big cities of dreams
and everything in New York, ain't always what it seems, but i gotta say that it's working out to be everything that i hoped for and wanted and soo much more.
day one: i couldn't wait to get the whole flight out of the way and i had to call my baby boy and tell him i'm on my way! and fyi, it's official by the way, i've been officially asked to be a pie baking partner in crime, or in cosby show terms, to "go steady"...aaahh! the giddiness kills me...it was an ok flight, not too long, and i watched 'be cool' on the plane, which was ok, but lived up to its reviews of mediocricy.
it wasn't too hot when we touched down, and i enjoyed the shuttle bus in, seeing the sights, though it kinda looked like Vancouver (which i also learned from watching Hitch)..we got off at Grand Central Station, and i commanded the troops to walk to the hotel, which wasn't that far away. i was amazed to see how much garbage there was lining the streets, but it was exciting none the less. we settled in, and walked around the block to get some calling cards and i fell infatuated with the city when we walked into the 24hr store and saw a deli, hot food, and produce....not 7-11 shit, but big bunches of cherries...at $10 a pop though, we waited until the next morning to buy them from the corner..SO Viet Nam! we got our free cookies and i scored an extra room key so that we can all get around with more freedom.
i got the tip from my baby that Shakira was going to be on Good Morning America in Bryant Park the next morning so i slept very lightly for the next couple hours then got up at the crack of dawn to walk the 16 blocks to the park. people were friendly and helpful, and i got some wrong directions and had to double back but it was all good, because i got to see the city..
there was no Shakira, but i ended up watching Jesse? Mcartney, is that his name, that little Aaron Carter lookalike? but it was worth all the standing around to be on television across America my first day, and to see Diane Sawyer and have Emeril cooking ribs in the park at 7am...the baby backstreet boy's band was soo tight though, and his backup singers were killer...it was a nice vibe and the crowd energy was good, everyone singing along..beautiful souls...and it was all in front of the library! which i was looking for, because u know i love the library, and on the other side, across from SUNY optometry school, so if jason ever finds me in time...contact me dammit! i don't have your number!
i walked back and flopped onto the bed and announced my love for the city! it smells like garbage, and it's not pretty, but i love the old buildings, and the business and the availability of everything.
for lunch, we got picked up in an escalade and went to the village, so it was a touristic nature of a different type, but i had to politely decline because i am more hands on than that, and i had a date to meet up with a certain special someone so i decided to walk back to my hotel from 8th and Broadway..it's only 40 blocks in NY heat..but i got to see the city, and i actually found my way around, and learned how to cross the street, peaceful coexistence with the zillion taxicabs? yes...a sign that it's meant to be.
i had a cold shower and changed up...met up wearing matching outfits with my boo (not on purpose, y'all!) and we cabbed around to various different spaces (we went thru chinatown and i saw the coolest elevator ever) to set up for the events that he had to take care of...the knitting factory is a cool place, nice venue and the premise of a gaming event with music (nintendo music with live band, etc.) was killer. it was nice to watch my baby do his thing, and meet Uncle Dave and a lot of his friends, and play video games for a bit...y'all gotta see the pictures. i love new york.
next up, i catnapped in the car with uncle dave to "sweet child of mine" and we discussed some "deep" issues...") by the time we rolled up the the bowery poetry club, i had hit my third wind..it was so ill in there! i love new york city events...there was a live art battle (spec-1 would have flipped out!) and emcees and djs representin'....with live musicians...aaah! holleration, but it was all cool...mainly feeling special that my man was showing me off to his boys...i was picked to be the contestant for the freestyle pyramid, though i was stuck on a single issue...but it was cool to be on stage...
last club was crash mansion where i saw my baby's heart..the jungle...and i met the other half of the friend i had met earlier, and she's awesome! but 2 asian girls in a club in new york city..means some serious holleration...but i didn't expect it to come attached with such the wackness! "u girls are really pretty. where do your people come from?" what?! but for the most part, the hollers have been good for comic relief, "yo sexy, what's poppin'..."
we ended up eating at this killer 24hour eatery, the yaffa cafe, where it was attempted to find some couscous at 3:30am, but there was none, and they didn't have black olives, but i had tiramisu instead and nibbled on various other things at the table. the vibe was very cool and the decor looked like a total fire hazard, you know how much that excites me ")
last stop was another cab ride, this time to queens and we ended up crashing with the total hostesses with the mostesses and we got better acquainted. it was nice to have a solid sleep after being awake for almost 24hrs (and out walking and doing stuff) and wake up with the sweetest sunshine a girl could know. the cat, falafel, was pretty sweet too...bringing us the toy to play with.
i've decided that today is my shopping day, so i can't wait, and we may even take the subway..the library is also waiting for us...i love new york city...have i mentioned that yet?! all4now.
