The Basic:
My parents named me Samantha but since then, I’ve answered to many variations of this name–the most common being Sam or Sammi (note the two Ms and I instead of a Y or IE). For the most part, I don’t mind. Samantha is a long name (I know, three whole syllables, practically a mouthful). What I do mind is when people who have just met me and don’t really know me, shorten it without even asking. It gets irritating. A bit presumptuous, don’t you think?
The Not-So-Basic:
I’m a native to the Pacific Northwest. I was born in Seattle and grew up in suburbs of the city. I’m a graduate from the University of Washington and I earned my bachelor’s degree in journalism in June 2008. Until recently, I was still living with my parents in the house I grew up in. That all changed October 2008 when I moved to Idaho Falls, ID–by necessity, not choice. Now, I’m (finally) putting my degree to good use and working as the education reporter for the daily newspaper here, The Post Register.
The Blog:
I originally started this blog for a class but I’ve decided to continue with it as I enter the wonderful world of journalism. Blogging seems to be the direction in which that world is going, so I’m taking advantage.
I’ve always been big on writing and also enjoy writing poetry and fiction in addition to writing for traditional and non-traditional media outlets.
This blog is my attempt to continue covering current events, politics and journalism but it will also include works of poetry, maybe some fiction (still contemplating) as well as random musings as they occur to me (like how I’m (not) adjusting to life as an Idahoan).
In short, the title says it all. I’m Sammi and this is what I’ve got to say.
Happy reading!
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.
Would you like to review the New Film on Spoken Word: GV7 RANDOM URBAN STATIC ?
PRESS ROOM
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Loida Mariano
Bryan World Productions, LLC.
Tel: 323.856.9256
Fax: 323.856.0855
email: bryworld@aol.com
website: http://www.graffitiverite.com
Artists that Appear in GV7
GV7 Press Release: http://www.graffitiverite.com/GV7PressRelease.html
Brief Synopsis of GV1-GV7 DVDs
DVD Reviewers wanting to review GV7 should contact Loida: bryworld@aol.com
BWP Press, Los Angeles, CA…..Filmmaker Bob Bryan has proudly unveiled his seventh powerful installment in his multi award-winning Documentary Series entitled GV7 RANDOM URBAN STATIC: The Iridescent Equations of SPOKEN WORD. He is releasing two (2) versions:
An Unofficially Rated G Version for General Audiences, Schools and Libraries and the Original Unedited Version for those who do not mind some “raw street vernacular.” Both versions will have a Running time of 2 hours.
Released under his BRYAN WORLD PRODUCTIONS indie label, GV7 returns to the enigmatic world of Poetry. This time around he retrieves the perspectives of fifteen (15) uniquely talented poets involved in the world of SPOKEN WORD. From Grand Slam Champions to Open-Mic Veterans, GV7 crosses all philosophical, racial, and social lines becoming the quintinessial SPOKEN WORD documentary.
Bob Bryans’ last documentary GV6 THE ODYSSEY explored the point of views of 31 contemporary Literary Page Poets and de facto became Americas’ Number # 1 Indie Produced Poetry Documentary. Bob is very, very confident that poetic magic will strike again with GV7 his brand new feature-length foray into the uncompromising world of SPOKEN WORD.
“GV6 THE ODYSSEY deals with those Poets who write words for the page, while GV7 RANDOM URBAN STATIC probes the reality of those Poets that write for the stage. SPOKEN WORD has really connected with today’s’ youth, primarily because the poetic artform speaks intimately to their love for performance art, suppressed passion, subjective psycho / social issues and cultural attitudes concerning the world in which they live. Poetry is an invaluable tool that helps them to unravel, clarify, articulate & document their experiences. Of course, Hip-hop has allot to do with the flavoring of this SPOKEN WORD communication paradigm.”
“I was thrilled to be able to get the Poets to decode and discuss their intimate hopes & desires, as well as their deep personal disappointments and frustrations with the current state of hip-hop. Not all the poets shared a deep abiding love for hip-hop in its current incarnation. Many of the Poets feel that Hip-hop has within its grasp the potential to be a positive catalyst for massive personal & social change. They feel unfortunately that its potential has been severely underdeveloped and in some cases perversely denigrated by some of its commercial practitioners.”
“But at the same time other poets in GV7 openly discuss issues of date-rape, the courage to be an artist, the psychological repression of women, How Hip-hop can help or Hurt, HIV-AIDS & homosexuality, image vs. reality, obsessions, race-consciousness, anorexia, self-love, the high-jacking of black men’s masculinity & vunerability, disappointment with God, insanity, self-loathing, inspiration and salvation. Noone can say these poets tread lightly or try to avoid issues that we all, in some way or another grapple with. It’s what makes this expression so relative, ” says Filmmaker Bob Bryan.
Sure, the dialogue can be ruff, confrontational and passionate; but their intentions are real. These artists are desperate to get through to you!
“Your voice is your power; don’t ever let anyone take away your voice.”
–Two Time Grand Slam Champion Bridget Gray
“If you don’t cut deep…you don’t make a difference.”
–Mollie Angelheart, Co – Los Angeles Slam Champion
“What you say, may just save my life.”
–Two Time Grand Slam Champion Poet Sekou (tha misfit)
It is a commitment with vast transformational possibilities & connection between the poet, the audience, and the unrealized future.
“Black men’s strength & redemption lies in their vulnerability.”
Tim’m. T. West, Poet, Author, Educator
———————————————————————————————————————————————————-
GV7 CONTACT INFO
Bob Bryan, c/o Bryan World Productions. LLC.
PO Box 74033
Los Angeles, CA 90004
Tel: 323-856-9256
Fax: 323-856-0855
website: http://www.graffitiverite.com
email: bryworld@aol.com
GV7 RANDOM URBAN STATIC PRESS RELEASE
Brief Synopsis of GV1-GV7 DVDs
Artists that Appear in GV7
DVD Film Reviewers wanting to review GV7 should contact Loida: bryworld@aol.com
Video Clips of GV7 can be found on Youtube (More From Bryanworld)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j_a5TF1iBI
GV6 Teaser Trailer:
http://zipidee.com/zipidPreview.aspx?vid=5d23f447-2bb4-46d5-9604-cc7cba7d01c5
GV7 Teaser Trailer:
http://www.zipidee.com/profile.aspx?userid=9fe826f5-0959-48fd-a5f1-f13b0be47412
To Book GV7 for Special Screenings or Festivals please contact Loida at 323/856-9256
This communications is not Spam. The purpose of this email is to provide poets, lovers of poetry and written language professionals working in this area of interest with updated info relative to their professions and passions. If you’ve received this email in error, please forgive us; we mean no harm. We come in education and peace!
Hello,
I’m a writer in Texas working on a book about staycations. It looks like you have some creative ideas. Would you like to share your experiences for the book? You can use your name or remain anonymous. Please e-mail me if you’re interested. Thanks!
Matt – I would be happy to help you out! I didn’t catch your email address, so if you can give it to me again, that’d be great!
Hello,
I’m writing to you because I run a site that links to other gymnastics sites called Links to Gymnastics (http://www.linkstogymnastics.com) The goal of my site is to make it easier for gymnastics fans to find gymnastics sites.
I found your blog when I was searching the web for gymnastics and wanted to ask you if you’d like a link to your site from Links to Gymnastics.
Either way I wish you all the best!
Sorry for having to use a comment to send the message along. (Feel free to delete it) but I did not know any other way to send the message.
If you’ve gotten a message like this I apologize for the duplication. The internet is a pretty big place and hard to keep track of sometimes.
David F.P.
davegymnastics at yahoo.com
I love your site. Keep it up !
Hi Sammi,
I came across your blog when searching for poetry in Idaho Falls. I have a poetry blog on blogspot and I have thought about doing one on WordPress too. I see you have been in Idaho Falls a bit longer than I have and was wondering how you like it so far. This is pretty much the smallest place I lived in my life. I love the area and the people are nice but somehow they seem not real open to folks from other places. It’s like they are friendly but not inviting of others to their group. I was wondering if you have had the same experience. I have never lived anywhere that I had such a hard time meeting people who actually want to include you in their activities. I just wanted to say hello.
Andy