Look Ma, I thought I saw a hipster! Nah, she’s only half.

I have been on the path to discovering new labels given to people in Deep Ellum. People around me always complain about the “hipsters” in our neighborhood and thus began my search to define what a “hipster” is.

I polled the audience here in my hood and many people had many different opinions on what constitutes a hipster. What I thought to be a hipster turned out to really be a punk person.  

I was a little off the mark apparently. Then when I asked one of our neighborhoods beloved personalities what his definition of a hipster was he told me that I was a BORDERLINE Hipster!!!!

I had such a long good laugh at that one! I had been searching high and low only to discover that the main perception of me was HIPSTER!!! Cracks me up…

My reply was if I am borderline that’s cool because I’m not fully hipster, punk, emo, screamo, goth, nerd whateva …I AM ME …Now maybe I have a borderline personality, but that’s a whole other blog.

This social experiment lasted a few weeks. It’s hard to define people in that way because we are truly unique no matter how hard some people try to fit in. I am glad so many people define hipster in different ways because it proves that labels are a hindrance to acceptance and love.

It’s time to put down our labels and see inside of people. Get past our own clouded perceptions and open our hearts and minds, because we all have the same basic needs for a fulfilling life. Isolation and judgment are not a part of that need.

Said in Love…

Deep Ellum On Air: My First Foray Into Radio

My new adventure is in radio! I was asked to help grow an internet radio station, Deep Ellum On Air, and this proposes to be probably one of the most interesting and unique experiences thus far. (Those that know me know I’ve had plenty.)

This all came about one evening when I was having a welcome to Deep Ellum loft party. The theme “Moving on Up to the East Side of Dallas.”

Yes I am Weezy/ But I Ain’t Asthmatic …Holla at the Jeffersons.

Our call box was broken at the front door so I left a note with my name and cell number on it so my guests could get in the door. I got on the elevator with some friends and met a nice guy who introduced himself as Jedi. I said, “Jedi, who names their kid Jedi?” I was clueless. I said, “I’m Amberly.”

“Oh, so you are Amberly.”

 I said to myself, “Self, how does he know who you are?”

Jedi then told me that he saw my name on the door.

I turned to my friends and then Jantzen, a.k.a Jedi, asked me to come be on his radio show upstairs. I said what the hell! Of course! After all it isn’t every day that you just get to be on the radio. So I made my way up to the Dark Side Sports Radio show (they were sweet and funny as hell).

Apparently the mixture of VSOP, Stoli and tequila turns me into a drunk white girl trying to be hood. See below excerpt from the radio events. Oh lord, I fear it was a remake of one of those White Chicks scenes.  I seriously rapped a little old school Snoop Dogg and at one point might have said that I was “hustlin” and “keepin it real” all in the same slurred sentence! Oh, and the best part was the Anna Nicole slurred, “I’m very comfortable with my body.” (wink, wink) My Mom must be so proud!

Thus was my not so graceful entrance into radio.

I really don’t know what I am getting myself into, but I have an excellent teacher in Jantzen. Even if he is already cracking the whip! Ouch.  Email Inbox now highly sorted boss. Thank you, may I have another?

Deep Ellum On Air already had a great group of talented people who started this station when I joined. Their shows are very versatile and highlight every facet of local music and culture here in Deep Ellum and they are just very cool people to know.

I think for one of my first lessons, Jantzen needs to teach me how to chop and screw!

(No Mom, that doesn’t mean what you think it means).

http://deepellumonair.com/

Art Love Magic / The Just-US League: A Lesson in High Level Artistic Collaboration

I walked into 3025 Main, a.k.a Excuses, in Deep Ellum last night and entered into the realm of collaboration in its highest form. Fourteen local artists in Deep Ellum gathered at Excuses around eight o’clock to create “Energy.”

What a beautiful lesson I received. There was a leader and he gathered everyone around in a semi-circle surrounding the large black canvas. He called out to the group, “We want a center of energy as the focal image for this painting.”  Then he began to poll the others in the group, “Okay, what would you like to help contribute to this momentum?” Then the group started peacefully and without ego, contributing to high level creative ideas, each with wonderful insight even though the ideas might have been at the opposite ends of the spectrum.

They all came together in the end with ebb, flow, give, take and contribution. The end result was a beautifully crafted painting centered on the collective group’s energy. What a concept!

Imagine if this were taught to our children. I went to a school with low funding. We did not have music or art classes. If I were taught this lesson as a child it would have affected me greatly. It was so beautiful to see artists let go of their ego and soar into a new realm of artistry, a lesson that can easily be adapted into every facet of our existence.

 Thank you Just-Us League!