The death of Amy Winehouse hurt many music lovers, myself included. When she passed this summer, many people chimed in about her induction into the 27 club, a group of prolific creatives who died at the age of 27. While doing some research on this, the wikipedia entry I found refers to “Saturn Return,” the period of time between the ages of 27 and 30 when the planet Saturn is in the same spot it was in when you were born. This period of time represents a re-birth of sorts, but as religion and mythology have taught us, you have to have a “death” before you can have a “re-birth.” If you’re fortunate, this death is identity-based. An aspect of how you identify yourself, whether it be a job, a relationship, a circle of friends, goes away or diminishes in a jarring way. A way that makes the person sit up and take stock of their lives.
27 was definitely a year like this for me. One of the reasons that I named my production company “Eighth House Creative” (other than the fact that I am proud Scorpion) is because the eighth house of the zodiac is one of death and re-birth, among other things. It may seem like a morbid start to an enterprise, but it is just the opposite. It is an acknowledgment that in order to allow things in and to create the new, you have to let go of what is old and not working. It is a principle that I follow in my personal life, and one I follow in my professional one as well. My company will always be open to change and transformation. Change, after all, is the only thing in life you can depend on.
Unfortunately, this death for members of this ill-fated club was physical. I just wish the Amys, Jimmys, Janices, Basquiats and Kurts, our most talented and burdened souls, could have made it to the other side of this cycle.
Below is one of my favorite Amy Winehouse songs, “In My Bed.” Like Amy, I also missed a Nas performance because of a goofy friend (see: Me and Mr. Jones), I loved how they flipped “Made You Look” for this song, and she looked exceptionally beautiful in this video.
R.I.P.
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“I had no idea that being your authentic self could make me as rich as I’ve become. If I had, I’d have done it a lot earlier.”-Oprah Winfrey
The Facebook interview with Oprah Winfrey could not have come to me at a better time. Today (Sept 9th) markers the 25th anniversary of Oprah becoming the first African-American woman to host a nationally-syndicated talk show. It also comes after my week-long visit to Chicago, my birthplace. Most importantly, this interview came at one of those times that all people have, creative people especially, where I started to wonder if I was on the right path spiritually, professionally, geographically, etc.
When Oprah said this, it became clear to me: This path is uncharted, and will always be uncertain, because I am the only one who has ever walked it.
As an inspiration junkie, I love scouring the internet for stories, videos, songs, any piece of media that inspires me. However, maybe what I’m really searching for is proof. Proof that someone like me can do this. Become a filmmaker with no formal training. Translate counseling and psychology and an obsession with media into a career that helps other artists. Another black woman from Chicago who made a drastic career change in their late-20s and lived to tell the tale.
I will not find that story. I have to make it.
The story that I am looking for is my story, and it is never-ending. I don’t know if each item on my to-do list will bring me closer to the life I want, but I can try, and I can learn along the way.
I feel better now. While I continue to go down my to-do list and balance planning with action, I will accept that I am creating this path as I go, and the best inspiration I can receive is from those who have done the same.
Happy Friday 
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Hurricane Irene passed through the East Coast, causing billions of dollars worth of damage and at least 20 deaths. And yet, some people are not impressed.
Many people, primarily in metropolitan areas, question whether the level one hurricane/tropical storm was worth the precautions taken, or if the media over-hyped it.
To which I say: Get a grip.
