January-It's January 15th and I'm editing a segment at work at GoTV. I open up Yahoo to do a search and I see the headline: US Airways plane makes an emergency landing in New York's Hudson River. Thankfully, all the passengers and crew escaped safely and the pilot is deemed a hero.
History was made on January 20th when our first African-American President was sworn into office on the steps of the US Capitol Building. I decided this was an historical event I wanted to see AND document. So I flew from L.A. to Philadelphia to pick up my sister, Airin. We hired a camera crew and road-tripped to Washington D.C. to witness it all first hand. What an incredible experience! There was an undeniable energy buzzing through the city that I'd never felt anywhere else. I interviewed people from all over the world and from all walks of life. Some people said they felt anxious. Others were overjoyed. Many were close to tears. But all of them shared one thing - a sense of hope. No one man can change the world. But he can be a catalyst to change the way people think, and that's pretty incredible.
While in Philly, I go to my college friend, Kelly's wedding. She looks so happy to be surrounded by everyone who loves her, especially her new hubby. I'm happy because I get to catch up with my Villanova U. friends, reminiscing about our days at Erin's Pub, Garrett Hill, and the Black Cultural Society Parties.
On another note, Nadya Suleman gives birth to 8 children at once! Talk about incredible...incredibly CRAZY.
I decide that I'm sick of being JUST a dramatic actress and it's time to try my hand at comedy. So I start taking classes with Lisa Sundstedt's "Pretty Funny Women." I'm shocked and appalled when she expects us to ACTUALLY be funny the first class.
February-I'm lucky enough to report from the Oscar Nominee Luncheon at the Beverly Hilton Hotel for GoTV. I'm in a small room with a bunch of other reporters from all over the world asking questions of nominees like Viola Davis, Penelope Cruz, Taraji Henson, Frank Langella, and Kate Winslet. Afterwards, I step outside on the balcony for some fresh air and run into Robert Downey Jr. and Sean Penn having a cigarette. I casually say hello to both of them, and try not to pass out. Slumdog Millionaire ends up sweeping the Oscars. Things are changing....
I shed a tear for my Eagles as one of our rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers wins the Super Bowl.
All month long, Verizon and GoTv give me the chance to celebrate Black History Month by interviewing some Grammy nominees & past winners. I sit down for over an hour with Tito and Jermaine Jackson at the MoTown Universal offices in Santa Monica discussing the Jackson 5's rise to stardom, Obama taking office, and their upcoming reality show on A&E. After that, it's sit downs with Otis Redding, Duke Fakir, Jazmin Sullivan, Asher Roth, and Jamey Johnson.
Obama signs a $787 Billion stimulus package to avert an economic crash.
I'm reporting from the Verizon Blackberry Storm pre-Grammy party when Rihanna & Chris Brown walk the red carpet. I think how this beautiful, elegant looking young woman seems such a mis-match to her date. Apparently they are. Two days later, I'm on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards for GoTV when I hear whispers of domestic violence between the two singers. Really disappointing. But while I'm there, I end up scoring interviews with Quincy Jones, Akon, Jason Mraz, and Anthony Hamilton.
After 8 weeks of classes and telling jokes at open mic nights in Hollywood and The Valley, I finally do stand-up in front of an audience. I tell jokes about my childhood as light-skinned house slave and stalking celebrities on the red carpet. I get laughs and a few blank stairs, but I survive to make a fool of myself one more day.
March-Business executive, Bernie Madoff pleads guilty to milking investors to the tune of $65 BILLION in a ponzi scheme. So what happened to all that money anyway?
April-Apparently the economic stimulus hasn't trickled down to the wireless industry because I'm laid off from my job with GoTV. But I'm now again free to focus fully on acting & dancing.
Somali pirates hold a cargo ship captain hostage for 5 days on a covered lifeboat. US Navy snipers kill 3 of the 4 pirates and bring the 4th to the US to stand trial.
I interview Raphael Saadiq for a Rolling Stones/Heineken advertisement. I'm inspired by his creativity and his stay-with-it-ness. The man has been in the music industry for almost 30 years! Amazing.
May- The H1N1 flu (swine flu) is rapidly spreading across the globe. I ain't scared of no pig, so I jump on a plane to go spend 3 glorious weeks in Europe visiting with Raj in London, going to the Cannes Film Festival, getting caught on a runaway train w/ Reena, being propositioned by French taxi drivers, visiting Paris w/ my mom & sisters, and basking in the sun on the Mediterranean.
June-On June 4th, President Obama addresses the muslim world from the University of Cairo in Egypt.
Protesters fill the streets of Iran after disputes over the win of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over Mir-Hossein Mousavi. Pictures of violence by Iranian police are flashed across tv and computers all over the world.
In Los Angeles, The King of Pop, Michael Jackson dies leaving the entire world mourning the loss of a musical icon. A few days later, I attend Puff Daddy's BET Awards pre-party thanks to my friend Al Bayan's connections. I end up having a dance off with Diddy and Lil Mama as the DJ spins Michael. Oh, Hollywood....I gotta love ya!
I do my first radio interview ever with Sam & Jasmine on LA Talk Radio. Somehow, the conversation turns from movies and burlesque dancing to sex and relationships. Someone get me out of here!
July-A comedy short I acted in called "Politicians Gone Wild" ends up on Funnyordie.com. YAY!
My younger sister Airin comes to visit me for Independance Day in L.A. Feels so good to be with family.
Acting work is sparse, so I spend most of the month writing on the beach in Venice. This may be the best Summer of my life.
August-I shoot an episode of Criminal Minds where I play....drumroll please......a dead body. I go through hours of prosthetics and make-up to lie motionless on a hard stage floor for 8 hours while Shemar Moore delivers dialogue standing over me. I think this may be my big break.....
4th time's a charm! I am a bridesmaid in my friend, Candace's wedding back home in Pennsylvania. I'm now officially a professional bridesmaid. I may be the last broad standing....hmmm-sounds like a movie title.....While I'm there, I catch up with my high school Cheerleading squad and my coaches. I realize they were my age when they were coaching me. Boy time flies!
Two Current TV Reporters are released from North Korea after being arrested for illegally entering the country on the Chinese border.
Ted Kennedy dies and Americans mourn his passing.
Jaycee Dugard is found alive with her 2 children 18 years after being kidnapped by Phillip Garrido.
September-Kanye West pulls a.....well, a Kanye West by trying to steal Taylor Swift's shine at the MTV Awards.
October-President Obama wins the Nobel Peace Prize.
I accept a role in the Actor's Collective play "Cuba and His Teddy Bear" by Reinaldo Povod. My days are spent doing what I truly love doing. Acting, dancing, and creating with some really talented people. This is how life should be.
The nation holds its breath as a runaway weather balloon flies above Ft. Collins, Colorado holding a little boy....SIKE....it's just the premise for a cool new reality show starring a Dick that goes by the name of Heene.
My friend Kemaiye and I dance with thousands of other Michael Jackson fans to MJ's "Thriller" in downtown L.A.'s Nokia Center in the world's largest flash mob.
November-Life is simple. I wake up. I workout or take a yoga class. I go to play rehearsal. I come home. I eat. I write. I watch a movie. I go to bed & do it again the next day. Simplicity is good.
The massacre by US Army Major Nidal Malike Hasan at Ft. Hood leaves people asking WHY.
Tiger Woods crashes his Escalade. His wife Elin bashes his head....ALLEGEDLY ;-)
Twilight mania strikes again with New Moon, the next chapter of the vampire saga.
December-"Cuba and His Teddy Bear" premieres at the Underground Theater in Hollywood. It's been a memorable experience, and I've learned a tremendous amount from my castmates and the crew. Can't wait to do it again.
I finally buy my first guitar. My finger nails are too long to actually play it properly, but I've got my new acoustic guitar! Yee-haw!!! Now all I need are some lessons....
On December 16th, my big sis, Angela gives birth to my first niece, Mia. Why does EVERYTHING feel differently today? I guess that's what happens when a new baby girl is born into the family.
The Christmas Day bomber bombs himself.
I go back to work as a Segment Producer for E! Entertainment's Live Events season. Next stop....The Golden Globes.
