MOVING: New Web Address

Dear Folks!

  We've moved to thepeoplefly.com forever.

gO! fLY! sEEK. gO!

THEPEOPLEFLY.COM

Insert Truth Here: A Winged Letter Project

I just found this blog.
Insert Truth Here: A Winged Letter Project

I haven't read everything, but I pretty much already know that I love it.
I don't know her name yet! but here goes her self description.

I'm a soap-bubble-blower
-social-justice-peacenik-magic-bean-buying-optimist who loves Ella Baker,Mister
Rogers, movies, watercolors and chocolate like no other. I love reading about,
writing for, learning and working for young people. I also appreciate peace
building, understanding the history of feminisms, clowns, media literacy,
multiracial identity and intercultural dialogues and experiences, LGBT history
and travelogues. My current fascinations include memoirs, snazzy bookmarks and
aerial performance art with just a dash of bubbles.

And here goes a Sesame Street with a young Danny Glover from one her posts, I just had to repost. Ridiculous and great. Ha! I think it's funny. Just me?

Holla,

I

METAphoric Love

I hope we can keep this one short and sweet. We try to keep it meta around here you know.
I just finished writing this blurb for The PCF Project. Took me forever. So much to say.
So many meanings. So many layers to this thing, this wish and desire to do this. And I want to share this. I want people to understand. I want people to understand why we feel we have to do this.

It is history. It is future. It is us. It is collective. It is desire to be great. It's something I don't always really know how to express.

Metaphoric. Actual. It is so many things I want to share. And its hard to cut it down sometimes
into a simple description. To imbue it all. Oh, I desire to make it all happen at once. To live in the single moment. Realization. We desire.

We try to keep it meta around here. We have a mission. It is a mission in many ways... to support our friends, our generation, people in the realization of our dreams. Visions. I say that again.. realize our dreams.

No joke. To make real, make actual, make for real real our dreams. Our visions. Who we are and who we know.. we must be. Who we must be. I want to speak this o u t l o u d instead of writing it.

yes.

META.
What I have tried to do. is to do this. I want y o u to know.
This journey is apart of a real journey of countless people, countless Black Americans, countless people of color, countless all people, to find freedom. What is freedom you ask? MANY answers
one being..the continuing journey to realize our potential, and find our place/s

This is not simply us journeying to make a film or write a blog or travel on planes, though shoot we do like to do all these things.

It is about our stories as young people, as people, as people of color. And it is about our lives. I'm sounding hecka serious right now/

It is also, honestly, about our journey to do this. That's part of the dream too, right? At least mine. The dream of making this dream happen. The dream of finding the dream. Dream reality? Reality of the dream?

How so?
How can we?

We like to keep it meta. We also like to keep it mantra.
We want..
... we desire..
.. we want

We believe. We can fly.

What do you want?

-IntiSar by near. IntiStar by far.

editing she schmediting

whoa i'm hecka tired and i know i havent done one of these in a minute. and i am not about to use capitals. been working on the new spaces, new plans, similar goals, further method. you know. love.
ha.

i'd like to say something good, hear? that would shine some light into both your and my eyes about what's going on here. what's occurring now and what's coming on next.
i can only say i have great expectations. great expectations. and like always feeling the swell.

boutsa to get realer around here. and more fantastical. and more in the people we are. ahh such a scary seeming thing sometimes. breaking the veil. the mold. the caul. into seeing something. opening up with both mine eyes.
being something. who we are. i am steadying-coming into. again. something i used to know forever.

i don't mean to be vague, but i've been talking to people. and there's some stuff we gotta talk. talk. sorta. but more see and talk and more see

sometimes when i close my eyes, whether they are open or closed i feel like i could fly into space.. like i am in fact moving over the earth. spreading across or a over, a line, fast moving water. and that is me. it is so real as to be real. it is a sense sensation of knowing. of being in a place, but rather also of knowledge. and i can feel the world swell out, stretch out around me. i am like a swiftly moving. i am just a swiftly moving.

superseding and making and being ourselves and moving there. shouting up there.

what good you know?

strategizing. new and old answers. solutions. creations.

we're here and this is our time. can't forget that for fear or defeat.
wake yourself up by the means you find possible ot better the means you imagine-create for yourself. the world.

beyond all concept magical

whatchou waiting for.. The PCF 2.0

Sandwich, MA 02-14-09

THE PCF 2.0

...rolling out. soon...

This one Little Dragon .. constant surprises coming my way.. some call it coincidence..

diggin on this one. round the clock.

tock?

i believe.
that's all.
you all.

Paper Planes with Yuri Shimoya

yurishimoyo.com

"Each person’s reality is their own mind’s creation. Nothing is real, but everything is real. If my journal inspires someone to “become themselves,” that is so encouraging for me to [continue to] share my journals with others. "

Yuri Shimoya
from "Paper Planes with Yuri Shimoyo"
by John H. Lee
Theme Magazine

The PCF Guide to Travel

Montego Bay, Jamaica 12/5/05

The night before our father had asked us if we wanted to go to Jamaica. Upon arrival we were greeted by two gentleman otherwise known as Wizard Jombi and Mr. B. Little did we know by getting into the car we would be descending into the pit of hell for the next few days of our journey.

This is what we learned from our trip. Hopefully it will help you. It certainly helped us to further define how we want to plan our travels in the future. The PCF has been many places, but we are always learning something new.

We bring you the first in a continuing series...

The PCF Guide to Travel

1) DEFINE YOURSELF UPFRONT

Kalimah:


Jamaica. January fifth, 2009 was a sunny day. The Montego Bay Airport MBJ smelled of water and salt...reminded me of Djibouti and a hotel swimming pool. When we got to customs the agent asked us where we were staying...
I honestly didn't have a clue. Didn't know her/his last name, address, nor did I know anything else about our host... except that this person was a friend of a friend of... That didn't get us through.
So she, the custom's agent, made us stand aside until we had retrieved some legitimate information.

She wasn't very nice by the way.

(Aside)
OK, so no matter how appealing your trip may sound, or which friend or family member is suppose to be taking care of what, YOU NEED TO KNOW WHO YOU'RE STAYING WITH, THEIR ADDRESS, AND PHONE NUMBER!
AND PLEASE,GET SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR GOODNESS SAKES!
For 1, you have to know specific information when you go through CUSTOMS. They're not going to let any old body into their country for any old reason without knowing the specifics.
2nd, YOU need to know some specifics about your hosts so that you'll know whether that is the right situation for you or not. In our case, had I known that we would be spending the majority of our time with some *special individuals* then I would have booked a room, Couch Surfed, or reconsidered going to Jamaica. I can't tell you how important this is...

Please use my hindsight for your foresight.



After leaving CUSTOMS we headed for the transportation exit where we would eventually meet our hosts. The Airport Transportation pickup site was more akin to a market place or bus stop.

Vendors selling Jamaica's signature Chicken Tofu Shrimp Patties
Little 1990 Toyota cars whizzed ABOUT
Black faces peering out from back seat windows.

About 30 minutes later our ride had finally found us. In the passenger seat was Wizard Jambi, the friend of the friend of... Deemed "legally" blind he used a staff, affectionately named Brother Bird, to guide his step and ego. His Assistant/Taxi Driver Friend, Mr. B, drove him everywhere. Mr. B knew everybody and everybody knew him... even if they didn't really KNOW him. I'd say he was a couple of notches up from the town drunk except that his drug of choice was WEED. Lol. Boy, do I mean weed! Weed everywhere! Weed in the car. Weed on the beach and weed in the house!Lol. And despite all of the hard work MTV and BET have done to portray otherwise, Gonja is still illegal in Jamaica. Yeah.

So we said our hellos. All seemed okay, until...
Bigs came over to embrace me in a familiar sort of way. (Eeewwww)

(Aside)
If you've ever hugged someone and their hand awkwardly finds your lower back (Not the butt folks! The lower back!) it is definitely a fully awkward moment and it happens so fast, it's to correct.It was definitely not my style, to say the least. Thinking back I would have approached that situation differently.


Number 1.
Now this is important.You must Establish Yourself up Front! Introduce yourself, establish your space,and let them know who YOU are. Using your voice, your body, and disposition you can make people feel and think things about you that may or may not be inherent in your person. This IS about wielding respect, not what some people may call being Bougie or uppity. This is actually really important in countries that have different norms about women or groups of people in general. Whether or not this is true for your next destination, you are who you are wherever you go and wherever you are! Let 'em know you are someone to be RESPECTED!

Number 2. If this situation would have been unacceptable to you don't be afraid to split some verbal wigs. Such as: "' You don't know me like that MMAAANNN! Get off me! I said, get off me Mother Trucker! Bbboooyyyy!" Lol

What could've happened...
Before he scurries to hug me, I extend a hand

Kalimah: Hey, how you doin? (We shake hands)

Mr. B: Good, how are you m'dear?! (Breath smells like weed)

Kalimah: Good. Good.Glad to be here...

After getting into the car

Kalimah: I am a 21 year old educated, independent woman and you can't touch this ish! I like movies, science stuff...blah blah, gubli, gabli
Now, Who are you?

BAM!
So instead of that awkward moment FOR ME! I seal the deal and let him know who's boss. The thing is I would have rather given him a hug, but just because you mean it in a friendly way doesn't mean that they aren't thinking about something else mmhmm. So, assess the situation based on what you know about whomever you'll be staying with. Just because you shake hands in the beginning doesn't mean that you can't be friendlier later. It will keep you from quite a few other problems...

Once we left the "Bus Stop" with Wizard Jambi and Mr. B I didn't know where the hell we were going.
Next thing I know we're at a Chicken Shack picking up rice and beans with chicken on top( Granted I don't eat meat)

3. Always Be Aware! Just because you get off of the airplane, doesn't mean you go into relax vacation mode, especially if you don't know your hosts well. Make conversation. Schmooze a little bit. Let them know you are present and that you have your own agenda! If your agendas meet then wonderful, but if not, so be it. It's your experience. Don't let ANYONE DEFINE IT FOR YOU! This has a lot to do with life choices as well, because we can choose to let others designate what we will do and have. " No thank you! I don't care if you got chicken, when I told you I didn't eat meat. This is my life!" If you have to, be adamant about your point of view.Keep in mind You should always remain respectful, but this also encompasses SELF RESPECT and MUTUAL RESPECT.Your hosts should respect your wishes and beliefs while you respect theirs.

Once we got our food we made our way to the beach. That's when the weirdness really began...

Intisar:
When we got to Jamaica I wasn't prepared for the change of climate. I ended up shedding a coat and sweater outside the airport leaving me in a fitting lime green shirt that I would never wear by itself, that did not fit my jeans, and that generally left me feeling uncomfortable and too open in a foreign environment. As you travel about you want to be looking right, my friends. You need to be looking fresh as ever! In foreign, ever fluctuating and new environments your physical stance, your clothing, the way you walk and hold your head, how you approach and portray yourself to others, says everything about who you are wherever you go. It also communicates to people how they are to approach, the kind of interactions you expect with everyone you encounter. It lets people know right off the bat who you are, what you expect, and the proper way to engage you. This proves true no matter where you go.

Waiting outside of the airport in Montego Bay I may have been at my best, but because I didn't feel as powerful and on it in my overall portrayal, I didn't exude it and enact it with supreme confidence. Traveling you want to continually remind yourself and others when necessary who you are and what your objectives are. Your clothing, stance, and presence is one way to keep doing that. You may know nothing about where you are going or what exactly will happen on your trip, but if you know who you are and continually define and remember that to yourself and to others, you will create your own experience. And you'll continually find yourself in situations that are pleasing to you.

I also felt too open. And this is one of the primary tenets of self-defined travel. Define your boundaries. The lines, the fit, and the cut of your clothes define your physical boundaries, which is one of the most important things whenever and wherever you are travel. As a mobile agent literally carrying your body, belongings, ideas, plans, and dreams, the illusion and reality of yourself to near and far places around the world, you make up your own home. You make up the physical boundaries and structure of your traveling house, yourself. And you protect your home. By traveling you are naturally welcoming the experience of a place, but you also must continually define, refine, and create the parameters of your experience and your traveling house.

By dressing and exuding in the way that makes you feel like you are it, by standing up straight, walking like you know where you are going, and speaking in a voice like you know exactly what you are saying, by looking everyone in the eye no matter how powerful, older, or authoritative they appear, you establish a level of respect and exchange on your terms... you set your standard at the very beginning. We all create our realities. It is your journey and you have the right. Let others know who you are and how they should deal and interact with you and it can only go uphill from there.

Often those first moments, when you get off the plane, as you leave the airport, set the standards for the rest of the trip. These are all important. Do not neglect them. And listen. Define yourself and your intentions to anyone you are dealing with at the beginning- who you are and what you want. Be vocal, adamant. . Let everyone know who you are and what you want and expect upfront. And if something doesn't feel quite right act right then. Don't wait for something else to happen or otherwise another confirmation of what you already know. Make a decision. Take control. Don't let anyone take control of you or your trip, whether it seems like they are being nice or not. You always know where you are going.

What we could have done:

We could have made a decision after the first few signals, that we needed to change course and find somewhere else to stay, but we didn't. Over the course of an hour or so there were some severely inappropriate sexual remarks made and some both undercover and insidious ( you really have to watch out for these) disrespectful statements and disregard for who we were as both individuals and as young women. And at anytime during this first part of the trip we could have taken charge and made some executive decisions. You never have to stay in any situation, no matter what you or anybody else thinks. You are never stuck! For several reasons, we failed to act and take hold of our experience. Or just plain cuss somebody out.

Define yourself upfront and continually and don't be afraid to get mean or just plain bold. Don't cut any corners either. Define and create who you are and what you want! What I want to say is.. being polite, quiet, nice, young, respectful ( this one can really trick you up and be a load of crap) or any word that translates to you not getting what you want, feeling unsafe, uncomfortable, or being in danger is not worth a single thing. And you are worth everything. As my mom said, "Don't accept any wooden nickels."

Coming Next:

Weed, vodka, and gecko poop,

"recognizing what you see when you see it and

knowing what you know when you know it",

Money and foreign exchange rates,

..and the PCF slaves in a small dark kitchen ...

The adventures... of the PCF CONTINUES..

©2009 Intisar Abioto, Kalimah Abioto

Maroon Town- Accumpong, Jamaica

Tuesday morning we packed up in the car with our hosts. We traveled about 2 hours up into the mountains headed to Maroon Town or Accumpong. More.. soon come.

On the way! Maroon Town- Accompong, Jamaica

What She Wrote: Jamaica Hello. Jamaica Farewell.

There is lots here to say here. Lots. I won't tire myself out though.

We just arrived back to Memphis International Airport (MEM) from Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ). Found out we were coming Sunday, flew out Monday morning, and back Wednesday evening. I'd never been to Jamaica before. And didn't quite know what to expect.We learned so much on this trip. We learned ssoo very much. So very very much.

Whew! Lordy, Ms. Clordy!

You know, it can seem real fabulous what we're doing sometimes. There's definitely a certain kind of daredevilry about it. There is def some saying who you are to the world real loud and shining OUT. About all of us really and who we are.

But I'll say its not always fabulous in the way of .. piles of sugat.. It is often a real challenge and a real test. No joke. Life test. Sometimes. Goodness sometimes..saying you're going to a place is only a tenth and the being there and the getting back out.. is like.. superman stuff. This trip was one of those lesson learners. We learn things wherever we go. We pick up knowledge, feeling, experience, thoughts, and new revelations. Finding out LITERALLY how to move in this world as humans, as the people we are and are becoming. And this never ends. And it accumulates every where you go, every flight, every trip, every journey.

And I still miss flights sometimes. Missed a flight to NY for the Apliq Party ( hOLLA at my girl Isa for details and Steve Pristin for the intel) last friday. You Keep learning.. you keep getting there.

Our experience in Jamaica over the course of a mere two days was a real test. The place was beautiful and the people we saw extraordinary naturally. Many of the circumstances of the trip were a true test though. No joke y'all.

Not test of the body. We were not climbing mountains. But it tested our ability to make understood who we are as individuals. test of the person, of belief, of who we were. Of one's choice to be who you and where you wanna be and what you wanna do. And not taking no **** off nobody. Opening your mouth. Moving your feet. Moving Moving Chooooosiiinnnnnnnn!

This was one of the craziest experiences I've ever had.

However I won't call it circumstances, because I believe we all have control.

And travel is often about getting specific about what you want. It is about getting specific in the details about what you want out of your life (travel) and that is a beautiful thing. Getting stomp down specific and yes sometimes ornery.

I was telling Kalimah that travel is like speed-dating for life.

You're gonna learn real quick what you like, cause you're gonna be uncomfortable when you don't like something to do something about it, act real quick. The parameters of travel mimic the parameters of life.

I have to get on that plane. I HAVE to get on that plane. I have to go here. NO sir, I don't want to do this. I WANT and am going to do this. I gotta eat. I gotta take good care of myself. I have to rest my head where I feel comfortable and safe. I gotta tell that joker over there I don't want do that and I don't agree with you. And no I am not complicit in that. I gotta say WHO I AM. And if you don't know, then you will know very soon. I gotta leave when I want to and go where I know feels right. You must have the gumption and the power and sometimes the in your face ferocity to create in your own experience. To not be created for. These are all important things in travel when you are in a completely new situation or with people who may or may not know you. So many things. Soooo many things.

This last trip was not about vacationing. It was about getting deeper and stauncher and more positive and affirmative adamant about who we are. It was about saying what we are doing, and what we are wanting wherever we are going.

As people,

as young people, as females, as women, as black people, as people of color, as people In this expanse of life,

as whoever and everything we are, that is important!

That is important. Silence don't cut it. And being a nice girl don't cut it either. We must say who we are. Let the world know, fore folks try to tellya. They gon' get this here.! They gon' see this here. They might not understand this here. But it don't matter. Cause we gon' say this here.

Here are some thoughts we wrote down as soon as we realized we were getting on the plane home. We started talking you see, and. They articulate some of what we learned during our time learned in Jamaica and elsewhere. We might bring these back later in more detail, but here they are now pretty unedited. I really believe much of what is learned in travel can be applied anywhere.

Here goes.

1. Know where you are going. Get specific.

Know who you are going to stay with. The ( positive) company you keep.

Know exactly where and under what circumstances you will be sleeping and laying your head. It is important that you know and you feel comfortable. You have ulitmate control over your residence and your transportation, even if you are visiting with someone or someone is helping you. Have the option to jump up out whenever and wherever when you need to. Be proactive.

2. Set your own objectives. What is your objective on this your journey? What is your mission. Stay on it. Don't assume others, whoever they are have your objective in mind, whether they are strangers, friends, or family. Be specific with yourself.

3. Eat and do things you want to. Don't feel pressured to eat or do things that you don't want. If you don't want to do it, its not that serious. It is your experience. In that time do what you want.

Anyone who really wants you to do something big or small that you don't, you don't need to be around them anyway. And forget being terribly polite. Don't suck it in. Mistakes and miscommunications occur, but its your experience. We can always correct with the proper words and intention. Sometimes those small things matter.

Don't defer.

4. Think about what you want to buy, before you set out to buy it.

Have in mind how much you would like to spend, not how much others might like you to. Don't be pressured or bullied.

Know the currency and conversion.- It helps to have in mind how much key amounts in American dollars are in that currency. Like how much is 1,2,3,5,10, 20 US dollars? So when you have to make quick calculations and decisions you will be prepared. And you will spend only what you intend.

This is really important during transactions with individuals and bargaining. In the heat of the moment when someone is quoting you a thousand prices all changign at once prices and you feel pressure to buy something allows you to break the fog of confusion and pressure.

For many of us who have not grown up bargaining these kind of transactions can be hella stressful. I naturally feel uncomfortable if I feel like somebody is waiting on my to buy something or watching me. It's just not what I'm accustomed to. So learn the language of bargaining and that you can say no. Or walk away.

-Don't bother with being overly polite. Be quick.

5. Often enough it helps to be incomprehensible! Say something ridiculous and move. Not everyone has to understand what you are doing or saying. This helps when you are just trying to get out of a situation, end something, or someone wants to engage you and you don't want to be engaged. Say something quick, crazy, or incomprehensible. Something that cannot be understood and say it like you mean it. And when you need to don't be afraid to get diva-ish. Don't be afraid to be full out weird. Folks don't mess with crazy folks. If they can't understand you, they have to find a response and and you can get where you need to be.

6. Change. Be able to change situations when you want. Don't feel locked down in place with anyone or anywhere.

7. Have your own...

Have your own options, people you can trust, food, room, and most important ideas. Ideas make the matter. Ideas make the travel. Ideas make life.

8. Don't feel pressured to pretend you have to agree with everyone or anyone you meet whoever they are. To get Memphis on you, I shoLL don't!. You don't have to agree with anything someone's saying or doing. And you don't have to be polite and not say anything either, especially especially when it is in regards to you. Let them jokers know! But the better option is to just get outta there. Bring yourself to a calm and comfortable place/space. This is your experience, right? Yes. You choose. And often that means taking to yourself to a better place, as far as the eye can see. Keep moving, speaking, being you. And

Don't compromise yourself.

9. Say No

Don't be afraid to say no.

It establishes your boundaries.

10. Establish yourself up front.

-who you are

what you do and will not do, are not accustomed to doing.

Often enough during travel we are opening ourselves up to an experience, a culture, new ways of seeing and acting. We feel we are the ones coming to this location to experience and take in, be taught something.

This ain't always the case. You better remember who you are and take that with you everywhere honey.

Whether that is saying something about yourself, LOOKING INDIVIDUALS IN THE EYES, speaking up, your bodily stance. Say, exude who YOU are. That lets a joker no who you are right up front. Ain't no mistakin.

11. Don't be nice at your own expense.

There is a difference between being amiable or nice and losing something about yourself that is powerful and aggressive. That creates your experience come hope or high water.

12. Create in your own experience.

Do what you want

Not what others want

Because they are doing what they want hopefully.

13. Age don't mean a thing. Every old person or seeming elder is not wise. Know who you are and what your cherished ones have taught you. That kind of knowledge stays with you and will often enough if you listen, carry you through.

13. Continue to be positive / But not passive. Positivity is active. It is forthright. Take the best from the experience, because it is yours.

And when it seems like you fail learn the lesson and be done with it.

Don't stay there nagging yourself. There's so much more to be done! Learn the lesson and be done. Keep moving forward.

14. Anger

If your anger can effect the situation in a positive way, USE IT!

Don't be afraid to use your anger!

15. Always question.

Never stop asking questions. Even if they or you don't understand. Even if sometimes tells or intimates that asking a question is not good or that they don't know. Find out who does. Someone always does.

16. Don't make small situations or components of your trip big.

Think comprehensively. Act Quickly. Feel like you can stop the situation if it is too moving too fast or you feel something inside is wrong. Often in these scenarios you will start to feel things moving too fast. Say I'm going to take a break. No, I don't want to do this.

In Jamaica a vendor at a crafts fair was trying to sell me some bracelets. I kept saying I didn't want them, but he kept changing the price and being there. Have! the power and feeling to say no, and cut off the situation. Often enough it is things that appear small that get us off the track of our journey. I ended up taking out of my wallet 200 Jamaican dollars, about a little less than 2.50USD to pay for three bracelets I cared nothing for just to get out of the situation. But nothing is a deal if you don't want it, no matter how much the price changes. I can feel the anger at this rising up even now. And as soon as I gave him the money I wanted it back and it was already gone in his pocket. You can always stop a situation, say no, and go off by yourself. You deserve space! And you don't have to talk to, be around, or listen to anyone you don't want to. This includes people who may be trying to sell you things. My bag was I'm not trying to be rude, but then you have to look at the objectives. Some people aren't talking to you to be nice or kind. They simply have their own objective. They have their own objective which is to sell. Their objective is not just to up and be talking to you straight out the blue. I mean this dude straight up followed us through the crafts market.

The goal is your destination-objective not the pit stop or the side attraction.

You can STOP a flow of action whether it is a financial transaction or going some place doing something you don't want to do.

You'll always know when that sliding off your own track is happening, because you'll feel it. Acknowledge it.

17. Time.

Always be aware of the time- whatever form. Be on time for your plane. For international at least two hours before, and for some places more. That means preparing to leave several hours before too.

Spend your time how you want. Keep up with your own time.

Plan! if you want to and can.

18. Money

Never spend your last- any and all forms of anything.

Think about how you want to spend before you leave home or hotel.

Think and set aside how much you want to spend. Don't be pressured into spending something for someone else's gains. Don't be pressured into spending to be polite or cordial. That is the worst. I'm still getting over this one in those bargaining transactions.

19.Always bring food- good food.

Snacks, maybe even a meal.

20. Be adamant about your experience.

Money, clothes, food. These are all real things.

And So is your experience.

Insist on having the best experience! It's all you're there for.

Don't put up with anything else. Be proactive and adamant

about YOUR experience. When you leave it will be what you have. It will be what you! have.

21. Don't stop. Keep moving forward. Whether that means sitting down to take a break, go pee, eat something, say I wanna go here and not there, get in the car, go down the street by yourself. Sit down and not talk to anyone. Talk to everyone. Look at the sky. Take a picture. Not take a picture or film when someone is asking you to. Don't stop. Keep moving forward. Towards your destination, your goal, your greater objective, your experience. You always know. And whatever you are doing if you are in line with that then you are inline with yourself, and your purpose for being there, whether you traveling or wherever you are on this earth.

Sometimes things challenge us and afterwards we know more of what we want and how we want to do things.

Getting closer to what we want is how we always wanna roll.

Always..

mOST sINCERELY,

I(ntisar) the Abioto

and the PCf!

Being Green

"The words say "It's not easy being green," but the song is about knowing who you are. And in it you hear Jim's message most clearly. He believed that people are good and that they want to do their best and that no matter how or why we might be different from anybody else, we should learn to love who we are and be proud of it.

-Ray Charles

Hello

You know this isn't a happy song but its real. Its just human.
People Live...and people live...people and worlds can be the same and so different.Its unreal.
If you can, try to look up the whole section of this video. I think its great.
Heartworn Highways: Townes Van Zandt

Nina Simone - Dont You Pay Them No Mind

These have been a hard stressful wonderful fearful all that all that couple of weeks.
For real.
Its not quite over, but almost.

There's a lot of stuff swirling around

Please enjoy this. lord knows i will.



ya know ya got my heart

i need to remember this right now! maintenant! / reunion

Tenets of the Citizens of LIFE Brigade

A Citizen of LIFE…

1. Is deeply, intensely, absolutely embedded in the endless joy and tortured sadness of the world, but is not of it.

2. Dances on the edge of an uncertain, grand future, charged with the dark expanse of potential.

3. Is spontaneously open to the whims of fate.

4. Is committed to exploring the infinity of human being.

5. Is actively involved in creating and shaping new worlds and universes from the scattered pieces thrown at her/him by the world in which s/he finds herself/himself.

6. Loves, when he/she loves, with everything within him/her.

7. Wholly appreciates the beauty given to humanity by the natural world, and lives with and according to a deep aesthetic sense and appreciation.

8. Is in love with the passion of human drama.

9. Is sensitive and receptive to the subtle, unnamable vibrations of LIFE.

The Brigade…

1. Is committed to facilitating full enjoyment of and participation in LIFE.

2. Is committed to transforming the world into a place where people can be fully, intensely, passionately human.

3. Fights inhumanity in all its forms.

4. Fights blandness and plainness in all of their forms, and ugliness where it does not serve the purpose of LIFE.

5. Fights unappreciation, apathy, and spiritual deadness, except where they serve the purposes of LIFE.

6. Accepts that we can only know little of the purposes of LIFE.

7. May not ever revoke Citizenship once it has been given.

8. Always seeks more Citizens.

LIFE is endless possibility. The Citizens of LIFE keep themselves acutely open to that possibility, and render new reality from formless potential.

We are the keepers of that delicate balance between the potential and the actualized.

making a way can now plan

fes rooftops medina taxi people chantal all!

There's a lot.
Photos to edit. So many.
Thoughts to think.
Semi-conclusions to make. Beginnings to begin. That already are
beginning themselves.

And Morocco. And Wesleyan. And Memphis. And Paris. And every where? And what's happening next. I guess we're getting there in the by and by. And sometimes I turn around and something new has happened. Just cause I've been going there. Something new cause I've been believin. Saying so.

And what all you want to hear? What wants to be said? What about all this wants to be communicated?

I guess I just want to share a story. Part of it, a good deal of it is my story. Yes it is.
It is. There is a good deal I would like to be, do, see, feel, share.

And my entry into this world is through feeling all of that, taking myself there-here,
and talking, sharing, communicating in a community in a place in a world with others.
And being real certain and real diligent about all of things.
Being real certain about myself as I am and want to be will be and my many connections to others who are too figuring and finding and going, deciding what and where and who and what to be. There is something intrinsic there. Maybe you know what I mean.



If not certain about everything as it will happen, if not in fact knowing everything,
or the details of this life, Then being very certain, very fiery, and very calm about my process.
Breathing into it. Saying it. And having to say nothing. It is 7:44 AM on Friday. It is December the 5th. It is 2008. I am 22. And I am here right now. And this exact hour is mine. And there are many all over the world. Right now. And people living in them. Or better those hours living inside the individual. That's something else I saw while traveling this week. There are so many hours happening. One single hour passes.
From Fes. Train to Fes. Casablanca. Airplane. Paris. Shuttling and coming in. And coming out. ocean. America. And all the ones I knew and loved there. To be in their hour. To be in their place. Oh, to be in their! stories. . So many hours. And I claim this one as mine. Something about saying that feels good. I claim that as mine. claiming your hour

As a person
as a young person
living life.

And figuring out things as I go.
Taking broader steps. Speaking stronger in myself of myself and this world.
Speaking stronger of us.
Maybe that is what this is about.

I want to share a simultaneous hour. or something. my words are petering out.

no need to puzzle this.

i'm screamin
life is happening
or should i rather say
i am happening to life
i think that is the realer part of the matter

holla back y'all holla back

Thanksgiving Moroc

So I'm in Morocco. I admit its hard sometimes writing on the go. How to say.. how to explain.. even while you are taking in experiencing.. and putting out yourself.

There is something about looking up at a sky all around you.
Opening your eyes, who you are, and turning around and around and around again
to look to see
the sky and the ground and the world
as it turns
and around you.

One of the things I best like to do when I reach some place is to go outside and look at the sky as it spreads around me. The ground necessarily beneath me. And I think to myself. I am here.
And as far as I turn and as far as I look there is this place I have brought myself to - ooh and many others too. As far as I look the picture continues. Fluidi That is when you want to .. something you can breathe in.

Choice. Decision. Belief. And once again who we are. Who we want to be. Same thing? This is something I really believe in. And the picture the frame the experience as it moves around us. As we move it.

Thanksgiving in Morocco.. to be quite exact.

Here goes...

WED, NOV 26 10 AM taxi to Hartford International for 12:27 pm flight to Detroit International Airport (DTW).
9:25 PM flight that night to Paris (CDG) arriving at about 11:30 AM Thursday.
12:55 pm flight from Paris to Casablanca (CMN), Mohammed V International Airport.
Meets Chantal James at airport, can't find her, wanders around goes outside to look at sky
comes back in. contemplates how to get some durhams, speaks no arabic, some french. where to go what to do. talks to a nice lady from US, I forget where exactly, who too is waiting.. but for her Moroccan husband.
Chantal finds her.
FForward
Takes 5 hour train to Fes, Morocco. -Gets dark. Transfers. Waits in train station at Casa Voyager to transfer. Both meet, begin talking to man from the Congo. Boards again.
Rolls through the night.. (Where am i going?)
in passenger car on train through Morocco. Oh what a way to move. Move. through space. And through night. through night.. in darkness. not necessarily in silence. in french. and arabic. moroccan arabic. And sleep too. Sleep. Inshallah! Ahh body. memory. space. time. motion. voice. and the self. shuttling.. shooting forth. choosing. saying where you would wish to go. going.. pushing through like bullet.. like baby.. like something. here space. earth. ground.
air. here. there
there
there?

I should fast forward.
Thanksgiving Morocco.
Collard greens. Macaroni.
Turkey! Oh we had a story on that one. The one we had flew away.
We took another to the community oven.
There is a community oven!
Black eye peas morocco. Black eye peas!

Thanksgiving Morocco!

And an American fire spinner who spins upon Fes rooftop too. Poy!

Yeah.. so i guess there's lots. There is lots!

always more soon i think. I think there is always more soon.

Intisar Victory Abioto

Moroc

I'm in Morocco baby!

Holllaaa!


-Intisar

Aigh!

I am so tired right now but in all good conscience I couldn't go to bed without putting this out.

I am heading to Morocco on Wednesday.


Maroc. Fes, to be exact. Inshallah!


Intisar S. Abioto

*Photo courtesy the glorious Gabrielle Williams.

Southaven MS

Saturday, Nov. 15 2008
Southaven, MS
Kalimah Abioto
The People Could Fly

A New Day

I want to give a shout out to The Cunninghams and Lisa Cunningham.

They're continuing on with a new church they just began in the Bronx.
It's called NEW DAY CHURCH and it's principles are threefold: connecting with god/spirit, crossing boundaries (of race, class, sexual orientation, age), and confronting injustice (in the community and beyond).

These folks are amazing. And they hosted me on one of The PCF trips to NYC.
And Lisa is one of my besties from Wesleyan.

If you have a chance stop by their monthly service.
This Sunday they're showing some recent footage from the PCF's travels.

And they are just all around great! So YES!

---
hey fam...

another invite! we're having our second monthly worship service this sunday.

NEW DAY CHURCH
connecting with god ~ crossing boundaries ~ confronting injustice

the theme for this week's service is "Big Dreams"
we're starting it off with some People Could Fly footage (www.thepeoplecouldfly.blogspot.com)
of young people talking about their dreams
i'll be doing some poetry that has yet to emerge
pastor Cunningham will be preaching on what it means to dream big...

you are invited ~

Sunday, November 16
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Bronx Science High School (downstairs cafeteria -- space will be marked off my some colorful rugs i believe)
75 W. 205th Street
2 blocks west of Jerome

and feel free to forward to anyone else you think may be interested!

and check Will.i.am's new song, we're thinking of making it one of our theme songs:
http://www.imeem.com/william/music/WmH_PXjO/william_its_a_new_day/

and here's another mantra: http://www.imeem.com/hiphopmusic2/music/gcDrGOOX/knaan_in_the_beginning/
wait for the part where k'naan starts going "it's better to light a candle than to curse the dark" ... that's the best part.

hope you all are happy and healthy and sane ;0)


love (andonandonandon),

lisaaaaa

excerpt fb status response

Come, come, whoever you are.

Wonderer, worshipper, lover of leaving.

It doesn't matter.

Ours is not a caravan of despair.

Come, even if you have broken your vow

a thousand times

Come, yet again, come, come."

-Rumi