Saturday, November 27, 2010

Rare Spotlight: Amanda Stockham

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.

Listen to her speak, and you're immediately taken in by a voice that is as inviting as her pen.  Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce Amanda Stockham.  From listening to countless shows on Blog Talk Radio, I discovered in Ms. Stockham a creative mind and spirit that shines many times over.  Born in Michigan, Amanda continues to elevate the masses, whether through her blog, her weekly radio program, or her poetry that channels emotions and creates many positive experiences.  She is also co-owner of Freedom Ink, an innovative publishing company.  The spotlight shines brightly on Amanda Stockham.
























Questions:
1) Name/ Stage Name
My name is Amanda Stockham. My stage name is “Paradyme” and I have been using that since ’04.

2) Current City/Hometown
I currently live in Benton Harbor, MI. I grew up in Michigan, and lived in Atlanta for a few years.

3) Right now, you are (literally).....
LOL. Filling out this questionnaire that I am so honored to have been asked to write. Also, laughing at my twin sons watching G.I. Joe.

4) When did you fall in love with poetry?
When I was about 12. I started reading Maya Angelou and also Edgar Allen Poe (The Raven). I have always loved to read. I never believed then there would be a day that someone would call me a Poet though. Still blows my mind. To me it’s a journey and I am not there yet.

5) Describe yourself in one paragraph
I am a big bag of contradictions. However, the things that stay constant are that I am great person. I am loving, loyal and honest.

6) Five years ago, you were.....
I was working as a CNA and never thought in a million years that this would be the direction my life has taken. I love it.

7) Five years from now, you want to be.....
Exploring my creativity and still moving forward.

8) Your entire day is ruined unless you can.....
Listen to music. No matter the genre, I love my music.

9) If you were a color, which would you be, and why? (Lol..I had to throw in one of these type questions)
Just as my favorite color changes, so would my answer to that question. I am so orange today. That will change in five minutes though.

10) One moment in your life, when you were the proudest
When I finished my first book of Poetry. It was something that I never thought that I would do, yet at the same time always wanted to.

11) One moment in your life, which you regret most
I don’t use that word. I refuse to spend a single moment regretting anything. I make a choice and I move on. The only thing that I could possibly regret is not believing in myself sooner in life. However, that gave me the point of view to be able to relate to people who are still struggling to find out who they are.

12) Write whatever you feel
I feel hungry. I still haven’t eaten breakfast. I want some sausage but I don’t eat pork. I wish turkey sausage wasn’t so bland. I recently tried Almond milk it’s the bomb. Random I know, but you asked.

13) Links/websites/places where the readers can check out your work
Of Course….
http://freedomsinkpresentsthespot.blogspot.com/
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/paradyme
http://www.reverbnation.com/paradymepoetess
http://www.twitter.com/paradymepoetess
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheSpotwithParadyme
http://www.myspace.com/551409

My thanks to Ms. Stockham for completing this.

Check her out on facebook here:  Amanda Paradyme Stockham

And I'm hoping that you enjoy this video, available for viewing on her YouTube page.  She is clearly an amazing artist whose words and performances captivate an audience.  Enjoy.

the Rare Poet

Rare Spotlight: George Yamazawa Jr.

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.


"....and my goal is to really win in my daily life more so than competitions, to really be able to encourage people with my life condition, more so than my poetry."

With this quote, I introduce George Yamazawa Jr., an outrageously talented young poet who already stands on the cusp of greatness, as much through his demeanor as his ability.  Born and raised in Durham, NC, George began to participate in slam poetry, during his freshman year of high school, and has been a force to be reckoned with ever since.  Recently a high school graduate, and currently a college student, George continues to be an example of the positive accomplishments this generation is capable of.  As a member of the Bull City Slam Team (2010 NPS Finalists, 2010 Southern Fried Champions), Sacrificial Poets, as well as a participant in many competitions, workshops, and slams, including Brave New Voices, George continues to motivate and inspire the youth of today with his pen.  His performances spark the heart and mind with poems that range from cultural to conscious to humorous, and he has a stage presence that demands notice.  I remember seeing a video of one of his performances and thinking 'this is the future of poetry'.  It is my pleasure to shine the spotlight on George Yamazawa Jr.



























Questions:
1) Name/ Stage Name
George Yamazawa Jr., "G"

2) Current City/Hometown
Bull City born and raised.

3) Right now, you are (literally).....
tired...about to play spades with some poets...Asian...on the computer...

4) When did you fall in love with poetry?
Didn't know it at the time, but when I fell in love with hip hop.

5) Describe yourself in one paragraph
Short, Asian, creative, family oriented, Buddhist, humanistic, peaceful, writer, hip hop head, southern, fresh, self-conscious, nervous, confident, dedicated, random, artistic, indecisive, ready. I live for my life, my loved, and my lost.

6) Five years ago, you were...
getting suspended from school, selling quarterpounds of weed, failing two classes, writing rhymes, and constantly fighting with my parents. Literally.

7) Five years from now, you want to be.....
speaking to people.

8) Your entire day is ruined unless you can.....
chant, pray, and sleep.

9) If you were a color, which would you be, and why? (Lol..I had to throw in one of these type questions)
haha I guess I'd be yellow...

10) One moment in your life, when you were the proudest
Truly cannot narrow that one down. I know it was a moment when my parents were the proudest. Maybe graduation.

11) One moment in your life, which you regret most
the day I called my mom a bitch.

12) Write whatever you feel
Yo I'm G it's short for George lol, I feel like I should say something deep and profound and inspirational but I'm not, so I'll just say that I appreciate this spot light, and big ups to the Sacrificial Poets and Bull City Slam Team!

13) Links/websites/places where the readers can check out your workGeorge Yamazawa Jr (facebook)
georgeyamazawa@gmail.com
http://www.youtube.com/gyamazawa
www.youtube.com/sacrificialpoets
http://www.sacrificialpoets.com/
www.bullcitypoetryslam.com
http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/ever-victorious/10970276?showPreview

Thanks again to Mr. Yamazawa for completing this.
Look for him on facebook here:  George Yamazawa Jr.

And I'll leave you all with this performance by an outstanding poet, who I am proud to call one of my favorites.  Enjoy

the Rare Poet


Sun is Up, My Eyes are Open....Feels Good to be Alive



























Good morning, world!!!!

the Rare Poet

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving

Been up since like 6 a.m.  Today has been awesome, spending time with family, and I really wish it was like this everyday. (I believe if we strive to make it as such, then each day can feel like a special occasion, but that's just me.)  So today, I give thanks, as on all others, for my life, my health, my faith, and the family and friends who continue to remind me that I am blessed beyond compare.

And I also give thanks for poetry.  You have been with me always.  May we do, together, what God has intended.  Have a blessed day everyone, and continue to be thankful.

the Rare Poet

(Had to finish this post with an awesome poem, by Carlos Andres Gomez, that sums up being thankful for something in amazing verse.)

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

If I Had a Bookie, I Would Be......? (An NFL Recap)

Okay, so earlier this week, I gave my predictions for Week 11 of the NFL.

Right now, all I can say is....good, Brad Childress finally got fired!!!  (And I say that only as a Vikings fan ready to see my team move on.  No disrespect to Chilly, who will probably be feasting it up this Thanksgiving since he's still entitled to all that extension money until 2013)

Check out my predictions here:  Super Sundays: An NFL Obsession

And here's how it really went down.

Feature Games:

Oakland at Pittsburgh    3-35
Okay, so I gave Oakland a little too much credit.  But I knew they'd lose.  And I still don't believe this proves anything about the Steelers.

Cleveland at Jacksonville  20-24
The final of this game SHOULD have been 20-17.  But the Browns seem to have a problem with giving up the biggest possible play at the most inopportune moment.  MJD is a beast and the Jaguars are extremely lucky.

Houston at NY Jets  27-30
For real?  Again?  How many times do the J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets have to luck up at the end of the game before people start questioning their AFC prowess.  (They're playing a bruised Cincy team on Thanksgiving.  The luck may be over.)

Indianapolis at New England  28-31
I remember when Peyton Manning had his team in position to make my predicted score exactly right.  And then he had an Eli moment.  This young Patriots defense made enough plays to hold on for a victory.  Bottom line:  You don't mess with Tom Brady's hair.

Green Bay at Minnesota  31-3
I'm not going to mention that my team failed to score a touchdown for the first time all season.  I'm not going to mention that this is their worst loss of the season.  I'm not even going to mention that this game was so bad it resulted in the head coach finally being fired.  When you can't say anything good, it's best to move on....

Seattle at New Orleans  19-34
They're hopeful down in the Big Easy.  Why?  Because the Saints quietly have one of the best records in the NFC.  I hate to say it, but they look to be playoff bound once again.

NY Giants at Philadelphia  17-27
Earlier I said that Peyton Manning had an Eli moment.  The younger Manning's 4 turnovers make me expecting a Giant meltdown in the remainder of the season.

The Rest

Redskins at Titans          19-16 OT
Ravens at Panthers          37-13
Cardinals at Chiefs         13-31
Lions at Cowboys            19-35
Bills at Bengals            49-31
Bucs at 49ers               21-0
Falcons at Rams             34-17
Broncos at Chargers         14-35

So, based on my predictions vs actual scores, my first official record for the NFL season is:  7-8

But don't count me out just yet.  More predictions on in Week 12, beginning with the Thursday games.
And now my NFL photo of the week:


When bad English and bad football come together, the possibilities are endless.  Enjoy your week.

the Rare Poet