Mixtape photo-shoot with Omen

Woke up bright and early yesterday morning to pick up a rapper out of Chicago by the name of Omen for a photoshoot for his upcoming mixtape cover.

I was honored to be able to do this for him. It isn't often I get asked to do this type of stuff-- yet! Until I blow up and I have to start charging you guys for photos lol.

The shoot went very well. He's such a sweet guy and a wonderful talent.

I'm not sure what photo he will choose so these are just to give you a hint of what to expect.

Look out for the mixtape, Afraid of Heights, due later on this year. In the mean time, check out this video.

2009 RHOA: The Reunion Show pt. 1

I've been waiting all week for the Real Housewive's of Atlanta Reunion. Tonight's reunion was decent. There was no yelling and screaming this time around. However, there were some moments deserving of discussion.

First of all let me say that I send my deepest condolences to the family of Ashley "AJ" Jewell's family and friends. Kandi nearly broke my heart as she revisited the day of his passing. She seems to be staying strong and working through it. Good for her.

I'd like to also make note of some fabulous hair Nene was rocking today. That new haircut looked great on her! Good for her. I'm also happy that she kept her voice down this time around. Clap it up for her. And everyone on twitter seems to be loving Sheree's neck piece. It's pretty sick!

On to the good stuff!

I know all the

women of America just witnessed the foolery that is Kim Zolicak. Not only did she make a fool of herself by coming on national television bragging about her marriage engagement to an already married man but then she makes this big deal about her not "putting up with this" anymore with "Big Poppa." So, the show goes to commercial and when they return we learn that none other than "Big Poppa" himself just stopped by the studio and Kim and he engaged in some serious lip locking action. So much for that story she just told all of us that nobody believed in the first place. Her stories are never consistent and I believe more and more that she is the trash talker that everyone has made her out to be.

Kim and Nene also seemingly have made up since the end of the shows taping and the alleged throttling incident. They'll most likely be hating each other again in no time!

Nothing going on with Lisa is really worth talking about. *yawn*

I'm ready for part 2. Lets bring out Dwight and liven things up a bit!

Update

Wow,

I haven't written anything in a very long time.

Well, I've been going through so much lately. I smile on the outside but there's a war going on. A war that most people know nothing about. Its a constant battle against myself. I'm fighting against my desires. I'm fighting against my dreams. I'm fighting this war every single day.

Most days, I go to work and the first thing I think is, "Its all for a paycheck." I've been at this job of mine for a little over a year now. I hate it with everything that I am. There's nothing exciting or benefiting except the paycheck. I'm not happy when I'm there. Of course I smile and put my best foot forward regardless but I'm dying inside.

I had this long discussion with my parents and one of their friends about how much I hate my job and how I want to quit. I figure, I live at home (rent-free) and now would be the best time for me to just go ahead and go try new things while I don't have too many expenses. They saw my reasoning to be quite selfish. "Do you know how many people wish they had a job right now!? You complain that you do nothing when you go to work, I'd love to be paid to do nothing."

Okay, granted, the economy is n a really bad state right now and I'm really grateful to be employed. (Truly I am). However, I feel like my staying here is a huge hindrance. All its

doing is creating a gap in my resume in my opinion.

I'm not sure what to do. I'm waiting on a sign from the Lord because everything I've tried isn't working and only He can help me at this point. I really just don't know what to do or how to do. I just really want happiness. I seriously don't know how much more of this I can endure.

In happier news,

Shout out to my boy Jermaine. You guys may know him as J. Cole. I told you guys about him in a few posts back. Since then, he has been featured on Jay-z's Platinum selling album, "Blueprint III."

"Go figure. A slow transition from a lil' broke nigga from the 'Ville, got a deal..."

- J. Cole

I'm so proud of this guy. If you haven't heard it yet, download "The Warm Up." Its a really good listen.

I'd also like to give a huge congrats to my big sister, Nichelle, for two big things; Merging with

"Salon Blue," renowned bridal salon and spa, as well as becoming a hair stylist for the hit TV show, Project Runway!

Here she is pictured with last seasons Project Runway finalist, Kenley, at fashion week.

You go girl! Isn't she beautiful!?

REMEMBERING A MUSICAL ICON & TV STAR: MICHAEL JACKSON & FARAH FAWCETT

Not too long ago, my family and I were gathered around the kitchen table discussing death. I remember saying something along the lines of, "Well, when Michael Jackson dies, the whole world is gonna stop! Like seriously, he's the most famous person alive. Who's more famous than him!?! Who!?!? Nobody!"

Today, my words have become the real deal.  The arguably most famous and iconic musician in the WORLD has died. Michael Jackson was pronounced dead at 2:26pm on June 25th, 2009.  He was not only meaningful in the entertainment word, but he touched me in a special way.  By the time I was born in the late 80s he was already a grown man. I grew up after the Billy Jean era but I knew every single song! I had albums released when my mother was a child. Thats how great of an artist he was. That I could be a product of the 90s music era but be connect to music from the Jackson 5. 

He was and will remain my favorite male artist of all time. He is sorely missed. Instead of crying any further, I'll dwell on the gift of music that he shared with all the world and he will live on through his music.  R.I.P to the "King of Pop!"

Farah Fawcett of the original "Charlie's Angels" has also died today. She

 suffered from anal cancer during the past 3 years. I really didn't connect with her too much but my condolences go out to her family & friends as well. R.I.P Ms. Fawcett. 

J.Cole The Warm Up mixtape Release Party @ La Poisson Rouge

I wrote about this guy before some time ago before the Roc Nation deal. Here's an update. New mixtape just dropped yesterday. The buzz is so crazy its not even funny! 10,000+ downloads already. 

Last night, J. Cole celebrated the release of his latest mixtape, "The Warm Up," at Le Passion Rouge in NYC. By 11:30pm the bouncers were claiming over-capacity. Please show me a new nigga in the game RIGHT NOW who could pull that off? (waiting...)

Anyway, the party was crazy. I enjoyed myself. Shouts out to the DJ for giving me some ILLMATIC! (I Love Nas!)

I listened to the entire album for the first time today straight through and I am so far beyond impressed and I'm not just saying this because he's my dude. This is my honest opinion! I think its a huge step up from his previous mixtape, "The Come Up."

If you haven't given the tape a listen yet, get on it! I'm in love with it and I'm sure you will be as well. 

Warm Up! 

Check out the video for footage of his performace @ the party

A HOT CURRY MESS!

Whoa! Its been a while since my last post. But I've returned! (Yippe!)

I'd like to discuss with you all my recent dabble in the field of cooking.

For many years, Its been said that "Chaunna can't cook!" I've been working hard to prove people wrong. I was on a winning streak until this evening. 

I attempted to make a curry shrimp dish with onions, peppers, and garlic. It looked absolutely divine! When I put the spoon in the sauce and put the sauce in my mouth my throat immediately began to close up. 

It was probably the nastiest thing I've ever tasted in my entire life. No matter how much seasoning I seemed to add, it just tasted like plain ole curry powder and water. Definitely not something I'd care to serve any human being. 

A curry disaster! I won't be trying that dish again for a VERY LONG TIME! 

BET's College Hill : South Beach

Drama from episode 1! How dope is that!?!

4 Guys and 4 Girls. Lets go down the list of people in the college hill camp this season. 

Allison: the bisexual, boondock-haired, laid back, chick.  Judging from her dialect, you can pretty much tell that she's not from the "hood."  When she opens her mouth, you can pretty much tell that she's got some white friends. I doubt she'll be the troublemaker of this season.

Brandon: the "I think I look really good" guy. In my opinion, I wouldn't give him a second glance but I guess I can see why some girls might find him attractive. He has a nice body though. 

Tiffany: Cute girl with a jacked up personality. She's quiet in person but in all of her confessional videos, she's talking the most junk. She thinks way too highly of herself and less of others which makes her unattractive to me (no homo). 

Chris: I like this guy. He's cool and pretty straightforward. He seems like he has an easy going personality and likes to enjoy himself and make the people around him feel comfortable as well.

Milan: DIVA? Hmmmm, not exactly but she definitely wants to be one! She's the girl who could probably tell you everything u need to know about MAC and Bobbi Brown products. Her face could be used as a product tester she's got so much of it on! She's a nice looking girl but seems to say things before she thinks about what she's saying. Could come off as a b*tch even if she doesn't intend to. Very high-maintenance.

Paul: The mulatto! Half white and half black (jamaican). He's also got a pair of gold grillz. lol. How cute! I think he has the capacity to be a pro s*** talker. 

Terri: Her bad weave isn't the only thing wrong with this girl. The most naive person I think I've ever seen on television. She definitely believes in love at first sight. How do u play the "wifey role" to a guy you met 24 hours ago and then get upset when he distances himself from you. She's definitely the leech of the group. And judging by the phone call to her mom, she's from the hood. Just so blatantly ghetto lol. Im going to need her to relax. I can see her getting extra emotional and lashing out and ultimately getting kicked off the show due to unruly behavior. 

Kyle: The token gay guy. He's more of a diva than Milan is. Even though he's a little "extra" in personality, he seems like he'd be the life of any party. He definitely doesn't take crap from anyone and made that VERY clear within the first few minutes of the show! 

Can confidence be taught?

This is just something that I've been thinking about as of late. Speaking personally, I've always been known by my peers, family, and friends as someone who was outspoken with a vibrant personality. If you met me at a social event, you might not think that I was shy-- I am. 

My shy side tends to come out when I'm faced with a situation that can be intimidating. I'll give you an example. 

My last semester of college, I started interning for Nick Jr. Magazine. During the interview process, I was cool, calm and collected. I just knew that I was perfect for the job. Angela, the interviewer and future supervisor, obviously thought so too because I booked the job. 

The interviewing process for my internship was easy for me because at the time, I didn't view Angela as an authoritative figure. I didn't have the job and she wasn't my "boss." It was kind of easy for me to just answer the questions and be on my way. That all changed the moment I got to my desk on the first day! 

When I'd actually started interning, that's when all the shyness kicked in. I wouldn't say that I wasn't confident that I could do the job and do it well, it was more like-- well damn, I don't know these people. What if they hate me? What if they think I suck? What if I mess up?

I let those things get to me and as a result, I held back a lot of the confidence and spunk that people tend to see in me outside of the work place.

I thought it was just a one time thing, but i noticed that it became a pattern when dealing with authoritative figures or people that I felt that I had to impress.

I often wonder if  I'll always be this way or can this kind of confidence be "taught?" At the end of the day, dimming my light will never allow me to truly shine. I've got to get over this hurdle one way or another even if I have to fake it until I make it. lol. 

Music Spotlight: Drake

Chances are, I'm very late. But when am I not late on things though?

So, apparently this guy is on the TV show, "Degrassi." His character is physically disabled. Had I watched the show ever in life, I probably would think he was just some herb kid from Canada.

I listened to this dude's music and oooooooooooo wwwweeeeeeeeeeeeee! What does McDonalds say? "Im lovin' it!"

Real talk, aside from his "herbish appeal," the kid spits fire. I generally hate on pretty much everything and everyone but I think I'm really feeling this guy. A singer and a lyricist. He's pretty much the best of both worlds. And he really ain't wack! He's nice at what he does.

Im a little worried though that this may all be some horrible facade. Much of the lyrics cover the same sophomoric topics that we hear on the radio every day. You know, the money, cars and hoes. Could he be trying extra hard to kill that "Degrassi image?" -- He should be! Have you seen his look!?!?

Anyway, I'm not really here to judge his image because it really should be about the music which sounds pretty good to me. You guys can make your own opinions about him.

Download his mixtapes "So Far Gone" and "Comeback Season"

I wish him the best of luck in the future and all of his endeavors.

Damn, I need some kind of talent.

CAN OBAMA CHANGE THE PERCEPTION OF THE BLACK MAN?

As of today, HELL NO! Over time the negative stigma might fade.

The man who was racist last night will probably still feel the same way today.

Raheem will still be considered a threat because his pants hang a little lower than normal. In turn, Ms. Daisy will clutch her purse as he walks past her.

The Guy with the Columbia degree and the dread locks will probably still have a difficult time being accepted in Corporate America.

You see, Obama is multi-racial. He also isnt Wesley Snipes' skin color. And the sad truth of the matter is, the darker the skin, the more problems u have here in America.

Pinch me when the day comes where you are judged by the content of your character ALONE.

NEW WHITE BOY CRUSH: Jon McLaughlin

GOOD GOOGLY MOOGLY! This man is gorgeous! 

I'm definitely not opposed to dating outside of my race. Especially when they're this gorgeous and talented! 

I bet a lot of you didn't know that Beyonce' song "Smash into you" was really his. 

Ah haaaaaaa!!!!

His version is entitled "Smack into you." I kinda like his version better. 

PHOTOSHOOT

© Chaunna Michole


© Chaunna Michole


© Chaunna Michole


© Chaunna Michole

DIVA?-- You're Not!

Okay,

So I've become irritated again (which isn't very hard to do). I would really love it if someone could explain to me where all these DIVAs came from?

Beyonce' really has these girls gassed the hell up!

[ Whoa, sidebar:: Since when was a "diva" a female version of a hustler? I thought like Diana Ross and those types were divas. Where did the ski masks and bags of money come from? I'm just sayin'.]

How are you a diva and you're still living at home? (I def. still live at home-- hey mom!)

How are you a diva on the bus? (I can talk ish now, I got my own).

How are you a diva and you're still borrowing clothes? (That was so high school!)

How are you a diva when everybody hit it? (Just scandalous! I think I know why nobody put a ring on it.)

How are you a diva when you still borrowing money!?!?! (Thats a big one right there! Where yo' boss at?)

How are you a diva in high school? (Sit the hell down!)

AND since when was being hood rich okay? I want to be RICH--period!

How are you living in the projects and stepping out in a mink? How are your shoes by Gucci and meanwhile your phone is off--again?

I strongly suggest we (black folk) get our priorities together and stop living outside of our means! If your family has it like that, cool! More power to you. But when you can't keep your cable on and you have a new Louis V. bag, we have a big problem!

It's not how much you can spend, but how much you save. What do you have in the bank?

There's some food for thought!

In the mean time, I'm gonna go snack on some real food.

Ciao!