My Reflections of Kassim the Dream Film at GIFF 2009

Tonight I went to my second event of the Gasparilla International Film Festival 2009 . An incredible film was featured, "Kassim the Dream", and again I attended as a guest and co-marketer of the event with Keisha Pickett of Pickett Public Relations Group. along with members of my e-magazine, TheListbyKeto. You just had to be there to see it because this blog cannot do it justice!

About the Film from Kassim the Dream Website:

This is the story of World Champion Boxer, Kassim "The Dream" Ouma - born in Uganda, kidnapped by the rebel army and trained to be a child soldier at the age of 6. When the rebels took over the government, Kassim became an army soldier who was forced to commit many horrific atrocities, making him both a victim and perpetrator. He soon discovered the army's boxing team and realized the sport was his ticket to freedom. After 12 years of warfare, Kassim defected from Africa and arrived in the United States. Homeless and culture shocked, he quickly rose through the boxing ranks and became Junior Middleweight Champion of the World.

Kassim, now age 27, seems to have obtained the American Dream with his jovial nature, fame and hip hop lifestyle. As Kassim trains for his next world title fight against Jermain Taylor in Little Rock Arkansas, keeping his demons out of the ring becomes increasingly difficult. His desires to reunite with family in Uganda intensify when Kassim's only hope for a safe return is a military pardon from the president and government responsible for his abduction.

You can't possibly watch the story and not have a heart for the immeasurable pain & suffering that people go through in other countries of the world terrorized by war from within and without. No matter how hard it may get in the United States, we don't have to worry about our military breaking into our houses, executing our loved ones & turning us into slaves. Anyone who can survive that, achieve great accomplishments, and still be a great person like Kassim has a strong heart.

Kassim the Dream Trailer-GIFF 2009

Gasparilla International Film Festival 2009 Opening Night

Thursday night, I attended the Gasparilla International Film Festival 2009 Opening Night with Red Carpet VIP Reception & Film and After Party at Spain Restaurant as a guest and co-marketer of the event with Keisha Pickett of Pickett Public Relations Group along with members of my e-magazine, TheListbyKeto. GIFF is Tampa Bay's largest annual film festival which recognizes independent and international films through film competitions between film makers & offers film viewings and opportunites to interact with the stars. The annual arts event has grown tremendously since it's first edition in 2007, and expects to attract over 10,000 attendees and participants during the week-long festivities in February/March 2009.

Media and attendees of Opening Night VIP Reception & Film were treated to VIP access to celebrities like Armand Assante (Dominic Cattano in American Gangster), producer Oren Koules, director Rod Lurie, complimentary food, desserts & wine tastings from restaurants like Smoke Barbeque & Grill, Timpano Chophouse, Taps, RawBar, Bamboozle Cafe, Bella's, and more. As well, legendary actress Terry Moore, wife of the late billionaire pilot Howard Hughes was honored on opening night with an award celebrating her legacy, longevity in film & impact on the film industry. Finally, on two opening night films were shown, "Crime's a Cookin'" a hilarious 7-minute silent, short film (winner of Focus on Florida, Short) and the main feature, directed by Rod Lurie and starring Kate Beckinsdale, Angela Bassett, David Schwimmer ("Friends"), and Alan Alda (Hawkeye from M*A*S*H).

As for, "Nothing But the Truth" the best quote of the film is from Kate Beckinsdale's defense attorney, "Sometimes a mistake is like wearing white after Labor Day. Sometimes a mistake is like invading Russia in the winter." He was referring to the fact that her refusal to disclose her source who illegally leaked the identity of a CIA agent, (a la the US government's 2005 grand jury investigation of NY Times reporter Judith Miller and outed CIA agent Valerie Plame whose identity was illegally revealed by Vice President Dick Cheney's Chief of Staff, Scooter Libby) was going to cost her a lot more than just making a simple error just as Germany's invading Russia in the dead of winter in WWII was a game changing, bad move which impacted the outcome of WWII.

Are You Prepared for Hurricane Weather?

Earlier in August, 2008, I published an informational post on hurricane preparedness as excerpted from The Weather Channel Hurricane Preparedness list for my readers of TheListbyKeto, my e-magazine started in 2006 after completing my MBA at University of South Florida. So I think it fitting that I republish excerpts of this guide for my blog readers as well, especially as the information herein is relevant to all residents of Florida and the South and Southwest of the US. In addition I've provided some basic severe weather definitions. As well, this weekend marks the 3rd Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina of August 29, 2005 whose effects were exacerbated by an incompetent, do-nothing government which had billions of dollars in aid overseas the day after after the Indonesia tsunami of December 26, 2004, but took 3 days to even react to Hurricane Katrina just a few thousand miles away and after President Bush's August 28, 2005 Katrina briefing on the possibility of a category 3 hurricane breaching the levies in New Orleans. Well, it will go down as one of the big failures of an administration that is synonymous with failure. But...at least the Florida Division of Emergency Management is more proactive in emergency management and allows citizens to create their own family disaster plan. Well...stay safe out there!

DEFINITIONS:
Hurricane Season (Atlantic): 1 June - 30 November
Hurricane Watch: Hurricane conditions, sustained winds greater than 73 mph, are possible in the area within 36 hours.
Hurricane Warning: A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected in the area in 24 hours or less.

Safety Before a Tropical Storm or Hurricane

Be Informed
Determine your insurance eligibility now. In addition to high winds, rain and floods are sometimes associated with hurricanes and tropical storms. However, damage caused by flooding is not usually covered in regular homeowners' insurance. The federal government insures against flood damage.

Find out more from:
Your insurance agent
National Insurance Consumer Helpline (1-800-942-4242); The Insurance Information Institute (1-800-331-9146) The National Flood Insurance Program

Learn how your town handles emergencies by contacting:
Your local American Red Cross chapter chapter or check the business listing of your white pages. Your local Emergency Management Agency (EMA)

Be Prepared
Pay attention to local weather reports. Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio and sign up for The Weather Channel's free alerts for your mobile phone or email..

Develop a Family Preparedness Plan that includes the following:
Decide where to go if at home, school, work, outdoors, or in a car when a tornado warning is issued. Update these plans every school year and as places of employment and residence change. Compile a family emergency supplies kit. Make certain everything you need is in one specific, easy-to-access location. These contents can be assembled over a five-month period on a weekly basis, and perishable items should be changed or replaced every six months. To learn more about assembling and refreshing supplies, see the American Red Cross' preparedness information.

Prepare Your Home
There are a number of cost-effective measures that be taken to strengthen the exterior and interior structural integrity of a house. Learn more:

• Preparing Your Home for Hurricanes
• Consider Hurricane Shutters
• Keep Wind and Water Out During a Hurricane

For more information on TheListbyKeto, a FREE e-magazine highlighting local events and business advertising, please logon http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheListbyKeto. We are also on Myspace, http://www.myspace.com/thelistbyketo and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/people/TheList_byKeto/833578290. TheListbyKeto—Connecting Tampa Bay's Culture, Community, Networking & Nightlife!