Closing in.

Flierarts.com Interviews Petey

2009-12-29T08:31:00.000-08:00

So I was interviewed a few months back by a creative sister I adore, Intisar Abioto. I had no idea how it was going to be used or when. So this morning when I woke and saw this I cried and now I'm sharing. Support flierarts.com and please continue to support me.

IA: With The People Could Fly we like to talk to people about what dreaming, imagination, what possibility is.. Being in a place where you can feel your dream and bridge the seeming divide..between. For me flight is a symbol of so many things. What is your definition of flight?

SPF: I think flight.. It's so funny because last year I probably would have said something completely different. I recently became really spiritual. I think I got back to God. Last fall I got back to God - not religion, but spirituality. So, I would say flight to me is letting go and letting God, because there's a lot of unknown. There's a lot of fear. There's a lot of different things, that if you let reality or people control it, you won't do it. You won't jump. You won't leap. You won't even go to the edge to look. So, I think it's . . Flight is letting go and letting God. To read the full article and hear soundbites click here.

One day I will be surrounded by supporters

2009-12-14T11:44:00.000-08:00

and I hope it looks this damn hot!

Theophilus London // Santos Crowd from Big Live on Vimeo.

Caritas Village - The Peace Show

2009-12-14T09:49:00.001-08:00

"Sample Clearance" - Alvin Ailey's 'Uptown'

2009-12-10T11:34:00.000-08:00

Dancers from Alvin Ailey's American Dance Theater recreating the painting "The Jazz Singers" (1934) by Archibald J. Motley, Jr. in "Uptown" which opens this week in NYC.

Dope by Design: Zora Neale Hurston

2009-12-10T09:44:00.000-08:00

"Those that don't got it, can't show it. Those that got it, can't hide it."

Zora Neale Hurston is my favorite writer/folklorist of all time. Their Eyes Were Watching God was the first book I'd read of hers at the age of 12. It was completely fascinating to me at such a young age and it wasn't until I moved to Memphis in '96 that I realized I was merely reading her work. I was not experiencing it.

Zora wrote in a broken and intuitive southern vernacular that made little sense when read, a bit of sense when spoken and perfect sense when experienced (to a certain extent) in my daily life. Living in the south brought Zora's characters to life for me.

"I’m skeered of dat man when he gits hot. He’d beat you full of button holes as quick as he’s look etcher."

In high school I began to read everything "Zora'd" ever written. Sweat is my favorite. I researched the Harlem Renaissance and her integral part in it. I read her biography and marveled at the similarities..she was a capricorn, birthdate just ten days before mine, she lived in the first all-black town in the U.S., Eatonville, Fla, my family lives in one of the first all-black resorts in the U.S., Woodland Park, Mi, and she lived briefly in Memphis with her brother. (I may try to find that house one day)

The mystique of Zora is also one of the many reasons I adore her...there are few proven pictures of her and her age and birthplace are somewhat unknown because she willingly lied about/recreated her past. Unfortunately, we kinda had to be there to experience her dopeness but, fortunately we can still experience her dope works of art.

But I'd do it all over again...

2009-12-09T19:31:00.001-08:00

I've made a lot of mistakes, mainly in matters of the heart. And there are two songs this week that remind me of my journey and the lessons in it (many of which I am still discovering by the way). I have been humbly waiting for the return of Sade and Corinne Bailey Rae and the wait is over.

It's interesting, for me, these two songs, Sade's "Soldier of Love" and Corinne's "I'd do it all again" symbolically mark my journey and my ultimate conclusion.

"I've lost the use of my heart, but I'm still alive." - Sade
"And I'd do it all again" - Corinne Bailey Rae

Enjoy the music, the moment, the memories.

Petey

2009-12-08T11:06:00.000-08:00

My fave Kid Cudi song has a video!!! Sheer dopeness, my theme song. KiD CuDi “Pursuit of Happiness” (feat. MGMT & Ratatat)

Dope by Design: Beyonce

2009-11-18T13:41:00.001-08:00

I'm speechless, Beyonce is all kinds of amazing.

I'm Back like the 80s

2009-11-16T10:42:00.000-08:00

I've been away for a minute, a much needed and deserved retreat. The only epic fail moment of the trip was that I forgot to take my USB cord and suffered major blog withdrawals for a week. So I've done alot over these past few days.... ALOT. Most of which you will have to wait and see come to fruition.

In the meantime here are some pics...

Moments in Black History

2009-11-14T18:11:00.000-08:00

So I was sifting through my Mother's 'my pictures' folder on her computer and found tons of ex boyfriends (which I fondly call Black History), great events and moments in time. I won't bore you or me with the exes, but I do care to share a few that make me smile.

The baby sister tooting her own horn

My eyes are rolling in the back of my head cus that ish hurt!

My hot tattoo artist at Liberty in Atlanta

The ATLiens

2 women + 2 men= 0 room for error in a tea cup

bang, bang my baby shot me down.

Creative Circus- Wildly Entertaining

2009-11-13T09:11:00.000-08:00

I love this for two reasons: first, the innovative idea of creating a do it yourself knitting boutique where patrons by kits of high-quality "yarn" (in essence) and then create one-of-a-kind accessories. The second reason is it's quite obvious the creators, Carolyn Main and Lisa Sabrier, are highly influenced by hip hop culture. Case in point, the name of the company is Wool and the Gang, one of their scarve designs is Snood Dogg and they call their cloth "crazy sexy wool."

Normally I'd say "culture for sale" but this is quite hot to me, so whatever they're sellin' i'm buying!

For the full article visit coolhunting.

That's what she said

2009-11-09T12:01:00.000-08:00

I woke to kiss you in your sleep to make your dreams sweet.

I patterned my breath after yours finding peace in unison and life.

I touched you throughout the night with toes and fingertips so my presence would make you feel safe.

I nuzzled my head between your shoulder blades so I'd feel the same.

These intimate and yet simplistic moments were ingredients for the sweetest dreams.

Only I have awoken from nightmares.

Toast, to the pursuit of HAPPINESS

2009-11-09T07:48:00.000-08:00

Dope by Design: Paula Patton

2009-11-06T10:56:00.000-08:00

"It's all in LOVE. L.O.V.E."

2009-11-06T07:37:00.000-08:00

Grandma and I went to experience "This Is It" yesterday and I only cried once, surprisingly. I was more in shock than anything, that he was ever here, that he was that dedicated and passionate, and that humble, and that he is gone.

They say you know when you're nearing your end. I believe that. Dr. King knew, Left Eye knew, and Michael's request to videotape the entire process was prophetic at the very least.

Reflecting on HIStory and mine...

Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 11:32pm

I'm not a saint by any means and I don't try to be. What I do try to be is the best me. I try to live and love virtuously and wholeheartedly.

Saddened by how so many of you are judgmental and hateful to the core. Wish I could go back in time and to teach you how to love unconditionally again, everything your years of "churching" failed to do. Redefining word-of-mouth or word-of-mouse marketing so that the things you say in your 160 characters of opinion, that are then commented on 15 times, are...um...worthwhile.

Many people say I'm serious, "too serious, lighten up." I laugh, just not at the expense of others. If you learn anything from Michael's life and his death please learn to look inward at the man in the mirror. Reflect the light you want us to see otherwise don't be surprised when your life reflects your darkness.

I carry my city on my shoulders, because I have a hugely emotional commitment to Memphis and what it can be. Memphis is the 14 year old child in the orphanage or the man in jail serving two life sentences, or the lady with HIV and no money for vaccines. long forgotten.

I wake up everyday thanks to the Most High and for Marci, my grandmother who has seen everything from the invention of television to the Jim Crow South, to the invention of internet to the first Black President. I do this for Lynda, my mother, spending years fighting for her footing in an inclining world with a declining mentality. I do this for Steve, my father, a book of dreams deferred, and a family to feed. I do this for my 6 sisters; Dannielle, Kari, Klorissa, Qu'ran, Haile, Bobbi and my brother, Steven and for my angel brother Khali.

And most importantly I do this for me because I AM serious, real serious and I want my legacy and my contribution to the world to be too big to contain in ebay auctions, youtube videos or your status updates.

God Bless Michael Jackson..."we can't help but love you forever."

On a clear day in Memphis I can see...Progress.

2009-11-06T07:27:00.000-08:00

I have a sushi roll on the Sekisui menu

2009-11-05T07:20:00.000-08:00

It's called the "Petey Roll" and consists of crab, shrimp and shiitake mushrooms wrapped in soy paper. Working on shiitake mini burgers with brussell sprouts, dijon and sundried tomatoes on whole grain buns. The things we think of over a bottle of Relax.

Fake it 'til you make it.

2009-11-05T07:16:00.001-08:00

There's a new Chic-Fil-A on Union. And I'm sure many of you have endured the obstacle course of a drive-thru at least once. Well, yesterday, during my 30 minute fast food funeral-like procession for a piece of heavenly chicken, I got to watch an amazing artist hand paint faux brick. He caught me staring and then he waved. Kudos to the brick layer, er, maker.

Dollar (make you hollar) Store

2009-11-05T07:09:00.000-08:00

What does your designer collection body cream say about you?

I wore this hat throughout the entire store. smh

Children's socks.

Cus I miss my boo.

"Sample Clearance" - Jean-Michel Basquiat

2009-11-03T07:41:00.001-08:00

My homey, DJ Rasta Root, spins original tracks followed by songs that sample the original. He calls this sample clearance and it's an opportunity for peeps to know their roots (fitting given his name).

Jean-Michel Basquiat is by far my favorite artist of all time. Clothing line Rocksmith Tokyo, in true sample clearance fashion, has sampled Basquiat's crown with the fairly new King of Brooklyn tee.

"she tell me that she love me, white girl"

2009-11-02T09:23:00.000-08:00

I have a "thing" for Meshell Ndegeocello, I own all of her albums including Dance of the Infidels, a jazz CD I strongly recommend. I know how to pronounce her last name (N-Day-Gay-O-Chello). I remember when she put an apostrophe in her first name, Me'Shell, and I've read her girlfriend's book, Rebecca Walker - black, white and jewish.

Meshell traps my life's memories between electric guitars, kick drums and sultry lyrics. I remember exactly who I was dating and hating to love when I hear Bitter, "you push me away bitterly"

Fool of me still brings about the outrage of wasted time, energy and emotions in not only my life but in the chic on the movie Love & Basketball. Every woman felt that scene, felt that strife, felt that struggle for understanding trapped between contrasting black and white piano keys.

Devil's Halo, Meshell's newest CD that, to my surprise, came out in October, does not fail to serve as the EP of my current moments that will soon be mere music induced memories. The songs "Lola" (ironically my alter-ego's name), "White Girl," and Meshell's cover of "Love You Down" are the cream of the crop for me...of a fully harvested, vibrant, damn near perfect crop.

Saturday Night Soundtrack.

2009-11-02T08:43:00.000-08:00

Halloween night in three songs. Beginning with the 1980s of course...

Mantronix - Fresh is the word (1985)

Notorious B.I.G. - Warning (1994)

Lauryn Hill - Lost ones (2003)

Justin Nunez - The Face of Change.

2009-10-30T08:52:00.000-07:00

Looking for reasons to stay.

2009-10-30T08:46:00.000-07:00

creative conversations at cafe eclectic over coffee are a start.

2009-10-30T08:10:00.000-07:00

I am closing in on my dreams and at the same time I feel as if the world is closing in on me. This is my journey towards the former while enduring the latter. You are invited to go with me...