Books, plays, movies, artists and businesspeople of all kinds. Computers, travel, fitness, reading, writing. Improving the quality of people's lives. Truth, love, righteousness.
Music
Hip-Hop and R&B are dear to my heart. But I have a serious appreciation for ANY music of ANY genre that is inspired, well-written, and well-produced.
Anything QUALITY that doesn't settle for the lackluster mediocrity that has plagued art/entertainment in the 2K decade.
Movies
As an aspiring filmmaker, I have loved movies forever. My dad would often tease me when I was younger because everytime he came home, I would be repeat-watching one of the following: Purple Rain, Money Pit, Ferris Bueller, Dick Tracy, Beetlejuice, Five Heartbeats.
Adult favorites: I am currently doing an independent film study on the AFI's Top 100 List and personally building this classic collection. I also had DREAMGIRLS on heavy rotation recently.
My top 5 list of The Greatest Love Stories of All Time: (no particular order): Titanic, The Notebook, Memoirs of a Geisha, Brokeback Mountain, The Color Purple.
Anything QUALITY that doesn't settle for the mediocrity that has plagued art/entertainment in the 2K decade.
Television
SITCOMS!!!! I am still mourning the death of the great sitcom era. Now all you can seem to find is a bizarre reality tv show or a 1-hour drama. I'm all about family, friends, community, love, and humor with a rise and fall, tight plot, well-developed characters, and a moral wrapped up into only 30 minutes. You can't beat that: Good Times, The Jeffersons, The Cosby's, Different Strokes, Fresh Prince, and Frasier grace my current collection.
As for reality tv: I was/am fond of the dating/love related ones: The Bachelor/Bachelorette were the truth for a while there. 1-hour: I support my friends' passions for: 24, Heroes, Cashmere Mafia.
But I don't watch much because I'm waiting to be truly inspired to turn on the TV again.
Books
SONS OF FORTUNE(Jeffrey Archer) is the absolute best book I have ever read in my life to-date.
THE COLDEST WINTER EVER (Sister Souljah) just topped my all-time list this year.
Currently in cue to read/re-read:
And I'm Still Standing (Crystal Callahan)
Blind Ambitions (Lolita Files)
The Wedding (Nicholas Sparks)
Guide to Los Angeles (Frommer's)
Living History (Hillary Clinton)
My Life (Bill Clinton)
Redemption (Leon Uris)
Heroes
Emma L. Callahan, my 88-year old grandmother who is still kicking back home in Buffalo. She is my rock, my anchor, the reason I have all that I have. She is the matriarch queen-bee of the Callahan family - an iron horse. She has truly paid the cost to be the boss.
University Of Virginia-Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA
Graduated: 1999
Student status: Alumni
Degree: Bachelor's Degree
Major: Government
Minor: History
Clubs: Paul Robeson Players, First Year Council, Corks & Curls Yearbook, Spectrum Theatre
About me: There is too much to say in such a small space, even if it is My Space, so I'll just start with where I am today and hopefully this page will eventually bring you full-circle.
My friends call me Crystal "The Superstar" Callahan, and I work every day to live up to that name. They say the road to success is lonely, and I find it so ironic that once I fully dedicated myself to following my heart and dreams, The Universe completely removed my "closest friends" from my life all within the last 1-2 years.
So, here I am newly relocated to Hollywood CA, with a completely OPEN slate. I fought being here, I resented it, rejected it, pursued other more practical and realistic things - said I would never be a starving artist. But I've grown as a person, and am so proud to be finding a home here. I have always believed that my sacrifices would one day be rewarded. So I'm ready for all of the blessings that life has for me on my quest to be fulfilled and surrounded [only] by creative, innovative, professional people who share my common goals, my commitment to excellence, and who desire to treat me as well as I treat them.
It is a glorious time of discovery as I believe that my prayers for lasting friends and business partners will be answered. Meanwhile, I attempt to make possible the almost impossible: a healthy balance of community and commercial success in the Industry: (http://www.thebattlecryempire.com). I've been given gifts, and I intend to use them to teach and inspire.
Welcome to this milestone in my journey.
Who I'd like to meet: God; Hillary, Bill, and Chelsea Clinton; The Students & Faculty at Oprah's Leadership School in South Africa; the beautiful daughter of my long-lost soulmate; my dad and grandpa in heaven.
Battlecry Introduces: CRYSTAL's Friend Space (Top 28)
Hey woman! How are you? Sorry I didn't get back to you via email..I'm in Taiwan now and won't be back till 9/15. Its really hot and muggy...but fun and rich in culture. More to say later. How are you doing!?
Hey there, I was wondering if you got the buletin I fwd to you? How are you anyway. Just stopping by to say kedu. (hello in my language)Hope you're ok. Take care Uzo
i'm suffering from some serious conference withdrawl.... y'all were sooooo amazing! thanks for being a part of it! i can't wait for the doc, like, for real, i'm checkin everyday for updates!! hehe...
hi queen Crystal, V here just checking in.. thank you for your friendship.. it really means the most to me.... remember holla if i can help out in the movement in anyway..
Hey there Superlove Sista!!!! LOVE your V to the 10th blog... makin me cry every time I open it up! Are we going to see your beautiful faces this weekend?
Hey you! I looked for you on here after the party and figured you didn't have a page since I couldn't find ya :) Welcome and yes, keep in touch for sure!
Ohhhh Shoot! Finding inspiration through Jill Scott's "Exclusively"... "The new boy on the street was...cute, but not as fine as me!" Sending you some "good extra loving" from SF. Ain't nothing like the real thing baby. Muah!
