this is… The Neighborhood
the Story within the Story
#PressRelease: #AStarisBorn: The Top 3 Ned Hickson,Rebecca Lemke & Oscar Plascencia
Sunday December 20, will be the first double performance of A Star is Born as the Proxies take to the stage in the morning and the Nominees deliver their performances at the regular scheduled time.
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In the interim, please take this time to get to know more about the Nominees by clicking the Direct Links to the Press Releases prepared by the 3 Artists still standing and in the hunt for Best Performance of the Year.
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Nominated for Best Performance of the Year in Humor, from Florence Oregon – Ned Hickson
and
Nominated for Best Peformance of the Year in Mommy Blogging, from Lahoma Oklahoma – Rebecca Lemke
and
Nominated for Best Performance of the Year in Original Poetry Performances, from La Puente California – Oscar Plascencia
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The Underground’s Most Beautiful People Year-End Edition
Soaring Bird by Keyur Panchal of Keep Picturing
Dark Flower by Saida
It’s difficult to speak with beautiful people.
No matter how hard you pretend otherwise,
you still want them to like you. – Douglas Coupland
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Raw Then Tic by Morissaaa
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With the out of the gate popularity of The Underground’s Most Beautiful People, a year-end edition was a forgone conclusion. A 7 member, 5 genre-wide panel (4 women/3 men) stole away on an online retreat, with the sole mission, to determine – from scores of photographs – the underground’s Most Beautiful People 2015.
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Dark Flower by Saida
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Danijel Firak‘s absentee minded professor look may throw us at first sight, but as one panelist would say, “I’d take that class.”
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You are currently listening to Morissaaa, the recording artist from Florida, with the raspy voice. Genuine, talented, professional and beautiful.
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When it was explained, that VVS Stone Reives was not actually in A Star is Born, but performs the theme song, it is rumored that a panelist responded, “Can I just keep the photo? I’m not really into Barbara Streisand movies.”
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Marie Chidi Okorie, of whom not much is known, but then again, panelists were not asked to determine fitness or intellect, only beauty.
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Ned & Alicia Hickson are even more beautiful together.
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“Thomas & Rebecca Lemke remind us of a younger version of a famous Hollywood couple.”
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“He can paint me, anytime,” one panelist joked (or maybe not) upon discovering his nude works of art. “Charitha is simply gorgeous.”
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The way she walked away from a bad relationship and the way she blossomed right before our eyes, would inspire, and easily make Flower one of the most beautiful in the underground.
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Prospec Flow has the type of look that has leading man all over it. And as it turns out, he is both a hard worker and a good guy.
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Chio Smith is simply stunning. Why bother with more words.
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Controlled by Our Imagination
Controlled by Our Imagination, is sport and history and inspiration for us all. But more than anything else, it is The Neighborhood Motto.
Those who dream by day
are cognizant of many
things that escape those
who dream only by night.
– Edgar Allen Poe
∞∞∞
CONTROLLED BY OUR IMAGINATION
written & developed by Kendall F. Person
On August 4, 1936, James Cleveland Owens, better known as Jesse, would flirt with disaster. A day removed from winning his first gold medal in the Olympic Games’ showcase event – the 100 meter finals – he had already established himself as the world’s fastest man by pulling away from the world class field at the 50 meter mark, leaving only dust in his wake; he also humbled a nation, that was beginning to believe in a demagogue’s ideology of their being a master race, called Aryans, In fact, it may have been that humility of a people, or at least a person, that served as the catalyst for Jesse Owens to become an Olympic hero and an American legend.
Sixty years later, on July 26, 1996 in the Summer Games in Atlanta, Georgia USA, Kerri Strug, a member of the United States Olympic Gymnastic Team – dubbed the Magnificent Seven – would under-rotate her landing on the vault during the final rotation, causing her to fall and badly damage her ankle. With the gold medal in the women’s team competition theirs to lose, and with the Russians, with equal jitters, breathing down their neck, the American team appeared on the verge of an epic collapse.
Jesse Owens was attempting to do what no other Track & Field Olympian had ever done before, and would not accomplish again for 48 years: win four gold medals at a single Olympiad. With the eyes of over 100,000 spectators inside of Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany upon him, millions more listening on radio around the globe, nerves finally begin to crack, as Jesse Owens would scratch on his first two attempts in the long jump competition. He would receive only one more try, should he not hit his mark, a failed attempt would haunt him for the rest of his life.
Meanwhile, six decades away, Kerri Strug waited patiently for the Russians to error, and gift the gold to the Americans, without her having to make a second attempt, for it was becoming excruciating to even stand. But as if scripted for maximum drama, it would be the American Dominique Moceanu, who would miss her mark, falling on both attempts, placing the Magnificent Seven’s legacy in the hands of a wounded Strug.
According to Alex Schlegel, a graduate student in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Dartmouth University, our imagination lies in the human brain’s “mental workplace”, a neural network that coordinates activity across several regions of the brain…allowing us to focus intently and rapidly in order to solve complex problems and think up new ideas.* If the data is to be accepted, it is therefore imagination that separates humans from chimpanzees of which our DNA is 99% identical.** It is the imagination that allowed Paul Nipkow to send images over wires using a rotating metal disc, giving rise to modern day television. It is the imagination that served Dr. Charles Drew when he discovered a way to bank blood, revolutionizing the medical profession.*** And it was the imagination of South Africans that averted a bloody civil war by investing their hopes and emotions into a united symbol of peace. And it would be the imagination that would launch two Olympians, 60 years apart, into super stardom.
Rather it was humility he felt that prior day, the spirit of the Olympics or perhaps he was simply a nice guy, long jump silver medalist, Luz Long, a German both by birth and nationality, and according to Adolf Hitler, a member of the master race, would offer Jesse Owens a tip of valued advice. Jesse’s speed would propel him through the air, but in the competitive sport of long jump, there is a specific mark a jumper must not surpass before taking flight. Jesse missed the white board, located a short distance from the sand pit, on prior attempts, disqualifying the marks of both jumps. So Luz told him to jump prior to the mark, meaning he would have to fly a longer distance, but it was chance he had to take. Pressure overwhelming, nerves beginning to crack, Jesse shook it all off, rocked back into position, and like a rocket, blasted off into the orbit of long jumper’s lane.
When Dominique fell, Kerri looked at her coach, knowing what he was going to say, but she was in such pain, she had to ask anyway, “Do we need this?” Without flinching, the legendary gymnastic coach, Bela Karolyi, said, “We need you one more time for the gold.” Attempts to mask her limp failed, as she found her way to vaulters lane. The famed Georgia Dome fell silent and with television now a common technology, hundreds of millions watched from around the world. I have no idea what was in her mind, when she stood and stared at the vault, that had defeated her on the first try. But she paused for a moment, rocked back in her stance, and with the speed of a gazelle, made haste, moving closer toward the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat.
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To the crowds, their runs must have seemed like slow motion, but it took less than five seconds until they were forced to jump. They soared through the air, in Berlin, there was no flag raised, Jesse had hit his mark. In Atlanta, Kerri hit hers too, but while his problem was in the beginning, hers would come at the end. Jesse soared like an eagle, moving his legs as if he were propelling himself to fly. Kerri dove toward the vault, then somersaulted off, into thin air. And as gravity took hold, the Olympians began their descent. And in the tiny fractions of a second, in which they had to plan their escape, it was not prowess of an athlete, that initiated their go-to plan, but it was the mind’s imagination that shifted into high gear, devising a plan and transmitted signals to all parts of the body – in a neurological chorus of song – places, everyone take their places, as they were needed to deliver a once in a lifetime performance.
A few inches was no match for James Cleveland Owens, as he had willed himself far enough to stay in the hunt of what began as an unimaginable quest, but would end, in herculean success: quadruple gold. The imagination’s plan for Kerri was to land on one ankle, the good one, and hold her breath. She hit the floor, posed long enough to satisfy the judges, and while her body collapsed in pure agony, her heart, soul and mind, reveled in gold.
referenced media
*MNT
**Mail Online
***About.com Inventors
Falling Star and the Story within the Story
What the eyes see and the ears hear,
the mind believes. – Harry Houdini
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Charles Okpere walked into The Neighborhood several months ago and for three straight continuing series, all groundbreaking innovations: The Lives We Live A Reality Show, #TAG: The Neighborhood Anthology on Leadership & Authority & A Star is Born – he would thrill us with his words. But the Young Knight from Lagos held a rebellious streak, like many in his generation, all over the world. But I would remind him, that he asked me to be his mentor, and he would reluctantly stand down. But not this time, and it would cost him a proud finish, as the Chair of the Inner Council would disqualify him for his actions. And just like that…. the 8th Artist has disappeared.
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Ignorant Intelligence
with The Final Frontier
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A Star is Born plays out on a daily bases via thepublicblogger Facebook Page, only moving into The Neighborhood – converted into a Coliseum -when time to take the stage. Developed within the imagination, executed with originality and precision, spending nearly every waking moment, either in production or promotions or mentoring our young artists or building bridges or sending words inspiration from what I write.
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The carousel below, beholds a ‘taped version’ of the story within the story, as A Star is Born is live, played out in real time. Join us for Round VIII: Imitation of Life Sunday @ 7:00 PM PST/9 CST & 10 EST – Kendall F. Person, creator of The Neighborhood and Producer of A Star is Born.
And sooner or later someone will hear me and make a donation, a step toward assuring a 4th Season.
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Music and insights, take a closer look. The Neighborhood Closer Look
A Star is Born – Round VII: An Artists Collaboration
“A true collaboration, is when each Artists creates and delivers, something of themselves, perhaps a song or a painting or a poem, then the pieces or works of art, are spun together, and while the work of each artist remains individual, the completed production becomes one performance.” – thepublicblogger
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from Philadelphia, FIQ & VVS with Moving On
the Theme Song to: A Star is Born
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Good evening Ladies & Gentlemen, Neighbors, Visitors & Fans. And Welcome to A Star is Born – Round VII: An Artists Collaboration. The Rules of Engagement were made public on November 30, but are still available for viewing.
My name is Kendall F. Person and I am your host. The four remaining Nominees for Best Performance of the Year are back stage along with their team of collaborative artists. In just a few moments, one-by-one, they will take the stage and deliver an expected Performance. At the conclusion of the Show, please VOTE for your favorite or for the best one.
Without further adieu, on behalf of The Neighborhood, I present The Final Four and Round VII.
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“To everything there is a season” proclaims the very revealing book of ecEcclesiastesI have “religiously” used these ever encouraging biblical verse as a prism, I would confirm the fact that 2015 achieve, if not quite a scriptural vision, then a poetic imperative. I have to an extent dabbled into many topics regarding the struggles of humanity and the beauty in Nature there is, a huge chunk of this intensive thoughts have being inked on sheet. But I ask here again; Shouldn’t Nature give color to humanity’s makeup, making the sky glow and dance to the amazement of all? I feel as we go into the season where every sprouts emanating from every man that make up humanity, should be one of happiness and yuletide. This leads Charles and Gabor to a collaborative effort, using the elements of written words and still-life shoots to capture reality and paint a picture of the obvious stay of “Nature and People” in the years past.
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These designations of course, do not strictly follow equinox and solstice, but there is resonance when we associate certain unrest with specific seasons nature offers. Every new spring, for example, cast an optimistic light on the Arab revolts, indeed the Arab spring is known in its own region as the Arab Awakening. But isn’t that what spring is – an Awakening, a rebirth? And with the huge agitation emanating from the south-eastern part of Nigeria, for complete freedom from a country with no “serious” stand on oneness; does not the word uprising almost photographically bring to mind’s eye a germinating seed? Spring is hoping that the best is yet to come. As bright as it shines, summer is unique with an abundance of both light and fire. Perhaps it is the right time of the year for *Biafra’s down-and-out youth to see things for what they are. We could as well regard this to be “the dry season” of torpor in this part of the African continent. Where the heat can kill.
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While there is a peppery confrontation over territory, we expect to see a cooling of all heightened tension, so nature and her seasons can enjoy our attention once more, instead of the endless craze for war. But hold on, these are animistic projections, born of our pathetic fallacy that somehow the cosmos reflects and echoes what humanity feels. Definitions meld into one another when they shouldn’t. Reality however, quickly disabuses us of this notions and definitely not just through equinoctial calculations. “Occupy” has somewhat transitioned and not actually transformed with fall. It’s clear the Arab spring has transformed into the Arab years, as it has outlasted its schedule by many years. Internal brawls in Libya and Nigeria has extended into the summers and falls; and Syria is dragging it into “many seasons” of winter. All this said on the day the my black dog died.
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…the day my black dog died
a cheerful-loving old Belgian shepherd
He whispered
sadly
Nevermore!!!
nevermore?
a voice as harsh as reality
as clear as my existence
He echoed
the melancholy
nevers ends
But the assurance I got;
“life gives rise to life”
and yesterdays would not be held unto
Today we bask in the euphoria of “now”
more alive than ever
You can tell from this declared affirmation.
*Biafra, officially the Republic of Biafra, was a secessionist state in south eastern Nigeria that existed from 30 May 1967 to 15 January 1970,
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WASHINGTON, DC — In a move that analysts are calling “the most shocking political development since the last time Donald Trump was allowed near an open mic,” the political landscape for the 2016 presidential race has suddenly broadened with the announcement of a new political party. Known as The Dempublicans, the party has already endorsed humorists Ned Hickson and Stephanie Lewis as runningmates in a bid for the Oval Office.
“I never would have considered running for the presidency,” says Hickson. “Then I found out there was no actual running involved, so I thought ‘why not?’ Besides, since Stephanie, Kendrick Merk Nichelson and I are the only members of the party, it really streamlined the nomination process — and I believe that’s the kind of efficiency the American people are looking for.”
With as much as 68 percent of Americans feeling disappointed in their options for the 2016 elections, The Dempublicans are confident that their slogan, “The World is a Funny Place: Elect the Team with Experience,” will ring true with many Americans. In fact, the fledgling political party has already received a groundswell of support after Lewis, speaking during an impromptu rally at her local DMV, demanded an end to what she called “Tea Party” politics.
“It’s time to get things done, and in Washington that means Cocktail Party politics” she shouted to an enthusiastic crowd of 48 people, adding, “Hey, I’M number 48! Gotta go!”
Hickson and Lewis say their platform is built on addressing the problems none of the other candidates are willing to talk about.
“Sure, everyone wants to talk about the economy, terrorism, health care, blah, blah, blah,” says Hickson. “We need to look at the bigger issues we’re facing in our nation and around the world. Like running out of chocolate by 2030. Do you think the economy or terrorism is going to matter when 50 million women on PMS all run out of chocolate?”
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Lewis adds that the growing anti-Muslim sentiment in the U.S. is misplaced and would be better served directed at a threat that enters our borders and sweeps across the nation every day. “As a member of Americans Battling the Sun’s Unreported Ray Disasters (ABSURD), I recently flew into Miami and accidentally grabbed George Hamilton thinking he was part of my leather luggage. You don’t forget something like that. When it comes to threats entering our border, we need to take a long hard look at the sun. But not DIRECTLY!”
The Dempublicans are also breaking new ground by creating a new position called the Minister of Hip-Hop which Nichelson, a 7th Born Productions recording artist, will fill for the Hickson-Lewis presidential ticket.
“I’m sick of ‘Hail to the Chief,'” says Hickson. “We need a presidential theme song we can all groove to. That’s the kind of thing that’s going to unite our country. So I guess what I’m saying is, if I’m elected president, we’re going to need bigger woofers in The White House.”
When asked what’s next on the Dempublican Party campaign trail, Lewis suddenly looks to Hickson with concern.
“I thought you said ‘champagne trail,'” she remarks. “If I’d known that, I would’ve worn something other than these spiky heels.”
In the meantime, the new political force has just released its first promotional video, which outlines the Dempublican Party platform, as well as its presidential campaign strategy for the November 2016 elections…
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The following collaboration is a bi-lingual performance and true labor of love. I dedicate this spoken word poem to all of the poetry lovers who have shown their unwavering love and support throughout the past six rounds of A Star is Born. May the light of love always shine in your hearts.
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