The Back Door Comedy Club: with Curtis Savage

Location: The Doubletree Hotel

                 8250 N. Central Expressway Dallas, TX
                 Tel: 1-214-691-8700
Venue: The Back Door Comedy Club
Comedian: Curtis Savage

When I first arrived at the Doubletree Hotel last Thursday night, I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of space and parking available. I thought for sure I would be able to zip right into a spot right by the door and hop from car to curbside. It was not so. After expectantly patrolling one end of the lot to the other, I decided...or had no choice, whichever phrase you prefer, to settle for one of the empty spaces way out in B.F.E. (Bum Freaking Egypt...). Anyhow, at least the cool wind that greeted me was step up from the make-up melting heat I baked in standing outside the Oscar Fierro Boutique during Fashion Week!

S0, after stiletto skipping across the parking lot, I made it into the warmth of the hotel. Very nice! I was welcomed by plush carpet, friendly workers, and a nice touch screen panel to help me find my way around the hotel. Fortunately for me, the comedy club wasn’t hard to find at all. It was buried behind the bar area, which surprisingly for a Thursday, had a really nice crowd.

The Back Door comedy club wasn’t overly spacious either, but it did provide a nice, intimate yet comfortable environment to listen to some interesting acts. What makes an impromptu night out even better? Of course, cheap admission! Apparently, Thursday nights at this particular comedy club is half price. So with a mere seven bucks, I was in and ready to get my laugh on! Besides, if things became a little too bland for you, it was perfectly acceptable to walk out and hang out at the bar for awhile. There was no charge for re-entry.

Providing variety, there were several comics showcased that night. Some were unbelievably dull while several others actually pulled a few chuckles from me. Comedy is truly in the eye/ear of the beholder, and luckily for new comedian Curtis Savage, the audience beheld nothing but pure talent. You are always a bit apprehensive about sharing someone’s inaugural stage experience. But this fresh, new talent delivered far more than what was expected. 

Known for his comedic personality and contagious charisma, Mr. Savage had friends and family sitting on the edges of their seats with anticipation. Bursting into screaming applause before he could even situate himself on stage, one could only imagine the state of his nerves having his first comedy show in front of so many outspoken personalities. However, after his first few playful lines were amusingly delivered with ease, it was apparent that Curtis would not only win over the funny bones of those that came to support him, but also the patrons who had never seen his face before that night.

His act was filled with side-splitting references to real life situations ranging from financial hardships to fake hair! The semantics and showmanship literally had people rolling in the aisles with laughter. As a matter of fact, the show was SO hilarious he was invited back for a second showcase!

From what I personally had the pleasure of seeing, I strongly believe that as long as newcomer, Curtis Savage, remains as consistent as he is funny and continues to work on perfecting his craft, he will have a flourishing career as a successful and well sought-after comedian.

Check out his next show on October 29th at the Back Door Comedy club inside the Doubletree Hotel!

Until Next Time...

D.D. Walker

http://www.penmyworld.com/

The Back Door Comedy Club: with comedian Curtis Savage

POST NOTICE:
Please check back soon, VERY soon,  for the latest PMW photos and review from The Back Door Comedy club inside the Doubletree Hotel in Dallas, Tx. You don't want to miss it!

Dallas comedian, Curtis Savage

Dallas Urban Fashion Week: Review and Photos

Ok! So here we are. I have finally completed my review of this year's Dallas Urban Fashion Week. For being off schedule, I extend my deepest apologies. But I am back, recharged and ready to make it happen! (smile) This recap will be a brief summary of the events that I attended along with additional links for more detailed information.

For all those that have NO idea what a Fashion Week is...briefly, let me catch you up to speed (Bear with me all you savoir-faire fashion connoisseurs! There may be others not quite as Stylistically Sophisticated as yourself! :))

Click below for more information on the conception and evolution of Urban Fashion Week


http://www.theurbanfashionweek.com/
http://www.ufwglobalnetwork.com/


I don't want to unnaturally lengthen this post or bore you with technical information, but it's important for me to highlight all those significant factors that may have gone unnoticed or under-appreciated during UFW. Of course the Models were beautiful, the garments were impressive and the venues were aesthetically appealing...but none of that would even matter if the coordination behind the scenes lacked professionalism and proficiency, which thankfully, it did not.

From the purchase of the All Access Passes to the conclusion of the week's final event, every part of My experience, except one, went smoothly. The only thing that I would have LOVED to have experienced differently was the fashion show at the Oscar Fierro Boutique. Sold out is an understatement. Not only were people spilling out into the entrance walkway of the store, they were standing up on chairs outside just to get a glimpse of the models and designs.

Honestly, even THAT wouldn't have ruffled my feathers had it not been so dang hot! After a few shots and handshakes, I had to call it a day.  I could not fanthom networking with another person while trying not to notice the sweat rolling down the center of my back.  With that minor annoyance aside, I was extremely pleased with this year's UFW.  The people, both event hosts and guests, were all refreshingly outgoing and approachable. Of course, this was a delicious plus for me considering how extroverted I am! I really enjoyed being able to meet and greet while actively observing each event.  I wasn’t able to be present at everything on the itinerary but the events I did attend were the Strut for a Cause Fashion show at the Oscar Fierro Boutique, the show reception and after party held at Chauncer's, and the Rooftop Fashion Appreciation party at Fuse Restaurant and Lounge. The fashion, food, drinks, settings and even the after parties were fresh, fun and trendy. My internal Cinderella prevented me from staying out too late, (that and the fact that I also hold a full time job, attend school and have 2 children) so I did not enjoy the festivities till the wee hours of the morning. But I participated long enough to bring you an accurate account of exactly how HOT this whole deal actually was. Due to the caliber of style and class that it exhibited, I will definitely make this event an annual practice for PenMyWorld as well as a consistent highlight in my upcoming online lifestyle website, StyleEdgeOnline.com (A Unique Fusion of Distinct Style)

(StyleEdge is currently being updated with content, if all goes well there will be a launch party Fall 2010!)


Check out the extras provided for you below!

Below you will find a detailed list of each sponsor. Please click each name to be directed to their individual websites.


UFW, Millennium Jaguar, Alima Industries, G-Star, The Model Concierge, DMG Management, Nightlifelink.com, Sound Guy Studios, F.A.M.E Festival, Girlsdotalk, Texas Paragon Group, Off The Grid, Digibees, Krave Magazine, Van G Marketing, Speaklife Foundation, Goree Ent, Capitol Records, Positive Xchange, Troop, PZI, Nuvo, NGO Limit Production, Unik Marketing






Until Next time
D.D. Walker

Dallas Urban Fashion Week

Oh be still my heart! :)

Dallas Urban Fashion Week starts this Wednesday. I am BEYOND stoked.
From fabulous hair to show stopping fashions, it is about to be ON!
There is a full schedule of events starting this week through
Sunday... Can't guarantee that I can bring you details from Each one,
but I will do my best!

I went to this wonderful Fashion show at the Nylo Hotel in Plano,Tx a
couple of Sundays ago... Excellent production. Everything from the
lighting to the liquor was perfect. Not to mention the incredibly
beautiful people swarming the grounds. Alas... I am still waiting for
some info from the coordinator before I post a professional review of
that event. Hopefully, it will be soon! :)

But moving on to Fashion Week. HOT. and I can't wait!

So... Stay tuned for photos, personal event reviews and hopefully, an
interview or two! All from My Perspective.:)

Last but not least, thank you for being SO patient with the launch of
the new site, PenMyWorld. I've been running into a lot of creative
snags... And it must be Right. I will let you experience nothing less!

Alright Fashion Week! Bring it on! :)

(hmmm, looks like I'm going to have to go shopping...:)

I am sitting here in the parking lot of Starbucks on my lunch break.

My windows are down...sunroof is back...and the breeze has FINALLY gotten it right. I don't even want to go back. But who ever does once you feel that taste of freedom during that coveted 60 minute tease.

My website has, once again, been placed under renovation. I started running into ALL types of problems with content, loading viewable videos, space...but all is well. Sometimes, you have to accept that maybe even the negative things aren't so negative if the end result is you being in a better place, or a better position. Maybe right NOW isn't the right time for Pen My World to hit the waves. Perhaps God has a better plan for my idea... I will let him take the wheel. :) But I will continue to work diligently on it as well as continue to recruit for content. All will work out as it should.

School started on Monday. My purchased books still have not gotten here. Well, ONE is here...but the other 2 are just as important. My fourth book isn't needed till October! (yay!) So what am I taking? Sociology, Cultural Studies...(I believe the culture this year is Caribbean), Art Appreciation, and History. One of my majors is Sociology, so I am really looking forward to this introductory class. So as of today, being Friday...I still only have one book. That's OK. I will still make it "do what it do". (laugh)

I am an emotional, chaotic, mess right now for more reasons that one. But somewhere, way down deep inside this organized confusion I call a Life....I feel strong. I feel secure. I feel safe and confident.

Even though I don't know what tomorrow will bring, I know I will have all that I need to handle it. Good or otherwise.

God Bless you all...talk to you soon!

(P.S. How about I let you into my life a little? Stay tuned. I will post some recent photos complete with captions here soon. See whats on the other side of my pen...(laugh again! )


Until Next Time...
DaniC

Get it done

My Goodness.

I have some serious deadlines bearing down on me. Looks like my nights are about to become several hours shorter. Like my husband told me the other night,

"You need to make sure you keep an -I'll sleep when I die- type attitude."

That's real.
I mean, as tired as I become sometimes...isn't my ultimate goal more important? I think so. :)

So I'm going to make this blog post short and sweet.
I have a LIST of things that I need to take care of tonight. I shall not procrastinate a day longer...



Until Next Time...
DaniC

The Good Samaritan

The following blog post is actually a short story. I hope you enjoy it and please, feel free to leave your comments! All are appreciated!

THE GOOD SAMARITAN


“Crap!” Traci muttered to herself. Her beat up Honda Civic greeted her with a bright red Low Fuel light as soon as she cranked it up. “This is just what I need right now, An empty tank and no money.” Frustrated and tired, she pulled her car into the nearest gas station. Looking at the price per gallon, Traci considered getting out and leaving the car sitting right there.
She grabbed her wallet...6 bucks and some change, 32 cents to be exact. She rummaged through her glove compartment and cup holders, another 87 cents makes its way to the gas fund.
“Alright, So far, so good.” Tracy thought to herself. “Seven bucks should get me to class and home. I’ll worry about tomorrow when it gets here.”
Opening her car door, she absentmindedly touched the locket hanging from her neck. Inside it was a picture of her grandmother. Their relationship was beyond close, it was more...epic. She was the one that took Traci in at the age of 9 when her mother was found dead from a heroin overdose. Even though she was well up in age, that didn’t stop her from giving all she had to make sure Traci never went without.
“Child, the only thing you need to worry about is church and school. Get them prayers and them studies right and let me worry about the rest.” Her grandmother used to say. And that is exactly what Traci did. She studied hard, and prayed harder. Finishing the top her of class, she was granted a 4 year academic scholarship. Nothing made her granny more proud than watching her baby walk across the stage. But the excitement of that moment was short-lived by her sudden death. Traci’s grandmother passed from a heart attack in her sleep the night after she attended her granddaughter’s ceremony. She shook herself free from those painful memories and looked over in the passenger seat at her future, her pre-med textbooks. The traumatic loss of her rock caused her to focus on her classes and her bible, even harder. She had to make it, no matter what.
She gathered all her change and headed into the gas station to pay. It was so hot outside you could have fried an egg in the shade. This is exactly what Traci was thinking when she said thank you to the man that politely held the door open for her. She couldn’t help but wonder if he felt like he was suffocating in that designer 3 piece suit he wore. Even though he came into the store after her, she somehow ended up behind him in line. As she checked out the expensive clothing, the top dollar shoes and the Italian leather wallet, Traci knew he would be putting allot more than 7 bucks in his car. She sighed to herself, “One day...”
Seeing his turn in line approaching, the man opened his wallet and pulled out his credit card. A single, folded 50 dollar bill fell out and landed inches away from Traci’s foot. She looked around to see if anyone else had noticed, they hadn’t. Moving forward, she quickly bent down, snatched the bill off the floor and stuffed it into her pocket. Handing the 7 bucks to the cashier, she headed back out to her car. Passing the man sitting in his car, Traci started to feel uneasy. Sure she took the money, but she wasn’t a thief! He dropped it and walked off. That makes it all fair game, right?
She tossed this question back and forth in her head before making the gut wrenching decision to give the money back. As much as that 50 bucks would bless her situation, she decided that it just didn’t feel right to keep it knowing who it belonged to.
"Hey,“ she pep talked herself out loud, “I know who I serve. I don’t have to take from someone else.” Opening her door again, Traci headed over to the man still sitting in his car browsing through a newspaper to deliver her confession.
She motioned for him to let his window down.
“Excuse me sir. If I could speak to you for one moment.” she respectfully asked.
“Of course you can young lady.” He exclaimed. His face colored with curiosity as to why this woman was approaching him.
“Well, to be honest, I have something that belongs to you. You see, when you were in line you dropped this money.” She pulled the bill out of her pocket and handed it to him. “I acted on impulse and kept it. For that I apologize.” After finishing her poorly rehearsed speech, Traci turned on her heel and hurriedly headed back to her car.
The man stared after her in utter astonishment. Never had he ever seen such a genuine act of honesty in a person. He didn’t know how to react; she walked away so quickly he didn’t even have time to say thank you. So he did the next best thing.

He wrote down her license plate.

A few days later, as Traci sat in her kitchen studying for an upcoming exam. She heard a knock at the door. Not expecting company, she inquisitively peeked out her side window to see who had popped up without calling.
“FedEx? They must have the wrong apartment.” Traci mumbled as she opened her door.
“Yes? How can I help you?” she asked the carrier.
“I have a certified letter for a Traci Johnson. Just need you to sign here ma’am.” Traci did as she was instructed and took the package. Closing the door she ripped the thick envelope open and pulled out a letter along with a smaller envelope with her name typed on the front. As Traci scanned the letter, her heart stopped. Then started beating out of her chest.

Dear Traci Johnson

My name is Thomas Whitfield, CEO of Whitfield Technologies.
Several days ago, you returned to me a 50 dollar bill. For that wonderfully, refreshing good deed, I never got the opportunity to say Thank You. Too often in life we see such selfish acts that proper moral decisions like the one you made go unnoticed, and unrewarded.
Due to your hasty retreat, I was forced to utilize my resources to track you down so that I could personally extend my thanks for your kindness and honesty. Enclosed with this letter, you will find a cashier’s check. This is my way of saying Thank you for restoring my belief in the good of mankind. I do not know what your plans or goals may be, but it is my sincerest hope that this gift will help you along your way.

Never stop doing what is right. You never know who you will affect.

Sincerely,
T. Whitfield

Not even knowing the amount, Traci opened the second envelope with tears streaming down her face. She fell to her knees screaming and shaking. The whole room started spinning and everything fell out of focus but the check she held in her trembling hands.

Pay to the order of Traci Johnson...In the amount of $25,000.00








*Remember, nothing that we can do for ourselves will ever top what God can do for us if we let Him.*


Until Next Time...
DaniC

Still not done yet...

I Promise you I am almost finished with this short story. I just have some final editing to do. Every time I think I'm about to get it done...I get distracted. Just bear with me...

Today was interesting...very.
I went and got my hair cut. Not trimmed...CUT. I lost about 4 inches. I was nervous as Hades the entire time she was cutting. But I must say, I REALLY like it! My head feels so light and now I can start over with a head of healthy hair. Every dead end has been removed and the results are banging! It was beyond time for a change, I'm almost 27 and have never changed my hairstyle. lol!

Then as I was leaving...it starts raining. Wow.

By the time I got home, I ended up looking like a Chia Pet. (sad face...)
But after some emergency bathroom maintenance...I was ready to post my post-cut pics on Facebook for the world to see! LOL

Well, off I go...just wanted to share a piece of my day with you all. Time to put in more work on this site. Have a good night!


Until Next Time...
DaniC

Keeping You in the Loop...

 

“It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood…a beautiful day in the neighborhood! Will you be mine? Will you be mine? Won’t you be my neighbor?! ”

 

Please don’t tell me that you don’t remember Mr. Rodger’s Neighborhood? I loved that show…that, and Lamb Chops Play-a-long. Or was it Sing-a-long…Hmmmm

 

Anyhow, that was NOT my blog topic for today. LOL!  I just wrote it before I realized it. Guess that’s what happens when you write while sorting through random thoughts.

 

So what do I have in store for you today? I decided to compose a quick short story, still working on it actually. I have had quite a few narratives cramming up my brain space, so what better way to make room than with a little mental spring cleaning!  I should have it posted before the end of the day….cross your fingers, and toes. J

 

I have noticed that my Blog has several pieces of poetry and formal articles that I have written in the archives. Thought I should let you know that once PenMyWorld.com is up and running, all of THOSE writings will be taken down and placed on the NEW site in the appropriate sections. I want my blog to ONLY contain my PERSONAL musings…Nothing formal, just a place where you can get a real feel of who I am and what may be in my head during those random moments. The new site should be out really soon guys and gals, thanks for your patience! I promise you it will be WELL worth the wait. I plan to work with an AWESOME group of writers (still recruiting!) who will contribute excellent content for your viewing pleasure! (You like that right! LOL)

 

So what else has been going on in my world? Welllllll, school is about to start (Aug. 25^th…back to the grind). I’ve finally submitted my closing degree plan (hopefully). I am working on my Masters, double majoring in Journalism: Public Relations and Sociology. Plenty of hard work ahead…. I also FINALLY finished the design for my business cards last night; they should be here any day now! (Really have to get the new site finished since its plastered all over the cards, ha!)  

 

You know, I really hate to stop blogging right now. This is such a relaxing release for me…but alas, I must. There is MUCH work to be done and as we all know…Time waits for no one!

 

Stay tuned for the short story: The Good Samaritan

 

 

Your Reality...My Reality

I am a reality show nut.

I really can just sit in my spare moments and watch someone else living through their individual realities...or, as much of their reality that they are willing to let you see.
I honestly don't know what it is about these type of shows that appeal to my senses. Perhaps its the "real" situations that I get to see "real" people experience...the drama, the comedy, the romance. Staged or not...I can dig it for what its worth, entertainment.

Now, in reference to my filter...lol...
I am pretty eclectic in my show preferences. But there are a few that I would not watch even if that was the ONLY channel my television could tune into at that time. Shows like: For the Love of RayJ, Flavor of Love, Charm School...Negative. No offense to those that may enjoy watching Flavor Flav and Ray J shamelessly search for the temporary loves of their lives...but I just can't seem to get into it. Anything else from The Real World to The Biggest Loser...I'm your girl. I've even gotten my husband to tune in every now and then! :)

You know what? I wonder why they don't have a reality show about a Christian's genuine struggle to do right? The trials and victories in a person's lifelong journey to stay close to God. Hmmm, They could call it something like...The Straight and Narrow. Yeah, I like that. (Don't go stealing my idea...this post IS date stamped! LOL)

Well, I was just thinking about that...among other things. So I decided to blog for a bit. Nothing serious, just a random thought of mine. Getting ready to work on my site before I head to bed. (have an early day tomorrow.)
I always seem to have the most energy the night before my earliest morning.

well...Goodnight!
Blog ya tomorrow :)

Until Next Time...
DaniC