New Perspective of Red Bull Cruisin in Atlanta

When I received the opportunity to cruise the city in the Red Bull Cruiser with the Wingers & crew, I didn't hesitate to seize the opportunity. I will be the first to admit that when I rolled around to Hotel Palomar on Friday, I was a little surprised. I was a little green to assume a wrapped PT Cruiser would be waiting in the wings....

The Red Bull Cruiser was hot off of the 3,000+ mile trek from Santa Monica, and fully tricked out to give me a one-of-a-kind tour of the city.

All fridges were packed with Red Bull product. The Wingers were in full spirit. The promo freestyle footballers were ready to perform at every stop along our 5 hour journey, and I received a front row seat to it all.

I had the opportunity to catch up with a fixture in the Atlanta Soccer Community and "Urban Soccer Mom" Jill Robbins at two Soccer In The Street exhibitions where the Red Bull promo freestylers showcased their best tricks.

And...all of this soccer activity was to the backdrop of a concert volume, iTune playlist of UGK, Jay Z, Gucci Mane and Trick Daddy. It was definitely my speed!

Thursday in The Blue Room

Four months ago, I put the call out to several studios. I needed to find a temporary recording location for my international radio show-Eat Soccer. It so happens that I received a number of responses--and when I decided to switch to an intown Atlanta location, The Blue Room Recording Studio was the perfect choice. Fortunately, Bill worked me in Thursday morning and it was a quick and easy session. We even used his iPhone for the telephone interview with football freestyler, Ecobol. Technology is fabulous--

Now, if only I can record my entire show in their studios via skype...It is a thought!

Check out the Blue Room Studio recording of Eat Soccer radio on the audio player above.

13 Degrees & 8 Takes: Red Bull on Ice

My Monday got off to a whirlwind start. It was 5 days before the US Final for Red Bull's Street Style, and I was coordinating some serious reporting for the event. I placed on my agenda the following: land an interview with one of the finalists in time for the Thursday broadcast, shoot a quick promo clip beforehand to let my listeners know about the event and my surprise guest, find a recording studio convenient to everyone involved--including my camera guy, record the broadcast--and let all these things be completed ASAP. Was it a tall order? Yes! However, there were some adjustments here and there that had to be made. For instance, the promo clip shooting location was changed from the marquee in front of the building to the roof of a parking deck overlooking the city. It looked nice, right--and if you missed it here's the link to the extended clip Eat Soccer/Red Bull Promo. Unfortunately, we shot 8 takes of this clip in what felt like 13 degree weather at 7:45 a.m. It was not fun out there, and my hands were burning by the time that we finished.. But what's a Red Bull/Eat Soccer promo clip without an extreme condition? I wouldn't trade the experience for anything!

Are You Even Here?

How often do you go through the motions of your everyday routine? Well, I must admit it seems to be pretty often when I am in familiar territory.

As misfortune would have it, I changed lanes on Peachtree Road a few weeks ago and "lost" my side mirror. I was so preoccupied with my running list of errands that I didn't see a Mountaineer in my blindspot before casually sliding slightly into the left lane.

The horror! The driver yelled at me, and I exclaimed, "I'm so so sorrrry. I didn't see you!" In a matter of days, the issue was resolved, and I kept it moving.

Now on yesterday, while timidly darting across the road, my workout partner said, "Qiana, sometimes I watch you here in Atlanta and wonder how you make it all by yourself in these foreign countries."

Apparently, I return to Atlanta or to Seneca or to any other place of familiarity--and literally, check out. I do enough to cross the street, drive my car effectively and who knows whatever else.

As a person who has read stacks of books about living in the moment, I wonder if my moments are too full that some important things "like paying attention" seem to fall through the cracks.

In the Studio: Red Bull Street Style Competitor

Go Girl, It's Your Birthday!

If you know anything about me, my birthdays are a BIG production. This year I did a totally different approach. I didn't plan one minute of it.

Part of this approach was the result of a hectic schedule. Last week, I went to celebrate my sister's 18th birthday. As a follow-up to the Eat Soccer! radio interview with international massage therapist Vickie Torrey, I collaborated with her (on Thursday in Charlotte) to film a self-massage video for athletes that will be available on iTunes in the upcoming month. Fast forward through business calls, emails, reading and house visits...and we are at 10:32 p.m. on December 13th.

Full of birthday dinner, I am proud to say that this has been one of the more interesting celebrations. Interesting it a good way--and ironic--because I see some similarities between now and right before I relocated to LA and to Atlanta...(insert cliffhanger here)

Change is inevitable. I am happy to have experienced so much during my Dec 08-09 year, and now I am welcoming all that is in store for the next one.

Keep hanging on for the ride because I can guarantee you that it will not lack in entertainment..

Qiana Brings Soccer to Shortwave Radio

I know you have been wondering what I have been up to for the last few months. For those of you who haven't followed me on Facebook or Twitter, it can be a bit challenging.

Just hang tight. I will be revealing our next, great soccer adventure very, very soon. In the meantime, I can tell you that I have signed on to broadcast my first ever radio show. It will be available worldwide through the shortwave radio station, WRMI (Radio Miami International). Who better to take me and my evangelistic soccer message to the huts, favellas, barrios, beaches and streets of far flung places across the planet?

You can catch me hosting my show Eat Soccer! from 8:00-8:15 p.m. EST (0100 UTC) every Thursday. For those of you who do not have a shortwave radio, do not worry. I've got you covered. Catch me on WRMI's live streaming broadcast at the listed time above.