioritizing the tasks of a Graduate student (BIG STRUGGLE).


Yesterday a friend's mother passed away. I paused and reflected on a life that I'd only met once. In that moment I was reminded to just keep going and doing because this life is about significance ...not broad fame or success.

She had neither of those in the way we think ("household name").  Success is our decision. It is de-facto.  I am sure she was already her own success.

She was more importantly significant to her son (Chaz Shepherd (my friend)) and to the lives of young women in Philadelphia where she had taught dance for quite some time.  She had also mentored those same young women whom she taught.

I was once again reminded that life is short and ever-changing and despite the sad news....Life is also ever-hopeful.

I have already decided on success.  I am living and working for significance.



write, produce and direct


Danna



Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Becoming a hollywood producer....





 Day 16, 0something of the Journey

Tuesday, January 17th, 2012

It's Tuesday...I wish I was back here with my friend, Angela Bell Howell.  We were at an Applebee's or Chili's in Montgomery, AL.  We had no babies and no REAL responsibilities just confusion about what life was supposed to be.  We cherished that confusion in our 20's. Back then we had the energy to navigate and negotiate that confusion.

Now 20 years later there is still confusion, but there are also babies, a husband (for Angie) and REAL responsibilities.  There isn't as much energy or time to deal with the confusion.  We must manage the expectations of life...REAL life. Its consequences and those expectations are inescapable.

Angela and I however are blessed to look as good (as we did in that photo above :) and have beautiful children. On this Blue Tuesday I thank God for life, living, my child, my friends (Angela) and the chance to keep managing.

              
   


These last 3 faces are the faces of the future and we know we are responsible for the future.


Write, Produce and Direct




Danna

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Becoming a hollywood producer...

      Monday, January 9th, 2012 (okay welll really...Thursday, January 12, 2012)

           Day 16,059 of the Journey...

On Monday...I woke up...I got Ali off to school...then




I worked on vocal production for an old animation project.  I made calls on a new animation project.  I took a look at my teacher's feedback on all the work I turned in just before the Christmas Break.

Feedback drives me nuts. My heart thinks I am perfect and that I do nothing wrong. I think I can hear your laughter over my own. My head knows better...MUCH BETTER.



The trouble is I feel all beat up, sad and overwhelmed. It's exhausting.  I mope around ...on the floor.  Luther sang and I agree, "My Sensitivity Gets In the Way..." and I accomplish nothing.

I need an improvement plan for this.  I need answers.

So I tell myself:

"Very little is perfect the first time..."

"Feedback is only supposed to make you better..."

"and I WANT TO BE BETTER !!!"




Nyame Nti ...Faith

The universe conspires to help not hurt...as long as that's what we believe...

Our beliefs conspire to create our reality...

If we believe it...It will be created...

Faith and persistence are the keys that unlock that door...


The sky is the limit...right ?!


write, produce and direct...



Danna

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Napiera Groves -FORCE



Napiera is an extraordinary friend...an amazing and versatile artist and this is an impactful performance and a resonant song she's written....The video is great work !!!

We Are A Force !!!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012



Becoming a hollywood proucer...

   Day 16,058 of the journey...

      Sunday, January 8th, 2012




Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

I have always thought that the rhythm and cadence of this one verse, this one line was like poetry.  It sounds like the opening of an amazing story (which I believe I will write).

Mark 11:23

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

I visited Della Reese's UP (Understanding Principles) Church today and all she and everybody talked about was ...Faith.

I didn't realize how much more I needed until ...recently.  It all came to a "head" for me on Sunday.  I wake up everyday with the  expectation that I will make it to the end of the day.  The faith to survive is however nothing compared to the FAITH needed to thrive.



I truly enjoyed the service....

First...I must have faith....Second...I must keep the faith

Below I just wanted to share all of the amazing quotes which I will be putting on index cards for my wall.  Real Faith is the only thing that stands between me and the measure of success I would like gain and the significance, I'd like to attain.

Keep the Faith Baby !!! Adam Clayton Powell

Doubt is a pain too lonely to know that faith is his twin brother.  Kalil Gibran

Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe.  Voltaire 

Faith has to do with things that are not seen and hope with things that are not at hand.  Thomas Aquinas 

Faith in oneself is the best and safest course.  Michelangelo 

Faith indeed tells what the senses do not tell, but not the contrary of what they see. It is above them and not contrary to them.  Blaise Pascal

Faith is a knowledge within the heart, beyond the reach of proof.  Khalil Gibran 

Faith is a passionate intuition.  William Wordsworth 

Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation.  D. Elton Trueblood 

Faith is not contrary to reason.  Sherwood Eddy


Faith is not something to grasp, it is a state to grow into.  Mohandas Gandhi


Kim Burrell - Have Faith in Me

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write, produce and direct



Danna

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Becoming a hollywood producer...



(This live version is everything I dreamed it would be...)

Day 16,057 of the Journey...

    Saturday, January 7th, 2012

        Becoming a hollywood producer...

This is one of my many ALL TIME Stevie Wonder favorite songs.  The composition is grand and amazing.  As it played on the radio today...my son hummed and kinda sang along.  I don't know where he heard and learned it. I was surprised because despite my love  of music, music is not played much here at home. It's not intentional, but there is no record player...no stereo.








When I was a child his age, playing music was a process.  I loved celestial radio, but I loved putting records on the record player and listening to them.  I loved how we had to clean needles and sometimes purchase new ones.

I am present enough to own an Ipod.  I purchased one of those docks for my Ipod, it didn't work.  Our clock radio's have all died.  Our small boombox passed away some time ago, as well.

I asked Ali where he'd heard it and he said, he'd heard it a lot of the radio.  Honestly we have heard at least 2 maybe even 3 times in the car between today and just before we left town for the break. I was still surprised that it registered so well in his brain.  His brain is fighting 4th grade math and long division like they are the enemy.





The song has quick rhythm and complex movements within the composition.  Ali kept up and down with the tempo and the melody.  I was thrilled.  It was a respectable accomplishment.


This tune makes you do more than smile...it makes you blush.


write, produce and direct




Danna


Becoming a hollywood producer...

 
Friday, January 6th, 2012

    Becoming a hollywood producer

        Day 16,056 of the Journey…


image


Today’s Lesson…I am not even sure…so I go back to Sisyphus’s picture above.  Friday felt like this.  It felt a lot like this.  I listened to a great friend talking through her day and its endeavors and they sounded much like this, as well.

We spent another day…becoming stronger…

Shout out to Annie Hall and her daughter, my beloved sister…Tanisha Hall


Write, Direct and Produce




Danna


image Before too long we will have the strength of the super heroes on these t-shirts….

Friday, January 6, 2012

Becoming a hollywood producer...

Becoming a hollywood producer…

   Day 16,055 of the Journey…

     Thursday, January 5th, 2012

image

Today…I spent almost the whole day writing. I believe I am placed on the earth to write and to speak.  I had several types of writing to do.  Like Ms. Wheatley pictured above I am most thankful for the gift of expression and opportunity to creatively express myself.
......
I am exhausted.  I feel like I was in the gym all day, ran a marathon and came home and did 50 push ups.  (I did not take all my vitamins and I am certain I wouldn’t be falling asleep as I type). I am fatigued, but stronger.
image
The work is indeed the work…


write, produce and direct…



Danna




PS:  I heard Art Blakey’s “A Night in Tunisia” from his 1960 realease “The Big Beat” with a roster of messenger’s that included Lee Morgan, Wayne Shorter and Bobby Timmons.  Amazing…all of those cats on one Bandstand….amazing !                                                                 
image

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Becoming a hollywood producer...




Day 16,035 of the Journey…

Becoming a hollywood producer…

Monday, December 26th, 2011

On this the day of my birth…we left Coffeville, AL too late in the afternoon to make a split decision to head Southwest to Mobile, AL for a very necessary visit with my 83 year old Uncle Joseph (my mother’s last living Uncle); our cousin Drunetta, once a boarder in our home in Huntsville, AL when she entered Alabama A&M in 1975 as a freshman; and our childhood pal, Kevin George. Going Southwest when our final destination was Northeast, was not our brightest moment.

We should’ve spent 2 hours in Mobile instead of 4 hours which put us way behind for our 3 hour very brutal drive up 65 N to Birmingham, AL our final destination.

I spent the day reading birthday greetings on Facebook for Blackberry, listening to birthday voicemails and reading beautiful birthday texts, as we endured brutal rainy weather.

I have no profundities for this day…. (I am still tired as I reflect upon the driving and riding)

Thank God for another year and blessed by the opportunity to TRY AGAIN !!!!

write, produce and direct

Danna



Day 16,035 of the Journey…

     Becoming a hollywood producer…

         Monday, December 26th, 2011

On this the day of my birth…we left Coffeville, AL too late in the afternoon to make a split decision to head Southwest to Mobile, AL for a very necessary visit with my 83 year old Uncle Joseph (my mother’s last living Uncle); our cousin Drunetta, once a boarder in our home in Huntsville, AL when she entered Alabama A&M in 1975 as a freshman; and our childhood pal, Kevin George.  Going Southwest when our final destination was Northeast, was not our brightest moment.

We should’ve spent 2 hours in Mobile instead of 4 hours which put us way behind for our 3 hour very brutal drive up 65 N to Birmingham, AL our final destination.

I spent the day reading birthday greetings on Facebook for Blackberry, listening to birthday voicemails and reading beautiful birthday texts, as we endured brutal rainy weather.

I have no profundities for this day…. (I am still tired as I reflect upon the driving and riding)
Thank God for another year and blessed by the opportunity to TRY AGAIN !!!!


write, produce and direct




Danna

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Becoming a hollywood producer...

Becoming a hollywood producer...

     Day 16,054 of the journey...

          Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my dear sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Today's lesson...

Always be a  Woman of Courage...a special friend got this off of a calendar she purchased from Whole Foods ...

A COURAGEOUS WOMAN FOLLOWS HER FIRST MIND
YOU MUST ALWAYS LISTEN TO YOUR HEART, ALWAYS TRUST THAT YOU KNOW THE WAY....
 



I am never at issue with the fact that the one in the picture is my boss.  He is who I work for.  I am also always working to be in right relationship with my Creator.  In that striving I know that Ali is my earthly boss, but my work is to be in service to the one that created me...

We all call our Creator by many names God, Allah, Creator, Lord...Mohammad encouraged his followers to call upon God by any of His 99 Names...Judaism refers to 72 "Divine Names", and the Hindu scripture Mahabharata contains a thousand names of Vishnu...

It has been a long day today.  It has been a day of difficulty that I knew would come, but as it ends my heart is no longer heavy because by any name I am reminded today to whom I am really in service...

God gives me courage and my boss needs me to be courageous (always)...


write, produce and direct



Danna

Black Star "You Already Knew"

Black Star "You Already Knew"

Black Star "You Already Knew" by BlackStar



Before I begin ...let's shout out Aretha's album, "Live at the Filmore West"...a CD I purchased one night in Tower on Sunset on a humbug...a truly amazing record..(its mos def a favorite...Spirits in the Dark)

I am excited because despite "Blogger" being an available "Share" option for Sound Cloud you couldn't share...there was always some weirdo error message that would come up and the blog just wouldn't happen...

I have nothing profound to say about the fact that it appears to be working properly now...except that I am excited that it is working properly now.

I am blogging about this song/single because I just watched Mos Def and Talib Kweli aka Black Star just perform it on Jimmy Fallon with the grace and ease that represents the Hip Hop I love ...



What's also interesting is that their profound gift and artistry are underscored by the fact that Mos Def is a devout Muslim and Talib Kweli associates with Islam's principles, but is not a devotee.  Further when I reflect on artists like these two and Q Tip of Tribe Called Quest and one of his partners from Tribe, Ali Shaheed Muhammed




or even the Muslim-Friendly Raphael Saadiq and D'Angelo who though not Muslim either were part of The Ummah along with Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed Muhammed and J Dilla (1974 - 2006), its three core members; these gentlemen have created amazing music over the years...LOVE'S MUSIC I will it and even after The Ummah disbanded in 1999 Q-Tip, Ali, Raphael and D'Angelo tended to be great collaborators ...Q-Tip's Grammy Nominated "Renaissance" album















"Ummah" is the word for community in Arabic and when I listen to the music of these cats, I feel like I am part of the community ...a community of LOVE's MUSIC...


Just remember...."You Already Knew..."

The Black Star Aretha Mixtape coming this summer... (that's what I heard)

Becoming a hollywood producer...

Becoming a Hollywood Producer...

      Day 16,044 of the Journey....
     
       December 25th, 2011

I am my parents Pt 2

     
Ali Kiel (my son)

In what is now the new family home (see red brick home from the 12/24/11 blog) at the Kiel Settlement, my sister (Auntie Claus) and I (Mama Claus) placed the gifts under the family tree shortly after midnight only for our sons to drag all of their gifts up the stairs to our sleeping quarters in the morning hours of Christmas Day...

    
Ahmed Halen Kiel-Kamil (my nephew)

Ahmed seen here is playing with toys that he had stumbled upon in the luggage.  He "accidentally" found them Christmas Eve while searching for the Wii remotes he had packed to use with the console Ali and I brought with us (we forgot our remotes).

"Anywho"  my sister and I would get up before daybreak to see what Mama and Daddy Santa Claus had left for us.  There was nothing like the quiet of the whole house and the walk down the long hallway to see what the reflections of the orange, yellow, green and blue Christmas lights would reveal under the tree.

We would bring the stuff into the back bedroom where we'd been asleep to check it out up close. We are truly are our parents now...




Mama and Auntie Claus at the Waffle House on Christmas Eve


write, produce and direct



Danna


PS:  On this day I missed my Mother and Grandmother to pieces...holidays are always a fractured and wild ride for me without my own mother...being a mother does not keep you from missing your own.
My grandmother bka "Big Ma" used to make Egg Pie (12/26) for me on my birthday.  She taught me to make it and her Pecan Pie, as well.  The Egg Pie (similar to Vanilla or Egg Custard, but with a crust and a little more lemon flavoring) was my favorite.

Since Big Ma's passing in 2000, I had not enjoyed Egg Pie.  One of her close confidantes and students of her ministry, "Little Alice" could make Egg Pie about good as Big Ma and in 2000 prepared one for me to take back to California as I departed the funeral.

Funny thing...I may have eaten 2 pieces, but I couldn't eat any more.  It molded and I put my love of Egg Pie on "the shelf"...the back shelf at the very top.

Even funnier thing...December 25th, 2011 "Little Alice" showed up with an Egg Pie to drop off for the Family Dinner...and I enjoyed a piece.  One was enough and it was good.



It took me 12 years...but time can mend some things...and the heart is usually one of those things...

Becoming a hollywood producer...

Becoming a Hollywood Producer...

           Day 16,053 of the journey....

                Tuesday January 3rd, 2012




I no longer write checks, but as I was writing this blog I was confronted with writing (well actually typing...) the correct year "2012".  While technology moves us quickly forward, there are things that never change. They stay in the same place.

For at least the first 2 - 3 weeks of any new year it is tough to remember to write whatever the actual new year is....in this case "2012". As I worked on yesterday's blog I hit the same snag. I almost published with the wrong year.

We are all excited about the prospects of the new year...but can't quite break the old year's habit.  Well its January 3rd and it's fair to say we have a Grace period to get out of the old and into the new. I wanted to finish sizzle in the old year, but in the Grace period of the new year we finished it on Sunday, January 1st.

I believe Grace is where a lot of us live. However with hard work and honest intentions we still make our deadlines and finish lines...we even get out of the old year and into the new one...



write, produce and direct



Danna

Monday, January 2, 2012

Becoming a hollywood producer...

Becoming a Hollywood Producer...

Monday January 2, 2012
 
Day 16,052 of the Journey…

A big project has come to a close… I believe.  Well the first phase has come to a close and now “the process” begins.  I have been very exhausted since my return from the break.  I got little rest while spending time in “Sweet Home Alabama”.  I was renewed from seeing family and just being there in Alabama…but I am tired.


image
(At the Waffle House on Christmas Eve)

I did not make a mountain of resolutions…I am just on an improvement plan.  With God’s Love and mercy, I will improve.

write, produce and direct

Danna

Becoming a hollywood producer...

Day of 16,043 of the journey...

Saturday December 24th 2011

It's Christmas Eve...I am now my parents...

                    
Helen D. Kiel (1940-1979)                        Damon Kiel Jr. (1934-


From Birmingham, AL and on through Bessemer, AL we hit the road and headed down Route Highway 69 to the Kiel Settlement located in Coffeville, AL.  Our family has gathered there for over 100 years to celebrate the Christmas Holiday. I can only believe this ritual began because once we had the Freedom to celebrate and gather as a family...we did.

I was once a child looking at my cousins who were my same age and some younger for as long as I can remember.  I went from childhood to pre-pubesence watching my parents, grandparents, great grandfather and a host of great aunts and uncles and their cousins e.g. cud'n Earlene (whom I miss) scurry around to handle food, its preparation and the business that brought the Kiel Family Christmas Celebration to LIFE.

Funny thing is as I have grown older ...so has EVERYONE else.  Grand parents, great aunts and great uncles have passed on and have been replaced by my parents and their peer group within the family. I watch us prepare for tomorrow's Christmas Day dinner and I realize I am now my parent's age with my own son who is 9 and the cycle of love, life and Kiel Settlement Christmas Holiday Dinners continue...for at least another 100 years we hope !





(Site of the Kiel Settlement ...with new construction...My uncle Travis' home built for retirement and migration from Los Angeles back to Coffeville, AL; his birthplace)

We remember...Henry Kiel Sr. (son of Mark Kiel, a slave, and the first one to carry the Kiel name), Big Ma, (Carrie W. Kiel, my grandmother); Big Daddy, (Damon Kiel Sr., my grand daddy); Cud'n Earlene, Aunt Pearl, Aunt Sissy, Cud'n Rollie, Cud's Anita and Cud'n Blondina (sisters...I believe); Cud'n Ernest and Cud'n Charlie (two brothers), Uncle Arthur, Aunt Luvern and the list goes on...

      

Kiel Family Cemetery...




write, produce and direct


Danna