this is phi bulani

www.phi bulani.com and www.out of the norm.biz

Presenting PHI BULANI for 2014

"Something I like to do is work towards achievable goals that are both challenging and measurable.  Sometimes as an actor it's difficult to quantify ones performance, you can have a sense of a performance with a live audience, or with-in a scene with whom ever your working with, I mean you can feel that, but I'm not so sure you can measure it on a personal level, maybe at the box office, but even then many a brilliant performance is not necessarily rewarded at the box office or high ticket sales.  So I find, as I'm sure many other performers do, that we measure those prize moments by describing them, we say things like aww man you could of heard a pin drop, you had them in the palm of your hands... or he's out there chewing up the scenery, or you killed it man you killed it. (why so violent--- I don't know, I don't know)  I mean when it's really good, you have an awareness, but there is this kind of elation that exceeds description... kind of a Chariots of Fire kind of thing... really!

"Anyways, I also really enjoy challenging my self in the gym, or in the water... or in the bedroom... just seeing if you're paying attention.  I just like it.  I enjoy certifications and other measurable feats where I'm challenging my self.  It's not always easy to go beyond the next thing, but it's usually a pretty good feeling to be sure when you do."

* Coming soon you can read more as Phi shares his fitness regimes, nutrition, and supplement reviews.  Phi also brings in other writers on the subject, some personal anecdotes as well favourite articles, icons, images and quotes he hopes to share and gain a kind of inspiration through the sharing that's fun, real and not carve out the mystery, cause This Is Phi Bulani.  According to Phi current working titles so far include phi fitness blog, fittest times,  fit to be phi! Ha! We shall see.

Merry Christmas from www.phibulani.com and www.outofthenorm.biz

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Stare at these two images and then look at the end of your nose.

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Add Christmas Spirit Wishes

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Seriously... how'd that happen?

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Now shake it off!
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Be a Super Santa all year long

Wishing You a Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!

this is phi bulani

www.outofthenorm.biz and www.phibulani.com 

Celebrates a day of Gratitude for the Life of Nelson Mandela.

Moral Courage

Inspiration

Hope

And Great Shirts!

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Godspeed this Great Soul.

The Full Nelson

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"To have lived during his lifetime, I am grateful, and while his spirit touches us, and now the ages, let us continue to bear witness to the life, and let us give our selves the chance to Rock the Full Nelson, remember, cherish and celebrate this great soul, as we continue the journey that does not end with his passing."

phi bulani

this is phi bulani

Greetings on this day of reconciliation from www.outofthenorm.biz and www. phibulani.com

www.jfklibrary.org

50 years ago the world suffered a terrible loss, a loss that cast a shadow that has veiled our souls with an inexplicable grief.  Those shots that rang out in a triangulation of crossfire could not extinguish the spirit and leadership of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, his words and ideas live on through us and will continue to inspire future generations with purpose and greatness.

Please visit http://anidealiveson.org/#home

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"I look forward to sharing ever more how JFK'S leadership has inspired my life with the website An idea Lives On, and i encourage you to do the same."  
Phi Bulani 

PHI BULANI

"These quotes below are never far from my mind, and they continue to burn as brightly as when they were first exclaimed, shimmering as starlight in the darkest of night skies."

"When power leads man toward arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man's concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses."

"Art is the great democrat, calling forth creative genius from every sector of society, disregarding race or religion or wealth or colour."  

"Genius can speak at any time, and the entire world will listen.  Behind the storm of daily conflict, the dramatic confrontations, the tumult of political struggle, the poet, the artist, the musician, continues the quiet work of centuries, building bridges of experience between peoples, reminding man of the universality of his feelings and his desires and despairs, and reminding him that the forces that unite are deeper than those that divide" 

-John F. Kennedy

this is phi bulani

Greetings from www.outofthenorm.biz and www.phibulani.com

Elvis Candlelight Vigil 2013 ~ 'nuff said  Phi Bulani musing on his Graceland experience;

"I've been lucky enough to visit Graceland on two different occasions, once in it's earlier less developed stages, for instance the strip plaza across from Graceland was more or less still intact, selling some of the most rare and cheesey kind of Elvis chachka you could ever hope to find, it was fun, and a strange kind of dichotomy between what you experienced with the Candlelight Vigil and the trinkets that for many were akin to a plastic rosary, in short phenomenal, and than the Mecca that it's become, and it remains for me as unique and personal experience as one can have, Elvis Presley as an artist remains a kind of spiritual touchstone, the impact of his work as as a musician, artist and that incredible voice for me is unparalleled... and such is the way of genius, you know, so when you get doing your own thing, you sometimes get well... stuck, so I always revisit his stuff whenever I feel a little stuck--- it's freedom man, and so when I was visiting Graceland, I think it's why it felt like you're waiting for someone to come home- because his presence is so much part of the family, the family of man you know- and I'm sure when I get the chance to visit again, it will feel much the same way... you know  i was registered to perform in Collingwood Elvis Festival this year, and they welcomed me into their family, describing the celebration not as an event or competition, but as a celebration, and I was really looking forward to it, but I was under an extended contract and so I was unable to attend, so now I look forward to sharing in the celebration and being welcomed into the family once again at Collingwood next year.  Love Elvis man, love him.

Keeping vigil, click here to keep vigil with Phi


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Se0upoelDPY&feature=player_embedded

PHI BULANI AS AN ELVIS IMPERSONATOR IN DISCOVERING ELVIS UH HUH  HUH

THIS IS PHI BULANI

www.outofthenorm.biz and www.phibulani.com 

Shares Some Summer 

Summer Activities: Swimming, I'm working on my speed strokes, front crawl is improving, I haven't timed my self yet, and the egg beater is a lifesaver kick that you gotta work. 

Summer Foods: Well no surprise here, anything off the grill, I've been experimenting with the paleo diet as well as gluten free meals... grilled asparagus and fennel is a nice combo on the veggie front.

Summer reading list:  Well among a host of plays and scripts that we're considering producing, I'm enjoying Bruce Lee, Artist of Life; it's an incredibly fresh look into Bruce's intensely passionate and soulful pursuit of his own humanity.  His honesty is contagious, it leaps off the page, and his poetry is viscerally stirring.  It's 40 years since his passing, and this collection of personal notes and reflections, his poetry and translations of poets he admired is simply stunning, it certainly adds to his myth and mystique, all the while stripping away the unessentials... it really feels like you are visiting with an old friend... a very wise old friend. Inspiring... it wakes up your brain.

Comics and Graphic Novels: Absolute Justice has some stunning artwork by Alex Ross, man his painterly skills, can't get enough them, and I'll revisit anything by Kirby. 

Summer exercises: I like to change it up quite a bit in the summertime, take on different machines, and movements, for example I do a 3 Tier Cable crossovers flyes on a Yoga Ball, and support that with the movement opposite to the muscles doing the work in that exercise... meaning the antagonists, so you switch hands on the D rings, and do 3 delt sets off the yoga ball position... chins are also a lot easier after wards.  But you know I'll also try something out of like a Muscle and Fitness article, Henry Cavill's routine for example, as it was explained in the July issue is pretty interesting and gives you a solid over all work out, but again, there are also movements in the six exercise barbell complex that don't suit my physiology, so I substitute.  I mean it has to feel right, no grinding or catching.
Bruce Lee's exercise routine as it was published in the March Muscle and Fitness, also has a number straight forward gems in it, man, talk about strength and flexibility training. "Be like water my friend"

Dvd Rentals/ Series:  Well, I gotta tell ya I didn't think I'd like it, but Breaking Bad has been a blast, what a phenomenal storyline and script... it's mythic, with these character arcs that are just priceless...
I think that's why I like it.  Hard to believe they're entering the final season.

Theatre:  4th Line Theatre in Millbrook is always worth the trek, looking forward to taking in The Real McCoy by Andrew Moodie, directed by Kim Blackwell, and starring Beau Dixon in the lead role, gonna be good.

Links for subjects mentioned in this article:
Swimming: www.lifesavingsociety.com
Bruce Lee www.brucelee.com
Graphic Novels: www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/absolute-justice
Jack Kirby: www.kirbymuseum.org
Muscle and Fitness: www.muscleandfitness.com
Breaking Bad: www.amctv.com/shows/breaking-bad
4th Line Theatre www.4thlinetheatre.on.ca


Enjoy thy summer- Peace out- 
Phi Bulani

THIS IS PHI BULANI

Lovers of chocolate unite!  It's Chocolate week at www. phi bulani. com and www.outofthenorm.biz  

We celebrate the bean of the gods!

Early archeology findings, date the discovery of the cultivated cocoa beans by the Mayans, as early as 7th Century AD, along the Yucatan it was a major source of trade even then.

Europeans developed a taste for Cocoa after the Spanish conquistadors brought it to Spain in the 16th century... tho' i would think they only thought to drink it!

  The health benefits of cocoa are many!  

Our access to cocoa in North America is through trade and commerce.  

-Now before it looks like this-

It looks like this

In between is the process of cocoa production, 67% of cocoa production comes from West Africa, with 43% from the country of Cote d'Ivoire. Close to 14 million people, in over 30 countries, depend on cocoa production.  Around 90% of the world's cocoa supply is grown and harvested in family owned farms with plot sizes of 12 acres or less.  Smaller family farms produce an average of 350 pounds of cocoa per acre in a year's harvest, generating an average annual income of US$30-100 per household member.

Cocoa production facts

Unfortunately, so much of the current production of cocoa is currently responsible for at least three atrocities plaguing half the globe, abuses in child labour, child slavery, and trafficking.

We can take action with our purchasing power and be hopeful, please take a moment to sign this petition, by adding your voice to this campaign,and by signing the pledge and petition:

http://voices.worldvision.ca/help_wanted

Please feel free to cut and paste this example and the petition link to friends and family.

Dear ____,

We believe ourselves to be safe and secure, and we demand it for Canadian children. Let’s make that same demand for children around the world. Right now more than 115 million children work in 3D jobs - dirty, dangerous and degrading jobs, including 1.2 million trafficked children. I just signed a petition asking our Prime Minister to help end child slavery. This campaign will only be successful if thousands of Canadians call for an end to child slavery.

Add your voice to this campaign by signing the pledge and petition:

http://voices.worldvision.ca/help_wanted

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For readers outside Canada please go to www.change.org to find petitions that will support this effort.

At the links below, you can see the kind of social proof that this kind of small personal effort can make in both ideology and dollars and sense.

http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Cadburyi-Dairy-Milki-Goes-Fair-Trade-in-Canada-1035139.htm

http://voices.worldvision.ca/2013/06/10/the-great-fair-trade-chocolate-switch/

Thank-you for taking the time to petition.

Phi Bulani


Looking for the best chocolate to eat... or bathe in? Look for fair trade labels- it's a start!

 

* While researching, cocoa and chocolate images were pulled from and supplied by this insightful blogs and posting-

http://www.squidoo.com/raw-cacao

http://wakeup-world.com/2012/02/15/chocolate-candy-or-cutting-edge-medicine/

http://recycledawblog.blogspot.ca/2013/01/how-to-make-hot-chocolate-milk-bath.html

THIS IS PHI BULANI

This just in from www.outofthenorm.biz and www.phibulani.com

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Come and enjoy Springworks in Stratford

May 9-19, 2013

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This new Canadian play and it's presentation of Judith by Heather Davies, while celebrating the journey of one, touches us with universal themes that palpate with all the visceral and poetic langauge of the award winning novel by Aritha Van Herk.

With the talents of Heather Davies, Kelly McIntosh, David Snelgrove, Phi Bulani, Stephen Gartner, Kristi Friday, Jeff Culbert, Eli Ham, and music by Murray Foster.

Judith is a brawling, passionate, hopeful play with music and a lot of pigs. 

It has a lot of pigs?

...well, it's not exactly Charlottes Web.

http://www.springworksfestival.ca/shows/judith.htm

" Aww man, I'm having a blast working with all these incredibly talented artists on this fringe version of  the full length play, and i've been reminded that when

when we are able to make art out of simple stories, stories that can make all the difference in the world once they get told, once we have a chance to hear them, it's genuinely restorative, and the energy of the artist and their devotion to their craft are constantly enriching us. 

Sometimes as we go through our daily lives...

  it's so easy to lose sight of ourselves, and sometimes we forget who and what we are, or maybe why we do what we feel compelled to do, the only way forward is a kind of blind tumble, a kind of act of faith, where we seem to trip up on our own swaddling along the way, but through embracing our past, we have a chance to see the horizon of our future's... through and by what we are naturally connected to.  Yeah sure okay, this sentence is a little ill-crafted, but what I mean to be sharing with you, is that these are just some of the thoughts and feelings I've been left with after only a few days of working on this new work... so i really think that audiences will enjoy this brawling little romp of a staged reading, because it has an incredibly visceral richness in the telling of it"

Phi Bulani

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First Reading of Friday May 10, 6pm Stratford City Hall, Stratford Ontario

Tickets: Adults 20(+hst)

Children 10 (+hst) 

THIS IS PHI BULANI

This just in from WWW. PHI BULANI. COM

- P.B.'s  Elvis Has Left The Building Birthday Celebration Meal ***

An Interview style recipe reveal with a special ghostly guest.

We're on a set and Elvis is the host, the audience is filled mostly with women- 

EP: Ok Phi - man, what are we lookin at here?

PB: "Well, you are looking at a t-shirt that was a Christmas gift from my sister, and my "Elvis Has Left The Building Sandwich" suitable for pre work out consumption or if your singing gospel into the wee hours and celebrating the King's birthday---
- it's packin' a wallop of at least 300/350 power packed calories, a good portion of them from a variety of proteins- I mean you can eat a few of these things and not feel stuffed!

EP: - uh, well maybe you can!  All the same, it sounds like it's updated to your new regime...

PB: - uh huh huh--- you got that right, and I think the king would give a big thumbs up... ok here's the recipe

Two slices fresh light rye bread
Butter
Pure just peanuts peanut butter
1 fresh banana

EP: That's it? No deep fryer, no chasin' it down with vodka--- WHERE' THE BACON SON?

[audience twitters]

PB: That's another recipe.  So no vodka either... nope, not today, nope---  so, yeah man, that's it, but it's not so much the ingredients, it's how you put em together.

EP: I'm listening.

PB: ok good cause I don't aim on repeatin' myself--

EP: --you save that for the sandwich

PB: Ba'da'bum ... ... beat me to that one!  Gettin' ahead of myself here, prep is very important, so put some Elvis on-

EP: --preferably vinyl!  (Not like I'm here or nothin') 

PB: Love me Tender, Burnin' Love, A Little Less Conversation-

EP: -A little more eatin'

[audience claps a bit]

PB: So yeah, start with the music,   Maybe "Fever"... original version... 1960; Elvis is Back, he's in GI uniform on the vinyl jacket, anyways, select your bread, loosen the clasp of the bread bag, peeeeel back the folds and gently remove the slices, lay them on a plate, preferably blue-

EP: -why blue?

PB: Goes with the music... stop interrupting me.

EP: -sure okay. [Elvis gestures with a signature move and Fever starts playing in the background, complete with a vinyl hiss)

PB: Now, you don't just smear the butter on those slicey's of bread ladies, let the butter caress the bread, you know what I mean, now once you've finished--- caressing- with the caresses of butter, start to smother with kisses of the peanut butter-

EP: Uhhh, Phi-man, I gotta remind you son, this is family show-

PB: hahaha--- a'right, okay... don't hold back now, don't be stingy, be generous with those kisses of peanut buttery goodness... on both slicey's of bread.  Now when you get to the banana, this is important-

[Giggles from audience]

EP: ---FAMILY SHOW SON

PB: ---It's important because in my epicurean opinion it's more fun to eat when the banana is sliced into chunky pieces, rather than an all out mash!  So place those chunks o' banana onto that peanut buttery goodness and seal the deal with the other slice flip flop one on top of the other, and wham bam, you've got the sandwich ready for the pan, which should be heated to a comfortable medium temp.  

EP: Now we're gettin' somewhere- [elvis claps his hands together, audience laughs]

PB: ---yeah man, drop a few tablespoons of butter, and watch it melt, so you don't burn the butter baby, when it's all nice and melted on your hot little skillet, place that sandwich on the pan, and it will sizzle, cover with a lid for 1-2 min, allowing the butter to both soak and grill, creating a golden brown, crunchy buttery irresistible texture. 

EP: You might need more butter!

[Ladies giggle]

PB: Flip the sandwich.  Watch for another 1-2 minutes and Shazam! you have yourself a meal fit for the king- 

EP: Makin me hungry--

PB: ---yeah me too

EP: Okay so that's the sandwich, what's the drink? 

PB: Chocolate protein shake; micro filtered whey, mixed with banana and milk... it's good man, great taste!  

EP: Uh huh, what are those capsules??

PB: Amphetamines--- what else?  

EP:  Blank stare.

PB:  2000mg CLA--

EP: CLA? 

PB: CLA; Conjugated Linoleic Acid,  helps break down excess fat's in digestion.  

EP: Blank Stare [Elvis picks up a guitar and starts strummin'... as the LP in the background hisses ]

 END.

It get's whackier, I wake up or snap out of it in the kitchen with some of the ingredients and recipe started, buttered bread and lid off the peanut butter!  

*** This interview is a recount of a fantasmagorical dream I experienced...  more than a dream, it was a DREM!  With hues of blue, it was so real, visceral, I jotted it all down as best I could and head to the kitchen!  Keep in mind that my usual late night snack is usually a light cottage cheese*, so in this context, it's even funnier... for me.  Psychologist have a field day with this one!  

PS. I think this makes for a great hangover recovery meal as well.  Screw MickeyD's baby, this is the way to go!

* Cottage Cheese is rich in casein protein, promotes good lean muscle growth because of digestion rate.

THIS IS PHI BULANI

This just in from www.phibulani.com and www.outofthenorm.biz 

"After a matinee performance of Storm Warning*, I struck up a conversation with someone here in Port Stanley the other day, about various world events, and they asked me how or if I remembered when Neil Armstrong uttered those famous words... "One small step for man, One giant leap for Mankind." 
I had a very clear recollection of the event which I shared with them... "well I was pretty young, so I think I actually remember the event more so, because in my family, on a regular basis, we would listen to all kinds of recordings, from music to comedians, to orators, memorial albums of JFK, AND the Apollo 11 Landing recording...  I recall very distinctly we would curl up on a Satin blanket on the living room floor, and how my Dad would open the stereo console, place the vinyl LP of the Apollo 11 Landing on the turntable, turn down the living room lights and carefully place the needle on the record, he would then take a seat, and as the needle touched the spinning vinyl, there was this magical moment of silence... that seemed to start with a hiss, and etch its way from somewhere deep inside our selves as we waited with a kind of eager anticipation... and with these simple gestures our minds were launched opened to the depths of outer space and the surface of moon... I can still feel that silence" 

Godspeed Neil Armstrong

Storm Warning has an extended run until Sept 8th, 2012 for tickets go to

www.portstanleytheatre.ca

A smash hit by Norm Foster to wrap up the summer season has come to be expected at the Port Stanley Festival Theatre and the opening night standing ovation on August 16, 2012 proves Storm Warning does not disappoint. Once again Eric Bunnell has proved himself to be a master of set design. The audience does not get to see - as I saw during the photo op - the clever way in which the pieces move, turn and fit together. All the audience sees is a spectacular outside shot in Act 1 and an authentic 50s era interior shot in Act 2. The intricate lighting design by Travis Hatt adds to the ambience of both scenes. The effectiveness of the simplistic plot line of this Norm Foster play depends on the strength of both actors and impeccable timing for the changing displays of emotion. Tenderly funny, Phi Bulani as the reclusive WW II vet can pull at your heart strings or make you burst out laughing. He is the perfect supporting lead to let Karen Parker shine as the extroverted big band chart writer. With a mouth like a sewer, an ego as big as Manhattan, and a nose she just can't keep out of other people's business; this irritating, pill-popping floozy has a way of sneaking under your skin. More than once, Parker's irreverent comments made the audience gasp or burst into applause. Storm Warning runs until September 8th, 2012. You won't want to miss this perfect end to your live summer theatre season. Pictures for "Storm Warning" This review courtesy of Francie Dennison, writer for Port Stanley News .com

Hi- res pics from the show are available for sale on link above!

THIS IS PHI BULANI

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ALOT TO LIKE IN "STORM WARNING" Now Playing at Port Stanley Festival Theatre 08/20/2012 Entertaining ElginBy Dave Ferguson The threat of a storm popping up can be a common occurrence,  especially during a warm summer.  But“Storm Warning”,  presently announced on signs parading around the lakeside  community of Port Stanley is also a reality that comes to life till September 8th  on stage at the Port Stanley Festival Theatre. “Storm Warning”, written by Norm Foster and directed by Simon Joynes,  delivers a blockbuster performance - a powerfully poignant, yet humorous, love story,  marvellously acted on a great set. There's a lot to like here. Set in 1953, tossed aside war veteran Jack Forrester  (played by Phi Bulani) spends his time in a lonely and tranquil setting,  Pigeon Lake Hidden Cabins during the off season. Sitting by the lake writing a letter,  Jack’s peace is broken  by a brash and liberated Emma Currey (played by Karen Parker), a talented big-city girl who writes charts for a popular band.  Emma has sought the refuge of these quiet surroundings at the advice of a drummer friend, in order to get some work done away from the distractions of the city.  However escaping one area of diversions leads her into the laid back life of Jack. Caught off guard by the intrigue and mystery of Jack,  Emma attempts to peel back the layers to get to the very core of his being in an effort to satisfy her own curiosity.  What unfolds in the process is Emma discovering her own deepest dark secrets as well. Canadian playwright Norm Foster is master  of the romantic comedy,  and “Storm Warning” may be one of his finest.  Foster plays to the baby boomer audience  with subtlety  dropped '50s pop culture references to Marilyn Monroe, Miles Davis,  and there's even "the pill" foreshadowed.  Captured, too, are the social mores  of the day with the strong,  liberated front that Emma  puts up and Jack’s expression of newfound,  awakening emotions. And even though some serious subjects are bandied  back and forth between the two characters,  Foster's quick-witted, often sarcastic humour is always  hugely present in the fast-paced dialogue.  Profound and yet funny - this is exactly what Foster does best, and he has accomplished  it superbly in Storm Warning. Aside from the meticulously written script,  this performance is fuelled by the on stage chemistry  between not only the two characters of Emma and Jack  but the actors Karen Parker and Phi Bulani.  The timing and delivery of their lines is spot on and believable. The acting is the best I’ve seen on this stage and is supported by well thought out set design by EricBunnell  and flawless direction by Simon Joynes. Once again Simon Joynes has chosen another hit with “Storm Warning”, to close off another superb season,  worthy of every penny and then some. Check out the website www.portstanleytheatre.ca  for showtimes. Brought to you by: www.RelishElgin.ca