Dad, you're embrassing me.

I was inspired to write this blog after seeing an atrocious post on Shoptopia.com from one of the contestant's fathers (who is not in the lead) attacking another contestant and being basically an internet bully.

Let me give you a little backstory here.
There are two contestants who are competing in a "Style Off" to make it to the finals to win $1000 gift card to the local mall. Contestant One is Tori, a 15 year old with a urban chic, bohemian "Urban Outfitters" style. Contestant two is Yvonne, a mother who has a fun bright edgy "Express" style. The two are totally different and not similiar at all.
The contest has been going on a for a week or two now, and Yvonne is winning, by about 100 votes. Her video is just like her outfit, edgy fun, and bright. Tori's video is simple plain and well, that's it. It is what it is.

Okay so back to the story...
On the "forum/talk" section of the Shoptopia website, there seems to be some chatter coming from Tori's father. There are over a half a dozen posts asking Shoptopia users to vote for Tori, laying out her life goals of wanting to be in fashion, blah blah.
Then there is one post that says the same thing, and then so ever slightly has an amended part in parenthesis talking down about Yvonne, the contestant who is beating this man's, daughter.

WOW

Who does that?
What is it teaching this fifteen year old?

If my father did that I would be more than embrassed. That's so childish of him. I mean, what is he teaching this girl... "daddy will always be there to figth your battles"?
GIVE ME A BREAK.
It's all I can do not to talk back on this forum. The only reason I haven't is because Yvonne has asked me not to fuel the fire. No problem, it's just a silly local mall contest.

In seeing this, I am so thankful that my parents NEVER fought my battles for me or got involved and were "those parents". You know the ones who get kicked out of the kids sports games for yelling at the umpire, or the ones who are always in the principal's office complaining about the teachers.

GIVE ME ANOTHER BREAK.

Those people disgust me.
And for lack of better things to say...

Jealousy is a Bitch.

I learned many things the hard way when I was this girl Tori's, age. I leaned that the D's and F's weren't the teacher's fault. I learned the value of a dollar and have paid for everything I own.
Don't get me wrong, I'm still my father's little girl and he will help me if I ever need anything. Like when I'm at the dealership for one thing and then my estimate is for ten more things that cost ten times as much.
Even though my Dad may step in in some instances, it doesn't change the fact of what's right an wrong. The car still needs those ten things fixed and I still got those D's and F's on my report card.
For that I am thankful. My dad never embrassed me... well the sleepovers at my house with all my BFF's doesn't count.
I hope this girl learns a good lesson as well as her father. What they've collectively done together or seperate doesn't warrant a DQ for Yvonne or a Pity Card for Tori.
If they were smart, they'd learn from Yvonne and see how she did it and take notes.
Because it's not what you know, it's who you know.

that's my two cents...

-Gezika 

Here are the links to both of their blogs

http://fashnlvr.blogspot.com/  -Yvonne

http://fashiontrendsmore.blogspot.com/ -Tori

instant gratification

So, I drank some "Hater-ade" this morning while checking my email...

There is nothing that irks me worse than not receiving a return email response on something very simple.
Being generation Y (I like to think I'm generation "WHY" though), I need instant gratification to fulfill myself. I can't help it. I was raised by a Gen X'er and well blah blah this is another blog about generational differences...

So yeah, I would appreciate an email response within 12 hours, and 24 at the latest, expecially when it deals with business. Heck, you could even send me an auto-response and I'd be happy.

Did I get that? No.

So being the Peruser/Online Stalker I am, I went searching. I typed in the email that I had sent my "job questions" to and found something I'm not so sure about.

A little background on this event...
I'm interested in a dance/gogo position at a re-invented party at Hat Factory called RVAlution. The Facebook page had posted an update saying performer auditions were to be on 4/26 (that's very soon) and had an email posted for questions. I sent the email with my questions, and well now we're here at this blog.

So what really gets me is the person whom I am emailing is not who I was expecting or who I thought I would ever audition for. I dont like that I have to prove myself to someone who doesn't eat, sleep, breathe the part they are judging.
When I apply for a position as a gogo dancer, there better be bad-ass gogo's who are judging my credentials. None of this "I'm a promoter at the club" or "i'm head gogo, but you can't tell from the outside" bologna.
I'm gonna need a certified professional in my field to give me the yay or nay.
This city is so bass-akwards.

I've done this once before for a HUGE production company in DC, probably one of the largest on the east coast.   D.C. clubbing doesn't play around.

I didn't proceed further in their process and it's okay because they picked some great girls and they lived WAY closer to D.C. than I do.

<-- me at the audition in D.C.

Besides that there are far too many "issues" with their original girls- it's blatantly laid out on Twitter. Anyone can access it, I'm not drinking the "Hater-ade" now, it's in plain sight. I'm not here to live the drama of high school, I'm here to enjoy working.



Anywho...
So what I stumbled upon when "searching" for this email address was a twenty something male with a popped collar and the "fraternity" pics to go along with it.

No Sir. Hopefully you lead a double life cause I dont think people are going to take you seriously just like they haven't taken this party seriously the first time around.


So frustrating.


In closing, I had made a previous goal of starting a team of gogo's with specific traits, personalities and morals that can be contracted out to venue's. I want to be that person who finds the talent and keeps them grounded and managed.
Team EZ does a great job of this in Denver CO and I admire them for what they do and how they represent themselves. If you click on their page you know right off who they are, no frat pictures and popped collars.

Eat, Sleep and Breathe who you are and what you represent. This is who I am.
Search my email, and you'll see that it holds true...

-Gezika

post script- the real way to win this is impress the frat boys, do it better than others, become the authority and take over, then viola- I'm the expert and I'm the one doing the "judging". perfect.

black, white and grey

I work for a living. Don't we all? Unfortunately there isn't much color in my work wardrobe. Booo, yeah I know.
You should see my closet, it's black white and grey with a few pink things thrown in there for the "days off". On my day's off I find myself wearing black and white anyways. Whatever, you can't mess it up, so it is what it is...

We had a meeting last Thursday and were allowed to wear jeans in our mix of dullness. You better believe I did too!

Above was my outfit for our meeting. How hott is this, without showing a lot of skin? LOVE IT!

The top is new from Express and it's my fave new piece!

Sweater Dolman Top- Express $49.50

White Tank- Express $19.50

Grey Jean Leggings $32.99 *Clearance* Fall '10

Square Peep Toe Platform Heel - Nine West $29.99 *Clearnace* Fall '10

Bangles- Express $19.50+ each

Oakley Beckon Sunglasses- Sunglass Hut $110

What a sale shopper I am huh? The shoes are pretty comfy too for being so big. They aren't as tall as they look because they have the platform. I do love Nine West shoes though and I swear by them. I don't wear heels for a long period of time unless they are from Nine West. Period.

So there's my fashion for the week. That's about as fancy as I get. My regular work wardrobe is much more basic than this and the shoes are always flats. I stand for 6+ hours a day, so it's basically required after doing it for 8 years now.

-Gezika

terrible Tuesday

UGH!
What a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day I had yesterday.

Have you ever had a day like that. Everything is dandy, then one thing happens and sets you in a bad mood, then it all compounds throughout the day and WHAM!... breakdown.

That was my exact day yesterday.

I was at work and things were fine. Then, one person (customer) caught an attitude with me and blatantly patronized me telling me how to do my job. The thing that really irked me was that what she was buying looked ridiculous on her. I am the kind of person to be real with people, but she was such a jerk, my only intention after that was to get her money, and get her out of my store.

This tweet followed - "For knowing so much, you sure are on the wrong side of the counter. Don't make me come over it."

Okay, so whatever. I can deal with an ignorant person who is also a know-it-all. That's my job (especially in this mall)

Then, everything compunded. Where am I? Why am I still here? How did I get here? Am I happy? Where is my worth shown? Am I replaceable? Blah Blah Blah...

Oh and it gets better... the final straw that broke the camel's back walked up while I was on the phone.

She had a 10+ year old pair of shades with an equally as old case. She wanted a "new" case since this one "didn't last". She wasn't going to pay for one. I wasn't going to give her one. We don't do that. I'm not in the business of giving things away. No business is.

She then told me I was unfair, and said she knew people. They would have given her a case with no hassle.
I explained the policy once again and stood my ground.
She continued to argue. Saying she'd bought a few pairs from us. (that's great, you're not an exception to the rule and you've clearly not shopped here in ten years and your old Ray-Ban's show it.)
Trying to please the customer, that wasn't even a customer more like past-tense customer, I grab a Ray-Ban case and hand it to her.
She pushes it away and tells me she doesn't want that case. She wants a case like she has.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

SNAP

Well, ma'am, styles change in sunglasses just as they do cases. We don't carry tiny little circle glasses anymore so in turn we dont have those little glass cases they go in either. Sorry

She then asked why I was yelling at her.
I rebutted with "Why are you arguing with me?"

More going back and forth. She left with a card and a sour attitude.
I stood there in awe, wishing I had just called security and had her escorted out rather than making my blood pressure rise.

Soooooooooooo........
My whole conclusion to the day is
Why do people think they can act like fools to customer service agents. And 2, why is it common for the customer service associates to "take the abuse" and accept it as normal?

You people have watched too much Oprah, when she told you to raise your voice and argue for what you believe in and that the customer is always right.

INCORRECT or as my mentor says "FALSE!"

I will not lose my job for giving things to people who think they are an exception to the rule. I'm not an exception to the rules of my job when they fire you for giving away product. Neither are you.

And why do we, as associates in retail take this everyday abuse? Why can't we stand up for our company and our rules and regulations.

What if we did? Things would be so different.

You yell at me, I'll yell at you and tell you how I feel, since you did it to me. No more Mr. Nice Customer Service.

Respect gets Respect back.

What if everyone would get tackled that stole, none of this "we don't prosecute" crap.

An eye for an eye.

This could turn very political very quickly so I'll conclude with this.

In America, there are more laws protecting the guilty than we have to protect the innocent victims.

I'm just glad it's Wednesday...

-Gezika

extra terrestrial

Do you know how a song can just catch your attention? You know, make you stop dead in your tracks.


That song for me right now is Katy Perry- E.T.
I usually have a soundtrack each summer of my fave songs that I can put on repeat in the car when I'm just "driving" and jam out, sing along and get some "me time".
I drive a convertible too, so you can imagine how this works, especially if you have one.


Listen to it while you finish reading this... This song will be on my summer soundtrack for 2011.





I'm also struck by her makeup in one of the last shots in the video. I'm super fascinated with airbrush makeup and have been contemplating investing in one. This is a screen shot of her makeup in the video.

You can't really see her forehead in this picture, but I took this screen shot to show her hair. I'm just inspired by all of it.
I've been a fan of the "updo extensions" look for a while now. This look is a bit "extra terrestrial" but still is the same concept I like to accomplish when I go all out for a dance outfit.

Back to the makeup, I love the circles and the over-top-ness yet subtlety is has to it. The subtleness is the colors they use that play off her costume and her other makeup colors. The over-the-top is the "costumeness" of it. Very off the wall and not for everyday wear. Needless to say, this is super cute and totally perfect for a night of gogo.

I also like the Grecian flare I see in her outfit at the end of the video as well as the braid in the hair. Braids are always a hot trend for summer time.
One thing I do not LOVE about my hair (which is probably the only thing) is how thin and fine my hair is. I have so much of it too, so styles that have a lot "going on" require a lot of product and a lot of time. Hence, why I've been playing with extensions this past year... okay longer, but I've gotten it down to a science in the past 12 months.

Oh and I almost forgot. Did you see that product placement? Vogue sunglasses. Unreleased but still the hottness. Clear frame. Cat-eye shape. And Vogue, so a super good price point for a super trendy pair of sunglasses. Only Kristy Elena has these glasses so far, but they will be for sale at Sunglass Hut May 1st I believe.

Some other summer anthems of 2011-
Britney Spears- Hold It Against Me
Lady Gaga- Born This Way
David Guetta- Gettin Over You (an older one, but a banger none the less)

I'll have to search for more... it's only April so there's many more to come

-Gezika

DJ Micro CD Release Party

I was fortunate enough to be able to go to the DJ Micro CD Release Party held at Crave here in Richmond.

DJ Micro is a trance DJ from L.A. that has been in the electronic scene for many years. I have seen Micro previously at club Nation in DC in 2004. Club Nation was a warehouse in SE D.C. that brought some of the biggest names in the electronic scene to the east coast. It was torn down about 5 years ago to make way for new office complexes. (insert sad face here)

Club Crave was an intimate small venue that held an intimate small party. Only about 40 people were through the door. Over 80 people had pre-paid online for their ticket but didn't make it. Why they didn't, is beyond me.

The opening DJ's were DJ RX and DJ JMungz. Both did a great job and threw down some old and new tracks ranging from house, progressive to trance.

Last night I wore a yellow and black ensemble that I threw together last minute. I must say, I did quite the job on it and was very proud of myself when I walked in the venue and got compliments first thing. It also may be because it was the first time I have worn shorts since last year... The workouts I do 3 times a week really do pay off!

There haven't been any pictures surface of me yet in this attire I speak of, but I will update this once I locate them.

Don't you hate that? People wonder why "we" take mirror pictures of ourselves. It seems as though not everyone is interested in documenting life in pictures like I do. I take pictures of others, candid and not. But it's like pulling teeth to find people to take pictures of me unless I ask them to. I guess it's just not the first thing that comes to most people's minds.

I like getting those pictures of people when they don't know it. Then afterwards they see it and say "Wow, I didn't know you were taking pictures" or "Wow, cool picture of me". That really makes me feel good. I wish others felt this way.

Okay well enough ranting in the blog. Even though that is why all of this blogging started for me. I feel better when I write.

-Gezika

RVa Fashion Week

This week was our city's Fashion Week. Yes, I said it. Kind of like New York and Paris Fashion Week, just in Richmond. A much smaller scale, of course.

RVa Fashion Week Website

I was able to attend the "Uncorked" event on Tuesday night which was held at The Wine Loft in Short Pump. Short Pump is in the western suburbs of Richmond. It's a very established new, "hot" community with a lot of new development and with that a lot of new money.

Normally fashion week events take place in Richmond city in the downtown area, so this was a fresh change for an event to take place near me.

I attended with two of my peers and we weren't sure what to expect at all.

A bit of background... About 3 years ago when RVA Fashion Week first began, I was fortunate enough to be involved with my company and provide fashions for the runway. It was a great experience, although very hectic. The models were amazing, the fashion was very edgy and fashion forward, and the venues pumped with enthusiasm, fun and excitement.

Now this year... not so much. Although my company was not involved this year (by no fault of my own), it was NOT what I expected and did not impress me.

Harsh? Maybe. The truth? Definitely.

This year the event I attended was unorganized, not energetic and was a true let down. I had no idea what designs I was looking at.
I didn't know any background on the designers until after the fact, when I found a blogger on here http://percentblog.blogspot.com/ that had posted some info about the designers.

It was over in about an hour and a half and that was only when we saw the models walk out of the front door with their canvas totes over their shoulders.
The make-up left something to be desired (in the pictures of other shows as well).
The hair was atrocious, with one girl in a messy ponytail.
The models were positioned in front of a glass wall for their posing time, where the photogs took pictures of the designs (when taking flash photos, this doesn't work well)
I couldn't find a theme in the whole show either.
Now I do understand there are different designers, but when you do a show you must group them together, so that the audience's perception of one designer isn't actually what another designer is trying to convey.

pictures from the show on GayRVa.com

Not only was the show a disorderly mess, the venue seemed to be full of people who were there "to be seen".

Now I get this. It's Short Pump, you go there to be seen. That's a given. This was a full on junior/senior prom night though with people wandering around looking for their friends and asking their acquaintances "where's so-and-so". I understand looking for a friend, but when I take note of it, there is clearly a disconnect. And yes, it was that many people doing this and other "high school" things to make me blog about it. I'm not exaggerating. At one point I was telling one of my peers to look around and notice that not many people were even giving their attention to the models and designs being displayed around the room. So frustrating for me and I'm not even one of the designers being featured.

The pictures I saw from the other events that I wasn't able to attend were more than lackluster, and downright pitiful excuses for fashion. They were so out of the box that they weren't even fashionable anymore.

Now, don't get me wrong. I am in NO way the most fashionable person in this city, but the designs I saw in the pictures left my jaw on the floor. These are the pictures that I'm talking about...

tddoesphotography

Yeah there are a few that strike me, most of those are the all black outfits. That's it. Black hides everything though, right? You can gather your own opinion, if you can stomach the pictures.

I applaud the people who have put together this week and have done so the past 4 years. The show is not getting better, but worse and I feel sorry for the whole team who is really trying to get Richmond on the fashion map. I can't change the world though, all I can do is show up, form an opinion and seek out the great designs that are hiding somewhere in the disorganization.

It's unfortunate really, because there are some great sponsors that do a lot for this weeks events and really help our community. I shouldn't have a bad taste in my mouth, but I really do. I hope next year is better.

Below are the links to the designers whose jewelry was featured at the event I attended.

http://www.lokelleco.com/

http://www.etsy.com/people/StitchandKnot

my re-introduction

I mean really, can you believe it? It's April 1st, 2011. Where has the time gone? Where have I been on blogspot? I clearly took a hiatus. Ok well I'm back, and I hope to be better at this.
I do know where I was for a year though... Tumblr.
Yeah, kinda over it. You can't get comments, it's the biggest flaw ever. It's a little too trendy to be on there too it seems. I would love to support them seeing as they're based in offices right down the street from me, but I just can't do it.
Welcome back to Blogspot Gezika...

So wow, let me recap my life as it is right now.

WORK
I'm still in retail, still trying to get out. Aren't we all though? I didn't get my new job with a big brand but I'm making the best of it and they will notice me before it's all said and done with.
Work did send me on a OneSight clinic on the other side of world in the beginning of March. It was quite the experience. I've never been so shocked, yet so surprised at the same time. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't as expected, that's for sure. I'm glad I was able to go. Read by travel blog from the clinic on the right hand side (click on the India stamp).

Myself with a young girl and her new sunnies in India!

Yes, I work two jobs too, the other one is still there... very, very part time.

FITNESS
I'm still going to my trainer 3 times a week. It has been such a huge difference from the last few blogs on here where I posted about it. I'm a whole new person. I'm not a pro-weightlifter or anything, but I am tight and fit in most of the "women problem areas". It's so great, and honestly it was so easy. I have no muffin top, my clothes fit correctly, which is something not many people can say.
Going into a store and trying on anything I want is glorious. Not having those problem areas to work around and not buying flowy shirts that cover those areas is the best part.

Now, there is still more work to be done. It is never a finished product. Imagine what I could do if I worked out 6 hours a week instead of 3. Wow. That's motivation in itself. I've only been on this workout plan since January 2010 and it's been great so far! I wish I would have taken "before" and "after" pics so that I could post them for all to see. Just three hours a week made a HUGE difference. I'm sure I can find some pictures where you can see the difference though... I'll get back to you on that one...

DANCE
My life in 2010 revolved around dancing and supporting the scene. I was fortunate enough to be able to dance many shows for Klymatrixx and Source Productions.
It was a lot of fun and I've made strides in great new directions. Getting back into it this year will be my biggest challenge yet. The hardest part is the outfits, getting them together and being happy with them is my biggest opportunity. I am getting better at it as I go, but Team EZ is where I'd really like to see myself. (Team EZ-East Coast would be cool to pitch to them!)
Team EZ with BadBoyBill.

My other big opportunity is getting in the venues where the gogo'ing job is accepted and paid. There's one I am looking at right now, I just need a few more steps and a good push to really get there and see if it's even something for me.

In other "scene" news, my client/dj- JMungz has made great steps in his future. He was just announced as on the bill for the Starscape festival in Baltimore MD in June. If you have been there, you know the kind of talent that is there and that it's one of the biggest electronic only, music festivals on the east coast. He's been busting his butt playing everywhere, opening for big names and making a name for himself. I totally support him and everything he does. I also keep him in line, since that is my job. LOL Check him out and "LIKE" him on Facebook. He has free downloads available too!
JMungz on Facebook

Video of JMungz at Jolly Raver by Source Productions

OTHER
I'm not much of a blogger on the personal things... The followers/stalkers I have had in the past have made this possible. You can thank them all in the comments below (they still read my blogs to this day)
You won't see my rants/raves about the love life or any crazy family things like that. It just does no good on the internet. At all. It doesn't work on Facebook either so if you want to know more about me you won't find it there. Keep reading my blog and you'll slowly figure me out. Twitter is also a good definition of who I am.


So there you have it. I'm back.
Let's get started!
-Gezika