Gingersnap

“Mirror, mirror on the wall, Who is the most intelligent, most enthralling woman of them all?” Coming Soon: Something Evil Is Watching.... “My jealous, vile queen it is not you, For there is another lady is brighter, charming and new. With skin as brown as chocolate silk, Softer than satin, smoother than milk. Innocent doe eyes darker than charcoal smoke,       Hair cropped and curled hidden under cloak. Red, full and plump are bow tipped lips Stealing smiles and making entire kingdom’s heart flips Matching perfectly carved, heart shaped face, Gently curved, selfless compassion, and lithe grace.           It is the divine princess Chocolate Black, And she has many fine qualities that of which you lack.” This is only a draft. With all of the live action Snow White movies coming out (even a Disney cancellation), an idea just popped into brain to create a version of t...

With April being National Poetry Month, Parish picked a convenient time to come to The Neon Movies. An astounding, vibrant piece of finely weaved storytelling and thoughtfully spoken artistry, this independent film centers on Brooklyn high school teen, Alike (pronounced ah-lik-e) an exceptionally good student and aspiring poet from a hard working middle class family. In her underground world, the shy girl hangs out with bold, outspoken, Laura, who has already proudly come out and lives with her sister. Alike, however, is much too afraid of such honesty and chooses to entrap herself with dual identities- switching from hood gear to chic fashion, she is trying to do right by parents, Arthur and Audrey, but it's her little sister, Sharonda that begins suspecting the truth first. Filled with hilarity, wit, and compassion, viewers follow Alike’s course of adolescence as she tries unsuccessfully talking to women, tests out her first strap on with Laurie’s aide, writes poetr...

The Yellow Trolley Chronicles Set in fictional Montgomery, Ohio, The Good Girl is about shy artist, dreamer, library aide, devout church goer, and avid bus rider, Josephine Huffman, a young, African American woman destined to go places. With low self esteem, a horrible upbringing, and addictive thirst for living vicariously in romance novels, her world takes a downward spin just as she’s on the brink of discovering her true worth and enjoying a sweet, blossoming companionship with Mick, a trolley bus driver who sees something special in her. The Bad Seed has Josephine taking art to places she always dreamed of. Finally attending art school in a new city and learning refreshing aspects about her beloved subject, she finds herself torn and isolated from peers and faculty while struggling to find creative identity. With studies not being difficult enough, commitment to an abusive, tumultuous relationship has her tasting darker sides of life, but a fiercely determined heart...

(Miami Valley Regional Transit Authority Trolley Circa 1996) As a kid, I loved riding the yellow bus. No. Not the school bus. The Dayton RTA trolley. Is it was always an adventure, especially around the holidays when Santa sat in the back seat handing out candy canes to eager children. Those days are long past. As well as the original trolley design. People frown heavily on public transportation- saying that it’s the poor man’s ride and that things are better efficient with a car! While there are pros and cons of every way of transport, I will always enjoy a good bus ride. With new environmentally friendly buses (they have trolley hybrids now!) and a cost effective way of saving money, buses, trains, and subways are certainly wonderful way to travel. Sometimes they can be late. At times very early. But I truly love buses and appreciate the people driving them. I especially enjoy long journeys and going the distance on buses I’ve never boarded. That of which I can do more of since recei...

I walked into Dayton Technology School on First Street downtown to take photos of the old work that was still displayed there. Students were nice to say that I didn't look my age, (17 really? C'mon now!) but the snorting at the "valley girl accent" will never end. Alas, I no longer care anymore. I sound how I sound and that won't ever change. Anyway, back to the art. These twelve pieces need to be taken home very, very soon. But one can't haul large pieces of work to and fro on these hour long journeys... "The Darkest Tree in the Neighborhood," 18" x 24," acrylic, oil pastels, Mod Podge, and deco markers on canvas, 2006. Long ago, I had an obsession with language and writing on paintings. Stemming from a maddening desire to weave my loves together, this was just another attempt. A dominating headless figure over a sideways landscape. The repetitive statement, "I am the darkest tree in the neighborhood" is in an abstract tree form ...

Dear Lips, People say that I am supposed to like you, But at times, I cannot make do. Your bow tipped shape is not so nice, The only thing you are good for is to entice. Too fat, too big, and too full, Are you not breaking a golden rule? I hate how men often stare, It is hard pretending to be unaware. No I am not in denial. Their comments are shocking, gross, and vile, See you are the dastardly villains in my world, Contents that of which the stomach hurled. Short in height, no I do not wish to be taller, I want you both to be a little bit smaller. Sad and ashamed, Face Dear Face, What is the meaning of this disgrace? For surely I do not take up so much space. Eyes are big, almond, and brown, Wide, broad nose takes the middle crown. I am a striking part above the chin, Certainly a situation that is beyond a win! You should love me. And let this be! Of a woman who is so beautiful and chaste, Men do appreciate such fine, quality taste. Do not feel this impending doubt. And take the fooli...

On a chilly early evening, I purposefully strode into Starbucks. "Uh oh here is another soy chai lover," said short, brown haired, blue-eyed Barista Man. As soon as I came in, the young, peach-skinned lad in white shirt and signature green apron always knew what I wanted. A grande sized soy hot chai tea. Today was obviously no different. "Yes," I beamed cheerfully. "That would be me!" Cold and shivering from outside's massively dropping temperature, I couldn't wait to be warmed up with my favorite beverage. The two people ahead of me seemed distressed. Okay. More like three people. There was a baby on the ground. In one of those baby carrier whatchamacallits. "What's going on?" I politely asked, through clenched I-Freaking-Need-My-Fix teeth. "We're out of soy milk," Barista Man groaned. Immediately, I fought back tears. What the fudge? Didn't I just see about 80 cartons of soy milk in their fridge yesterday? Not that...

I finally disclosed details about Library. On my friend's bus, we discussed this venture. Kind and very supportive, he was very passionate in his belief that with friends, prospective business partners, word of mouth, and generated buzz that this may very well succeed. One of a kind and uniquely original, this place could bridge different folks together and be resourceful yet fun to several generations of individuals. Library is one of many ventures in a series of planned objectives for me and I'm quite hesitant about it. The gist of it is still not completely sorted out yet, but for one thing, Library is only the tentative title. Not even sure it should be called that. However, I'm desperate to have its interior designed like a library- featuring stacks of shelves, books sorted by categories, little crook and cranny areas where people can hide and read books. Sort of like I used to when I worked at the library so long ago. Not trying to say that everyone's just like ...

Dear Life's Plan, I promise to finally make a change. Do things one at a time. If there's a day in which I feel like writing, I’ll do that. If I want to be drawing or painting, I’ll do that. Cannot keep putting things off, cannot continue the laziness. I’m so much better than this! From this day forth, I’ll do the following things before the sleep of death falls upon me: · Finalizing a part of The Yellow Trolley Chronicles- preferably 1st novel. · Then laying the other two books to rest. · Focusing on writing other pieces- meaning continuing on short stories, vignettes, poems, letters, journaling, screenplay, and future novels. · Making art again- starting off with drawing, painting, and printmaking. · Coming up with some fantastic mural ideas for Thurgood Marshall (formerly Colonel White High School for the Performing Arts) and visiting Belmont more often to feel further inspired by watching these young creative high schoolers at work! · Outlining Library- the late night eclec...