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

you changed my life

Although this is a random post, and not my normal writings, I had to get this down.
Someone changed my life. It happened and I didn't even see it coming.
I think I changed their life too. I hope.
Now what?
I don't even know what to do, or how to react.
Am I just yearning for something different?
Was it fate?
Or was it just fun?
Sometimes, I don't know what to do, or which path to take now.
I'll never be the same again.

On the second subject, isn't it crazy how a song can remind you of those things that shaped or changed your life.
Some songs make me realize my dreams too.
I need to act on them and make my dreams a reality.
So much to do, and so many decisions to make.
Where do I start?

Chicago

So I'm back from Chicago, and wow, what an experience I had!

I was doing two weeks of volunteer work for OneSight with a bunch of other people from my company. It was so great to get out of my normal work environment and meet so many great people from all over North America.

I had so much fun that I didn't want to come hom even though it was 20 degrees colder there than here in my hometown. We all know how much I hate cold weather too!

This song makes me really think about where I am and what I'm doing and what Chicago Clinic taught me. Take a listen...



Our clininc helped over 3400 kids receeve the gift of sight in Chicago Public Schools. I met so many amazing people that really showed me and helped me realize how big the world is and that Virginia is only a fraction of life and what it could be.

I got to see so much more than just kids those two weeks when I was in Chicago. I got to experience the parks, the Chicago Deep Dish pizza, the people, the nightlife, the Magnificant Mile and so much more...

I can't wait to go back this summer on a road trip with Tabyta to see it all again and more!

Q3

So it seems that I've fallen off the blog-wagon! It's been weeks since I've written in here!
So much has happened in the past 3 weeks. The reason I haven't logged on is that my laptop has a virus and I can't get on it to use it, so I'm stuck with the ol' iPhone to get online. Writing a blog on a handheld device is not exactly the easiest.
I am doing just that right now though. In my defense, it was either stare at nothing for the next 4 hours or try to put this together. As you can see I'm tapping away with my thumbs on a digital keyboard smaller than my palm.

I'm now in my third month with my personal trainer. It's going good still and although I'm not loosing inches I do feel better. Currently I am in a 3-day routine, so I should really step it up and add a few days each week.
That all leads me to work. Oh work, how I loathe the 6 day work week. It's not that I do hard labor or anything difficult, but let me tell you, I'm so bored. I stand for 7+ hours a day and speak to no one. I watch people walk by, think too much, eat, watch people, think and eat some more. (doesn't sound like the trainer wants to hear that huh?) Though you may not think so, at the end of the day I'm mentally exhausted. Maybe I think too much but there's nothing else to do when you work in silence 6 days a week, sometimes 7.

This then leads me to my new adventure... Doing what I love and possibly, eventually for a living!
I have begun to take the steps to try my hand at Gogo Dancing. I was able to do my first gig on the 19th of February at a bar/club in my hometown during their Mardi Gras party week.
Let me just say, I now know what it's like, and Ms. Easy is in the right business! I had so much fun and burned so many calories! Double bonus! My PT loves to hear that calorie count!

Let me just tell you what it's like if you don't know and clarify for those of you who have a raised eyebrow.
When you are the Gogo dancer...
- you have to start dancing before anyone else has even thought about coming to the dancefloor. If you are the least bit shy, this might not be your cup of tea.
- you are the least dressed person in the place and rightfully so. Dancing hard (see below) for 3+ hours will wear you out and you will sweat. Even the smallest articles of clothing get hot after a while.
- when everyone is watching you, you have to dance hard. By that I mean move it like you mean it, using your arms, legs, head/hair flips, smile and of course what your Mama gave ya.
- Gogo dancers are NOT strippers. I don't know if people know the difference but I just thought I'd throw that out there just in case.
-if you think Gogo dancers are drinking up on the stage and shaking it like they are for multiple hours you'd be wrong. Maybe some dancers do, but for the most part it's a strenuous activity and keeping hydrated is key. Alcohol is only going to hydrate your lack of a personality.
- some drunk people are annoying to the Gogo dancers and again, Ms. Easy is justified in her tweets to the crazies. Being touched, egged on and anything else is really frustrating. I'm working so don't bother me. 
Don't get me wrong I can be friendly and talk/dance with you but take a hint if you notice the Gogo dancer moves to the other side of the platform. You're wasted, they're not, so they're not as amused as you are.

There is so much more to write about but I wouldn't want to spoil the following weeks blog entries.
I have two more shows coming up here soon. The first is "Equal Friday" at Bourbon Street on March 12. The next will be "Synchronized" in Harrisonburg on April 3rd . I'll post the flyer up once I get the file in my email.

Other than that everything else is same ol' same ol'. 
Coming up in April I will be going on my OneSight mission for two weeks in Chicago. We will be giving the gift of sight to over 3000 school children. Super exciting! 
http://onesight.org

Until then, here's to spring and daylight savings time (which by the way starts on 3/14)

-Gezika