One Year After Baltimore’s Uprising (A #DCM Recap)

It was around this time a year ago when Black Baltimore Youth decided to take a stand against social injustice as a result of death to Baltimore native Freddie Gray. One year ago, the city was at unrest as media from around the world had their cameras focused on the city’s reaction.

First at an uproar, then later turned uplifting, the riots became like a light switch flicked on gaining the attention of billions. Baltimore had all eyes on them as its citizens showed the world what’s truly happening in the city while public officials, like Mayor Stephanie Rawlings – Blake, left the citizens with “space to destroy.” Many have wondered would it be this be time for a revolution; will there be a change in the fight against systematic racism?

Read: The Real Revolution Will Not Be Televised #ILoveBaltimore on Doc’s Castle Media

During the 2015 Baltimore Uprising Protests, people gathered at the historical intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and North Avenue with a mission to show whoever watching the truth. Hundreds of people met with the same purpose against police brutality and social injustices. It was in front of the burning CVS Pharmacy, we designated a landmark for many of the Uprising’s protests. On the corner of Penn North Station, a revolution was sparked but is the flame for Black deliverance still lit?

A year later, there still remains an urgent call of attention to those same social injustices. Every day, there are signs that let people in on these still prevalent social needs. There are activists continuing on the search for ways to fight for funding towards a corrupt Baltimore City education system. By December of 2015, crime rates skyrocketed way past the usual records leading to more than 300 homicidal deaths throughout the year. There remain blocks-upon-blocks of vacant homes untouched since the riots in Baltimore during 1968. The homeless continue to be pushed out of tourists friendly areas in shame to prevent an unwelcoming presence for visitors. The city is the same.

On April 28, exactly one year following the Baltimore rising protest, another protest was held in honor of Freddie Gray, Tyrone West, and more recently 13-year-old African American student who was shot by a police officer on school premises after withdrawing a replica handgun.

Did you see the Million Man March Gallery? Read Face of Liberation (Million Man March Gallery) on Doc’s Castle Media.

My Confessions on Being A Chronic Journalist

Journaling could be the window of success.

As promised before in my blog A Life Brand New, one of my goals for 2016 is to write more inspirational posts. By sharing more about myself and allowing my readers in on more about my life, I hope to inspire more people to look within themselves to becoming better people. I want more people to do more to live fulfilling lives. So my first blog to inspire will be sharing one secret about myself that I have which I believe contributes to majority of my successes throughout life.

I am a “chronic journalist,” and I love it!

What is Chronic Journaling?

Chronic journaling is the act of writing in a journal or notebook on a consistent and very regular basis. It’s like leaving your very own breadcrumbs to finding a better plan for tackling issues, both big and small, in your life. It’s the busy mind’s way of thinking out loud, except it’s done on record and makes it easier to remember things.

There are so many benefits to keeping a personal notebook to write in on a daily basis. If someone was to take on the hobby of chronic journaling, life could turn into a routine, and easier to navigate to new task or goal. Dreamchasers could learn how to better organize by creating series of lists; like shopping lists, to do lists, or brainstorming lists. The journal could be used to hold new business ideas for the ambitious individual. It could be used for seizing boredom giving someone something to occupy their mind while they’re on idle from their most daunting duties. Some people even carry journals to collect pictures and quotes that inspire and motivate. Journals are used as your personal assistant and can be the tool to harper so much more potential for yourself.

Journaling Is A Big Part of Me

Journaling matters a lot to me because of the backstory of how I started making it into a hobby. I started doing it as mimicking behavior from watching my favorite 90s cartoons keep journals. I watched shows like Hey Arnold, Doug, and As Told By Ginger-all shows who main characters had diaries- and thought how awesome it would be to read about my life someday, reminiscing about memories. I started my diary entry phase in elementary school while I was young, very shy and quiet. Those were my days of literally talking about what I did throughout the day. You could only imagine how boring those entries were. Who’d want to listen to an 8 year old talk about getting grounded for going outside when their parents wasn’t home when they specifically told her to stay in? Not even me.

Glad I outgrew that phase.

As I’ve matured onto my puberty years, my writings had more meaning and purpose. The pages in my books developed more meaning because of new surroundings. During those years, my Journaling became a getaway from friends who had various types of personalities. Most of my friends were very dominant and outspoken kids, whose ideas were the height of the era. I didn’t think my thoughts mattered to others back then. I was more comfortable being observant and reserved as I learned more about people and how they communicated. I wasn’t sure of my own ideas and feelings, and I’ve always had that notion to wait until I was certain about my thoughts or how I felt before I decided to speak. Journals helped me to sort out my problems and how to tackle my daily little life struggles.

I have journals of all sorts from sketch, composition, notepads, diaries, pocket books and blogs.

It wasn’t until I’ve gotten older that I realized that what I loved to do was common amongst the world’s greatest thinkers, as well. There are many successful people who are known to carry a journal to write down their most precious ideas, savoring them for later opportunities to pull whenever life shows it’s ready for the next bright idea. While reading a blog from Art of Manliness, I learned of many famous people who turned to their trusty pocket notebooks for an outlet to brainstorm for great works. Famous people like Thomas Edison, Pablo Picasso, George Lucas, and so many more used their books to harper their greatest ideas. Some of those ideas were used to change how we did things and our entire way of life.

Journaling Saved My Life

Now as an adult, I consider my journal habit as a chronic habit I’m unable to quit without there being repercussions for delaying my routines. It’s not a bad thing to have such a habit. It contributes to a lot of my success. But what I enjoy the most about it is its ability to give me a proud feeling whenever I look back to it’s pages and find that I’ve finally completed something I’ve planned on for months, or sometimes years. Even while going through something emotional and I’ve used my journal to help grieve, it feels great to look back and know that I’m no longer feeling that pain anymore. I’ve found a way to turn my hurt into something beautiful.

Journaling helped me get through my best and more importantly worse of times. Journaling brought me to blogging, which kept me out of trouble as I’ve always had a hard time choosing the correct friends to hang with. Blogging was my escape from the drama and gossip that my peers took an interest in. Instead of indulging in continuing gossiping with the people around me, I focused my mind on learning how to journal online by creating Doc’s Castle Media. It’s why you’re reading this today.

Journaling has never been a stressful task to do. I’ve always loved it. I loved having a moment to myself to meditate with my own thoughts. It makes me more aware of me and that’s a capability many people lack. I take pride in it. From experience I know journaling should be introduced to the youth because helps to gain self-awareness. In a world that’s becoming too busy by its inhabitants to teach their children in public schools systems the power of getting to know oneself, journaling becomes a great self educator. I attest to it, and if there ever was a time a class could be taught on journaling, I’d love to help teach it. I’m waiting for that day.

Conclusion

My only goal for each journal I’ve started was to fill the pages with my thoughts because this is how I see myself being heard. When I write, people listen. This is how I’ve always gained respect. It’s how I’ve always gotten people to notice me. Through writing, I believe I can live forever because even when I’m gone, people will still be able to hear my thoughts. I always thought when you found that thing that could make you feel like you can live eternally, you’ve found a passion and a gift.

To me, It’s not enough to write on your own, or whenever the time is right. My journals became the window of success through frequent follow up observations. Any dreamchaser would allows their blueprints to become their motivator, organizer, or friend. By literally writing anything that comes to mind and faithfully sticking to it, I’ve allowed my books to become my blueprints to lead a more successful life. I would encourage anyone to take up this hobby because it’s therapeutic. Every page filled makes you feel good that you’ve gotten a thought out of your mind and on “concrete” paper. To be a chronic journalist, it keeps me and the people working around me in order. I thank my habit and others do as well.

I am a chronic journalist. #MyThoughtsMatter.

Would you consider chronic journaling as a good way to help accomplish some of your goals? What helps you to achieve? Tell me about your habits. Leave in the comments below.

Would you like to learn how to become a chronic journalist? Be sure to come back to learn tips for how to become a chronic journalist on Doc’s Castle Media.

Life Anew in 2016 (Plans for Doc’s 2016)

As I enter into every new year, I like to reflect on my past experiences. It helps me to discover the next steps needed to excel to a higher level of self. I usually start with a list of goals I hope to accomplish before year’s end. There’s no limits to how few or many goals I may set. I just write out a list of things I want to do. The next thing I know, I’m forming a sense of happiness as I scratch off tasks as time surpasses.

But last year in 2015, I didn’t do what I always set out to do. Instead, I wanted to try something new by focusing on one word for the entire year, rather than lists. The word chosen was “self-discipline,” and I wouldn’t say that I’ve done a good job with remaining focused on living up to its meaning, which left me quite disappointed in myself. But I can’t beat myself up in 2016 for it.

There were incidents in 2015 that will remain unspeakable. For the first time in my life, I’ve done something I’ve regretted, and this year I’ve come up with a plan to never put myself in such a position where I’m ashamed of something I’ve done. So I’m going to remain focused on this one word. I’ll just make sure to incorporate my habits of listing things so I can keep my eyes on my success.

I first want to start of with the word’s meaning.

Self-Discipline means to have a level of control over yourself.

Self Discipline is all about having self-control. It requires you to be focused on the direction you see as best for yourself. It requires you to have a plan. It requires you to ignore your lazy impulses. It requires you to strive for the better.

Last years failure resulted from not continuing to keep up with my usual habits that help keep me focused. It was my mistake at the beginning of 2015 to not carry on with what I already know that helps me. This year will be different.

I know I can take this same word and create a brighter year in 2016. But as I’m getting older, I’m learning the habits I have which I shouldn’t break that were already helping me and making me proud. Creating lists is what I am good at so let me tell you my list of plans for my upcoming days.

My 2016 Goals List

Learn How to Cook. (HaHa!)
Move into my own place.
Complete two things from my bucket list.
Complete my first manuscript for my first book.
Provide more professional services under Doc’s Castle Media brand.
Expand my knowledge by reading at least one book a month.
Seek more opportunities to inspire others.
Make Myself Proud, again.
Create and Follow an Accomplishment Box.

I thought about explaining more on why I have all of these specific goals. But I thought of how sometimes when I share things with people they start to expect it, and if I don’t follow through with it they’ll become disappointed. Well, for the sake of those type of people, I’ll rest my pretty little fingers. I rather I not disappoint myself, let alone others, by talking about it too much.

I do plan to blog more of my successes. So be on the lookout for a better explanation as I foreshadow those successes being goals from my 2016 Goals List.

I hope that everyone is preparing themselves to becoming better people this year, as well. I’d love to hear your dreams. Leave your what awesome goals you plan on achieving in 2016 below.

I didn’t have a list of goals for 2015 but I sure did accomplish quite a bit in 2014. I also made sure I kept up with completing tasks on my bucket list. To see what I’ve done, read “Bucket Listing It Up” on Doc’s Castle Media.

Join 20th Anniversary Million Man March Bus Trip w/ @DocsCastleMedia, @Beyond_Shae, & @AMN_Press

Will you be participating in the 20th Anniversary Million Man March this year?

So here’s the scoop.

Doc’s Castle Media has decided to team up with Baltimore Blogger Shae McCoy of Uncommonrealist, Baltimore Entrepreneur Cortez Page of AMNGlobal, and NHENT to show the interweb our contributions, support and love towards our culture, our purpose, and our history by participating in the 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March.

What’s the Million Man March?

Twenty years ago on October 16, 1995, Minister Louis Farrakahn, leader of the Nation of Islam, called on a march to the National Mall in Washington, DC to present a different image to society of what the Black Male represents. Civil rights leaders and organizations came together to unite in self-help and self-defense against economic and social issues faced in Black communities around our nation. This movement was mainly in works to gain politicians attention on matters happening in urban and minority environments, and also to encourage Black Americans to seek seminars and worship services for the betterment of the wellness of the black communities.

Why the Million Man March is Important today?

On April 12, 2015, twenty-five year old Baltimorean Freddie Gray was arrested by Baltimore City police on weapon charges. Seven days later, Gray died of spinal injuries which later sparked community protest and accusations of police brutality. Baltimore city witnessed its worst riots yet to be seen since the Baltimore riots of 1968, following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The April 2015 riots gave way for Baltimore blacks to say, “Helllllllllll nawwww! They done fucked with the wrong city now!,” and sparked a revolution for a new generation to make a choice on whether they were ready to end a war that’s been on the outskirts of social ills for decades upon decades of Black lives. Now we’re here, seven months later, with a drive that seems to me has slowed down since then.

The Baltimore Riots earlier this year had me worked up. I went to protests back-to-back for a week and a half straight. Now that all of the hostility from the Freddie Gray case is slowly turning down from the media’s hype, it’s evident that people can quickly lose interest in the importance of remembering the reasons why Black people fight so hard for fair opportunities, something our culture cannot ever get a break from doing.

You see it’s the 20TH ANNIVERSARY of the Million Man March, right?!

It makes no sense that black men and women should have to dress and look a certain way in our society to prevent ourselves from being killed by the very people who are meant to protect us. I guess, it’s become all about being out of sight and out of mind because now that the news isn’t putting images of police brutality on the television screens of Americans, mass majority of civil protest regarding Black Lives Matters have decreased.

Why Doc’s Castle Media will be participating in the Million Man March?

As I briefly stated in my previous post “The Real Revolution Will Not Be Televised. #ILoveBaltimore,” I mentioned it being my duty to record the history in the making of a new revolution for black people. It is my job to talk about these things the way the mainstream media does not, so that people will be able to judge accordingly to what they find fit for the justice and fairness of how they’ll live their lives.

Well, I’ve stirred up some motivation with some of my peers. Now we’re inviting you to get involved with remembering why it’s important to fight for the rights against social injustice. So here’s how you can join the march with us:

Visit the AMNGlobal Eventbrite webpage.
Buy a $20 bus ticket used as donation to secure a seat for attendance.
Invite a friend to come with you and have them buy a ticket.
Arrive at the School Board of Education before the 6 AM bus departure. (200 E. North Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21202)
Take lots of photos of the history you’re sure to take place at The National Mall.
Post them online to motivate your friends.
Return to School Board of Education at 8 PM arrival.

It’s simple and worth your time and presence. Just think about your children.

If you have any further questions regarding this day trip, you’re invited to call 443-943-3309. You may also email your questions to either of the following emails.

The Uncommonrealist: Uncommonrealist@gmail.com

Doc’s Castle Media: Docscastlemediainfo@gmail.com

AMNGlobal: Amnpage@gmail.com

Have you read about the aftermath of the Baltimore 2015 Riots by Doc? Read “Life As A Black Baltimorean After the 2015 Riots” on Doc’s Castle Media.

Life As A Black Baltimorean After The 2015 Baltimore Riots

Waking up on April 28, 2015 was the most surreal feeling I’ve experienced in my 23 years of living. To open up my eyes at the crack of dawn after tossing and turning caused by the Baltimore riots happening blocks away from where I laid my head that night, how could anyone feel any other way?

Two days prior to probably one of the most shocking riots to ever happen in history, I spent 7 hours writing about my frustrations towards the riots in Downtown Baltimore. In opinion essay on Doc’s Castle Media, “The ‘Real’ Revolution Will Not Be Televised. #ILoveBaltimore,” I speak from an emotional standpoint on the ways I believe Blacks should move forward after the major breakthrough of riots on Saturday, April 25th. I’d hope it’d be a message to calm people down from seeking to destroy more of our city as my blog reached over its average viewership.

My words may have reach quite a bit of individuals but as this week started, I see that my efforts may have not made much of an impact. Monday morning at Mondawmin Mall in West Baltimore, only 5 minutes away from my job, was rioted by a huge group of young people immediately when dismissed from school and lasted for hours that day.

Rioting eventually turned into looting and destroying of historical neighborhoods. People who once had jobs along North Avenue and Mondawmin Mall are now without employment, and as riots made it across East Baltimore later that night, near Monument Street, again around the corner from where I stayed that evening, a senior center was burned down, leaving older people who were anticipating to move into a new home suddenly without one. To top it off, our mayor grounded the entire city. So we have to be in our homes by our 10 o’clock curfew.

Baltimore is a mess. The city I’ve known all my life is scorned from which the world believes is because of police brutality against 25 year old African American man Freddie Gray. But our story is deeper than the surface. It is now that we use everyone’s cameras as a tool to let you in on the scoop.

Words cannot express how I feel about what happened in my city. I’m not a fan of the media like I once was before, especially as I’ve watched events that day come to pass. There’s a media circus in my backyard reporting from Penn-North subway station, now internationally famous for our CVS that burned down on its corner.

Come on, now! Just the other day I bought a chocolate Snickers bar out of there. I’ll never be able to do that again.

We’re never getting some of those shops back. It’s hard to have hope for the restoration of CVS or any of those other buildings due to the the reputation of reconstruction in Baltimore. We’ve waited YEARS for our government to rebuild the hundreds of vacant buildings and shops damaged from the Martin Luther King Jr. riots in 1968. The only reconstruction we’ve ever seen has been to our pothole infested streets, and I swear, we can’t improve the pavement on Charles Street anymore than it is.

Geeze! Does all our tax money go to that street?!

In the minds and hearts of many people here, it’s second nature for citizens to want to walk outside to see what’s happening for themselves, rather than to watch the news nowadays. The world’s painted picture on television is far from what we’re experiencing. A trust barrier is broken for many who relied on national news stations to give us the 4-1-1 on events occurring during the week. So the local news and social media is our only best friend during this time.

The media from outside of Baltimore lacks an understand of the type of people who live in Baltimore and the lifestyle that we see on a day to day basis. It’s like the media’s way of looking at us is similar to viewing through a microscope. They’re looking to find where all these horrid problems and rioting behavior could be stimming from. But the people who experience the lifestyle of living in here will always have a better understanding and a better way of explaining what’s going on.

Poverty is one of the hardest struggles a person can try to shake in Baltimore City. With a phrase like “The struggle is real,” which is often recited in Baltimore’s Black communities, it models the hard knock situations we see as being seriously rough to live through. When we say this phrase, almost everyday nonchalantly, we as black Baltimoreans adopt an “It is what it is” attitude, learning to also desensitize and quiet ourselves from what’s really happening. Well, Baltimore’s tired of being quiet now.

People who are publicly judging my city worldwide are failing to understand. Even I feel uneasy each time I come into the realization of what’s happening to us sometimes. Tuesday evening, I walked passed a reporter from Russia and another from London. Like whaaa?! These people don’t even know that just 2 weeks ago I was frustrated from fighting to be heard because of Baltimore’s crab in a barrel reputation.

Our youth isn’t afraid to make a change. I think of how some of those kids who were rioting were doing so to scream out they were fed up. Some of those kids had no home before they rioted. Some of them go to school everyday to get away from their daily worries of not having something to eat once they leave school. Some of them were angered because they were stranded without transportation to get home due to the police shutting down the bus lines and subways before school let out. (But that’s another mystery in itself I won’t get into.) And I admit, some of them were just following the crowd. But to see our kids act this way, hurts the most because they are innocent. They’re the one’s we’re trying to protect from “the struggle.” But we can’t.

Baltimore needs change and everyone knows now. I’m so proud of us. We made a stand for so many things this week. We’re fighting police brutality, racial profiling & systematic racism, bad publicity and corrupted governmental policies not only for us, but for our entire country, we’re making a statement. My feet are suffering from it and I don’t mind it all. I have a bigger hope for my city, though I may doubt our government’s follow-up as an African American woman who’s part of the working force striving for success and a better Baltimore. But I’m glad to have seen a better side, finally! I can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Rest In Peace, Freddie Gray. You’re gone, but you are not forgotten. Your name will be in history books along with our city. Change will surely come for us and our country.

#SongsFromDaDugout Released from the Chambers To The Public March 2015

It’s here. After the wait, I can no longer say “Sorry for the Wait” like I’m Mr. Weezy F. Baby, himself. My first EP is here for you to take a listen to. It’s about time!

As part of my list of tasks to complete on my bucket list, I can say this is one of the most lengthy projects I completed thus far. However I caught myself not wanting to finish it a few times, and the production process was bumpy along the way. Anyway, I said “eff it” to my woes and decided to drop what I had anyway. It’s the first of what I hope will be more music projects, so I won’t beat myself up for how it sounds. I know I’ll produce way better material in the future. I’m just glad to have the opportunity to do something like this. Writing music has become one of the many creative activities I do to keep my mind busy.

It’s now official; I will scratch off release mixtape off my Bucket List! Yay!

You may download my EP “Songs From Da Dugout” via my Bandcamp page or Soundcloud at Alissa Feré. So it’s easier for you, take a look at the Playlist below and download it. Thanks for listening!

Special Thank You to the lovely staff of people who helped me with this project:

Producer and Engineer: FLuX; Album Cover Art: Boutzie; Photographer: Rebellious Rebel; Promotional Art: Alissa Fere; Creative Consulting: K.A. Walker and Tony Bonez Sinatra; Featured artist: Quinn Shabaz, Leon Dominick, and Boutzie; Studio Production: The Dugout Dojo

Do you think I should make more music? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

To check out photos from my “Songs From Da Dugout” photo shoot, read “Alissa Feré Takes It To The Field For The Release of 2015 Mixtape “Songs From Da Dugout” on Doc’s Castle Media.

Alissa Feré 2015 EP “Song From Da Dugout” Artwork Finally Released

With less than two weeks away from my EP “Songs From Da Dugout” release, I am pleased to finally release the official cover artwork for my project to the public. The EP is expected to release March 21, 2015 via the Alissa Feré Bandcamp and Soundcloud music pages.

Like many of my other projects, Briana Ragler was given the pleasures of handling majority of my visuals. Starting from taking on the responsibility of styling my creative persona to designing my cover of my first musical project, Briana, also known as recording artist Boutzie’, utilizes all her creative abilities to make sure Alissa Feré was ready for the world to take in. She was my photographer, stylist, and graphic designer.

Ayeee!

I’ve decided to take the Rebellious Rebel approach while working on my EP because Briana’s creative style is that “clear and clean” image I was aiming for that steers away from the average look associated with sports and hip-hop. I commonly see a more “rigid and rough” images used for things associated with both hip-hop and sports. Both are hard topics dominated by men, which I am not. So my thoughts for my project already being assumed as “hard” had to be challenged to seem more “fluffier” for Feré’s sake.

By creating a more cleaner representation for this project, I hope to promote interests that’s grabs the onlooker’s eye. I want my listeners to know from the moment they see the cover that there’s meaning behind being left in the Dugout for women. This clear and concise illustration captures the beauty behind what I believe this game we call love really is. It’s a cloudy, mysterious, dangerous, and very uneasy to understand, but it continues to be alluring, mesmerizing, and worth taking. Briana captured that we’ll in this very simply put work of art.

On top of it all, it’s very professionally presented. *applauds*

Along with the help from Baltimore artist FLuX, who’s the owner of the Baltimore brand The Dugout Dojo and the engineer of “Songs From Da Dugout,” I was ensured that each song would sound superb. I had no doubt about how my EP would turn out because listening to FLuX’s previous works, I was already blown away. (Listen to The Sky Is Blue by FLuX, here.)

The EP’s track listing is also finalized with six semi- complete songs ready for me to share.

José (Liquor Talkn) ft. Boutzie (prod. Doowy Lloh)
Rufus Bush (prod. mjnichols)
Only You Ft. Quinn Shabaz
Tonight (prod. Cmbeats)
When The Stars Align ft. Leon Dominick (prod. Davinci)
(Bonus Track): Pleasant Nightmares (prod. André 3000)

“Songs From Da Dugout” is expected to release this month March 21, 2015. For more updates on Alissa Feré, subscribe to Doc’s Castle Media social sites.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/docscastlemedia

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/docscastlemedia

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ehhwassupdoc_

View photos from my “SongsFrom Da Dugout” shoot on Doc’s Castle Media.

Alissa Feré Releases Title & Promo Art For Spring 2015 Project

Something new had to be brewing in the Doc’s Castle Media kitchen for there to be such a long and lasting silence. It’s been almost a month since my last blog post….sorry, guys.

My silence is partially justified with the new goals I’ve acquired throughout the last two quarters of 2014. While I’ve aspired to become a master resumé and songwriter, I’ve neglected my original hobby for writing blogs. But as you can see, I always come back of course.

Since May 2014, I took on a mission to complete my bucket list, which I thought would be easy to do. I was sadly mistaken, and since then, I’ve even added more tasks to my bucket list. I can’t help the feeling I get from accomplishing a new goal. Though sooner or later, I’ll have to set limitations on these goals because I don’t know how much of my list I’m willing to take on now. Haha.

One of the tasks I’ve added to my lengthy list is the release of my 2015 mixtape. It began another duty on my list the moment after I released “José (Liquor Talkn).” Eight months later, I give you the promotional art for my project!

Songs From Da Dugout is as general as it sounds. It’s a project compromised of multiple tracks about my life, or emotions I’ve experienced, between the time period of May, when I released José (Liquor Talkn), and January. All the songs were recorded in Baltimore city studio The Dugout Dojo with head producer and artist FLuX.

Songs From Da Dugout is an EP formulated to speak on the thoughts and emotions of a woman in heartache. Feel the agony and scornful words of Alissa Feré as I speak upon situations every girl can relate to, and every man probably heard of before. Listen to a new rhythmic style only sure to be found in underground Baltimore hip-hop.

Are any of your favorite indie artist releasing any projects that you’re anticipating? Let us know about it in the comments below.

Have you seen my Bucket List? Read “Bucket Listing It Up” on Doc’s Castle Media.

Fashion Forward: Doc’s Spontaneous Vintage Hairdo

First, let me not be rude and wish you all a very Happy Holidays! I hope you all are able to enjoy this lovely season, day by day, with joy as it’s the time of the year that we spend with our families.

Lately, I’ve caught on to a terrible trend developing where people are drifting further away from their families, spending more of their holiday’s on their “solo dolo” tip. For Thanksgiving, I didn’t find too many of my friends with their families this year, and half of my family who would normally be joining me for dinner, had to report to work. Blah! It’s was so off-putting, especially since I had to work, too. I’d like to be with the people I love on the holidays, but whatever. That’s another topic I don’t want to focus on in this blog.

Earlier this week, I did something rather spontaneous. I got my hair done by someone who isn’t my normal hair dresser. *gasp* I’m pretty loyal when going to a specific person to get my hair done. I’ve gone to the same hair dresser since my elementary years.

But the Monday before Thanksgiving, I woke up upset and started scrolling my Facebook timeline with a mission to find something to uplift my spirits. I can’t remember why I was upset. Obviously it wasn’t that important. Haha.

I had nothing to do for the day; I was absolutely free when I stumbled across a status from a girl I went to high school with. She was asking for a model to help her with a photo shoot for the day.

“What the heck! I might as well.” Thanksgiving was only 3 days away. I thought it was cool to be someone’s model and have my hair done for the holidays. So I replied to her request.

We scheduled a time to meet up at 11 am. She hooked me up by working those talented hands of hers. Then, BOOM! My sexy level turned up by the time it hit 2:30 pm on a Monday afternoon.

Shanae Thomas did my hair in a total of 2 and a half hours! It turned out looking awesome. I had to take some vintage selfies to match my stylish curly bush.

“Ain’t I cute?!”

Shanea specializes in styling natural hair as she works at natural hair shop Natural Locs Salon, in northwest Baltimore, off of the Baltimore National Pike. She’s been doing hair for a total of nine years, starting in 2006 when her mother no longer could do her hair because of carpal tunnel. Since then, it’s been all about hair; teaching herself how to plait, braid, maintain locs, and furthering her knowledge in hair care by attending cosmetology school.

Shanae’s love for hair has influenced her journey with natural hair.

For three and a half years, Shanae has been perm free and strutting her fiery red, orange and blonde locs with tremendous pride. She hopes to spread her talents along to others so they may transform their natural manes into something that flares with personality, screams out distinction, and transform into ways they could’ve never imagine.

For Shanae to take on doing my hair without knowing the true amount of thickness on top of this head, I say “AMEN” to her because it’s one hell of a task! Ask anyone who has touched my head. It’s thicker than the corn fields in 1984 horror film “Children of the Corn.” But I’ve been told it’s a playground for a hair stylist. It definitely is not for me.

Shanae explained to me her reasoning for posting her status that Monday morning. She’s focused on building her hair portfolio and needed a model. She’s currently building a portfolio to show off what she can do, and to give her that edge she needs to qualify for hair competitions across the nation, one being the 23rd Annual Official Golden Scissor Awards, home for where the 2014 BOBBI BOSS America’s Next Top Stylist will be announced. The awards will be held this December 7th at the Washington Convention Center in DC.

Shanea added me as one of her hair clients in her renowned hair portfolio. I’m absolutely honored after seeing her extensive lists of clientele on her Instagram page (ShaysNaturalStyles).

My experience visiting another hair stylist was rewarding. My phone is full of lots of new selfies and I have a protective style that’ll last me awhile. I am pleased! I guess, I should add and scratch off being someone’s hair model on my bucket list, too. What do you think?

Do you like how my hair turned out for the Thanksgiving Holiday? Leave your comments below. Would you like to schedule an appointment, send all inquires to shanae623@gmail.com.

Did you check out my recap of the Boulevard of Chic’s fashion show? Read Lights, Camera, Fashion! Recap of Boulevard of Chic Fashion Show on Doc’s Castle Media.

*All photography, except for my selfies, were taken by George Robinson of GRobinsonPhotography*

Vote for Doc’s Castle Media in 2014 Mobbies Maryland Blog Competition

What an honor! I have been nominated under three categories in the 2014 Mobbies Blog and Social Media Competition. Yay! Thank you everyone!

I have never been nominated in any competition as such, especially for my writings, and I’m extremely thankful for all of you who were active in deciding to nominate me under the following three categories: Best Label Defying Blog, Best Music Blog, and Best Personal Blog.

This competition is sponsored by the Baltimore Sun and the Creative Alliance, LLC.

I love to write, though I didn’t always know that. Doc’s Castle Media opened my eyes to my talents. I always knew I had a knack for ideas because I always owned a composition notebook or sketchbook full of thoughts since the age of 10. But to really take an active role in blogging or any kind of journalism, my mind wasn’t with it until it was made one of my duties to complete while working for an internship. I strongly opposed the idea of being a journalist my entire 4 years attending high school. I guess now, I’ve made myself out to be a liar because look at my site! It’s 3 years going strong with over 300 blog posts. I write like a journalist and I do it a lot!

I write because I believe that my voice matters. I believe that my thoughts and feelings about things carry value. My whole purpose for creating a blog was to use my words to influence others to do something meaningful in their lives. Each day, I ponder the possibilities of that actually happening. Seeing that people took the time to nominate me has shown me that my purpose might be working. Apparently, I offer something you all like.

I often talk to people while I’m out in the streets of Baltimore or while on Facebook, and people compliment me on my commitment and dedication to continue writing about what’s happening around the city from a unique and entertaining perspective. I appreciate that plenty of you take notice. I’m even more grateful to hear that many of you read on a consistent basis. It’s still weird getting this type of attention from writing freely. But I love you all more each day as you continue to support me and share my thoughts with the world! It drives me more…like really, I’m so motivated to keep doing this.

As I’m busting my tail to provide something unique and special for you all, please do me the favor in voting for me, just as you all nominated me, in this year’s annual Mobbies Blog and Social Media Competition. It’d mean a lot to me if I could actually win in any of the categories I’m nominated for.

Below is the link to the directions for voting for the nominees in the 2014 Mobbies. Please register with one of your social media accounts and vote for Doc’s Castle Media!

As 2015 slowly approaches, Doc’s Castle Media looks to include a few new additions to the website. I’m counting on my readers to offer me some new suggestions for what you all think can make Doc’s Castle Media a little better. Please leave your feedback and concerns in the comments below as I’ll review all of them carefully. Hopefully I’ll get some very good suggestions that’ll spice the site up.

Have you read Doc’s Castle Media submission for the Editor’s Pick in the 2014 Mobbies Competition? Read Hopping on that Train Back to 1990s on Doc’s Castle Media.