The ‘Sacrificial Dress’ Chronicles of Kris – 07/17/09

Good Morning Mi Familia,
How are you? July is one of my favorite months and it's zooming on by just like the rest of 'em. I have to be careful not to wish the time away though, as I thought we were already in the 20s. Time for me to slow MY roll.

Although I made it home late Saturday night, I mentally lollygagged my way back to Jersey on Wednesday. As you can see, I've gotten back in a "no pattern" sleeping rhythm so who knows when I'm gonna get sleepy. But that's only a minute detail to a wonderful start to the 2nd half of the year. Despite losing my favorite dress, the trip to LA was a WIN. Because of the late planning and attempt to cut costs, I refused to reserve a hotel room. It just didn't make sense to spend money to shower and sleep and spend absolutely no time in my room. So my friend/chronicler Brandon (everyone say hi!) so graciously extended his apartment to me the night I got in while my writing partner La Shell (say hi again) reached out to her friends so that I could be accommodated for the rest of the week. However, when I touched down at LAX, my brother and sister were waiting outside for me. I knew they were supposed to take me to my rental car, but they asked "Ok, so what are your plans for tonight?" When I told them, I would be waiting for my friend to get off work, my sister just sped off down the freeway. Ooookkkk. Um, I guess I'm going back to THEIR house. I nervously texted between chatter until we got to their house. No rental car pick up (lol), we just drove...

When we arrived, I greeted their mother and minutes later, my father came through the door. He took me inside of one of the bedrooms and said that I was welcome to stay for the week. I was pretty surprised, but not terribly anxious about it. It was one of those calm, sedate "wow, that's great" kind of thankfulnesses. My brother gave up his room and I slept in there for the duration of the week. You know, prior to last week, I never once thought about staying there or what it would be like to experience my father's home life...and I never really fully considered having siblings. I mean, I've just always said I have half-siblings and a step-sister but really, we're not half-people so it is what it is. We're related by blood or extension or experience. Case closed (if you've reached this level of comfort - lol). As much as I didn't know what to expect, I'm sure they didn't know either but I was very grateful that all four of them opened their hearts to me. That was really a wonderful experience to see a different side of my father I had never been exposed to and to just be myself without having my guard up. I'm thankful for that time of laugher, of clowning, of fellowship, and I'm still shocked that everyone got up at 6:30am to see me off. Wow, that was really nice. So I'll see them again. Good times had by all.

The LA TV Fest brought me out to the West Coast but even if nothing pans out due directly to the festival, I left with so much more than professional experience. I did gain many contacts and pitch a show which was great. But the highlight (besides staying with my family) was meeting the Bythewoods. You all know I've been ranting and raving about this couple (writer/directors Gina and Reggie Bythewood) since they touched base with me in April. THEY ARE THE FREAKIN BOMB! It's one thing to respect someone's craft but it's another thing to meet them and gain respect for their essence and what they stand for as people. They were so gracious and interested in what I had to say to him, and all I kept thinking was, "Wow, I can't wait to be in their shoes, inspiring young talent behind me." They are so not Hollywood...and it has been awesome to just have people listen to me, respect my talent, and just say in so many words "We're watching you, young sister." I basically left their house screaming because it's no accident that I am being guided to such humble spirits, those who live and work to love, and work to love and live.

So yes, the angels wrapped themselves around my plane's wings when it was pouring down rain on July 7th (during the live MJ tribute that I was missing!) and I arrived and departed safely. The two-day festival was very informative and being a door monitor was tiring because I was standing for 12 hours straight. I changed my clothes for the pitch meetings and due to the excitement of the week, I didn't even realize the dress was gone until I was packing for my departure to Newark. I called the hotel but who'd leave a stunner like that over the bathroom door besides me?! :( Ahh well, a small price to pay for a wonderful adventure! This journey is a blessing, and I'm so thankful for those who have gone on before me, who stand beside me, and those who are coming behind me. Aaah yes, and of course Michael is moonwalking across the sky. :)

***

With that said, PART 2 OF MY ONLINE RADIO INTERVIEW WITH BLOG TALK RADIO'S BEYOND THE BLING WILL BE THIS COMING TUESDAY, JULY 21ST AT
9PM EST. GO TO WWW.BLOGTALKRADIO.COM/BEYONDTHEBLING OR CALL IN AT 347-945-5306. YES, YOU CAN LISTEN IN VIA WEB OR PHONE.

Have a wonderful weekend...Keep smiling and shining...and hit an MJ tribute party just for me!

XOXO
Kris

The 'Re-UP' Chronicles of Kris - 07/10/09

Good Morning My Lovelies & Handsomes!
Mum's been the word for the past few weeks, not because you haven't crossed my mind...there's just been ALOT happening all at once. On June 25th, I had planned to write this big ol testimonial entry and right when I hit the computer, I got wind that Michael Joseph Jackson died. WHAT?!? If you know me at all, you know that "MJ dead" isn't quite possible in my world. In short, I've never thought MJ was human to begin with so he's probably moonwalking in the galaxy, talking with God & the sacred ones, and pointing to the next planet he wants to rock cause you know Earth wasn't his first stop anyway! I still have my MJ picture I used to carry with me each day in elementary school. KRISTEN VICTORIA LOVES YOU MICHAEL, and I wish I could have been born 10 years earlier so we could have been real, true, "Precious Moments" friends.

Even if I don't want to stop jumping around & yelling to the Jacksons all day long, I have to because I have an extraordinary life to live too! In the last few weeks, I've had the amazing opportunity of being featured on an online radio program (thank you to all who called in!!!), getting in touch with some amazingly talented and well-known producers, pitching my work, and being selected to volunteer at the LA TV Festival this week. The momentum of the last few weeks has been so humbling. I feel a breakthrough in the midst, and I finally feel good about walking in it, and just letting the miracle happen. A few months ago I was super nervous about showcasing any work and the power of saying "I am..." versus "I think I am/can..." is ABSOLUTELY DIFFERENT. Not sure if anyone knows this but when MIchael was recording Thriller, he wrote on his mirror constantly. "I am going to sell 20 million albums. I am going to make the greatest selling album of all time." No matter what else went on in his life, Michael tapped into that God power, the fearlessness it takes to be GREAT. I've often thought that greatness cannot really function well in a mediocre society, one that prides itself in getting over (yes, America!). But anyway, my goal is to tear down those walls of doubt and just be freakin spectacular...

The TV Fest was a great experience, and oddly enough alot of people were inspired by "my story." We all have a story, and since I was a door monitor, I probably ended up testifying at least 7 times. I was the only person from WAAAY out of town. Briefly, a few mentors strongly suggested that I make my way out here. By the time I looked up the info, the pitch pit opportunity for show creators was closed and the registration fee was $550. Um yea, not paying that much. But the very next day, I "bumped" into a former colleague who suggested I volunteer. He reached out to the volunteer committee but there were no more spots left. Of course, I'm thinking I'm still gonna go...and I got a call just last week asking if I was still available. So, I was a last-minute shoe in for the volunteer spot and I got my behind out here. Guess where I'm staying? Aaah, with my father and his family.

So that takes the trip into a whole other stratosphere which I haven't really broken down yet. I'm really happy to have this opportunity to spend quality time in my father's comfort zone, talk with him, have dinner with a piece of me (siblings whom I don't know too well), and even learn the hustle from my father. We are building a relationship and I am most excited about facing some of the emptiness that (he and) I may have felt and moving THROUGH that. I appreciate all of them opening their home and extending their hearts to me. Everything in due time, in HIS time...

It's a calm, quiet morning in California. I'm so Eastern Standard Timed out it's not even funny. I meet with the Bythewoods for lunch this afternoon. Still trippin out that they have carved out that time. I vow to always make time for those up and comers who email and call me...cause Lord knows I'm getting at these folks, and it's amazing to be heard!

*workloveplay in progress*

Please check out the upgraded www.jazzidreamer.net and tell me what you think.

Love and hugs from the left coast!

XOXO,
Kristen Victoria