On Friday I came to the conclusion I want to climb a tree.
This realization came on Friday evening around 7pm when I was at work. I was planning to go to a Curren$y concert that night if I got off in time…actually I was hoping my current boo-thang would want to hang out and I was going to skip the concert and be in his presence. He didn’t which made me grumpy and I started acting out. I remembered I hadn’t finished watching this Tony Robbins video from Oprah’s Lifeclass I had pulled up earlier in the day. In the clip he was talking to Oprah about how she had walked across fire as part of his “Unleash the Power Within” seminar. Robbins uses overcoming the fear of walking on fire to help people overcome their biggest fears. That’s when it hit me – I am afraid of climbing trees and I will climb a tree to set myself free. I’ve never climbed a tree-as a kid it seemed so scary. I have always wanted to be adventurous enough to just do it but I was afraid of breaking my arm. (Funny story I have a great little white lie story I tell about jumping out of trees attempting to break my arm in the 4th grade but I digress.)
There was one small issue with the timing of this revelation. It was on Friday…April 20th…4.20 and I was going to a Curren$y concert…yeah so let’s just say as I tried to tell people how I wanted to climb a tree to set myself free, it wasn’t coming off quite the way I had intended. I did find one great listener (asides from my girl Tori who was bout it the moment the idea struck), this awesome WTUL radio personality Miss Lilly was the only one down for my adventure (I think my friends Brit and Nicoya thought I was ON ONE lol). On Saturday morning when I woke up all I could think about was climbing this tree. I’ve been reading up on it and driving around looking for the perfect tree.
I, DaVida Chanel Smith, vow to climb a tree as I attempt to free myself from fear and really live the life I envision. Season one of Lifeclass taught that I’ve always had the power…climbing this tree will teach me that I believe in that power. Oprah said, “The only courage you ever need is the courage to fulfill the dreams of your own life.” I’m summoning the courage…
Tonight I’m going celebrate in literary style!!!! My friend L. Kasimu Harris, a talented photographer and writer I met in the fab New Orleans Melanated Writer’s Group I’m proud to be a part of, does an awesome blog for the Oxford American! (Yep you remember correctly-he’s the fab photog behind my bday brunch photos!!!) So exciting since in our first meeting he stated his goal was to tell stories with both his pen and camera and focus on things he loves. And if you’ve met Kasimu you know he’s got a “thing” for style!!! CONGRATS to him! In New Orleans? Come check him out at the party tonight! If not, check out the blog anytime by clicking here. Au revoir! (It’s my Parish Chic ta ta for now! LOL!)
In 2006, I met a girl who was “fresh off the boat” from Texas to Hollywood. She was an aspiring actress and she had come into the office where I worked seeking talent representation. She didn’t have much experience but she had a look and that “it”. My boss saw something in her that reminded him of other talented women he represented. He couldn’t describe “it” he just knew she was a star. He signed her. I got to deal with her a lot on day to day stuff and if there’s one thing I can say about her she was extremely ambitious and confident that should could make it. This girl wasn’t just in pursuit of some “I wanna be a star” thing and that is admirable. She was willing to work hard to become a bonafide actress. I left the company but I stayed abreast of this girl’s career moves through my old boss. I’d see her in movies and on TV and always felt a sense of “you go girl” when I’d see her. Tonight, her hard work will be seen by the world and they might deem her an overnight success. I’m here to tell you Annie Illonzeh worked for this moment and the biggest thing she did was BELIEVE in herself and her dream. She sought out the best (shout out to Vincent Cirrincione) and she was tenacious in becoming better at her craft. Her reward? She’s one of the leads in the new Charlie’s Angels premiering tonight on ABC! This is a huge step in her career and I’m excited to see how her career continues to grow. Annie is one of the few African-American women leads on network television and I couldn’t be prouder of her! Knowing her story from the inside out, I’m here to tell you, if you have a dream, it can DEFINITELY happen!!!!
On Saturday I woke up feeling like I wanted to do something different with my hair. I mentioned to my friend Brit (my new style consultant more on that later) that I’ve always wanted to try a Dominican salon. My friends who’ve lived in New York swear by them and I always felt like my hair would respond to their styling techniques. As per usual, Brit knew of a place and directed me there. I didn’t quite know what to expect but I was down for whatever. My philosophy has always been it’s only hair so it’s all good. I have decided I’m anti-chemicals (expection:dye) so the Dominican salon appealed to me. I had heard they do blow outs and roller sets so I was interested to see what would happen. I arrived with no appointment and had to sign my name on a list. I was immediately taken to the shampoo bowl where this lady gave me the best hair wash ever-she literally washed all my woes about the experience away. After I got a deep condition, sat under the dryer, then a blow dry. I’ve long been a fan of a good blow dry with a round brush. That process must be my hair’s favorite because no matter what it always responds to it. After that, she flat ironed me and I was out the door. The whole thing took about 2.5 hours (I’ve got EXTREMELY thick hair) and I was extremely pleased. While I’m not sure how long this will last in this humidity, I’m such a fan of my new do!
Since the fall of 2005 I’ve worked as a Hollywood assistant. It’s one of those jobs that is different for everyone depending on the situation. I’ve been a creative assistant-more notes, reading scripts, scheduling travel-as opposed to a personal assistant. While actually in Hollywood I was a lot like Anne Hathaway’s character in Devil Wears Prada-a 24-7 person on hand to remember and do everything my bosses requested. My mind kind of works that way-I can take care of others and in being an assistant that’s exactly what I’ve come to do. Since being back in Louisiana I work as an assistant to producers/directors on actually on set. Its different but the concept is the same-take care of the person in charge so well that they need you there…they never admit that but do so well that EVERYONE knows how necessary you are. I’m kind of a beast at assisting. Before moving to L.A. I read every piece of literature on the subject and even had a consultation with Linda Buzzell, author of “How to Make it In Hollywood.” I was beyond prepared to be the best assistant and for the most part, I’ve been that chick when it comes to that job. Just yesterday I scored my boss courtside tickets to the game, made sure all his notes were done and got our next two scripts read in case he needs some question answered. It feels good for a second but its not that big of a deal because ummm I DO THIS MAN! I’m a master at the assistant thing…
The problem? I don’t wanna be an assistant no more (poor grammar used to emphasize the point). I want to be a BOSS! Deep down, I am a boss-you kinda have to be to run people’s lives at the level I do. I just am ready to do my own stuff. The real problem? I’m scared! Its scary! Being an assistant ensures two things-a check every week and if something REALLY eff’d up happens, its above your pay grade. Sure some days (a lot of days) suck but it’s super comfortable. But its not what I ultimately want to do. So I have to get some balls and step out on faith. The good news is anytime I’ve set out to do something I’ve mastered it-after all I’d never been a Hollywood assistant until I was one and I did ok. That ish was scary too! But I did it. So it’s about time to make moves to become an independent producer (trembling as I type it). I’ve done the work, prepared my background, not much more left to do but do it…
Fear and faith can not live in the same space…now its time to decide which one I’ll let run my life!
I’m a big internet fan (hence you are reading my fifth or sixth blog site!) and since moving to New Orleans, Twitter has been the go-to site for me. I’ve found quite through tweeting! It was through my Twitter friend Holly that I met Raj Smoove that gave me a job working as a publicist for Kourtney Heart. It was through Twitter that I first found out that Michael Jackson died. It was through Twitter that I found my writing group…and the list goes on. I am INTO Twitter.
I moved home to work for six months on this production that was filming there. I vowed when I returned to NOLA, I’d hang out more (I did NO hanging out while in Baton Rouge!). So of course I went to Twitter. I started interacting with a few tweeps in my area and found that me and these two young ladies had a ton in common. One, @onlytori1, seemed to tweet alot of the things I tweeted-we’re both big fans of The Daily Love and positive statements throughout the day. Another lady, @bmaringay and I took a challenge to have no alcohol from Jan.1-March 1. We INSTANTLY got cool through tweets-giving up something with someone online is a great way to instantly bond! She’s the only one that understood what I was going through after tough days at work and couldn’t unwind with a glass of wine! Anyway, we all decided to meet in real life. Come to find out they knew one another and invited me to do a scavenger hunt with them. Talk about GOOD TIMES! I found a group of folk in my age group that like me were looking to hang out, have fun and relax after working so much. I found a new crew through the power of 140 characters or less!!
I’m a big Twitter fan and am excited about the summer ahead with the gang. You can follow our exploits here. Additionally come check me out on Twitter if you don’t already. Try it out, introduce yourself to someone new and allow yourself to have some fun!!!
@onlytori1, @bmaringay and @davida_chanel Team Can't Curse, NOLA Scavenger Hunt
I am constantly in search of the next thing that is going to turn my health, physique, attitude and whole life (pretty much) around for the better. I get that no one thing can do that but hey can’t knock a girl for trying. My latest craze-coconuts. I’ve always loved the smell of coconuts but never been a huge fan of the consistency. When I got older I was a huge fan of pina coladas-as long as no fresh coconut shavings were involved. A few months ago a friend mentioned using coconut oil to fry things at home as well as to moisturize. I meant to get some but forgot (it’s hard to keep up with every new thing that’s gonna turn my world around lol). Anyhoo, I started drinking coconut water following my workouts that involved weights-such a great recovery toxin. The outstanding amount of potassium restores me to my pre-workout levels and doesn’t cause me to end up so sore at the end. The other day I grabbed some of the coconut oil. I had such a LOOOONNNGGGG day yesterday in the middle of a sugarcane field for work. When I got home all I could manage was a nice hot shower. That always leaves my skin dry so I decided to try out my new oil. OH MY GOD! It was felt so good with a great scent! My skin is still so soft now (you already know I just touched it!). Google a bit and you can see some of the outstanding benefits of deez nutz…
During Mardi Gras, I was introduced to Frank Ocean. A friend had told me about Odd Future but I hadn’t had a chance to hear or read their story. Frank Ocean is a member and recently released a solo project. I. HEART! He’s lyrically sound and his voice is quite pleasing! As I’m sitting here writing, the song DUST came on and I had to stop and share. Read the lyrics. Google the man. Download his music. You’ll be happy!
dust by frank ocean
whos that talking in the library who’s that talking in my library is that you no i won’t put you out cuz what would this place be without my muse nothing special every book in here i wrote some i’m not too proud of some i wish i could burn so many pages i wrote wish i could revise them but there’s no erasing and the best advice i got
was keep writing and keep living and keep loving and when the ink dries and the pages turn to dust so will we turn to dust so will we dust dust
who that laughing in my library who keeps laughing in my library is that you no i wont put you out cause what would this place be without your smile nothing special i fell in love with you girl you let yourself inside with no respect for privacy you said there’s too much on my mind then you ripped out a page and set that shit on flame
i quit writing i kept living i kept loving and when the ink dries and them pages turn to dust so will we turn to dust so will we dust dust
From Executive Producer Idris Elba, Brown Paper Dolls present the scripted series, milk+honey. Check the trailer…
milk + honey series trailer from brown paper dolls on Vimeo.
