Conner Varin's Photography in Glamour South Africa...

Many of you know Stephanie (Conner Varin) from her previous feature as a Nomad•ness Gal, and/or as one of my closest friends. In the end of October, this woman packed up her life and moved to Jo'Burg, South Africa on some 'I'm just going to make it work' type ish.

And through the ups and downs, that's exactly what she's doing.

Today in the Tribe she posted up a seemingly innocent link...until I clicked it. This woman has worked her magic onto the Glamour Online Magazine of South Africa... pow!

CLICK HERE FOR THE SPREAD!

Here's to you love... so proud.

reality check....

Not to turn my blog into a momentary Lifetime Special...but...

I was in Poughkeepsie for Christmas (rare occurrence) and happened to be looking for checks to take back to the Bronx. Going through old packed up boxes and bags, when a blank check from Rudi falls out. When times were extremely rough, he handed me this check, told me to make it out for however much I needed, and to just call him before I cashed it. I never used it.

I have been blessed in the past to have some amazingly supportive men in my life. Rudi, is one of those men that I have to reflect on in my life, and the unique love that we shared as best friends, lovers, and even this existential relationhip we share now.

I pray to him. I ask him to watch over me, my travels, my business. I know my guardian angel is looking down on me for real. He's always on my mind, but I see he had to really make his presence known on Christmas... I got you Rudi. Can't stop. Won't stop.

my best friend's wedding...

It's officially midnight. The day of one of my best friend's weddings. Though friends, and Iona graduates, with both bride and groom, Josh holds a special bond that few friends of mine have, none actually. It still baffles me that it was this season, Fall 2002 when he and I first met. Iona freshmen trying to find our way in the world and our way around campus. He and Rudi were living in the Marriott acquiring the lowest GPA of their college careers, and I was busy in Loftus 9th floor, navigating a basketball player.

Some way, some how our paths crossed. Actually three paths intersected, Josh's, Rudi's, and mine. As much as I can try to, I can't write about knowing Josh, and not write about knowing Rudi. College was us, 'The Triad'. The tripod. We were inseparable. In many ways, even with Rudi's death last year, we still are.  Somewhere in the center was an energy between the three of us that kept us balanced when we were together.

If I had to peg me as the creative one, and Rudi as the business one, Josh was the political one. It was these three assets, bridged with his soon to be wife's no non-sense attitude that formed the Executive Board of Iona's Council of Multi-Cultural Leaders (CML). We ran shit, to put it lightly. And what was so ironic about that senior year was that love was floating the air. Josh and Chanel booed up. And Rudi and I gave it our own try. 

Seasons changed, loves fused and parted, years went by, and I moved to Japan. One morning I woke up to an email from Rudi: 'Yo V, call me as soon as you get this. Josh is going to ask Chanel to marry him." Before going to work, I was on the phone with Rudi and getting the low down. We were concerned, not knowing if she'd say yes or no. So we devised our own secret plan of 'save Josh' in case she said no and prayed for the best. Rudi was able to make it to the engagement and I was not.

Ironic, as now I am able to make it to the wedding, and Rudi is not. (that sentence opened the flood gates. f@%k.)

Fast forward to today, and later this afternoon I'll be on a train to Long Island to watch love conquer all, after 7, neary 8 years of dating. Traveling has made it hard to be in town for friend's weddings. I had to be here for this one. No question.

Josh, you are one of the most endearing, loving, sensitive, and forgiving men I have ever met in my life. Your energy is so nurturing and fun. Your laugh is priceless, and your heart is golden. You show me, in being a good man and friend, that it is pure fallacy that there are 'no good men out there.' You embody a sense of values and tradition that I revere at times. And most of all, you have been a support system for me during all that life has brought during and after college, including the death of our friend. I love you and support you and Chanel with every ounce of my being. You have chosen a gorgeous bride. And she has chosen a no more deserving man. I promise, when the time comes, I'll be on the speed dial for babysitting.

Love you both.

-Verbal

"Wake Up" to Mr. Ivory Snow: Tonight on Rosenberg Radio NYC

Though I've never told him this to his face, and will even deny it after I press "Publish" on this blog, I put Ivory in the ranks of a budding Ryan Leslie prototype (and it's not just because he's tall and slim). Not only an emcee with apparent talent, and an infectious flow, he also has a knack for the production of his own work, and that of others. Including, and not limited to, the Nomad•ness webisode theme song, "Traveling Girl." You've definitely heard him before on this site.

At 21, there's something youthful, yet learned about Ivory. Not manipulated, or jaded by the non-sense that tends to be hip-hop these days, the regard he has for artists like J'Dilla, Anita Baker, Jay-Z, Ryan Leslie, Peter Hadar, Stevie Wonder, all the legends is infused in his music catalogue whether through sample, subject matter, or inspiration. Old soul.

I've known 'of' Ivory for about three years now, but I've known him personally for about a year. In that time he's impressed me enough with his style, and work ethic that not only have I become a fan, and supporter, but I even took the initiative to ask him if he'd join the Nomad•ness team as Music Director for the show. This coming after a studio session, in which he completely revamped the theme song, that I'll be debuting in the coming months. While I was working in the background on Story producing the pilot episode, I heard magic happen. What started off as a blank canvas, quickly morphed into a drum beat, a break down of vocals, a melody...and a track that I'm now obsessed with. I always say that music producers do with sounds, what filmmakers do with visuals. It's just two different forms of magic.

Fast forward to today...a huge accomplishment for this Connecticut native is in store.

Mr. Snow's track, "Wake Up" is a part of the compilation album, "The DocuTape Soundtrack". This particular track was produced and performed by him, and still stands as one of the most popular, and most purchased tracks on the entire album. Defintely worth an audio peep.

But tonight...WAKE UP WILL BE PLAYED FOR THE FIRST TIME ON NYC'S HOT 97.1 DURING PETER ROSENBERG'S SHOW 12a-2a!

I want everyone in the Tri-State area to tune in on the radio, and everyone elsewhere to tap into it online. Love it and purchase it!! It's all supporting artists on the come up! Evie certified.

CLICK HERE TO PREVIEW AND PURCHASE IVORY SNOW'S "WAKE UP" ON iTUNES!

the dude with the lens: Pete Monsanto

The first time I met Pete, it was through an Inbox message from my old school website, evitaspen.com.

At that time, I was a well known spoken word artist in the college circuit, and he was a stranger to me who felt the need to spin a male version of one of my signature pieces, "I Have..." This was circa 2003. 

I read the piece on my computer and was equal parts "I have to meet this dude..." and "Who does he think he is sending this to me?" Needless to say, it got my attention. Pete's got a knack for thinking outside the box. 

Stepping outside the online veil, I found out that his sister attended my school, and he'd seen me perform a number of times. The performances compelled him enough to rewrite my sh!t. Thus, our friendship started.

A few years back, Pete divulged in me his blossoming love for photography. He'd always been a sneaker head (take him to Dunk Detox) and a hip-hop junkie, so him bridging his two loves was inevitable.

He had those preliminary jitters, and I was on my Nike steeze, telling the dude to 'Just Do It!' He did. And through some of the most horrendous ups and downs in his personal life, he kept doing it and...doing it well. 

To the point where he is now noted as the go-to photog in the industry, and the Official Def Jam photographer, in his most recent interview with www.respect-mag.com. Through the storms, you have to keep the seeds planted. I'm proud of Pete in more ways than one. Check out the interview link below and show support. 

Photo by Pete Monsanto

CHECK THE INTERVIEW WITH RESPECT MAG HERE!

PS. Another reason I adore Pete...I call to congratulate him on the interview and he utters:

"I'm trying make enough money to just bounce to Europe with Evie for like 9 months!"

Love this dude. 

PETE'S TUMBLR