A Celebratory Event.

The celebratory event I'm referring to in the title is the grand re-construction of http://sidashford.com. It saddens me that I'll have to momentarily retreat from visually stimulating the good folks that stop by "I'm Sid" on a daily basis, but this is a much needed improvement. Along with the reconstruction there are many changes that will take place upon my return. Although the site will been down I'll be completing the various projects I've mentioned, as well as prepping for the relaunch. I want to thank everyone for all the support and kind words. My return is set for later this month and I assure you it will be grand. Till then catch me on Twitter or Facebook.

Be cool.

I'm Sid Q&A With Talissa Love.

1. The name everybody will come to know is:

Talissa Love. I make boys scream, and girls cry - a proud Pissed off Pussy. Host of weekly Los Angeles Open Mic *Natural High* (myspace.com/nhilive). I am also part of the Poor Peoples Economic Human Rights Campaign (economichumanrights.org)

2. My greatest talent I possess and thrive on perfecting is:

My killing eyes. I have a strong talent of giving these looks that are very frightening. Push my buttons... and BAM... my look pierces. The next step is to literally be able to jolt killing lasers from my eye balls.

*Imagine*

Dude: "Hey ma, you lookin good.. can I get yo number?"
Talissa Love: No.
Dude: "Why the stanky attitude girl... what, you think you too good or somethin?"
Talissa Love: (KILLING EYES ACTIVATED!)

*ZAAAAAAAAAP*

Dude's dead.

3. While singing, and performing brings me joy, nobody knows I:

I have a pet spider!! She is a Black Widow. We feed her crickets my nephews catch in the garden. pretty cool aay!

4. Some of my biggest influences growing up were:

I was raised listening to oldies and Motown so I was definitely influenced by Stevie, The Temptations, and Aretha... but Im a 90s baby so I was still one of those girls watching MTV and The Box (yes..The Box) learning dance moves from Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, The Spice Girls ... the list goes on.

5. It's a crowded venue, and the act before me did fairly well. The three things I'll execute on to win the crowds approval are:

I dont have to do 3 things... who cares how the acts before me did. I got this Sid... I got this!!

6. The artist I find me style most closely compared to is:

No one.

...simply because:

Too many artists focus on the things people in the spotlight are doing.. and simply mimic them. Where is the "originality" in that? I'm not trying to be a Beyonce or Britney Spears. I'm my own artist, and that's what makes me so fresh hahaha =)

I put originality in quotations because it seems like the new trend is to be "original". So many people are so stuck on being original and end up being reflections of each other. Im just simply focusing on being Talissa Love and in the process having a good time.

7. My reaction after finding out I landed a gig at a pre-party for the VMA's can be described as:

SOOOO EXCITED!!! When my sister called me to tell me the good news I was super happy. It was at the Amazon Bar in Sherman Oaks. The venue was funky, a jungle theme with a huge wishing well in the center of the room. It turned out to be a pretty hot event, definitely one to remember. Thanks Moofaces!

8. The producer I would mostly love to work with is:

Honestly, I'm waiting for a female producer to get in the game....

...simply because:

The list of producers looks like a penis party. Where are all the ladies representing for us musical chicks out here?! There is a huge lack of women in the producing industry. Im ready to see a balance in the music world...No offense to you nice gentlemen out there ;)

9. If I had to describe myself in five words, they would be:

I will destroy you. Okay?

10. My thoughts on what Sid Ashford is accomplishing with http://sidashford.com is:

Dear Mr. Ashford,

You're doing great with http://sidashford.com! Definitely getting me more in touch with the entertainment/fashion world and introducing me to some cool artists. Also, I heard there is going to be a section on this dope lady by the name of Talissa Love ;D

Thanks for the interview Sid!!

Sid Ashford: I want to thank Talissa for the opportunity, and I wish her the best with her career, and everything she does in life. You can follow Talissa on Twitter HERE.

Maestro Knows NYC Edition: (Anoma Ya Whittaker)

In the second episode of NYC Edition Maestro follows around Complex's Fashion Director Anoma Whittaker, and soaks in a great deal of knowledge and inspiration. "At the end of the day being a creator is a very special task. I feel like it's not something you really choose to do, but more something your chosen for." -Maestro

Hello Google Wave.

As of 2:51 AM this morning I became an ecstatic member of Google's newest project "Google Wave." Over the past month the web has been flooded with a vast number of individuals attempting to attain a Google Wave Invitation. Luckly I was offered one from a young man I met who resides in Georgia. (His name shall remain anonymous to conserve any remaining invitations he may have.) Special thanks goes out to him. If you are unaware of the capabilities Google Wave offers, or simply desire to know more, proceed to their about page HERE to attain further knowledge. 

The Latest From 13thWitness.

(Miles To The Sun)

(Coast II Coast)

(Ashley's Roachclip)

Follow 13thWitness.

Talissa Love Interview Saturday.

A while back I had the opportunity to interview the up and coming California-based musician named Talissa Love. Mixing several different generes, Talissa displays a new and refreshing sound to music. Check back in Saturday as I unveil the thoughts of Ms. Love, and she shares her story.

iPhone Daily Flick 11/4.

Sid Ashford: Put no barriers on your life. Allow your mind to roam free and live outside the box. Encaging thoughts pauses growth and hinders critical development. For if our mind is free, we are free.

Time Travels: April 2009, Texas.

(Screenshot from the "Torn" Video.)

The video above (shot last April) was my first ever attempt at making a stop-motion music video. Surprisingly shot in minutes, it turned out better than expected so I figured, why not create a song to accompany it? The song I named "Torn" was created and recorded within a hour, and is the first song I publicly released of me singing. For those who weren't familiar with me in my musician era and desire to hear more, I'll post a few tracks soon. Although I don't get the chance to create much music anymore, I still engineer for various local groups in my personal studio. I simply wanted to share this and allow you readers to know more of Sid, other than just the writer, videographer, and photographer. Meet the musican, and sound engineer. 

iPhone Daily Flick 11/3.

Sid Ashford: Yesterday, my department chair/professor Dr. Balas gave us a tour of the Universities television studio, and assigned us a position to carry out. I find it rather amusing how I was assigned the "top spot" as the director in charge. My professor told me "You simply have this calming feeling that you administer to those around you, and the production ran rather well." The point I'm intending to make is, directing is a part of my dream, and it's quickly becoming a reality. Get out your dream.

Photographer: Lauren Withrow.

I enjoy when opportunities come along for me to share the creations of unknown talented individuals. These photos were shot by a young lady named Lauren Withrow, and I'm greatly pleased to mention she's only 16 years young. Lauren's self-taught abilities will definitely guide her towards a bright future in visual art. See more of Lauren work HERE.

A Different World.

I find myself truly blessed to reside amongst the small percentage of collegiate students who actually enjoy the academic path they chose. Although it took me a couple years to realize that Business Administration wasn't my strongest point, I'm very pleased to finally have found my passion in Mass Communication, and thrilled my University's program is based around its most celebrated graduate, Dan Rather.

It's almost a definite to ask an individual what their passion is and discover it has no ties with their career choice. With the value of money driving our youth in the twenty-first century, most would rather be emotionally indigent in order to be financially wealthy. Imagine the severity our country would face if our political system housed officials who sole career purpose was seeking to accumulate as many numerical figures as possible to their salaries. Our country is in one of its more darker hours financially due to this kind of selfish and inconsiderate behavior. With the world rapidly changing, we must also make the transition to insure that we uphold the value's and character this nation was built upon. With devotion from each individual we can truly enact the phrase "united we stand divided we fall," rather than allow it to be a prominent bumper sticker.

I'll be doing my part by ultimately inspiring others to be great, just as the greats have inspired me.

FireFest 2009 Video.

Last week I posted a brief story about an event my Univeristy held called "FireFest." Luckly I was in attendence with my camera to capture for footage. Here it is for your visual enjoyment.

iPhone Daily Flick 10/29.

Sid Ashford: Many times in life we fear change, and the presence of new things in life.

Don't fear exercising your mind, fear keeping it inside a box. If you don't happen to like it, drain it from you life. You lose nor gain anything. Get up, get out! There's a world full of things you haven't experienced yet.

Breast Cancer Awareness Fashion Show.

Last Tuesday the lovely ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated held a charity fashion show to support Breast Cancer Awareness. The event was a huge success, and of course I was in attendance to photograph the event, and show my support. Here are few shots my partner and I managed to capture for your visual enjoyment. Remember that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.

iPhone Daily Flick 10/28.

Sid Ashford: Yesterday's topic was constant motion. Although it's important to be constantly in motion, it's just as important to control your speed, and veer yourself from a possible crash. Avoid doing too little, as well as doing too much. Find yourself a nice happy medium.

Welcome To My City.

Venturing off into the city may seem as the norm by judging how I live in a large metropolitan city, but due to my recent ties with school I've been restricted from enjoying city life. Today shall mark an end to that, immediately following class I'll pack the camera, skateboard, a few clothes, and wreak havoc in downtown Houston with a couple bruvs.

Sounding much like a broken record lately, I can't reveal exactly what the project inholds, but it'll be definitely be nothing like you've ever seen. All information pertaining to the project will be released really soon. I'm a firm believer of "timing is everything" and I won't release anything until I know the situation is in my favor. Sit tight, and expect an extreme dose of inspiration.

Enjoy the view of my beautiful city, as you will be seeing a great deal of it in the near future.

Maestro Knows: NYC Edition (Nigel Sylvester)

In the first installment of Maestro Knows NYC Edition, Maestro rolls through the city with BMX great Nigel Sylvester. The guys also make their way to Format, a local bike shop in Queens, and the famous 5 Guys Burger. Peep it now, its illy!

iPhone Daily Flick 10/27.

First off I would like to apologize for the lack of iPhone Daily Flicks as of late. They will surely pick up this week, and return to its everyday form.

Sid Ashford: The world around you is constantly in motion, and many times we're caught observing others movement instead carrying out goals we set upon ourselves. Don't get caught looking, be seen moving. 

Objects In Mirror Are Closer..

It's apparent if your an avid reader of sidashford.com my goals and ambition exceeds those of the average individual. To date, I can't recall one project that I've been 100% completely and honestly satisfied with the results. I feel that if your as passionate about your craft as I am, there is always room for growth, and if you don't agree then you've lost your creative drive.

With the recent blog world becoming super-saturated much like the rap "profession" that "creative drive" is the edge that allows sidashford.com to top many other sites. Not intending to down any other blogs, but the excessive number of blogspots, and wordpress' that mimic each other has become awfully doleful. If you challenge yourself, your indirectly challenging others and assisting in the evolution of blogging.

Recently I have embarked on a great journey to expand the affairs that my site has to offer. Starting with "The Varsity Years," the return of my weekly show in its new form. Many more projects are currently in the works to follow including a new outfit for the site. My weekends over the past month have been spent trasnferring the thoughts and ideas in my head to a design application ultimately creating a place that will host the creations I fabricate on a daily basis. This past weekend I'm happy to report I wrapped up the final designs and emailed them to my personal web designer. Expect sidashford.com to undergo reconstruction soon..

My work will never be done. This is only the beginning of my triumphant adventure.

They Call It FireFest.

So, I'm beginning to wonder where was I last year during the pep rally/bonfire they call "FireFest?" It's definitely one of the University's best events as a number of organizations set up booths and ask trivia questions in exchange for free gifts. Amongst the booths and countless number of the student body in attendance, the University also offered everyone free corndogs, and delicious "Beat SFA" (our rival) cookies. The atmosphere was simply incredible, cheerleaders, radio stations, firefighters, and extravagant fireworks. Luckly I was present with my camcorder and captured as much footage as I can to ultimately create a viral video for the student body. Stay tuned for the outcome.