Hi Everybody!

So, looks like the teaser for my new webseries BUPPIES is out and about on the blog sites for everyone to see. I wanted to personally share it with my myspace family to hear what you all think. This is a project that has been three years in the making. The writer/director Julian Breece is a college friend who shared the idea with me about three years ago. Putting a project like this onto the TV air space was difficult. It's a very different kind of show, a comedy/ drama that talks about everything from life and love, fashion, sexual orientation, pregnancy... basically all the things young adults are really going through. The teaser has elicited a lot of really interesting comments on sites like www.whatwouldthembido.blogs, www.theybf.com, and www.thecrunktastical.net. There's also a fuzzy version on youtube.

My sister Anastasia Ali and I started a production company about a year and a half ago with the purpose of making high end urban content. BUPPIES made alongside friend and producer Aaliyah Williams is our company's first effort. With the advent of the webseries and the recent lack of African American original programing on TV these days we thought the series would really be well suited for internet broadcast. We hope to give people a taste of something different, something provocative and true. The BUPPIES website will be up in a month or so. Till then, we really hope you enjoy the teaser!

All My Love,
Tatyana

No not Gossip Girl, the DNC, Democratic National Convention. I was in Denver the entire week of the Convention and it was extraordinary. I got the chance to hear Ted Kennedy, Hillary Clinton, Dennis Kucinitch, Howard Dean, Bill Clinton, Joe Biden, Michelle Obama and Barack Obama speak in person. The week was filled with panels (A discussion of Faith with Marianne Williamson amongst others was my favorite), discussions and small gatherings of people talking about all of the trials our country and our communities back home are facing. People discussed possible solutions for climate change, taking care of our soldiers when they get back from Iraq, the exponentially rising cost of education, the problems with public eduction and no child left behind, women's rights, gay rights, the economy and the promise of an emerging green sector. The week was such an amazing amalgamation of people! Wooo! Okay, taking my breath... Id love to hear peoples thoughts on the RNC if anyone watched this week. I have my opinion but I will refrain for the moment.Registration drives begin in the next couple of weeks. If your not registered to vote then get registered! Its so important. Every vote counts in this election. Our nations future is truly at stake. Next week I'll be speaking at colleges and registration drives in Virginia with Marlon Wayans. Also! My Latest Film Hotel California will be screening September 9, this coming Tuesday at LALIFF (Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival) at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood and at the Boston Film Festival September 13th.

Hola!! I ve been on the road with Barack Obama's campaign for the last couple of months. I've been to amazing places and met so many beautiful people. My sister and business partner Anastasia is a volunteer as well. We were in Iowa canvasing from city to city, knocking on doors, making phone calls, talking to people and answering questions. Voter turn out doubled there as a result of thousands of volunteers and organizers from all over the country and the world lending their time to ensure formerly disenfranchised Americans, namely young people and minorities undertsood the caucusing and primary processes and the importance of being involved. We did the same in Nevada and South Carolina. This experience has been so extraordinary! I'll be writing more about it to be sure and posting pictures from our travels. I encourage everyone who reads this to get involved. If you have questions look at the candidates websites (www.barackobama.com) or go right ahead and ask me.

This Tuesday, February 5th is the primary for many states:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennesse and Utah.

This is so important! I encourage to get involved and volunteer. History is in the making! This is our country, its time to let your voice be heard!

I'm hitting daytime!

"TATYANA ALI (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) joins the cast of The Young and the Restless as Roxanne, Devon's (Bryton) date at Lily's (Christel Khalil) divorce party. She will appear on Monday, September 17 and Tuesday, September 18."
- http://www.cbs.com/daytime/yr/about/casting/

Directed by Geo Santini. Here is the trailer for my latest film, "Hotel California". It's very different from the sort of work I'm more known for. I hope you enjoy it. By all means post comments and let me know what you think!

Peace and Love,
Tatyana.

I just received a VIP Membership Black Card from Fatburger of Long Island. Who wants a free meal?

August Issue... Check it out!
"I can't tell my secrets. I have no key to that door. Something keeps me joyful, but I cannot say what" - Rumi

I'm one of the actors on the new FOX Reality Show "On the Lot". Working with amazing young film makers from around the world, the show is executive produced by Steven Speilberg and Mark Burnett. Really Cool. If your a film buff check out the shorts we've worked on so far at www.onthelot.com. Be sure to watch the show Tuesday nights at 9pm!

Valentine's Day came and went, and finally the holiday season comes to a close. Thank you Jesus! Now I can look forward to the springtime and summer, booze and bees, pools and parties, and sleeping on the beach. All these things can be done on one's own, out and about mingling and I like that- adventure time.

But where to spend these seasons. Mexico City? Maybe Europe or Australia?

Via some recent personal experiences I'm really beginning to believe that LA corrupts good things and I really don't feel like wading in smoggy traffic trying to get North where the water's just a little cleaner, rocky as hell, but cleaner. I wonder if people say that about other big cities, like NY, Miami, London or Bombay, that they corrupt? I don't think so, or at least I've never heard it. oooooLaLa, or as one friend coined it Hell-A... (Britney girl, you need to take your babies and get the hell out of here, get some peace and restoration.) Yes, there are too many masturbators in this town, no one really wants to make love. That's because you can never really see another person if you're too busy trying to find your own reflection- all the time! That's just the way it is here, most people are looking but they only want to see themselves.

But, I live here. This is my home for the time being, so I try to make it better, in my everyday encounters, and it is so refreshing when you come across another trying to do the same thing. Something so simple can make you feel so good about being alive. It's those times when I'm kind of walking in a haze, looking as though I'm focused, though my mind is completely adrift, when I'm open enough to just sense what's about, my eyes will wonder to someone whose eyes have wondered on me, and then boom, nice... a connection, a smile. This really only happens when I'm without purpose, otherwise I'd be annoyed, or afraid that my looking was an invasion, and with so much thought behind it it probably would be-invasive that is.

I suppose that's one of the things I like to do most, watch. Not crazy stalker, peeping-tom watching. Just on the bus, or on the subway watching. Or walking down the street, driving in my car watching. I watch all sorts of things not just people. I watch bugs, cars, outfits, time, billboards, clouds, airplanes, dogs, movies, tv, etc. I love watching good movies, and I love watching people make music. I love looking at paintings and photographs.

I def do not like watching what's being piped into everyone's living rooms. What about Iraq, and Darfur? Things we should actualy be discussing and trying to solve. There is the body of a beautiful woman yet to be burried. The living fighting over the dead. Tragic and absurd. And a young woman, bald, with a new tattoo. That's it?

What's going on? I love my country so I can say, think we should all say, "what the hell are we even about anymore?!" Great civilizations fall when they stop growing, and I don't mean territorial expansion. We are all spectators in the colliseum, watching, screaming out whether those who suffer should live or die, be popular or not. The war machine is raging, and this is how we find relief? It's retarded. I guess there are some things I just don't need to see.

No more masturbation! I'd rather make love. Eyes open or closed? Both I guess.

Here it goes, my first blog...
Wonder how many tens of thousands of first blogs began this same way? Great, I'm starting off like everyone else, that's awesome!?

No.

(one of a child's first words, not "yes", but "no"- indicating that to differentiate oneself is a primary consideration. it could, therefore, be considered that opposition and individuation are necessary components to one's mental and spiritual health, ie. to close a door; the ability to say no to other people; to choose to wait for the right door to open, walking through one instead of the other. maybe choices are not so much saying "yes" to somethings but saying "no" to everything else. so then, when defining oneself the answer can become "I stand for..., or I believe in..., or I think that..., or I like... it becomes a positive statement, but begins with an inner, NO!- out of chaos and negatives comes order and positives- don't know if it's true, but could be.)

It's December 1st. The gaiety of the Holliday season is bearing down on me, minute by minute. However, this one's not so bad as the last couple of years, when, in order to "lift my spirits", I read horror novels and short stories. Last year it was "Books of Blood" by Clive Barker Volumes 1 & 2. Don't remember what it was the year before that. Strange. I don't know why those short stories made me feel better, but they did. Maybe it was because they made me feel something, anything at all... not the microwaved warmth that is forced upon us by this season of "giving" and "shopping", but actual concern for the terrible things that were happening to the characters involved. I think it heightened my sense of reality, which good fiction is so apt to do. Instead of walking around in a fog of good cheer and merriment, when I smiled (which undoubtedly, was very often- I can't help it, I'm a cheeser) it was from my heart. Anyone who loves, science fiction, horror, adventure, mystery, comedy, philosophy... should check out Clive Barker. Hell Raiser's great, but the short stories?, ridiculously obscene!

I'm back home in LA, somewhat shellshocked from my experience in Detroit. It was fantastic and alarming and genius and insane. As in the natural world, chaos became order, and in the end the show was off the chain! I mean, it was really great! We sold out, standing room only. Everyone did there thing. Angie Stone was wonderful and sang many of my favorite songs, "Black Brotha" and "I Wish I Didn't Miss You". Selena Johnson and Teisha sang the most soulful rendition of Bonnie Rait's classic "I Can't Make You Love Me" I've ever heard. I got to sing a song made famous by Nina Simone, "Feeling Good", which scared the crap out of me, but went really well. Trenyce, from American Idol is an amazing singer, when she got up and opened her mouth, I felt like I was seeing who she really was for the first time. That's what Im talking about!!! That's what this whole thing is supposed to be about!!! It was crazy. And Monifah, my Aquarian sister, what an amazing voice. What an incredible talent. She took it back and gave Teena Marie a run. What!? I freakin' love Teena Marie.

Oooo, La la la...

We bonded living in a 18th century house together. Stayed up late talking about men and boys, love and longing, God and science, truth and alchemy, politics and religion,... it was nuts... More Holiday cards to send, more wishes to wish, more to pray for...

No., But, Yes, Yes, Yes...

I can't stop listening to Amel Larreiuex's new album, "Morning", it's bonkers!

I can't stop watching the HBO mini-series Elizabeth I on DVD, Helen Mirren's one of my favorite actresses- I danced beside her once listening to Jay Z, and she hugged me when I said hello- shut the front door! (or don't,... depending on who you want to be...)
;)

can't stop wanting to see more of my boo, he's working his ass off.

can't wait to see Kate Winslet's new film with Jack Black, she's my fav young actress. I've seen every thing she's ever been in, cept her stage work.

can't stop redecorating my house, painting as we speak.

can't stop the melodies floating around in my head, I need beat.

can't stop thinking about getting in better shape. Pilot season's coming up and I'm an actress living in LA- blah blah.

my frenchie can't stop pissing on every piece of bark he sees, he's going through puberty.

can't believe I wrote a blog entry, he he... ooooooooo and I like it... -James DeBarge

can't find the time to get my car washed, it's real dusty.

But, I will def get a mani/pedi later today.

-Aqua Girl.
-aka Tatalalicious.
-aka Tatyana Ali.