“When there’s no one else look inside yourself. Like your oldest friend just trust the voice within. Then you’ll find the strength that will guide your way. You’ll learn to begin to trust the voice within.”
Christins Aguilera ‘The Voice Within”
If you’re going to try, go all the
way.
otherwise, don’t even start.
if you’re going to try, go all the
way.
this could mean losing girlfriends,
wives, relatives, jobs and
maybe your mind.
go all the way.
it could mean not eating for 3 or 4 days.
it could mean freezing on a
park bench.
it could mean jail,
it could mean derision,
mockery,
isolation.
isolation is the gift,
all others are a test of your
endurance, of
how much you really want to
do it.
and you’ll do it
despite rejection and the worst odds
and it will be better than
anything else
you can imagine.
if you’re going to try,
go all the way.
there is no other feeling like
that.
you will be alone with the gods
and the nights will flame with
fire.
do it, do it, do it.
do it.
all the way.
all the way.
you will ride life straight to
perfect laughter, its
the only good fight
there is.
–
And I’m doing it
Enduring the long distance between us
Facing myself when there’s silence and darkness
Working while losing my passion for it
Living in a city that left me long ago
Pushing time forward
Trying to live my dream
Holding my future close-by
Reading Wilde’s words
And still smiling
Because
I’m doing it!
By: Charles Bukowski
“I’m building an antenna, transmission will be sent when I am through. Maybe we can meet again further down the river. And share what we both discovered and revel in the view. ”
Incubus ‘Aqueous Transmission’
Oh, how sweet it is to me loved by me! I’m not kidding, I love me so very much. What a journey it took for me to get here. This New Year’s I didn’t wait for a man who never shows up to show up or spent it at a useless party, suppressing the sorrows of last year with non stop alcohol and noise. I celebrated the coming of this New Year with my family and wonderful friends. It was an amazing time at midnight because the next few hours was filled with me holding my breath and diving into the ocean! NO SERIOUSLY! I DIVED INTO THE OCEAN ON NEW YEAR’S DAY!
Here are my friends and I at the annual Polar Bear Plunge at Coney Island: This was also a fundraiser to help save actual polar bears who are dying in large numbers due to global warming.
This is a photo taken from a photographer from New York Magazine. Don’t we look cool? 
I was in the middle of dressing but what the hell, I was at the beach!
This year started off with a refreshing bang. The temperature was a little under 50 degrees but for the most part the sun was shining ever so bright. First, when my feet touched the cold sand I became a bit nervous in my brace. I mean, as I prepared for the shock of a lifetime I was like, “holy s–t! I’m really gonna do this thing!”. With each step towards the water, the wind picked up and I said to myself, “you can’t turn back now, not after everything you’ve been through and how much you always wanted to dive into the sea during winter.”
Yeah I know it sounds crazy but once I was on the mark, nothing could have stopped me from running straight into the sea. I ran and for the first time in my life, I didn’t have anything on my mind. It was a beautiful feeling… then… the water met my whole body all at once, I immersed myself into the arms of the ocean and I never felt so free. Okay, so everyone goes to the beach and yada…yada… yada. But, the water felt different when there weren’t much people in it. Like, it felt…lighter, much smoother and of course really cold.
Two minutes later, I got out the water and felt so good. I really mean when I type I…felt. ..so… good! I finally did it! My friends all were getting dress when I had this urge to get right back into the water. YEAH, I GOT BACK IN! But, not before saying a prayer for the new year. I told my friends before diving in the second time that the first one was for 2011 and this one will be for 2012. I ran for the second time and during those two minutes in the water, I attempted to float like I usually do at the beach during the summer months but the water was cold. I got out of the water once more and was trying to get dress before a photographer came to snap a shot. Which explains why I am not wearing a shirt and everyone else is dressed.
I can’t explain with words how deep my feelings were on this particular day. I have this cool amazing friend who loves adventures and told me, “You can’t call yourself a polar bear and not go plunging this year.” Though the risk of death is great in these types of situations, I really didn’t care. I mean to me, this risk was no different than me stepping out of my home each and everyday.
According to me, this was my baptism. My heart opened to the present and the future that illuminated in my hands. This adventure gave me the opportunity to extract lessons from the past and I was so happy to be so happy and I am so much stronger for it. If there is a God, it manifested itself and made me feel as if the movie Avatar is a possible concept. LOL
My mind is so free. My heart is healing so well. My daughter is happy. I am so in love with myself and so thankful to breathe a full air of breath. I would like to thank my friends that came together and took a risk to save the polar bears. Mollie, Roopa, Jessica and Joseph… YOU ROCK! And all the other semi-insane people who also took the plunge, this blog entry is for you.
Here are some pics of other people enjoying the New Year’s Day. MY LIFE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN!
Until next time leaders!
Happy New Year my fellow leaders. Tis the year for rejoicing and renewing our views on life itself. This has been a wonderful year so far, not to mention ending the year with an amazing tune of spiritual renewal has me smiling from ear to ear.
Before 2011 ended with a bang, I want to share with you all what the newly formed Arts & Culture Committee of BFP brought to Brooklyn College on December 6th 2011. These are pictures from our first event as a new committee. This event was located in the student center in the Club Room where the vibes of each artist’s performance conduce a melody of harmony and peace.
We started the evening with a letter addressed to the United Nations written by a Brooklyn boy name Deron. Within this letter, Deron expressed the need to end war and create solutions to poverty that can uplift every child’s future. His interest in bringing the attention of children in war was an extraordinary gesture.
(Deron)
We all have heard our share of poetry. One thing I find outstanding with time and evolution is the power of talent passing on to the generations following behind us. Another talented seven year old, Ameliyah from Brooklyn wrote a poem about peace and what it meant to her. Her poem, ‘What Is Peace?’ was a reminder that kids are important to the peace movement. We should not think of children as chores but as seeds and how we raised them will determine their purpose.
( Ameliyah)
Have you seen Unbelievable Jones lately? You know, the one with the mystique as elusive as night and whose grace is more potent than a untouched perfume bottle? Yes, here she is granting us her wonderful presence at the Pieces of Peace event. The audience had a lovely time peering out the window of Unbelievable Jones’ soul as she sung the songs that fits best with her image of peace.
(Unbelievable Jones)
THANK YOU MS. JONES!!!
Mr. Joel Williams AkA ‘The International Artist’ performed his songs about peace and asks us to think about what war is doing to the women and children of the land.
(Joel Williams)
One of our own committee members, Emily Mendelsohn collaborated with Mr. Abdel Mageed SALIH on a theatre piece about peace and what such a movement would look like from Sudan’s perspective. After the theatre piece was completed, the audience was asked to share their own stories about peaceful moments or times of great hardships and misunderstandings.
(Emily,Mageed & Salih)
Brooklyn College student, Ransom Woodson surprised the hell out of me when he belted out a song that would make Andrea Bocelli sign him in a deal. I am not kidding, his voice was exceptional.
Ransom Woodson
You don’t always find a person on Wall St willing to give their time to a much worthy cause. Unless you’re a protester, thats a different story. One of my fellow committee members happen to meet this 100% peaceful dude on Occupy Wall St. His name is Dennis Gronim. He is a Dobro player and incorporated Deron’s letter into one of his songs. He is an very talented and thoughtful person. He was such a huge help as he played his instrument while we handed out flyers days before the event took place.
(Dennis Gronim)
The Hollands Band also performed their musical selections with electric guitar and voilin songs. www.hollandsss.com
And last but not least, there was… ME!! I performed my view on peace by reciting some of my poetry. It felt so good to share my work with the audience. I am so proud to be an advocate for the stage.
Well, If you weren’t there you sure did miss one heck of a show. The ambiance was enticing and if anyone fell in love that night, I would not be surprised! Overall, I am super duper excited to be apart of this wonderful committee. I am so blessed at this point and I can’t wait for the future. I would love to give a nice shout out to the committee members, Joel,Veronica, Emily,Shawn and Charlene for their time and patience. And to the Brooklyn for Peace Organization, YOU ROCK!
The next event will take place Friday JANUARY 27th:
The WORD on Peace, Jan 27th 6:30-8pm @ the WORD bookstore
Where: WORD Bookstore,
126 Franklin Street, Brooklyn, NY 11222
718-383-0096
www.wordbrooklyn.com
Please don’t forget to visit www.brooklynpeace.org for more infomation on the Arts & Culture Committee.
MEDIA: PLEASE BE HONEST ABOUT THE SPIRIT OF THIS MOVEMENT
A day on Wall Street is better than any television show I’ve watched in a long time. I am not saying that the people at Zucotti Park are for entertainment purposes only because we are dealing with real people with real issues, but I have met so many interesting characters. For instance: The sign I made today about following your God giving art attracted someone like this with the same passion about her cause:
Kate Meyler
She is the founder of More Than Me Foundation where she is helping young girls in West Africa gain access to education. Kate’s foundation intends on empowering these young women with the tools they will need to overcome thier hardships (which comes in many forms) with grants, donations and volunteer services. Educating the world is extremely important. Malcom X said once:
“Education is the passport to the future. For tomorrow belongs to those who are prepared today”
Kate explained to me that she is in fact homeless herslef out of choice and her cause outweighs her living situation. Which leads me to believe what I choose to do with my life is entirely up to me. Sacrifices need to be made to set a record straight. I applaud Kate and I hope the prayers I sent out to her and the MORE THAN ME foundation is felt.
I have expereinced first hand that peace is hard to push upon people who are enslaved in the mentality of every man for himself. For this reason alone, following my dreams despite of naysayers has me on this corrective course of edge and purpose. There are so many others like me who have given up so many things to make a statement that is positive. A statement that sends the kind of energy to the young ones growing up in this dog eat dog world.
Well, just a while ago, I was sitting down on Occupy Wall St supporting the spirit of the movement when a women from the New Yorker wanted to interview me. Here is what was ask in the article:
Sandra Israel, Brooklyn
When did you get here?
This is my tenth, twentieth, one-hundreth time. I’ve been here almost every day since September.
How’s work?
I don’t work. It is hard because my passion is non-profit work, but when I volunteer, I can’t get the aid I need in return.
There’s been a lot of talk about demands. What’s yours?
I don’t have demands, but requests. I want to be able to go to school. Public
assistance doesn’t pay for me to go to a four-year school, but most jobs require at least a Bachelor’s degree. All government aid is corrupt and it’s our money they’re misusing.
How is President Obama doing?
I don’t have a problem with Obama. For a first-term President, there’s a lot on his plate. The expectations are a little too high.
How long are you planning to stay?
Until I die. Until things change. I will live off the land. I won’t work at a corporate job that I hate.
I have been to Wall St dozens of times. I was there at the Assembly meeting, I was there while the people stood as statues holding their signs that only explained half of the reasons they were occupying in the first place. I have met eccentric people, homeless people, People with needs, people who are fed up with what is going on in the government, I have met real life people. EVERYDAY PEOPLE!
One of the things I almost flipped out on were the comments that were made about me. First off, I have a job, its called dedicating to a non profit organization. I spend time in my art and for me, humanitarian efforts meeting Hollywood goals is not uncommon. Just look at some of your favorite celebrities who travel across the world to promote awareness about eveything people forget. I am just doing two at the same time. Calculate that!!
Second, I have been working since I was 16 years old. AND I GO TO SCHOOL FOR SOCIOLOGY. ANY AND EVERY DIME I put into the government should come back somehow, someway when I apply for the necessary aid for school or healthcare or housing. I PLACE MY MONEY IN THE POT! Jay-Z said:
“If you owe me $10 you ain’t giving me 9″ Jay-Z ‘Say Hello’
The point that I am making is that I am working towards my own aid. I am working towards renewing the most important thing about me, and that is lending out a helping hand and pushing people to pursue their dreams. They said so many things but then I remember that I will become a well known Actress whose art will display every creed known to man so, I have to get use to the losers hiding behind their empty confidience and computer screens.
“Before I go the world gonna feel my pain. They saying I am a bad guy, why’s that? Cause when my backs against the wall *****, I react. Serectly though, I know you admire that. You wish you had the balls to fire back.”
Jay-Z ‘Say Hello’
I meant every word I said that I would die than to never fullfill the purpose God bestowed on me to complete. Take your useless jobs of take,take, take and never giving me any satisfaction of what it means to be a living breathing human. From now on until my death, any job I have will be to elevate my purpose and will be doing something that gets me to where I am going. If you see me working at the local food store just know that it is my leap pad.
Some people are all sorts of ignorance but when I saw this man holding this sign:
David Ippolito
I smiled to myself because I will be the only person carrying my truth. And people forget how brainwashed they can be with the media. As the saying goes:
“Watch television with your third eye.”
I love myself, my truth,my dreams and the leaders of a free world where their art is poignant to their lives. I will die for all 4 of those reasons, with my soul intact. Never to be sold. Never to be compromise under the vaule of my God giving ART.
I’ma be what I set out to be,without a doubt, undoubtedly and all of those who look down on me I am tearing down your balcony. Eminem ‘Not Afraid’
I am definitely back my fellow leaders. My hiatus is the result of hard work and enjoying life with its ups and downs. How did Jay-Z say it:
“Since I will not lose, they try to help him cheat. But I will not lose for even in defeat. There is a valueable lesson learned so it evens up for me.”
Wise words from a decent man!
I know that as a writer we are suppose to write constantly, but I came across this quote from my favorite philosopher, Jean Jacques Rousseau:
“Pateince is bitter, but its fruit is sweet”
I figure with so many topics and ideas miranating in my head, they all should be handled with care. My friend, the smooth talking Roopa AkA Dj India, told me quality over quantity. I believe that with every fiber in my heart. Hence, I take my time with writing my blog entries,short stories,poems,letters,and much more. I realized something within the past few weeks. Yes, it is always cool to be on time but when I take my time to be on time…time just seems to be on my side. Try just getting ready for something with no hassles and delays. Your day just may go easy on you.
So, are you ready for the latest acting news? Welllll…. Here it is:
From my finger tips to your third eye, I’ve recently been cast in a play written and produce by Theresa T. Bastien called, ‘The Michales Are Out of Control’.
This play takes place in the heart of a dysfunctional family who find themselves in need of much more than prayers and glue to stick together. Love takes a different meaning when people’s motives and interest clash in ways that brings everything to light. This play intertwines relationship issues, trust, humor, friendship and what is done in the dark certainly can not be hidden for too long in this huge family.
One of my favortie parts about the play is not only the chemistry between each castmate but this is also a musical. The singers in this play are, AMAZING! During rehearsal I am uplifted with the voices that rewards my soul with joy. To say that the singers in this play are talented is a understatement. They provide a powerful account through voice and rhythm, a magnificent piece of art.
I don’t want to give away too much because the play which premieres January 7th and 8th 2010 is only a sneak peek to the full play that will take place in the fall. Trust me, this family isn’t going anywhere. If anyone need any information about tickets for this play, please contact me at the email address below:
I would like to thank the very talented Mrs.Theresa T. Bastien for her hard work and for casting me in this play. It truly means a lot to me.
Until next time leaders!
ZOMBIE in a PENGUIN
“Its a thief in the night to come and grab you.That can creep up inside you and consume you. A disease of the mind that can control you. I FEEL LIKE A MONSTER.” Rihanna ‘Disturbia’
I had the lovely opportunity to play a zombie in this independent film by Chris Russell. The scene was shot in Willamsburg over the first weekend in October. Here is a shot of the extras in Brooklyn:
I am in the front with the crazy hairdo and make up like I ate a lions heart.
It was awesome to move like a complete thoughtless body of blood. For the past few weeks I’ve been asking myself, “What is missing from my frame of work in acting? What can I do to spice up my flavor?” I came to the conclusion that there many things to learn in acting and… its okay!But I finally took a initiative in establishing a certain kind commitment to the ‘evil side’ of human condition. IN NO WAY AM I SAYING THAT I AM EVIL…. SANDRA ISRAEL IS FAR FROM BEING AN EVIL PERSON, BUT… if I am to play many different characters, I need to be more flexible and allow the power of the unknown to simmer my pot a lot more. SO… I walked with the bloodiest taste in my mouth during shooting.
Zombie in a Penguin suit is a silent film. You don’t get to see me at all really, but the power of the actor’s presence helps Chris Russell paint his picture and I am glad I could be a part of this film in any way. HERE IS A YOUTUBE LINK TO THE MOVIE:
You will see a slice of me at 1:15-1:17 mark. My name is in the credits, YAY!
Also, please visit their facebook page at:
www.facebook.com/
You will see pictures of the cast and crew.
Thank you Chris Russell and Casting director Nikki Rothenberg for the chance to be in this project.
Peace Fair on MAY 7. 2011 at Brooklyn College:
Children Activity Center
How can you continue a war with a face like this in the world?
His vision of peace.
Kids have a voice too!
PEACE NOT WAR!
FLATBUSH FROLIC ON CORTELYOU RD 9/18/2011
The back of the postcard:
UNTIL NEXT TIME!
OMG!
So, I recently just wrapped up the current play I was in called ‘The Gates of Paradise’. It was so much fun to be in this play. Rehearsals went smoothly, the cast were extremely talented and I have added another important experience under my belt. This play felt so right and my character,Yvonne was a funny little mess. She is quite bossy and unpredictable and…I LOVED IT. It was such a blessing to be apart this project from Red Line Productions, which is a Brooklyn based company. The cast members worked so hard and it was nice to be apart of such sweat and tears.
I would like to give a heartfelt shout out to the Co-Founders of Red Line Productions: Yvette King and Albert Andrew Garcia for giving me the opportunity to hone my skills in this play. Below you will find some pictures of the cast members and a link to a YouTube video of me in the play. INDIE FILMS, HERE I COME!
Please take a moment to visit Red Line Productions for more news of upcoming projects:
\’The Gates of Paradise\’ By Albert Andrew Garcia (YouTube Link)
Yvette King as Yvette (Left) Sandra Israel as Yvonne (Right)
(Left to Right) Yvette King as Yvette, Sandra Israel as Yvonne, Shane Mitchell as Jacob, Albert Andrew Garcia as Andy and Phaedra Lewis as Alanna.
Yvette,Yvonne,Jacob,Andy and Alanna
Yvonne (Sandra Israel)
Albert, Yanelle (aka Unbelievable Jones) and Me posing after the show.
Yanelle and Me
Did you ever stop to notice all the blood we’ve shed before? Did you ever stop to notice this crying earth this weeping shores? Michael Jackson ‘Earth Song’
New York residents, are you aware that there is a nuclear power plant located just 35 miles from Times Square? Did you know the material inside of Indian Point is the equivalent to 1000 Hiroshima bombs? Have you been told that Indian Point is only strong enough to withstand a 6.1 magnitude earthquake? I think now should be the time to tap each others shoulder and illuminate a cause worth fighting for.
Have you been listening lately?
Honshu, Japan experienced a deadly 9.0 magnitude earthquake 5 months ago today. A Tsunami of 10 meters (33ft) soon followed, sweeping homes and displacing thousands of people. Both the tsunami and earthquake has claimed the lives of 18,000 people and counting. A few days after Japan’s worse nightmare sets in their heart with shock for whispers, the Fukushima power plant experiences a meltdown, emitting radiation into the sea and sounding off a case of emergency beyond man’s help. And after the imminent danger of natural disaster across the globe, did you know Indian Point is seeking to renew their license for another 20 years? WAKE UP PEOPLE!
HELL NO! WE WON’T GLOW! (Aug 11, 2011 Indian Point Rally)
My daughter cried that day when the news of the earthquake touched her ears. She asked me for a dollar a few days later so that she can provide a helping hand through a charity at her school. What I find extremely troublesome is not me reaching into my wallet to help those in need, but the mere fact that I reach deeper into my pockets than those who already have a hand on my fellow taxpayers funds to support a man made war, jolts my being to the core. I am starting to wonder about some of the people working in Congress, the White House or any other influential institution....these people must be robots!!
(Should these Raging Grannies do the work?)
How can we forget about the war in Iraq? A man made disaster that shakes our financial stability and sways the breakdown of society by placing one of God’s natural resources above the earth itself. They spend our money, corrupt the earth with their madness and asks us to make up for the damages that is caused by their inconsiderate advances on the earth’s core. Okay, an earthquake can happen ANYWHERE BUT, an appropriate responsiveness should include not only immediate actions from authority figures, but a justified reason to change what we can. As if the ocean is not bloody enough, we create hazardous material to maneuver through life at the earth’s expense for green paper that can’t even sprout when planted in the soil. A summary of a disaster always ends in the worth of it’s damages. Really people? Are we seriously counting dollars and cents when the world doesn’t give change? Change…in coins?…change…of attitude?
Below is the information about the rally I attended on Thursday August 11, 2011. The pictures were taking at this rally where I met some wonderful people dedicated to a cause worth telling. The Nuclear Regulatory Committee (NRC) would have you believe in Indian Point being safe but the evidence of the many violations committed by Indian Point can be found in some of the links provided in this post. Don’t be fooled citizens of the world! There is no bliss in being ignorant.
I used to dream. I used to glance beyond the stars. Now I don’t know where we are. Although I know we’ve have drifted far. Michael Jackson ‘Earth Song’
