Archive for Family

Photoview 11: Asani Charles

{ November 27, 2008 @ 8:08 am } · { Activism, Activists, Asani Charles, Dance, Equality, Family, Fighters, Freedom, Hip Hop, Justice, Mother, Music, Peace, Poets, Politics, Revolution, Soulasapiens, Soulastar, Teacher, Unity, Wife, Women Hip Hop, Writer }
{ } · { Comments (21) }

Name: Asani Charles
Profession: Mother, Wife, Writer & Educator
Birthplace: San Francisco, CA
Some thing/color that defines you: Wow, I’ve had a love affair with Black forever, but am also swayed by blues and reds.
Fav Quote: “I do not see teaching as a handing down of answers but as a group of intellectuals sharing ideas.”- Maya Angelou
Heroes: Mother, Nikki Giovanni, Rita Dove, John Trudell (he wrote me on myspace and I was floored!)
Fav writer: wow, um… Charles Johnson, Gloria Naylor and Sherman Alexie
Qualities you look for in a teacher: Great teachers are not bound to programs or mandates, they look for the best way to meet students’ needs, which is usually some unorthodox method.
The most important thing you teach a student: The most important thing I teach students to do is think for themselves.
What you do to Relax: What? Uh, man. We live in the country, and I just love driving through it to witness what God made. Some times I even get out and walk a bit.
Fav Book: I don’t have one! Okay here’s my top three: Mama Day by Gloria Naylor, Reservation Blues by Sherman Alexie, and Oxherding Tale by Charles Johnson
Favorite Song/Movie: lawda mercy, I’m too old to have just one! Um, “Adore” by Prince, and man, favorite movie? You mean what movie I have to watch whenever it comes on? Dang. Okay that would have to be—-PurpleRainColorPurpleSchoolDazeandDanceMeOutside (or anything with super fine Adam Beach!)
Favorite Food: oh here we go. Creole. You can actually bribe me of all my unworldly possessions with a slamming shrimp Po’Boy or a bowl of my mama’s gumbo
Your next Dream/Goal: My Next Dream has always been the same; I want to own an RV and tour the powwow circuit with my family, daring to make money through writing only!
Define Peace: Peace is first hand knowledge that Jesus is real and above that, that He has already paid it all for you.
Message to the Next Generation: Read something other than myspace bulletins and text messages. Each generation usually is better educated than those that precede it, but this is the first time that young people do not know the answers to the following questions:
What DIDN’T happen in 1492?
Who are the Olmecs?
What is Manzanar?
Who arrived in North America in 1619?
Last words?: Consider poetry, it’s good for you!

My mini-bio on Asani Charles:
Asani Charles. Mother, wife, writer, teacher, big sister, friend, and an inspiration. Asani is the most animated person I know. Her charming smile and her way of expressing herself through face, hands and body is truly fascinating. While she draws people to her through expression of movement, her eyes tell us stories. Stories you wished your teacher told you in grade school, instead of all the useless equations they read off a book. Asani defines a true teacher, she gives you the inspiration to learn, and she makes sure you know what you’re talking about when you do speak up. She gives you the time and space to let you think for yourself.
I remember when Asani and her family took me in as family when I was going through a lot during my high school days. She taught me responsibility and showed me what trust and friendship was all about. She believed in me, and my dreams and didn’t give up on me, even till this day.

Asani always knows what to say when you’re in need, and when to say it. She gives you the moment to figure out the path for yourself but always is around to back you up. She is a dancer, a writer, and spoken word artist who expresses her culture and struggles through her art, and continues on what her ancestors brought down to her. She passes along her work to her amazing, talented and beautiful children. They are one big family of love, creativity and success! Whether you find her writings, or catch her speaking, or dancing, Asani Charles will give you her wisdom and experiences in all her teachings. Get ready to think, question, and learn!

More Info/Links: www.myspace.com/asanicharles
http://www. geocities. com/danzakar/AsaniCharles. html

Posted November 27, 2008 at 09:42pm by miwaLyric
Miwa Kayama 2008© All Rights Reserved

Photoview 7: Miki Inagaki

{ February 14, 2008 @ 6:06 am } · { Art, Artist, Chappy, Design, Family, Fashion, Flower Design, Miki Inagaki, Soulasapiens }
{ Tags: , , , , , , , , , , } · { Comments (17) }

Name: Miki Inagaki
Profession: Artist
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
Some thing that defines you: Polkadots
Favorite Quote: “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” ”Hito wa hito, jibun wa jibun” (means: People are people, you are you, in Japanese)
Heroes: Charlie Chaplin, Al Bundy, Kojima Yoshio, and Tsubasa.
Favorite Artists: Frida Kahlo, David Hockney, Egon Schiele, Paul Cezane
What you do to Relax: Drink Water
Favorite Book: The 3 Muskateers
Favorite Song: “Flake” by Jack Johnson, “Creep” by Radiohead, and “Santaria” by Sublime
Favorite Movie: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Amelie, Being John Malcovich, and Juno (maybe cause I just watched it thought)
Favorite Food: Chocolate Chip Cookies- the chewy ones! J
Your next Dream/Goal: Find my purpose.
Define Peace: Happiness and Love
Message to the Next Generation: Be honest and be proud of it, and Clean the World!
Favorite Plant: Cactus
Favorite Flower: Daisy, Tulips and Yellow Roses
Favorite Animals: Chappy the Shiba Dog & dogs in general
What places would you like to visit?: Spain, France, Italy, England, Hawaii, New York, Okinawa, Hokkaido
Materials Used:Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop, Sketchpad, Acrylic Paint, Permanent Markers
Last words?: Clean the World! Check out my dog and shirts at myspace.com/chappykayama and my art page at myspace.com/artlover503

My mini-bio on Miki Inagaki:
If anyone should write a bio of Miki, it should be me. Not that I know everything of her, but I can show you the simple steps of her deep life on how she came to where she is today. The little sister that I grew up with, who I always felt the need to protect and care for, who is now married, but is definitely all grown up. As far back as I can remember, while I was banging on keys and singing tunes off key, or running to her (while she rolled her eyes) to read her my newest poetry piece, she was doodling. Always a pencil or crayon in her hands drawing. That’s the first thing I remember when I think of Miki and her childhood. Still a doodler, Miki have taken her talents to a new level. With the help of technology, she formed her work of art into a design, and now everyone’s wearing it on their tee shirts! The previous interview of our dog Chappy is what influenced her designs. Chappy was given several nicknames by us and now it’s paying for her food, who would’ve ever known!? Miki continues to paint, draw and doodle as she thinks of new designs and keeps up with the mass messages from the different people who are interested in the Chappy the Shiba Dog project, along with all her art work posted up at myspace.com/artlover503. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that my dear sister Miki is about to hit worldwide with her talents that she kept hidden for so long, it’s her time to shine!

Posted February 13, 2008 at 09:47pm by miwaLyric
Miwa Kayama 2008© All Rights Reserved

Photoview 6: Chappy

{ February 7, 2008 @ 2:42 am } · { Animals, Chappy, Family, Soulastar }
{ Tags: , , , , , , , , } · { Comments (12) }

Name: Chappy Kayama
Profession: Model, Healer
Birthplace: Lomita, CA
Age: 13 years
An Item that defines you: My toys
Favorite Quote: “I’m hungry”
Heroes: Dogs that rescue people
What you do to Relax: Go for a walk, eat sleep
Favorite T.V. Show: Dog Food Commercials
Favorite Food: Cucumbers (not so much anymore cause my teeth are not too good), Chicken, and Fish Sausages, yum!
Your next Dream/Goal: Sell more shirts with my face on it
Last Words?: Shibas Rock!

My mini-bio on Chappy:
Chappy Kayama, is a small Shiba dog, born in Lomita, CA. With two siblings, Chappy is the youngest. Chappy is known for being hyper and jumpy all the time. She is a healer of anxiety, and continues to touch young children (and people’s) lives. With a T-shirt line created by her mommy, Miki, she is the next top model. She likes to eat and go for a walk. She sleeps all day.

Posted February 6, 2008 at 6:33pm by miwaLyric
Miwa Kayama 2008© All Rights Reserved

Photoview 4: Stan Malveaux

{ January 22, 2008 @ 9:14 am } · { DJs, Emcees, Engineers, Family, Music, Peace, Producers, Rappers, Soulasapiens, Soulastar, Stan Malveaux }
{ Tags: , , , , , } · { Comments (13) }

Name: Stan Malveaux
Profession: Recording/Mixing Engineer, Producer
Birthplace: South Central, Los Angeles
Favorite Quote: “Those that dwell in the past, walk backwards into the future.”
Heroes: God and Nature
What you do to Relax: Go to the Beach, Look at the Stars, Listen to music and watch movies that take me out of my environment, and my body.
Favorite Book: The Bible (and the like), “Kybalion,” “Art of War,” and “Astrological Navigation”
Favorite Song: “Street Life” by the Crusaders and Randy Crawford, “Everything must Change” by Quincy Jones, “Jamaica Funk” by Tom Brown, “This Place Hotel” by Michael Jackson, “If I was your girlfriend” by Dorothy Parker, “Knee Deep” by Parliament, etc.
Favorite Movie: “Emperor’s Club”
Favorite Food: Barbeque (all kinds from here and the Pacific)
Favorite Instrument: Piano and Synthesizer
Favorite Effect: Any effect that helps me enhance the sound and brings the music come alive.
Favorite Drum Programs: Toontrack, Battery
Your next Dream/Goal: Create inventions that will change my family’s life and everyone around.
Define Peace: Knowledge of self, knowledge of Creator, and understanding of both. Plus Love!
Message to the Next Generation: Learn while you can and apply it. Don’t be afraid of anything, and believe that all that is good is for you. Reap what you sow.

My mini-bio on Stan Malveaux:
Where do I start? One little blog and interview cannot cover all that this talented man has done in the music industry, for his family and friends and for the entire world. With his big heart he has accomplished much, saved many lives, and educated new generations to come. Everybody, I introduce to you, one of my teachers and heroes in life, the great Stan Malveaux!
Growing up through struggles, Stan found his love at an early age in music. Always writing, flowing and creating sounds, he was always ready to absorb everything and anything coming his direction. His sincerity, love, passion and dedication, plus professionalism, always created new roads and learning experiences for him. I first met him back in 1998, when I was a part of the group AZIZ, where he helped mix, record and train us. He became one of the most well known mixing and recording engineer in the industry. Stan has recorded and mixed hundreds of songs and albums. Working with artists like Patti LaBelle, Kanye West, Backstreet Boys, MC Ren, MC Lyte, Doobie Brothers, Yazawa Eiikichi, DJ Quik, Eric Benet, Stone Temple Pilots, Steve Gaad, Tweet, and many others, Stan Malveaux is demanded by many musicians in the industry. He is also the executive producer, of my album “the Recipe,” released in 2005, and the entire album is mixed and mastered by him as well.
Today, a recording/mixing engineer of Universal Music Group, and various other Productions and Record Labels, Stan Malveaux is also in the process of establishing his own Company and Production. Flying from here to there, all around the world, Stan is always changing the game and educating those in need, because there is no such word as “can’t” in his definition.

Posted January 21, 2008 at 11:47pm by miwaLyric
Miwa Kayama 2008© All Rights Reserved

Photoview 1: Dad

{ January 17, 2008 @ 6:42 am } · { Dad, Family, Food, Soulasapiens, Soulastar }
{ Tags: , , , , } · { Comments (11) }

Name: Dad
Profession: Sushi Chef, World’s Greatest Father (Says me)
Birthplace: Tadao-mura, Tokyo Japan
Language Spoken: Japanese
Animal that defines yourself: Mouse (Always running around, curious and active-says mom)
Favorite Quote: “See you Tomorrow!” (He says this quote when his customers leave, he says it’s fun to see how everyone reacts to it. Some people take him seriously and some people joke back.)
Heroes: Dad (My grandfather)
Favorite Fish: Saba (Mackerel, Sardines)
What you do to relax: Sleep
Favorite T.V.Show: Mostly any shows with Japanese comedian Sanma, and “Darts no Tabi” (Japanese show)
Favorite Food: Fish
Favorite Color: Green
Your next Dream/Goals: Retire!
Define Peace (in your own words): To stay out of other country’s businesses. Respect one another.
Message to the Next Generation: Koukishin, meaning be curious, wonder and figure out why and how things work, and why things are what they are, look for answers.

My mini-bio on Dad:
What better way to start my Photoview Project (photo interview blog) with my Dad? My Dad, Mr. Kayama, is my hero. I have a long and rough path with him, and I am still learning about him everyday. Born after his family lost their home and fish business due to the 2nd World War, he was a active boy with a curious mind. Losing his mother at the age of 6, he was to be adopted, but the oldest brother stopped that from happening. The youngest boy out of 5 children, Dad was a mischievous one, often getting scolded for stealing people’s crops. With the dreams of opening a sushi restaurant with his father, Dad left the land of the rising sun and flew to New York, where he worked as a sushi chef, while he owned a majan shop upstairs. His dreams shattered when he was notified that his father passed away. He was 26 years old when he lost his father. Expressing his pain through gambling he was addicted, then he moved back to Japan. Realizing he needs to make a new start, he moved to Los Angeles, and worked as a sushi chef, where my mother was working. Although Dad had a fiance in Japan waiting for his return, he had a baby with my mother, and that is how I came about. He then married my mother and had my sister, and here we are, one crazy beautiful family. Demanded by restaurants all over the world, Dad is a people person. He loves entertaining people and making everyone laugh. Although I did not have him around much growing up, and there was a time we were not getting along (more like I was mad at him), we let our guards down and our friendship grew. He is now my best friend, the greatest dad, and the best promoter. He supports my music, better yet he keeps me moving, and there is a book being written about him, by me! The book is planning release on his 60th birthday, September 26 at his big party. Thanks for always being here for me. Love you Dad!

Posted January 16, 2008 at 10:50pm by miwaLyric
Miwa Kayama 2008© All Rights Reserved