gettin' it in...in two thousand ten

some people make resolutions...i make lists...things that i want to get accomplished, hopefully, by the year's end, but--i don't put any major pressure on myself. it's nice to make a list, and at the end of the year, see how much i've accomplished. i can look back and say specifically, "i got this, this, and this done THIS year..." some things are one time deals and can be crossed out once completed, and some, well, some are 'to be continued'...things that i will work on and towards, for as long as i solo shall live.

i encourage those reading this to do the same, you'd be surprised at your results...

in 2010 in no particular order, i plan to...

1. try sushi-this has been on my list for a while...it WILL get done...and soon

2. make better, wiser decisions-this is one of those lifelong goals...i'm definitely going to do a better job of this, this year, than i did last year

3. be more open to communication-i mean this in more than just one way...many of you know i hate talking on the phone, and will very often not answer my phone, for that very reason. i apologize...it's something i've been trying to work on, and continue to do so. i am also referring to the more generally specific meaning (did i just say that?can i say that ? )...for instance, i want to be more blunt (but decent). if i'm not interested in someone, i want to just tell them that i'm not interested, and why. people deserve the explanation, they don't deserve excuses, and coming from someone who has been given plenty of excuses, and not nearly enough explanations, i, of all people should be the first one to offer up the latter.

4. resume guitar lessons-i stopped right before i quit my job. as soon as i'm able, i will start up again...in fact, i've already got the name and # of my next instructor. i can't very well expect to be a rock star, without getting great at my craft, right? :)

5. write/blog more!-i think i've been doing a pretty good job of this. i've been writing songs, jotting things down in my notebook/notepad, and blogging. call me charmin extra soft, 'cause i'm on a roll. i also plan to write at least one piece and submit it some place....rollingstone, where you at?!

6. get a great job!-i loved the work i did before, just not the job/atmosphere. i hope to find another job that will be a challenge and where both the company, and myself, will benefit from my employment. i can't wait...i've got nothing but high hopes and big faith. can't go wrong with that.

7. save money-okay, i have to admit, i have never been one to save money.to be honest, i never saw the immediate need for it. until, i quit my job...and whoa, reality hit like a ton of bricks. starting with my next paycheck, if nothing else, i will set a minimum $5 aside per pay period...and if/when i'm able to set more aside, i will. rainy days, they come a dime a dozen, and everyone needs an umbrella.

8. go to miami 5/13/10-a few years ago, i started a tradition for myself to go to miami every year for my birthday (a borrowed tradition from my 'twin') ...i skipped last year and went to virginia beach, but i'm ready to get back on track. miami, here i come. (see why it's so hard to save money? lol)

9. return to isle of palms, sc for hotel carolina 2010-i cannot tell you how much i enjoyed myself last year...a music lover's dream...right on the beach. i met great folks, hung with some of my favorite musicians and can't wait for the reunion.

10. dress up more(age appropriate)-i'm 28, but i look like i'm 15 (i get asked often what high school i attend). i think aside from actually looking young, it probably doesn't help that i don't dress like a 28 year old...you're most likely to find me rockin' my favorite pair of AE Boyfriend Jeans, a tank top or a v-neck, and some flip flops (or rocketdogs)..and a hoodie instead of a coat/jacket. i wanna keep my style but i think i may be able to work out a way to incorporate age-appropriate stuff. meh. we'll see.

11. get my collarbone/clavicle implant-done deal, got this january 26, 2010. i plan to go back and get the other side done in the next few weeks

12. get another tattoo by miya bailey-one down, many more, to go. soon miya, i need a partial sleeve in my life.

13. go skydiving-i attempted this a couple years ago, unfortunately, our appointment was during the same weekend as the talladega races, and apparently, skydivers and chopper blades don't mesh well...i had a year to reschedule, but never got around to going back. this is the year...i'll see how friendly those skies really are.

14. take an art[istic] class-i'm thinking pottery, or piano...but leaning towards pottery, especially if i'm going to be taking guitar lessons....or maybe even a dance class...salsa perhaps? or hip hop...so i can pop. lock. and drop it.

15. pay off at least one high $ bill

16. print photos and start albums-with internet sites like facebook, myspace, flickr, photobucket, etc. ...people don't actually PRINT pictures anymore, they're all digital. what i'm planning to do is to save all of my online pix to my memory card, go to kinkos, and print them out and start an album. i plan to have a friends/family/good times album and a recipe photo album. i've been cooking a lot lately and trying out new recipes and i always post them on facebook, so i think i will either manually write or type and print the recipes and then also print the corresponding picture...neat idea i think...plus it's a nice idea for the coffee table.

17. cook more--done...see for yourself--->click here<---. and i shall continue.

18. move to and/or prepare to move to nashville-it is the 'music city' and i am in love with music...why am i not already living there?? this is one of those things that i definitely want to at least be close to completing by the year's end. i'm determined. nashville, are you ready for me?

19. read and complete at least one book-i'm notorious for starting a book, and not finishing it. i'm currently in the process of reading 'I'll Fly Away' by Wally Lamb...the follow up to 'Couldn't Keep It To Myself', which i read several years ago. time for me to knock this second one out.

20. send mom flowers 'just because'-for no other reason than that i love her enough to recognize her greatness on any day, not just special occassions.

21. write/send at least 3 letters-no one sends letters anymore...technology, as much as i love it, has taken away some of our 'personal' favorites. i'm gonna make somebody's day. 3 somebody's.

22. stand firm in what i believe to be right-no. matter. what.

23. start buying lotto tickets (weekly)-gotta be in it to win it folks, gotta be in it, to win it.

24. go on another cruise-i've been on two...one was 4 days(cozumel & key west), the other was 7 (san juan, puerto rico, st.thomas us virgin islands, and st.maarten). both were all-expense paid...i don't think i'll get that lucky again, but i'd still like to go on another. this might carry over to 2011, because i either want to go on the ROCKBOAT (and that one has already set sail and returned for this year) or the MAYERCRAFT CARRIER (if there is another one).

25. reunite w/sarah-sarah and i were best friends back when we were 13 and living in hawaii. we haven't seen each other since we were 14. we're long over due. we will have our reunion this year. you can bet on it.

26. professional mani/pedi at least once a month-i want 'em in my life. i need em in my life. come put 'em in my life. i'ma keep 'em in my life.

27. buy more underwear-i have plenty, but this is something you never can have too many of. word up, hey.

28. never order the same thing twice-no matter what restaurant i go to...and no matter what my favorite dish is at whatever restaurant i go to, i will not order what i always order. i will think outside of the box. i will try new things. my tastebuds can't wait.

29. discover new authors-i used to do something similar when i would go to best buy. i'd go to some random section (the F's for instance) and pick out some random musician i've never heard of before, and buy their album to give it a listen...this is what i want to do at the library. after i read the book i'm currently reading, i'm planning to go to the library, and starting in the A's, select some random [last name starts w/an 'A'] author, and read a book of theirs...and work my way all the way up to the Z's.

30. start attending church regularly-i did go this past sunday evening. that's a start. amen.

31. start reading the newspaper daily, from cover to cover-i've been doing pretty well at this since the beginning of the year, i go purchase a paper daily, and read it in its entirety [save for the sports section].

...and well, that's where my list is at so far...i'll keep you posted as i add new items...and cross items off.

hope you've enjoyed.

chime in.

"...i know what i want, and i'm gonna get it, baby, believe me, it's just a matter of time..."~michael warren 'i know what i want'

thank you, mr.so 'n so

since i'm on the subject, of what i do and don't want, i thought i'd give examples [some, entertaining] of what has helped me to determine what i do and don't want to deal with in the future.

use the #'s from the previous posting as a guide to what particular dislike i'm referring to...i won't give examples of ALL of them, but, a few should suffice.

...in absolutely no particular order...

(oh, and the names of the not-so-innocent will be protected...sort of)

"Joe"--What Mr.Platt Was Talking About--#13

random guy (with his pants on the ground) that stopped to talk to me as i was walking into the mall one day

him: ayeee shawty...yo name must be burger king, 'cause i'm tryna have it your way"

me: um..., no, my name is Jessica. (i said Jessica, because there's no real reason that this guy needed my real name.)

him: oh, well my name Joe, but they call me 'Goldie' (and as he says this, he smiles a big wide smile to showcase his golden grill & in addition, points at it...as if i'd somehow managed to miss it)

yes, i am a fan of originality & creativity...however, i will opt to just say no to cheesy pick up lines, gold grills, pants on the ground, and other nonsensical thuggery.

"Mark"--The Lush/The Non-Believer--#1, #5

on our first date, during the course of conversation, Mark asked me if i could go anywhere, where would i want to go. since i am very much into anything aquatic related, and at the time, hadn't yet been to the world's largest aquarium, i told him about my plans to at some point check out the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, GA. well, when my birthday rolled around, mark told me to make sure i didn't make any plans, because he was going to take me some place special. turns out, that 'some place special' was a surprise overnight trip to atlanta, to make my dream come true. i was thrilled. we checked into our hotel around 8pm and then went roaming around downtown in search of a liquor store. we found what must have been the best one, because inside, was a black superman...no, seriously, i have proof.

anyways, after taking full advantage of what was possibly the best photo opportunity of our lifetimes, we proceeded to the register with a 6pk of budlight, and a 12pk of whatever his drink of choice was that night. back at the hotel, we cracked open our beers, and proceeded to get dressed so that we could meet up and hang out with my brother. we met up with him and his friend at a sports bar for dinner and more drinks(he had 4 beers)...left them and went and had a really nice time at the sundial restaurant bar ...where, we ordered a bottle of wine(x2)...and more beer(only one pictured here, but this was juuust the beginning--he had about 6 more).

when we finally got back to the hotel, mark polished off the rest of his 12pk and we crashed out and went to sleep. the next morning, we got up and mark asked if i had any of my beers left, i had two left from the previous night. he grabbed one (warm) and got in the shower with it...got out, then had the other one, before we trotted off to the aquarium and then hit the highway back home. when we got back into town around 4pm, we stopped by his parents' to pick up his dog...where he had a corona, before we headed to his house. on the way, we stopped by the video store for a movie and the gas station....for two 6pks of Mickey's (for him, not me). we made one more stop, for food, and then finally, home. about an hour or two later (no more than two), he'd downed both of his 6pks, when one of his friends called and said they were on their way, he told them to pick him up another 6pk.

ok, let me put that whole story into perspective for you.

12 beers from the liquor store

4 beers at the sports bar

2 bottles of wine at the sundial

6 beers at the sundial

2 warm beers the next morning

1 corona at his parents'

12 Mickeys that he bought

6 Mickeys that his friend brought over

all in all he consumed 43 beers, and the majority of 2 bottles of wine...all in less than 24hours. that's when i realized he had a real problem. i should have realized it before then...getting drunk on a daily basis is usually a pretty good indication...but you know what they say, love is blind.

yes, i am all about knocking a few back, and having a good time. but there's a difference between having a drink, and NEEDING a drink. i'm just sayin'. oh, and he's an atheist...dunno how i EVER thought that was gonna work. i mean, really.

"Bradley"--The Miser--#7

so, i was hanging out with this guy one night and we were in the middle of watching a movie...I, Robot, i believe...when he asked if i was hungry, and if i wanted to make a food run. i was, so i agreed, and we hopped in my car, and off we went. we decided on checkers (something quick so we could get back to our movie). if you've ever been to checkers (or rally's), you know that the drive-thru is set up sort of interestingly. there are two sides--if you pull up on the left side, the speaker is on the driver's side. if you pull up on the right side, the speaker is on the opposite side, and the passenger does the ordering.

in our case, the left-side was car-free, so that's the side i pulled into, and ordered from. after i'd told the person at the other end, what we both wanted, and she gave us the total, brad turned and said to me "how come you didn't put it on separate checks?" ...and yes, he was serious. oh, and did i mention that together, the total ticket was under $10.00? truthfully, i wasn't even expecting him to pay for my portion, i was going to give him my half without him asking...but his statement really kind of blew me away.

i don't even think i need a finishing thought for this one, it sort of speaks for itself i think.

"Jason"--Mr.Unreliable--#14

boy, oh, boy. i'll try to keep this one as short and as sweet as possible. okay...jason and i dated back in my younger years, circa 2000, and we were together for a little under a year. because i come from a largely military background, my family is spread out all over the U.S. and some, out of country. with that said, holidays were generally spent out of town at whoever's home had been selected that year, and for that holiday. so, Christmas rolled around, and my parents were making travel arrangements...except, i wasn't going that year. no, jason had invited me to spend time at HIS family's home in birmingham, al. this was big for me, this was huge...this was the first time that i'd been in a serious relationship really, and the first time that i'd had a guy not only wanting me to meet his parents, but to spend a major holiday with them! i was elated, i cannot stress that enough. because it was Christmas break, he was already IN birmingham, and was having to drive back to huntsville (about 1.5hr distance) to get me. he'd called me and told me to pack my bag for the weekend, and to be ready when he got there so we could turn around and get back on the road to his parents'....i'd probably already had that bag packed for a week (i told you, i was excited). my parents flew out that morning, and so, i sat around trying to entertain myself and keep from going crazy from anxiety, while waiting for him to arrive. well, long story short, he never showed up. he never even called. i spent that Christmas entirely alone. i was devastated, i was crushed...i was utterly..well, confused. i didn't know what to think...had something happened to him? had he changed his mind? i had no idea. the more time that passed by, the more my worry turned to anger (i don't remember, but i'm pretty sure that i probably tried calling him). after Christmas break was over and school was back in session, i was on campus and happened to have run into him, it went like this:

::he frantically flags me down, right in the middle of me frantically trying to ignore him::

him: heeeeey

me: um, hey

him: oh yeah, i got you a Christmas gift

Chris Crocker sums it up perfectly for me:

i don't remember exactly how it went after that, but i do know that i confronted him about being a jerk and standing me up on Christmas...his excuse was even worse than the act itself. he told me he was on his way, but he got pulled over and given a citation for playing his music too loudly (never heard of that happening on the highway...i'm just sayin')...so he turned around and went back home.

DUBBYA TEE EFF. i probably should have known what i was in for, when on valentine's day, he didn't call me until almost midnight and when he did, said "yeah...i got your gift if you want it"...and when i asked him why i was just hearing from him, he said "oh, i've been waiting all day to get a haircut." [insert my blank stare, here]

he was wrong on SO many levels...#1 anyone dating me, doesn't need to lie...i'm pretty easy going, but, if you're going to lie please do not insult my intelligence with b.s. excuses that make absolutely NO sense. #2 i don't have to be your #1 priority, but if i'm giving you my time (which, believe me when i say, is RARE for me), then i expect to be somewhere near the top of the priority list...and #3 i cannot stand for people to give me their word, and have no follow-thru...your word, is your bond.

"David"--Mr.Insecurity--#2, #4, #5, #6, #12, #14, #15

i could, and probably will, write a book about my many bad experiences with david, but for now, i'll just talk about his jealousy/insecurity/clingy-nature. david was a total control freak. i had to lose my entire self, to be with him. he was threatened by any form of communication i had with anyone outside of him...so i couldn't text or talk on the phone when i was around him. my internet use was also extremely limited during the span of time that we were together. i lost [touch with] many of my friends, near and far, because i wasn't allowed to hang out with them, or even communicate with them, without it being a problem, or causing some sort of outrageous argument. there were so many different instances, that instead of pinpointing one, i'll just do bulletpoints:

• on one rare occasion that he actually 'let' me have a night out with the girls, he was nice enough to lend me his truck, because we were going for an out of town show, and my car is pretty small. anyways, after the show, i called him to check in, and as he answered, he overheard one of my friends saying something about a guy...he took it out of context, hung up on me and commenced to texting me that i had better get his vehicle back in town NOW, or else.
• another time, he and i were out of town..i got a text message from a friend and started laughing at it...he asked what it said, i told him it was sort of an inside joke, and he wouldn't think it was funny..he insisted that i tell him anyway, and i did. in the text, my friend was asking what i was doing, i told her i was out of town and she said "oh, 'cause we're havin' a crackhead party and i was gonna invite you LOL" ...that's what it said, it was clearly a JOKE. for whatever reason, he became livid...we're walking to have dinner, and get into a full-on argument about this stupid little text, in the middle of the street...with people watching. so embarrassing. i'm totally out of the mood to even be there any longer, he says "look, do you want to go to dinner, or not?"...i tell him no, he tells me to give him his wallet out of my purse, which i do. he then says "well, i'm going to dinner, i don't care what the f*** you do"...and walks off and leaves me stranded in the middle of downtown (and remember we were OUT of town)...with no key to even get back into the hotel room.
• he had to see/spend time with me EVERY day, or else he would think that i was out with someone else, which i would have been too afraid to do, even if i were the type of person that would two-time someone, which i'm not.
• one of the worst things was when i went to visit family out of town...he knows that my cousin, Maurice (otherwise known as 'Reese'), and i are reeeeally reaaaally close...aside from my mom, he's one of my favorite people in the world, he's like my little brother.

anyways, so, here i am, trying to enjoy my vacation with family, and he's calling me asking stupid questions...like this one: "so...where is everyone sleeping?" ...to which i reply "um, at my uncle's house, i told you where we were going to be staying" ..."yeah, but i mean, like, where is everyone going to sleep, there are a lot of you there, right?...are you and Reese going to have to share a bed?" ....really? seriously? yes, he asked that. and yes, the reason he asked that is because he was sick enough to be threatened by even THAT. quite ridiculous.

as it turns out...anyone who is that insecure, jealous, and obsessed, has a reason for it. all of the things he was terrified of me doing (and worse), he was doing himself. go figure, right?

i reeeeally know how to pick 'em, right? i know, i know. but, like i said in the previous blog, i actually appreciate these people/experiences.

"pain, is such a funny thing...'cause when it hurts, it hurts, but when it leaves, it goes. so much better, to hurt a little bit now, than to be so far gone, and hurt a whole lot..tomorrow."~ Calvin Richardson 'Looks Like You've Been Crying'

because of them (and others), i'm far more alert, aware, and AWAKE. as soon as i recognize something in someone that resembles any part of the negative sides of past guys i've dated, i bring it to a screeching halt...there's no more of that hoping "it'll get greater, later"...i don't want to waste their time, and i certainly don't want to waste any more of mine.

"...because of you, i never stray too far from the sidewalk, because of you, i've learned to play on the safe side so i don't get hurt..." ~Kelly Clarkson 'Because of You'

Chime in.

ya do, or ya don't, or ya will, or wontcha...

...so, over the past year....or five, i've been doing a lot of soul searching (sometimes inadvertently)...figuring out who i am...what i want. the whole sha-bang. and i must say, i'm pretty close. there are things i have dealt with, things i've endured...struggles, hurdles, and obstacles, that i've overcome...which have all brought me to a pinnacle of discovery. self-discovery. i realize that i would not be the person i am today, were it not for each and every experience i've had and or person i've met. so i appreciate all things and people in that manner. the purpose of this particular entry is...well, i was doing some thinking earlier...i'm single, but i don't consider that a state of emergency as some women (especially women my age and beyond) might consider it to be. i'm to a point where, in many regards, i've mastered the art of patience...and so, i am okay with waiting. but while waiting, i don't think there's anything wrong with taking into account, the things i do, and do not want. and thus, the thought entered my mind, to make a collective list of some of the things that i desire most and find most important in a potential counterpart.

i am not looking for a guy and/or a relationship. but, if one were to find me, i'd like for him to possess at least 75% of the following:

1. he should believe in God and have some sort of relationship with Him.

2. he should be educated and/or knowledgeable (he doesn't need to have a degree, but he should be intelligent). i want to be able to have a conversation with him beyond football, what's going on in hollywood, and even beyond the love of my life, music.

3. he should be employed & preferrably doing better than i (not because i'm out for his money in any shape, form, or fashion--but because i would like to be with someone who has the potential of inspiring me, beyond me...and doing so by way of example). if he is not employed and/or not where he wants to be in life, he should be actively working to attain his goals.

4. he should have a positive outlook on life, and things in general. there is nothing more draining than being with someone who believes the whole world is against them & that everything is a loss, a fail, and/or a potential disaster (and i can say that, i was that person in the past). this is why #1 is so important, anyone with any kind of real faith doesn't have the time or capacity to entertain hopelessness and useless negativity.

5. he should not have any addictions: this includes alcohol, drugs, sex, or gambling (my ex was an alcoholic--and after the fact, i also found out about his cocaine use...so, been there, don't want to go down that tumultuous road again). to expound further on that, if he can't function on a daily basis without alcohol...then houston, we have a problem.

6. he should be respectful and mindful of his language, in my presence, and the presence of other women, children, and elders. don't get me wrong, i'm not a prude nor a holy roller, but at this point in life, there's just a certain respect that i not only expect, but, deserve.

7. he should not be cheap. i am the type of person who likes to enjoy life and all that it has to offer. i like to go new places, and see new things. i don't want my outings to be marred and/or hindered by the nagging of someone complaining about the cost of every little thing ALL the time-and/or-someone who can't join me on my outings because they're too cheap to do so.

8. because i am into the arts, i would like for him to have an artistic/creative side-be it in visual arts, music, writing, etc...i am big on expression through art/creativity, so i relate easily and am attracted to others (in general) who share that same passion.

9. speaking of passion...he should be passionate about SOMETHING...whether it's his work, his art, his hobby, etc.

10. he should be confident, but, humble. he should know what skills and positive character traits he possesses, without exuding an air of arrogance, after all, "a peacock struts, because he cannot fly."

11. he should have a sense of humor...because the inability to laugh, is the ability to bore..i made that one up. and yes, you can quote me. :)

12. he should be open-minded and fair. i'm a 'fair'ly open-minded person myself, and though it's said that opposites attract, i'm generally not attracted to stubborn, one-sided individuals with tunnel vision.

13. he should take pride in and be conscious of his appearance. he should have good hygiene, and he doesn't have to 'break casket sharp' every time he steps out, but he should be presentable...and let us not forget General Larry Platt's anthem:

14. he should be honest and reliable...as the saying goes, 'you don't have to lie, to kick it'...this rings especially true with me. i will not expect a lot from you (i.e. demanding a relationship, requiring daily communication, etc.). i will, however, hold you to your word...it is the one thing that you should give and simultaneously, keep. if you tell me you're going to call...then i expect you to call...if you can't be accountable for the minor...then you can't be accountable for the major (in my book anyway).

15. he should want to be with me, spend time with me...because he wants to, not because he needs to. i don't deal well with 'clingy'...it makes me run in the other direction. especially if it's too soon. i need to know that whom ever i'm with, can stand on his own, like i can stand on my own...but together, we're a united front.

...that's all for now...remember, i'm still in discovery mode. the list may change...i may add things...i may take things away...but, so far, what do you think? i do not require a super model. a genius. or a millionaire. i ask for the simple things...is it a fair list?...or am i just dreamin...

"...when they tell me, to keep on dreamin', that's just what i'm, i'm gonna, that's just what i'm gonna do..."

chime in.

They Built That City on Ink & Soul

It’s not as if this was my first time at the rodeo, but it certainly was my best.

There aren’t many of you that are reading this that don‘t already know what I'm referring to, but for those of you that have been hibernating under a rock for the past several months and not reading my blog and/or facebook updates (shame on you by the way), I have been counting down for my appointment to get inked by celebrated Atlanta master tattoo/fine artist, Miya Bailey.

Featured in the April 2009 issue of Inked magazine that I picked up at Books-A-Million:

This tattoo has been a long time coming. It was actually my third attempt (the first two fails, my fault, for being unable to make the appointment--a word of advice: never make plans to get something done, when you’re with someone else, and not the one doing the driving). Third time’s a charm I guess…and speaking of 3's, I made my appointment and paid my deposit three months ago, at the time, August 1st was his first available appointment, and coincidentally, his last...as he is taking the whole month of August off for a much-needed vacation. So, yesterday was my day, and I could barely contain myself. See for yourself:






I have to admit, I was a little nervous before I walked into City of Ink (also known as C.O.I). Not about the tattoo, but, since I was by myself, I just wondered if I’d feel awkward. Those feelings went out the door, as I walked in. Looking around the shop, I just felt at home, like I’d been there a million times before.

I was greeted by Samba, the shop manager, who I’d spoken with a few times prior, in reference to my appointment (who is also another talented artist-he was gracious enough to show me his sketch book as I waited). Something I realized almost immediately, is that C.O.I is a business, and though its staff treats it as such, they’ve mastered the art of balance. I was impressed, to say the least.

With the initial paperwork out of the way, I sat and waited, like a child waiting to open that first gift on Christmas morning. I noticed a guy with a camera--setting it up, cleaning his lenses, etc. I wondered what he was doing there…and my interest was further piqued when another guy showed up with more equipment. A third party to this crew, a young woman, approached me and my question was soon answered. She handed me her card, sat down, shook my hand, and introduced herself as Quintessence (aka Quin), a producer for dapa Entertainment, LLC.


It turns out, they are there to capture some footage of Miya for a film called “I Am A Dream Chaser”, a documentary spotlighting talented individuals, in pursuit of their dreams. They were there to witness the fruit of his passion--his art, and since I happened to be his canvas for the day, I was asked to participate (interview, etc). Naturally, I obliged.

Miya arrived, and I knew it as soon as he walked through the door, rocking a fedora, his signature specs, a black tee, fatigue shorts, and an honest smile. Sure, I knew what he looked like from pics on myspace, his blog, and facebook…but even if I hadn’t, I’d have known. His presence was felt. He threw me a wave, walked over, sat down and shook my hand. “You excited?” …I guess it was pretty obvious, like I said before, I could barely contain myself. Next, he asked me what I had in mind for the tattoo. I knew this was coming…

The first time I contacted Miya about doing a tattoo for me (about 2-3 years ago), he told me the process of making an appointment, I asked if I should tell him what I wanted to get, or, if I should bring something with me, here’s a paraphrase of his reply… “all I need you to bring, is yourself…I don’t like to know ahead of time, because I don’t want to be influenced with any preconceptions, I like to meet my clients, talk with them a bit, and build their tattoo FOR them, that way it’s completely unique to them, and they don’t have to worry about anyone else having the same tattoo.” You could have called me Katrina, 'cause I was blown away, to say the least…but in a good way. I’ve had fifteen prior tattoos, and I’ve never once had a tattooist tell me that…but then, that’s another thing, Miya is a tattoo ARTIST, and not a tattooist. And in case you didn’t know, there is a difference. You see, a tattooist, will tattoo anything on you that you want-Jimini Cricket, Bugs Bunny, or the Budweiser logo, if that’s what you fancy. A tattoo ARTIST will only tattoo on you, what they themselves have created. Miya, creates art, he refuses to RE-create it …so if you want something that’s already been done, though fully capable, he’s not the guy for that job.

So, when he asked what I had in mind, there was only one thing: music. I explained that music is my passion, and I wanted for this tattoo, to be a reflection of that, a testament of sorts. He nodded as if what I’d just said was food that he’d just chewed up, swallowed, and digested.

The only other input I had, was this...

For those that don’t know, I had already decided to get my shoulder done, and wanted it to cover an existing tattoo that I’d gotten almost 10 years ago. At eighteen, getting a tattoo of the Playboy bunny with “Playful” written underneath , on my chest (as birdish as it is) seemed like a good idea…at twenty-eight, not so much.

After the idea and the placement was discussed, he got up, and went over to talk to the film crew. He came back once more “ok…so, I need you to be thinking of some elements of music…notes, microphone…do you sing?”

I explained that I don’t sing, but I do write music, and try my hand at guitar. The word guitar’ had barely fallen off my lips, when he yelled out to Samba, “yo Samba, print me out a picture of a guitar for a reference, an electric guitar.” And that was it. He set up his station, and then he was ready for me. Film crew in place, we began.

Every other tattoo I’ve ever had, has been drawn out on transfer paper, and then placed on the skin. It shouldn’t really have been a surprise that that’s not how Miya operates. No, he took out a red sharpie, and a black sharpie, and proceeded to draw the image from his mind, directly on my skin. Miya Bailey doesn’t need transfer paper. As it was explained to the film crew, the red lines represent ideas…things he may or may not do, the black lines represent the definite, and serve as guidelines. When he was done sketching, I could tell by the looks on the faces around me, that I was going to be pleased. “Aight, you can take a look at it” …only, I didn’t want to. Strange as it may sound, I am so throroughly impressed with Miya’s art, that I trusted him enough to put it permanently on my skin, without my prior approval. I actually wanted it to be a complete surprise. He laughed a flattered laugh, and smiled a modest smile…“it would make me feel more comfortable if you would look at it…” and so, I did. Having already seen the the stock image of the electric guitar that he was using as a reference, I truly understood, as I stood there in the mirror, his strict rule of not recreating…this guitar on my skin, looked nothing like the guitar on the paper. It was more than I had even hoped for…I gave the 'thumbs up', and we moved on.

During the sketching, I was able to stay covered up, but when it was time to tattoo, Miya told the film crew that they’d have to leave so that he could give me the privacy I needed in case I had to be exposed. He put up some partitions, yelled out to Samba once more, “yo Samba, throw on that Coldplay”, and with that, the needle's buzz began. He inked, and we chatted through Coldplay..about his sixteen years of tattooing, the clothing line he's about to launch, the coffee table book he's just a month or so from having completed for publication (which will be available at major bookstores-Borders, Barnes & Noble, etc.)...the difference between creating a tattoo for a woman, and one for a man, and other ranging topics of conversation. And then it got really good. One of my favorite Kings of Leon songs started to play:


This reminded him of my ultimate favorite: PURPLE RAIN. “Yo samba, you got that Purple Rain?! Put that shit on!” Really?!?! I couldn’t have predicted that it would have gotten any better, but it did. Seriously?!?! Not only am I in Atlanta at City of Ink, in Miya Bailey’s chair as he’s tattooing an electric guitar on me…but now, it’s to the best soundtrack of all time?!? We didn’t chat much after that, we didn’t need to-- Prince’s viral guitar riffs, the matching intensity on Miya’s face, and the nod of his head, all spoke volumes.

After a couple hours, the needle stopped, the residual ink was wiped away and we were done. “aight, you can check it out now” …and I got excited all over again, I'd finally been given the okay to open that long-awaited 'Christmas gift'. I stood, walked over to the mirror, and thought for sure my jaw had detached, dropped to the floor and shattered. I was elated. Absolutely, elated. This tattoo was truly built for robyn.emmm, no doubt. Here is the finished product:

*The dripping star is C.O.I's trademarked logo, and is representative of their belief that "everybody's a star..but only a few drip down on other stars and inspire them" ~Miya Bailey (April 2009 issue of Inked)

I drove four hours to get there, and I drove four exhausting hours in the rain to get back, but for my experience at City of Ink, and getting to carry around a timeless piece of art that was created especially for me, at the hands of Miya Bailey, made it all entirely worth it.

To you Miya, I say thank you. You are an inspiration, and even more than a dream chaser…as far as I’m concerned, you’re not doing the chasing, you’re doing the catching. Keep on keeping on.

***UPDATE, CLICK HERE to watch the trailer (which I happen to be in!) for the film Dapa Entertainment was spotlighting Miya for***