Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Rare Spotlight: Robin Mills

Welcome to the Rare Spotlight, a place to shine light on those rare gems that illuminate the world, unnoticed.  They are poets.  They are artists. They are singers.  They are musicians. They are visionaries molding beauty against the backdrops of their passions.  They are beautiful, and we should pay attention.  Welcome to the Rare Spotlight.

She is a woman of many talents, and quite frankly, you'll enjoy them all.  Artist.  Poet.  Businesswoman.  Promoter.  Motivator.  Mother. Sister. Daughter. Friend.  Cool.   It is my pleasure to introduce to you Ms. Robin Mills.  Take one look at her paintings and you'll understand the power of emotion and vision captured in brushstrokes and spread across canvas to be shared as a gift.  Listen to her talk about promoting local businesses and you'll become moved by a lover of her community, eventually willing to believe that you too can make a difference.  Hear her words flow from her pen to receiving ears, and be lifted into awe for so much talent spilling from the same veins.  A North Carolina native, Robin is constantly creating, constantly organizing, constantly uplifting, and forever inspiring.  Whether through her business, Wall Tales, which specializes in murals, creative wall designs, and original paintings, or through her projects, Breathe to Think and Visual Artists Realm, Ms. Mills is always doing whatever it takes to promote her talents and those of others.  I gratefully extend this bit of spotlight on Robin Mills.



















Questions:

1) Name/ Stage Name
I am Robin Mills, A School of Thought, Wall Tales, Breathe to Think, The Visual Artists Realm and The Exchange Vendor Market

2) Current City/Hometown
Raleigh North Carolina

3) Right now, you are (literally)
typing these words on this page answering a questionnaire that I sent you out the blue and having fun doing it.

4) When did you fall in love with art?
I was born that way. Art is natural to me.

5) Describe yourself in one paragraph
One of them plays with words while the other one writes them down. One of them hears rhythm in every sound. One marvels over paint while the other plays with a brush. One dives into a project with a lover’s lust. One is a daydreamer all of the time. One takes to the stage and shines. One can tell stories. One can hear. One can see. One knows no fear. One is a philosopher to the bone. They are all Africans far from home and all live deep in my heart and dome. They set the pace they set the tone…in my world…in my home. They represent the one you see when you look directly at me.

6) Five years ago, you were.....
Five years ago I was finding myself and defining what it is that I was put here to do. I was laying a foundation, upon which I build.

7) Five years from now, you want to be.....
In five years I expect to be successful in all aspects of being. I expect the freedom of movement.

8) Your entire day is ruined unless you can.....
It is hard to ruin an entire day. That’s 24 hours in a purely negative state. People are my greatest disappointments and have been known to steal my joy for a spell. But it never lasts. It’s my joy and I won’t let anyone or anything have it anymore,

9) If you were a color, which would you be, and why? (Lol..I had to throw in one of these type questions)
I’d be Black. Because. You can’t mix black. You can mix yellow and blue and get green.....

10) One moment in your life, when you were the proudest.I don’t know that I have ever been proud. I’ve been excited and pleased with myself and the way of things. I have been pleased about many things

11) One moment in your life, which you regret mostI could write a book. But I don’t dwell on regret. What can I do about it? If I could fix it it would not be a regret.

12) Write whatever you feel- I am a writer, visual artist, performing artist, art agent, promoter and educator.....among other things

• Owner of a business based in Raleigh NC...but servicing everywhere called “Wall Tales” specializing in creative wall design, accent walls, framed phrases, creative yarn design and original oil and acrylic paintings.

• Founder of “Breathe to Think,” an open forum from which performing artists display. Breathe to Think meets every 4th Sunday at Loco Lu’s, a local coffeehouse (specializing in coffee products, smoothies, danishes, brownies and a lot of other goodies and a Pure promoter of the Arts) located at 5210 Holly Ridge Drive in Raleigh NC. BTT consists of open mic, feature business man or woman spotlight, feature poets, musicians, comedians and vocalists.

• Founder of “Visual Artists Realm.” Commonly referred to as VAR, an open forum from which visual artists display. VAR meets every 1st Sunday at Loco Lu’s, a local coffeehouse located at 5210 Holly Ridge Drive in Raleigh NC. VAR consists of meeting and greeting 5-8 of the area’s finest emerging visual artists, feature business man or woman spotlight, feature poets, musicians, comedians and vocalists.

• The founder of The Exchange Vendors Market, an open air market designed to promote the entrepreneur spirit. The Exchange meets on a monthly schedule at 1201 Cross Link in Raleigh NC

• Poetess and Spoken Word artists and available for gigs. Purchase your copy of “A School of Thought” my debut CD

• Art instructor at Rehoboth Consulting in Garner NC. Teaches cognitive art therapy to ages 12-21

Information on the above mentioned can be obtained at the sites listed below. Contact me at breathetothink@aol.com

13) Links/websites/places where the readers can check out your work
http://breathetothink.ning.com/
http://walltalesnc.blogspot.com/


I would like to thank Ms. Mills for completing this.

You can find her on facebook here: Robin Mills

And I leave you with just a taste of Robin's amazing artistic works, just one facet of a rare individual indeed.  Enjoy.

the Rare Poet









Monday, November 29, 2010

Feel Good Music, Nov. 29, 2010: The Monday Morning Edition

Although this playlist is two days late getting to you, the jazzy feel fits Monday morning so much better to me.  So greet your morning with a two step and a smile as you listen to the improvisations of some of jazz music's all time greats.  Enjoy.

the Rare Poet



Get a playlist! Standalone player Get Ringtones

Sunday, November 28, 2010

My 2011 Wish List

Okay, so Christmas is approaching fast, and I'm seeing all of this interesting stuff that I'd love to have.  Unfortunately for me, most stores don't take IOUs.  But here are a few items that make me wish they did:

1)Playstation 3











Ever since my first one died on me (google PS3 Yellow Light of Doom), I've been planning to get another.  Of course, now they come in the slim variety, which isn't backwards compatible, but beggars can't be choosers.  $299.99

2)  Sony Ericsson Vivaz or Vivaz Pro














To me this is like having a cell phone/digital camera combo.  The 8.1 megapixel cam on the Vivaz literally has me drooling.  The Vivaz Pro downgrades to a 5.1 megapixel cam, but adds a full QWERTY keyboard for text junkies such as myself.  Both record stunning HD videos, and while they aren't Android phones like the Sony Xperia, I prefer the extras of the Vivaz.  But honestly, anything is a boost compared to my Samsung Freeform.  $99 w/2 yr. AT&T activation ($349.99)

3) Nikkon Coolpix S8100 Red











This is one of two items on my list that I would probably wait on, if I had to choose, but is so awesome that I'd snatch it up in a second.  We've all seen those annoying Ashton Kutcher commercials.  But as irritating as he is, the camera still manages to shine.  And while it's not as powerful as say the Kodak Easyshare Z981, it does look a heck of a lot cooler.  $249.99

4) HP Envy 17 with Beats Audio














They let Dr. Dre design the audio system in a laptop!?!  Isn't that like some hip-hop heads' wet dream?  While this is not the most powerful laptop you can get for the price, it is one of the most stylish.  And the sound is truly awesome.  But it's Dr. Dre.  What did you expect?  $1299.99+

So there you have it, if I had $2000 to spend, I'd jump on this list.  Oh well....wishful thinking.

the Rare Poet

Just Some Music that'll Make You Smile

Cruising the web and came across this awesome song, by brother and sister duo Daru & Rena (check out their myspace page from the link.

Loving this song.  Wish more music today sounded like this.

the Rare Poet

Super Sundays: Week 12 Edition

Feelin' kind of Sunday indeed!!  Which means it's NFL time, and I'm ready with my predictions.
Okay, so I'm 7-8.  But I never said I was any good at this.  Just an avid fan with an opinion on EVERYTHING.  Like the Vikings firing Brad Childress.  As a fan, I think my team finally did the right thing, but about 2-3 weeks too late. Good luck to Leslie Frazier as the interim coach.

So let's get it in. (Granted, I missed a few games on Thursday.  My bad, but the turkey was delicious!)

Remember, if you're going to gamble, don't use the baby's college money.  Or the light bill money.  Or any money that your ignorant ass can't afford to lose.   In fact, for those of you that have considered using any of that type of money, it'd probably be best if you don't gamble. Just a thought.

Enjoy the games

the Rare Poet


NFL Week 12 Predictions
It's do or die for a lot of teams in the league this week, as chances for making the playoffs are getting slim.  Those teams in the driver's seat are looking to cruise into the top seeds.  And then there are those teams without much left to play for.  Look at teams like the Bills, Lions, Cowboys, and Bengals to all play potential spoilers from here on.


Feature Games


Green Bay (7-3) at Atlanta (8-2)  21-28

This is going to be one of those games where the last team that scores wins.  I don't think Atlanta gets the respect that they deserve, but with a 5-0 home record, I think they pull this one out against one of the best offenses in the NFC in Green Bay.

Jacksonville (6-4) at NY Giants (6-4)   28-17

I know you think I'm crazy.  But the NY Giants are one big lost away from imploding like they did last season.  And Jacksonville's defense seems to step up for games they're expected to lose.  The bottom line is that Eli Manning is a couple of great receiver performances away from joining the Brett Favre list (don't even get me started on him!!!).  Jaguars dominate early.

Philadelphia (7-3) at Chicago (7-3)  14-17

As much as I hate to admit this, these are the best two teams in the NFC.  And Chicago's defense is like no other.  The high-powered Philly offense will stall at Soldier Field.  Although Cutler's group is anemic, look for some big time tight end play from the Bears, which will be just enough to seal the win.

Tampa Bay (7-3) at Baltimore (7-3)  10-28

Raheem Morris, coach of the Buccaneers, called his team the best in the NFC.  Ironically, that was the same week they lost to another NFC team.  Baltimore is definitely among the best in the AFC, which is a whole different monster.  Look for it to be a long day for Tampa's offensive line.

San Diego (5-5) at Indianapolis (6-4)  24-17

It'd be crazy to go against Peyton Manning now, right?  He's ticked about losing to Brady.  His team is perfect at home.  The Chargers are just getting to .500!!!  And then I say "Phillip Rivers".  And suddenly it all makes sense.  The former NC State star (had to throw in a Carolina area shoutout...lol) is playing some of the best football he's ever played, which is really saying something for one of the league's upper-eschelon QBs and perennial pro bowl candidate.  The problem is that this is the type of game where Indy starts missing guys like Joseph Addai and Dallas Clark.  This will feel like a playoff game and the loser just might end up watching the playoffs at home this year.



The Other Games

Steelers (7-3)   28
Bills    (2-8)    3

Panthers (1-9)    7
Browns   (3-7)   24

Vikings  (3-7)   28
Redskins (4-6)   17

Titans   (5-5)   13
Texans   (4-6)   21

Dolphins (5-5)   24
Raiders  (5-5)   17

Chiefs   (6-4)   35
Seahawks (5-5)   21

Rams     (4-6)   21
Broncos  (3-7)   10

49ers    (3-7)   17
Cardinals(3-7)    7