Ah…another year is a wrap & we have a chance to start with a fresh slate. I must say, my 2009 was far from uneventful LOL
I would’ve never thought that I would go from working full time & very active with DJing & a 4 days/week yoga practice to being just about bed ridden, extremely weak, relying on a steroid, hormones to function & fighting to hold it together mentally while I faced the daunting task of recovering from adrenal fatigue/exhaustion (burnout). Stress finally had gotten the best of me, & I crashed & burned. And it was also at that same time that I was separated from General Motors - Saturn Corporation after almost 10 years of service (see previous blog entry, “Look Ahead”). I took all this as a big hint that it was time to go sit down, recharge & redirect…it was a long time coming.
I decided to do more of an alternative approach to handle this & started seeing Dr. Mark Calarco of EMP Health, who specializes in anti-aging & regenerative medicine. I still have a ways to go…but I’m still much better than where I was & still moving forward (it’s estimated that it’ll take 1 - 2 yrs to fully recover). I’m learning so much along the way…& actually rediscovering simplicity & happiness. When leaving the Saturn parking lot for the last time on April 20, 2009 & I heard the beginning lyrics to “Look Ahead” by Aquarian Dream (1976), “Things are changing, life’s rearranging…”, I didn’t realize just how true that was going to be. The shift has been with everything: career considerations, health, lifestyle, people, mindset, spirituality…like I said, everything. And it’s going to continue as I strive to keep evolving…so continuing to learn to let go, accept change, & enjoy the journey.
Now the good news is, 2009 had some wonderful high points mixed in along the way: I was the opening DJ here locally for a few Ultimo events (see previous blog entry); the Red Bull Music Academy Taster in Atlanta where I got to meet the Mizell Brothers amongst many other great talents (see previous blog entry); got the opportunity to help organize & participate in an album launch in Atlanta for my friend Dezaray & 1 of my long time favorite groups out of London, Bugz in the Attic (see previous blog entry); & Nigel One giving me a chance to spread my DJ wings a bit & tackle a new city, Asheville, NC (see previous blog entry). And we’ll not even get into all the wonderful people that I have connected & reconnected with…I can’t help but smile & be thankful.
After seeing on Facebook a portrait that was done of my friend Tasha Guevara (DJ Tabu, NY) back in October, I connected with Gene-Manuel of Whirling Art (NY). So to help me strut into the new year with a new attitude backed with some strength & courage, I thought it would be a cool idea to commission him to make me “magical”…I’ve got to believe that life is magical & wonderful to be able to fulfill my purpose & be happy. The great part is, not only did he do just that, but we both learned something along the way & he created a clever name for this series of portraits from me just saying “make me magical”…whodathunkit? LOL
So, it’s my pleasure to share with you “The Magic in Kai”, a “Magicalized Portrait” by Gene-Manuel (December 2009). Original photograph by my friend Damaris of Sepia 7 Photography (Atlanta) in September 2009. Art photography by Llima Orosa (NY).
Sending much love & appreciation to Gene-Manuel for creating such a stunning & moving piece to look at as I “Get it Together”…happy new year y’all & let’s get “Project Shine” started!
Smile & be well…
Kai
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Seiji vs Bembe Segue - Get it Together
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"The Magic in Kai", a "Magicalized Portrait" by Gene-Manuel of Whirling Art (December 2009)
