Daily Life of Dana J.

sorry for being an asshole, and too tired to post.

2009-03-19T20:13:00.000-07:00

Hello World,

It's been a long, long week of work. I apologize for not keeping up with my web address' promise ,and posting daily, or even bi-daily. This line of work, and honestly...any line of work where you create productive, progressive change, it's gonna be long hours. SO, this is what I've been up to:

Designed a new campaign: Opposing the renewal of licensing for Vermont Yankee, the nuclear power plant in southeastern Vermont. It's one of the oldest nuclear plants in the country, somewhere near top three, and there's been evidence provided to show it's one of the most hazardous, unsafe plants around. It's nearing it's 40th birthday...no plant in the nation is built to last past 40 years. The technology within the industry has just not met expectations as the decades have gone by..more harm then good is being done at these plants.

Our main schtick for going, is to oppose the renewal of VT Yankee's licensing. For reasons that could go on, and on, and on (including pictures taken of some pipes within the plant being held together by duct tape. FUCKING DUCT TAPE.) We're going to do work across the state, eventually branching off into two of the main universities in the southern Vermont area, to get the message out and build up support with the legislative decision. We leave next Thursday for VT, we'll be there for 8 days, then we head to Amsterdam on April 13-21.

I'm excited! So much insanity and amazingness going on!

I'll keep y'all posted this weekend!

One Love / Green Peace,

dana J

OWWWWWWWWW

2009-03-14T17:07:00.001-07:00

We're going to Vermont.

And Amsterdam.

...

OWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

Mo-Town to MTC, & All The Way Around

2009-03-12T21:49:00.001-07:00

Hello World,

This past weekend was a trip…a trip, indeed. Honest to God, there were a lot of self-revelations that I came across while on this voyage crossing Morgantown, WV and Montclair, NJ. I’m pretty sure I’m going to do two separate posts for what happened. One will consist of what I actually, physically did, ie. The places I went, who I saw, what I did, etc etc. The other post will consist of what I was thinking during these moments and experiences. Within five minutes of me being home, I came across a somewhat-sad but true realization about my town. The first part of blogging this weekend, will come in this first post. Split between Part One (Morgantown) and Part Two (Montclair). Morgantown’s gonna be the long one, PS.

Warning/Disclaimer: This shit is longggg.

PART ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

HOKAY, so this ze Earth. ….(Kidding.). I left for Pittsburgh out of Baltimore on Thursday morning. First time I ever went to Baltimore/Washington International, and of course, like the majority of my travels, I got to the airport within, eh..40, 30 minutes of my scheduled departure…UGH. So I speed through check in, which was relatively easy with Southwest…I fuck with that airline pretty frequently, whenever I can. SO yea, I sped through everything, made it to the flight, got to Pittsburgh, waited for eh..20 minutes? And got picked up by my two good friends at WVU. We got into Morgantown maybe..4:30pm. I met up with my two friends that I was staying with. They’re amazing, SO glad I know those two wonderful women. Fast forward five hours or so...we head to the club. …Others blame me, and I blame the Smirnoff Blueberry we MURDERED before hand, but somehow in the midst of the fun at the club, I lose not only my phone, but also my keys. Phone is one thing, that shit happens often...phones can be turned off, whatever, its cool. But, keys? WHO TAKES KEYS?! I was so pissed.

The next morning, eh…afternoon (lol), I wake up with the mission of finding my phone and keys, as well as finally signing my lease for my apartment for the fall, which was ultimately my main reasoning for coming out to Morgantown in the first place (as well as seeing all my friends, of course). I bump into my old lady friend from school, and we chill (explained father in the next post). I head over to the club to see if any of my belongings turn up, and of course, they…don’t. Neither my phone or my keys were turned in. I was crushed. But, I had to move on, and have faith. I head back to the room, get myself together, and head out to the leasing office for The District, this collection of housing complex that I have a lot of friends currently living in, and planning to move into in the fall (more info @ The District ). Now, I’m coming here expecting to have to put down cash for a lease, or an application fee, or something along those lines, right? Easily 250-300 that I gotta put down on the spot right? NAH. Nah B. I put down zero dollars, zilch cents to sign up for my place. Move-in is August 19th! I initially signed on for a three bedroom, in one of the first two buildings of the complex right when you drive in, so it will be easy to locate when I have people come through. I initially was just gonna take two random roommates, but a couple of my friends already in the complex have some apartment-mates leaving in the summer, so now I’ve got some options..

So now, Friday night, of course, because I have friends that have the care of any average college student, where do we decide to go Friday night? The same club that I lost my shit in the previous night. Ugh…I mean after a couple rounds of matching bottle and.. (rhymes with punt), any club is gonna sound amazing. I believe I was too influenced for the club that night. Honest to God. I could barely walk, or recognize people, or raise my hands. I eventually have my keys found, but no phone. Sad faces. It was a wild night, to say the least. I’m glad I was able to make it where I had to go. Getting home at 4AM, I forget my insignificant, ridiculously small and easily losable pink slip, indicating that I’m a guest in the building. The two Arab (I’m not profiling, they told me they were from Saudi Arabia) RA’s inform me that they lost my form that I filled out about 6 hours ago, so not that it makes a difference that I lost my phone, but THEY lost my form too, so I couldn’t get in. I had to wait an hour and a half on the lobby couch until the building opened for the public to get my shit and get ready to head to Jersey.

PART TWOOOOOOOOOO

I get to Pitt Airport, feeling like shit from two back-to-back nights of ridiculous socializing and partying. After hours of bullshit waiting and delays, blah blah…I get back to my home state around 7 30. I get to see my mom, who has clearly lost a healthy amount of weight, and now has these youthful blonde highlights. My mom’s caught her second wind…with both of her kids out of parental control and basically doing their own thing, she too is doing her own thing. I’m happy for her, going out and doing her thing whenever she wants to.
After not at all sleeping Friday night/Saturday morning, and getting maybe…4 hours of sleep on average the last 3 weeks, I CRASH on my pre-made bed in my cleaned-up room (thanks Mom =] ). Waking up close to noon, I head out to the mall with my madre to solve this issue of a lost phone. I eventually end up with a Motrola Razr V3, and I finally..finally…FINALLY get my mom to let go of pre-paid, and get on the contract phone, making a Family Share plan with my sister and I. We’re all connected! Hooray!

After the mall fiasco, I ran over to the famous Sharon Miller Dance Studio in Montclair, to meet up with my boy Chris that runs an Afro-Cuban dance lesson every other Sunday. I assist him with the percussion needed for the 90 minute class. Like the majority of the women (all but one person out of at least 40 were female) in the class, I got my workout from the lesson. It feels good though, to play with your heart and soul with an international flavor. As a whole, the common Cuban groove, or African groove, or Samba groove, is a lot more active and demanding then an American rock groove. We were jammin’…man...I had my right foot on the bass drum banging fast ass quarter notes, both hands rocking a legitimately challenging congo riff..I had to keep that all together for like 20 minutes straight. Had a mean foot cramp and close-to blisters afterward, but it was totally worth it.
Three or so hours after the dance workshop, I headed out to Newark to DJ for roughly 45 minutes, cranking out old school jams, R&B, etc. It was a picky crowd, and an older crowd, so they recognized the real at all times. It was good to hear the loud pop (OOOOOHHHHH SHIT SON NO HE DIDN’T) when I threw on Artifacts, probably the most recognizable rap duo from Newark. You gotta recognize where your at, every set! It was a good night.

Monday morning, I got my MUCH needed haircut, did a little shopping, picked up some phresh jeans and a nice new polo, and headed out to Newark, where I caught the train I’m currently on now, heading to DC.

….DAMN that was long. Told you!

Tha was my weekend. I enjoyed it, I needed it. Now back to DC to continue making moves! Working as a student organizer for Greenpeace is actually really, really fun. We’re heading to Vermont in a few weeks, and AMSTERDAM in mid-April. Yeah, no misprint. Amsterdam in the middle of April. YOU ALREADY KNOWWWWWWWWWW. Post Two: The Thoughtful Reflection, Live from the Mind coming very soon!

One Love / Green Peace,
- dana J

Busy Busy Weekend!

2009-03-05T04:35:00.000-08:00

Hello World,

I started the thought for this post about an hour ago, roughly 6:30AM. ....SIX THIRTY IN THE GOD DAM MORNING. Why am I up this fuckin early?! Great question. I had a great night last night..final debrief and recollection of all that has happened this past weekend.. with Power Shift and CCA basically running my life for a little over a month, the group and I were able to let our hair down and truly break.

I'm scheduled to head back to Morgantown today! Which is awesome..I truly miss the majority of the people I know over in the 304. I'm looking forward to getting back on campus in the summer/fall and beginning work. Nothing beats the college experience..I learned that very serious reality while I've been out here on this internship. To jump out of something so awesome, so soon,...if only temporary, me doing the program that I'm doing this semester during only my second semester at college was a bold risk, a semi-calculated, yet bold and intense risk. I'm glad I decided to do it, but while working on college campuses recruiting for Power Shift, it dawned on me how much I miss being at WV.

This weekend surely looks to be awesome...I kick it in Morgantown for 2 (ABSOLUTE MAX 3) days, mainly to sign my lease for my new place in the summer/fall , and potentially hit up this concert with Ryan Leslie, Wale & the infamous go-go band UCB. My boy D-Why may be able to help me out with something..we shall see..

After Morgantown, I'm headin somewhere fuckin' sweet..
.....
........
...

THE CRIB! I'MA BE IN NEW JERSEY FROM SATURDAY-MONDAY! SPREAD THE WORD! MOTHA FUCKAS IS COMIN' HOME! I miss mi madre, and the fam in general. I left at a weird time (more on that later, WAYYY later) but uh..yea, I'ma be home. I can't wait. Morgantown then Jersey, then BACK to DC to get back on the grind! I see a long weekend coming up...lot of bags..lot of bottles..lot of reminiscing and mind power..but a good time overall none-the-less!

Y'all will hear from me soon! Deuces!

One Love / Green Peace,

- dana J

History this morning.

2009-03-02T06:09:00.000-08:00

Hello World,

Today is the day. Thousands of people coming together for the largest act of civil disobedience in US history regarding the climate crisis. Over 2,500 people are heading to the Capitol Coal Plant and putting an end to coal, while forcing a focus on change in environmental policy in this country.
More info @ www.capitolclimateaction.com

I'm equally as nervous and anxious as I am excited. The current weather is dramatic snow and just in general, monster levels of chill and cold temperature. This isn't changing many people's plans, but it's definitely altering the schedule for tonight. As opposed to making our statement until the sun goes down, we're probably looking at 2-3 hours max. It will become a weather concern quicker then a discriminatory and injustice concern, very much so. The police are 100% aware and (probably not =] ) fully prepared for what's happening today. We just want to make sure our message gets across, everyone understands why we're there and what we're doing, and to be safe and healthy. That's all we need for a perfect day!

Catch me on the news! I'll hit you guys up when I get back from this history day!

One Love / Green Peace,

- dana J

I can officially die happy.

2009-03-01T01:54:00.000-08:00

Hello World,

So tonight..I saw The Roots. Not just any old circumstance however, The Roots are my favorite musical act of all time. ALL TIME. And I idolize and try to emulate their drummer, Ahmir '?uestlove' Thompson. I have waited a while to see them, it's been too long in between shows for me to have the awesome experience fresh in my head. Their performance blew me away.

The Roots were the final musical act from Power Shift, this awesome event I've been doing this weekend. Over 12,000 activists like myself have come together, to learn, train, and act towards becoming the best activists and the best environmentalists we could be. Very influential people, such as Van Jones, an amazing environmentalist and inspirational speaker, came out and chat it up with us all weekend. Before The Roots came on, The London Souls started up the musical performances for the night. These guys were surprisingly good, I definitely am going to look into future shows and picking up their releases.

This weekend has just been amazing...a plethora of workshops and trainings for anyone and everyone. Personally, I went to the multi-racial caucus that they assembled. It was a breathe of fresh air; it's been a good while since I've seen motivated people from similar walks of life as myself. It feels good to know your not fighting the fight alone, you know? I also went to a state meeting, where I saw one of my best friends from middle school pop up. INSANE how small this world is, yet how much work needs to be done on it to keep it beautiful.

Powershift is looking better and better, I wish it wasn't coming to an end Monday. OH, speaking of Monday, have you heard what we've got going on in DC? This little historic event called CCA? Check out www.capitolclimateaction.org...basically the biggest civil disobediance on the issue of the climate crisis in the HISTORY OF THE COUNTRY. Epic event, I'm going, hope your going if your in the area.

It's bout to be 2 'o clock, I've gotta be up in 5 hours. Deuces!

One Love / Green Peace,

dana J

The life.

2009-02-23T21:14:00.000-08:00

SO,

I'm planning to take this blog piece a bit more serious. I can see it can be a tool for me to organize my thoughts, as well as keep track of all that I've been doing and experiencing.

With that said..

I was in a polar bear suit today. Yes..that ridiculous character in the photo was me. As well as my girl Tracy (http://tracymichele.blogspot.com) doin' her thing. We were at George Washington University today, getting people ready for Power Shift (http://www.powershift09.org), this HUGE event going on this weekend in DC. Over 10,000 student activists are coming together on the issues of global warming and climate change. It's about to be amazing in the captial.

Oh, and PS, The Roots are playing. The Roots, the band that I have considered my favorite for a couple of years now, The Roots, with the drummer Ahmir '?uestlove' Thompson, whom I idolize and emulate consistently (and sent a 7 page letter to his MySpace, begging to be his intern). I am a huge fan of The Roots, and them playing at Power Shift, along with Santigold (no longer SantOgold, a random Prince/Diddy-like name change out of nowhere this month), will make this youth-based conference amazing.

I hope to eventually get my hands on a good camera so I can create some visuals of all the amazing experiences going on during this time.

I can refer you to my housemate's blog (elizabethlovesgreenpeace.blogspot.com) for updates, as well as my own blog, here. I promise I'm gonna do this blog thing for real, AT LEAST once every 2-3 days. Follow me on Twitter (twitter.com/thewhounknown) for consistent updates on my life and what I got goin' on. Otherwise, I'll catch you on the flip..

One Love/Green Peace,

- dana J

Guess whos back??!?

2009-02-10T14:41:00.000-08:00

Hello All,

So it's been months. I'm aware I haven't been on this blog-like thing for a while now. Since the last time you guys have seen me, I've graduated high school, finished my first semester at West Virginia University, and on February 2nd, I began work as a student organizer for Greenpeace, at their national headquarters in Washington DC.

I'm here in DC, splitting time between the office in DC and the warehouse/equipment center out in Landover. I'm living in Love Point for the three months I'm working here. I'll be done with the work in late April...(maybe get a job soon after? =] ) Love Point, which is in Kent Island, Maryland..this amazing shore house, feet away from water in any direction. We're a block away from the top of the main peninsula in Maryland.

Photos will be up soon, from the house and my two female housemates (yeaaaaaaaa they're amazing). The kid is back!

One Love and Green Peace (chuckle),

- dana J

Our Music, And Why We Listen To It #2: The Fake Clouds of Urgency

2008-05-26T18:19:00.001-07:00

How we doin' party people?,

My bad on not posting in a minute...prom approaches (Wednesday as a matter a fact). I am a high school kid, remember? Ha...

Now, currently bumpin' The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, arguably (and I believe) the best record put out by a female, and one of the best records ever put out by a person of color, I have had these very inquisitive and provocative thoughts. Of course, listening to a record as complete and meaningful as Lauryn's record is, it's hard not to get the juices in your brain flowin'. All of the thoughts and ideas have come together to post this question, the theme for this post:

How do you determine which musical act is 'real' with their music?

I say this with the thought process and understanding of where a lot of artists have their intentions. You have an established act, let's say The Roots (I can't front like they haven't been my favorite group for years, but I promise my views aren't bias, instead fact). Tariq 'Black Thought' Trotter and Ahmir '?uestlove' Thompson have connected with their passion for music and social justice since high school, and if you YouTube or Google early videos of the duo, the emotion and honesty Black Thought has in his words and metaphors..you can tell it's real. The dedication that Thought and ?uestlove have had in their many years together has carried into their latest project Rising Down, which came out April 29th (if you don't have it, get it NOW.)

Another artist that has been consistent with outpouring their music to how they honestly live their life is Dante Smith, commonly known as Mos Def. First known from his youth acting in the late 80s/early 90s with 'The Cosby Mysteries', Mos initially worked with members of his family in the collective group Urban Thermo Dynamics (only one major hit, (video here) ). Mos reached out in '96 with the Native Tongue Possee and Soulquarians (definitely look those two groups up if you don't have a clue who I'm talking about, they're the most under represented, under appreciated music collectives of the 90s, word up.) Gaining his solo status, releasing his solo record along with his Black Star record with Talib Kweli, Mos Def has kept it real from Jump St. It's hard to deny someone that hasn't held anything back, and been open to any and all criticism's he's faced. Arrested on numerous bullshit counts, as well as appearing on many intellectual, mature talk shows and forums (seen here with Dr. Cornel West on Real Talk with Bill Maher). Not even touching on his illustrious and legitimate acting career, Dante Smith has been making moves and keeping it honest, personal, and real since the very beginning.

NOW. On the flip side of this whole positivity story I hyped earlier, their are artists and acts that have made their careers on the aspects of entertainment. Specifically in hip hop, and it happens in other genres plenty of times, but especially in the hip hop game, there are artists that talk the talk, but don't walk the walk. This shit needs to be addressed, right, the fuck, now.

A rapper wakes up in his wonderfully gated-community home, with security out the ass and protection like the Pope. They wake up to their family, their wife and loved ones. Have their kids going to the most lucrative private schools, with the finest expenses at their exposure. This rapper goes to work, and his work consists of creating songs talking about..causing harm to potentially innocent civilians, marketing known illegal drugs, degrading females, the less fortunate, and other rappers in the sense of competition. 'I got kilo's under the bed/Watch your bitch ass if your snitchin' its your head/I'll kill you and your fam and everyone you love/The only way you gettin' out its from the heavens above.' Stuff of that nature..(that wasn't a direct quote from a song, just a typical rap) They do their marketing for their musical product and image, appearing in a video or selling a product. They throw on this uniform for a day, this persona that isn't them at all in their present day. After the work day is done, they go BACK to their gated-community.

I'd say 90% of the rappers out, I can't front, AT ONE TIME, had this actual persona as part of their being. They USED to push drugs, they USED to have gang relation, they USED to be a public menace..for the most part, it's a part of their former life, and now they've grown up as businessmen and entrepreneurs. They present this idea of a lavish lifestyle, of sex, drugs, and money...that they don't truthfully honestly live. These rappers are...fake. They say they live this life, but with corporation and media if they're presented with an issue or criticism..'It's just music, I throw on my business suit and go to work to make this music, I don't promote this lifestyle I just present it...There are musicians that have honestly said this in interviews and press releases, defending their ass for being caught in the act of a fake or dramatically former lifestyles.

..How do you determine a 'real' artist? If your truly down with the struggle, that's one thing. There can be documented proof that you haven't budged about who you are, and been consistent with how you do yours, how you run your productions and programs. If your only promoting a false image of yourself and how you live your life, your fake, your phony, I can't take you serious. I may bump your beat because it's tough, I may have songs on my iTunes of yours because your hook or flow is crazy, but I don't respect you. I don't consider you a true artist. Your lucky I'm a slave to this music thing...I respect the fact that you put something of musical value, but thats about it.

I think there will be more coming from this discussion, I will more then likely touch on this topic again.

Provide for me your thoughts on the situation, s'il vous plait.

Peace and love, you guys will here from me soon.

- Dana J.

Our Music, And Why We Listen To It: This one's for the ladies...

2008-05-14T14:58:00.000-07:00

Hello World,

SO, as it may or may not be understood by my page, those that know me know I am a big, big, BIG music head. I embody what a lot of people would consider an appreciator for music...I listen to music made before I was born, as well as music made before my parents were born. Along with knowing what I'm talking about, I've done the research about my musical ancestors and understand the theory and musical interpretation behind a lot of what I listen to. Basically...I know my shit; my knowledge of music and the game is undeniable. Lol.

Now when it comes to what the music world has going on today, in terms of opportunity and broad range of genre-crossing success, there are many players in the field. Females are gaining their voice on the sense of an alternative revival, as well as an R&B/Soul singers that are making their way into the scene working with big names. Artists such as Chrisette Michele, who did work on Jay-Z's "Lost One" and Nas' "Can't Forget About You", as well as Nikki Jean, who contributed to Lupe Fiasco's "Hip Hop Saved My Life", have both begun to make names for themselves. Both are young, 25 and 24 respectively, and will be making big moves in the near future.

Also, artists like the Sri-Lanken native M.I.A., the East Coast based Santogold, and the Chicago born Kid Sister are changing the landscape of female MCs, with their brash bold style of attacking the airwave. Their outlandish music patterns, along with their blunt delivery of emotion, bring an unavoidable car-crash effect: you initially are turned off, but can't help but gaze for a few more moments.

I suggest giving them all a download ASAP. I'll be back on here soon with my opinion of the rest of the game. HINT: I will more then likely have to address the inevitable fan-favorite and dreaded giant who's name sounds like Wil 'Layne (ha!)

Peace and love,

dana J.
'

My Friday Night: Heart of the City

2008-05-03T15:20:00.000-07:00

SO, at Madison Square Garden, I went to Heart of the City Tour: Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige last night. Fucking...ridiculous. Up there in Top 10 moments of my life, no contest. The-Dream opened up, which came pretty far out of left field. He did his thing though, his 15-20 mins. of fame. Mary J. Blige...I have a new found respect for that woman. I've always known her to bring emotional, passion-filled music to whatever she did throughout her career, but I have to say that her beats we're CRAZY. Even without the gimme that live performance enhances any track, the professionals in that band we're excellent (I know I'm no pro critic, but as a musician and an appreciator of music altogether, I can put in my honest opinion.)

They opened with 'Cant Knock The Hustle', together. The song that started the bond between them, it was amazing. Mary J. did her thing, but when Jay came out, the show shut down. Shut, the fuck, down. He had all the hits to do an album all by his damn self, he brought out the joints. It was a classic night. The live band, the NY atmosphere...damn. It's inspiration for music-loving kids like me to continue through the struggles of learning and updating, practicing and exposing yourself to new things, cause you never know where it will take you. Maybe the Garden?

I've got an open mic tonight at the Energy Bar I've got to prepare for. I'm pretty sure I'm DJing, and I'll be showing photos from my event last Friday (TruSound Festival). If your in the Montclair area, Energy Bar's in South End..307 Orange Road in Montclair. 8:30 sharp..if you want to hear positive rhymes and words, you know where to go.

Peace,

- dana J

So how do you start fresh without sounding new?

2008-05-03T14:24:00.000-07:00

Hey there,

My name is Dana J. I'm a senior in high school now, headed to West Virginia University in the fall. Just checkin' this blog thing out for a while, expressing my feelings and concerns. I'm a super-duper music head, music is the only reason I wake up, my day-to-day grinds with all the bullshit in the world, it all goes back to a great groove, a serious beat, that mean bump that has your neck hurtin' for a while..it's what I live for.

I hope to incorporate music into my life and financially-fruitful career down the line. Possibly as a musician, as I play a couple of different instruments. I've been playing drums for about 11 years now, my main instrument by far. Marching band bass/snare/quads, African djembe/doun doun, orchestra timpani/auxiliary percussion, just in general...drumming is my thing.

I've also looked into promotion, starting my own company. We tryin' to do some big things, baby steps one-at-a-time..I'm planning for people to know about 8th Light Entertainment across the country within 5 years.

That's basically, I do have other facets of my life like political views, social justice leadership, design theory, etc. etc., but music is my get-down. You got a good track or something I should put my ear to, holla at me. Or if you wanna find out what Dana J.'s about, let me know.

Peace,

- dana J