My last post of the night! I was off from work today. My back has been acting up again! Not only is my back bothering me, I can now add my shoulder. My back has never been the same since I took that fall down the stairs a few years ago. And as soon as I woke up this morning, I knew I better not mess with my back. The best thing I can do for my back when it starts acting up is just to rest it. I took a steaming hot shower and took a couple of prescription pills the doctor gave me for the inflammation, but nothing worked. So, I just took it easy today. And that meant working on my blog and not doing too much else. I have been trying to add some new artwork and videos to my blog. Bob Marley, rightly so, is listed in my artist's links. What an amazing artist and human being! When I look back at my life, there is a BIG reason my dad didn't let me work at the local music store: I would have never finished school! To say I LOVE music is an understatement. I live and breathe music. And without it, I would die. And I still enjoy watching videos as much as I did when I was younger. Afterall, I grew up watching MTV! My favorite line from Bob Marley's "Running Away" is "You can't run away from yourself". And as I get older, I have finally figured out that this is very true.

Bob Marley - Running Away - Live`79

Bob Marley is the undisputed king of reggae. I am honored to share the same birthday. And I was so very fortunate to see him play @ Pauley Pavilion, @ UCLA, in November 1979. If I had to rate the best concerts I have attended, Bob's would be in my top 3. Almost 30 years later, Bob's music still resonates throughout the world with its powerful messages of love, peace, and equality.

Pepsi - Simply Irrestible

Robert Palmer is one of my favorite artists. I cried when I heard the news he had died. Such a talented and charming artist who died too early. I have a Robert Palmer poster in my office @ work. In fact,I have several posters of various artists in my office. Just like in this video, Robert Palmer looks very dapper in that poster. A well-cut suit will take you far and it sure became Robert Palmer's signature look. Anyway, Robert Palmer epitomized sophistication and polish in all of his videos. And I think he pushed the envelope in this Pepsi commercial. This commercial was very sophisticated and at the time, there wasn't anything like it on television.

Robert Palmer - Simply Irresistible

I LOVE this video! What can I say about Robert Palmer? Mr. Suave. Mr. Sexy. Mr. GQ. When I saw Maxi Priest's "That Girl" video, it reminded me of "Simply Irresistible". A couple of my buddies have told me that I remind them of the women in this video. I don't think so! One, if that were the case,I wouldn't be working as an administrator. Second,I think I have more going for me than looking like a mannequin.

That Girl by Maxi Priest feat Shaggy

I love Maxi Priest! Ever since Bob Marley and Dennis Brown died, I have gotten more into Maxi's music. He is now my favorite living reggae artist.

On the subject of strong women, 2 of my favorite roles: artist and teacher. The 1st photo was taken back in November 2007. Gina Armfield took this picture of me @ my dear friend, Carol Parks', house. We took a 3-day Lynne Perrella workshop called "Frida's Trunk". The 2nd photo was taken a few years ago, in my classroom @ Garfield High. These are some of my "girls" with me. I am very proud of these girls: Maria, Elvira, and Pam. I had these girls for 3 of their 4 years of high school. They are all independent, intelligent, educated, and strong women. And of course, I am a little presumptious to think I had just a little bit of influence on them. Now, it is their turn to influence the next generation of women! Kelly asked me yesterday why I haven't "fucking posted"? Well, besides the fact that I have never worked this hard in my entire life, 2 weeks ago, I got a chance to go back to my teaching roots. I taught for a week in the CAHSEE English boot-camp. I had 14 students; 13 boys and 1 girl. I worked SO hard that week. I was exhausted every day. I taught 2 periods in the boot-camp, then switched back to my Assistant Principal role for the rest of the day, each day. As tiring as that week was, I felt so good about teaching again and having that opportunity to connect with students in a way I don't always get to do as an administrator.

This is some of my artwork from the last 2 years. I weaved a theme into all these pieces. I wanted to show that women are more than sexual objects. I showed their strength whether they were naked, semi-clothed, or fully dressed. I varied techniques to make these pieces. I drew, collaged, and photographed images of women. I am thinking of reworking these pieces into 1 larger piece. Some ideas are bouncing around in my head! I like to incorporate nudes into my artwork. 2 HUGE influences on my work are my dear friend and amazing artist, Juliana Coles, and Anh Duong. I LOVE Anh Duong's book, "(Self) Portraits". I find myself constantly refering back to it. Now, I just wish Juliana would publish a book of her work. The best way I can describe Juliana's work is raw, honest, and provocative. There is nothing I have seen in the last few years that comes close to Juliana's artwork. At the end of this month, I will be taking a weekend class that Juliana is teaching @ Carol Park's spectacular house/studio. I am so grateful for every moment of every class I have taken with Juliana because she has challenged me as an artist and person in ways no one else has. After her classes, you feel exhausted emotionally, mentally, and physically. If you ever get an opportunity to take a class she is teaching, don't walk; "run" (as my other dear friend, Kelly Kilmer says) to it!