New Music: Miranda Brooke

Bu Vision/Def Jam Records Executive Bu Thiam, who also happens to be Akon's brother, recently let the world in on his new discovery. Miranda Brooke is a talented R&B singer who hails from Chattanooga, TN and preparing to warm the hearts of music enthusiasts. Her debut single "Hater", produced by Sham (Sake Pace) is a mid tempo jam that addresses emotions some of us do not often admit feeling.

"It's a song about ugly feelings," Miranda tells. "It's about jealousy, insecurity and weakness... but it's honest."

Film: The Filmmaker's Handbook

It sounds like a cheesy, 'how to', book title. But when I started film school this was the bible of all things technical related to film. I still have my original copy and my intention was to introduce you to it, so I went online (to get a screenshot) and discovered the updated addition (pictured above). If you are shooting regularly with Canon DSLRs, the RED, ARRI digital cameras, etc...or considering shooting on actual film, these authors know what they are talking about. Now take a look at the title page and then move your eyes down to the subtitle which reads: A Comprehensive Guide For The Digital Age. Awesome oxymoron!

Here's the original (which I also recommend).

Film: Transmedia Part I

Transmedia. I heard the word and its 'defintion' a while back (ask Hezues R') and he asked me to write about it. I was going to write about it, but I really wanted to see where it was going before I could share it with you. Where is it going? This word is sweeping through the Hollywood landscape like a wild fire. There are now transmedia companies, consultants and producers hired to essentially leverage every media and social networking platform available today to market a creation and build a franchise that will entice the consumer interactively; personally connecting them to stories, archetypal characters and universal themes. Star Wars and Harry Potter are perfect examples of transmedia storytelling at its best--still giving birth to fanatics galore--before there was the word 'transmedia'. I'll keep you posted...

Food: The Traveling Chef on Royal Caribbean Cruise

So guess who bought Vegan and Raw foods to the ROYAL CARIBBEAN.....

Yes, yes, yes!

It was Von Der Pool Gourmet and The Forgotten Foods

We did their very first Veggie Wellness Cruise

which I catered of course!

I want to thank The Royal Caribbean Team especially Executive Chef Nestor Guevara &

Executive Sous Chef Jerry Dias for being so accommodating, kind, helpful and super cool!

The Royal Caribbean Kitchen/Food & Beverage Staff ROCKS!!!

Me and all the Royal Caribbean Chefs

Chef Jerry Dias and I (Executive Sous chef)

IN THE MOMENTS OF THE TRAVELING CHEF

SIGNING OFF LAUREN VON DER POOL -LV

STAY TUNED FOR MORE FUN WITH ME AND THE ROYAL CARIBBEAN...

THE LIFE OUT OF THE KITCHEN AND ON THE BAHAMIAN BEACHES :)

Fashion: Quack Quack!

Peace pulsers its your favorite sneaker heads favorite sneaker head! Bringing you another installment of shoeoligy®! If your like me and live in the Northwest region we have been getting a "little" bit of rain lately. (Understatement) So I figured why not stay fresh in the rain too! With these Nike A.C.G. woodsides. These are Nike's take on a classic design of a duck boot! Not your grandfathers duck boots! This fresh new silhouette also house a full air sole unit for comfort you've learned to expect from Nike. A full grain leather upper to keep you warm and dry as a duck! They come in a full family size run! So you and the kids can go splash away in some puddles and look good doing it! 48$for toddler sizes 58$for preschool 75$ for grade school and a not so bad 110$ for adults! They come in a nice variety of colors!

Music: Introducing: FAME

MBK Recording Artist FAME just released the video for his new single "Coy", off of his mixtape The Hybrid Season.

Building the hype even more about this talented artist will be his appearance during the Fall 2011 NYC Fashion Week. FAME will be featured as a celebrity model in AKOO Clothing's Spring 2012 presentation.

Check out FAME's new video and tell us what you think.

For more information about FAME log on to www.famethehybrid.com.

Film: Back To School (1986)

Before you get ready to dig into your classes next week take a look back at this classic comedy starring stand-up comedian legend, Rodney Dangerfield. If I remember correctly Rodney plays an extremely wealthy middle-aged father, who tries to re-connect with his estranged son by attending the same university. Back to School also stars Ironman's Robert Downey Jr., Rocky's Burt Young and comedic loudmouth legend, Sam Kinison.

Food: LAUREN VON DER POOL PERSONAL CHEF FOR HIP HOP STAR COMMON

RAW/ORGANIC FIG & BLUEBERRY TORTE

SAME THING FROM ANOTHER VANTAGE POINT

RAW/ORGANIC BBQ MEATLOAF ALL VEGAN

Fashion: Didn't even see it coming..."stealth"

Peace pulsers once again its your favorite sneaker heads favorite sneaker head! Bringing you another installment of freshness for your feet! Less than a week away Jordan Retro 3 "stealth" grey's! This is a non og-colorway but no less fly then any of the og's. Consisting of a grey nubuck throughout the majority of the upper, "stealth" cement print, black liner and varsity red accents. MJ Would have been more then proud to soar from the foul line with these on...tongue out and windmill slam on your head! POW# with a retail sticker of 150$ a definite good look! City footwear will have them at all locations! Go cop those!

Music: Rihanna VS Beyonce

Rihanna released the new video for her single "Cheers" the same day that Beyonce released the video for her single "1 + 1". Both records are very different. "Cheers", a feel good party record and "1 + 1", a heartfelt ballad (some may think she is speaking of her relationship with Jay-Z in in the lyrics of this tune).

Following Beyonce's pregnancy revelation at the MTV Video Music Awards, all eye's are surely on her right now but take a look at both works and let us know which one you like the best.