What Will 2008 Bring O Magic Crystal Ball?

2007 is almost over and I thought I'd take some time to reflect on what I'd like next year to look like. In other words, my reflections are projections.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to leave my current consulting job and try to figure out something more stimulating for money.

I'm writing my dissertation. No title yet, but the topic is "The Performance of Gender and Sexuality in NYC Hip Hop from 1985 to the Present." I'm looking at 5 iconic subjects to think through how NYC hip hop has been particularly influenced and influential in discussing, critiquing and playing with gender and sexuality. "What is this hip hop we talking about?" you ask. Mais, oui. And my dissertation sets out to illuminate hip hop's fruity/fun history.

Travel. I know I seem to travel a lot, but I want to go places and do meaningful things, not just go on vacation. Vacation is hot, don't get me wrong, but I need to be creating: music, writing, friendships, love. You know what I'm saying?

Yoga Training: I'm contemplating taking a yoga teacher training in either the late summer or early fall. Do I want to be a yoga teacher? I don't know. But I do want that skill.

Complete Meditation Training. I've just completed Level II of the Shambhala Meditation Training. Level III is in March and there are five levels in the first series. I'd like 2008 to see me getting through number 5.

Finish and promote my solo album. I really have been avoiding working on my own career and have been so distracted by making things happen for others. I'm in the studio already, so now to finish those songs, lay down those tracks and promote the hell out of it.

Learn a music program. I have both Garage Band and Reason on my lovely Mac Book Pro. Anyone want to help a sista out???

I'll keep you updated. This blog has no pics because I am at work. See? One more reason to quit.

I've Been Tagged...

Ok, so appparently, I have to share 5 things about myself here, that ya'll don't know.

1. I am a big, fat sap. I love sentimental things: sad songs, sad movies, talking animals are guarenteed to make me cry and so forth. It's true, very, very true.

2. My dog, Bronte, is probably my best friend. HEY! She doesn't talk back...much.

3. I heart hot chocolate. Some of you know this, but I do drink it all year long.

4. I am fastidious, bordering on neurotic. I like things clean and orderly.


5. I lived on a farm as a child.

PS- shanteparadigm.com and myspace.com/shanteparadigm have been updated.

Fave You Tube Vid of the Week

I admit it. I don't watch television, but for some reason, I love watching clips of TV shows on my computer. Sigh. I am weirdly twisted.

I have many, many, many YouTube vids saved but I will start giving you some that have recently changed my life:

First of all, for all of you MadTV fans out there, you don't get any funnier than Ms. Debra Wilson--cuz she is genius!!! This is her doing one great Whitney Houston impression.



To say she is brilliant, is an understatement. She does many great characters, but her Whitney is the bomb!

Enjoy!!!!

2008 Appearances

Well, we're in a recording lull, as both Music Man (aka Pat Rivers) and me gotz school to deal with.

I'm basically blogging because I am sick and peeps keep posting wack shit on my MySpace page. PEOPLE! When it says "post a comment." it doesn't mean to post some crazy thing about your new book/album/kitten/facebook/sock drawer arrangement. Geez! It means say something TO or ABOUT the person you are leaving the comment for. And end rant here.

Okay, so appearances in 2008, so far:

Jan 10th-Greenwich Academy, Greenwich, CT. talking about being a music entrepreneur. This is my high school alma mater. 7-10pm. I'm still slightly traumatized by my high school experience, but, here goes nothing.

Jan 17-22- Yoga Journal Conference, San Francisco, CA. This isn't really an appearance per se, but I will be in SF...doing lots of yoga. Can I stay with someone? LOL...no really.

Jan 23- Astrea Fundraiser at Cattyshack, Brooklyn, NY. Me, doing some songs, come, enjoy and get your drink on. See? That rhymed, that's what I do, rhyme. Yay me! Hmmm, I see I'm on neither website. DIVA TIME!!!!!!

Here's the blurb:
Brooklyn, NY

Lesbian Justice League Celebration
Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
With Executive Director Kate Kendell Esq.

Catty Shack Club & Bar
249 4th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215
Suggested donation $10

Come party with the Lesbian Justice League: The National Center for Lesbian Rights and The Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice as they celebrate 30 years of fighting the good fight. Executive Directors Kate Kendell and Katherine Acey will be in attendance. This Outreach party for both organizations features a special performance by Shante Paradigm, a Brooklyn emcee and singer. Attendees will have the chance to win fabulous door prizes.

For more information, please contact Eleanor Palacios at epalacios@nclrights.org or at 415.365.1309.

At some point, I am supposed to be doing a radio show, but I have to return the call...I need a manager ya'll. It's true.

Okay sweet kisses to all who gave me love in 2007.

SP

Journal of Sonic Ethnography Meeting

Hey Ya'll:

I'm a pretty lucky lady. Not only do I make music sometimes, write about music and culture for my scholarly work, I am an Editor for the soon-to-be launched, Journal of Sonic Ethnography.

The Journal, supported by the Music Department at New York University, is just getting started. We met today to discuss our web design, content, issue themes, etc. My role is....uh, I'm the...Edi-t-or of Per-for-mance Stu-dies, yeah that's it. Anyway, I do some stuff that none of us have figured out yet.

The greatest thing is that we are creating a multi-media online journal incorporating sound, visual, text, and whatever else we can manage.

My very handsome, very cool, very talented colleague, Chris Tabron, is also on the Board.

But here's the truth: anyone who is on a board of something called the Journal of Sonic Ethnography is a serious nerd-ball.

Here are some pics of us:

First, our intrepid leader (on a rotating basis, of course) Ben Tausig.

Then we got the rest of us (excluding moi) just chizz-nillin':





One of my friends asked me to blog more. I'm really trying. That's a New Year's resolution for sure.

Toodles!

SP