my something new

So, today I headed out in the afternoon to Williamsburg. Yep, I was making my first trek to McCarren park and its Renegade Craft Fair. When, I hit above ground I realized that I was just a little disoriented about where to go. But, really is that anything new when you’re riding the subways in New York. Nope. At least not for me. You don’t get the luxury of seeing landmarks and stuff underground. Unless, that is you call the changing movie posters and subway streets markers. And, I don’t.

I kindly asked a couple to point me in the direction of McCarren park. I took a walk south and discovered a cute little coffee shop – very cute. Then I made a left over to one of the entrances of the park. As I walked in with my view on the white tents in the distance I knew that I still had a lot of ground to cover. I followed the other park goers in front of me knowing they’d lead me to my destination. But, if all else failed all I’d have to do was follow the sandy dirt road

Following the road eventually led me to craft fair. I walked the circumference of the crafty do-gooders selling their wares. Once I made my rounds and after a pair of earrings, small c and a package of slivered hand soaps I was heading out the park.  Then I realized that I still didn’t see the intersection the invite asked me to check out. So I walked into what seemed like a b-side to the larger space. There, I found a beautiful pair of earrings! The adventure was definitely worth it.  Full of joy, I headed out of the park at the intersection the invite mention. I made my way up towards the subway consciously taking a different route. I noticed two venues that looked really cool. Both were eating destinations and I made a mental note to get their names so that I could remember it as an option to visit.

 Sometimes, no, many times we get stuck in our own habits. We go the same route to work or on our way home. We go to the same market – I get it they are the “ only  ones ” that have that “thing” that you want. But then how about going to another market in the same chain just for explorative purposes or another market altogether to see fi you’ll find something just off the cuff and totally different that you might like or even love?

As I got closer to the train, I realized that the street before really didn’t have much of anything. Would I have found that out if I chose to go the exact same way as I come. No. Much of reporting and being a writer is actually being there. There’s nothing like that first-hand experience to be able to write about something great, something undiscovered.  So, take a different turn even if it leads nowhere. At least you’ll know where nowhere is.

 cde

 

Weekender

I’m one to read online. You name it – blogs, articles, view slideshows, tweets, updates I’m all for it. However, I still like reading my news, arts and cultures between the thumbs of my hand paper to face. I don’t think anything will ever trump that experience. Except for the immediacy of getting news online or through anRSS feeds that could only possibly be printed the day after if it happens after the edition of the newspaper comes out.

I’d be ambitious if I subscribe to the New York Times.  I absolutely do not have time to read the paper everyday. I’m sure it will pile up with the other magazines I’ve read or skimmed through and neatly filed away to a polite corner near the window in my living room. Sidebar – I’m going to take care of that real soon okay.  I’ve thought about just subscribing to the Weekender, – a subscription to Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s papers. Not bad, I figure since Sunday’s paper is $5.00 alone, unless that has gone up too.

One thing that has deterred me from getting the Weekender is that I actually enjoy getting the Times on Thursday.  It has a nice Arts focus and the Thursday styles – both sections which I like. I feel like it keeps me abreast on the most important things New York city feels is important about culture. I didn’t have time to pick up one in the morning before getting on the train. I made sure to head to the bodega after work on my way home to get one because if it wasn’t going to read it that night, I knew I’d get to it – sooner or later. I walked into the store and I’m glad I looked at the price $2.00! What! When did the New York Times raise its price by 50 cents. How did I miss that? I’m sure that it hasn’t been years since I’ve bought a Times. Shoot, when Barack became president it was still a buck fifty. Glad I had two ones with me. Just think how foolish I would have looked confidently proposing 1 buck and 2 quarters. I don’t think so. Matter of a fact, I’m going to rethink thinking about getting the Weekender too.

cde

 

my 25 cent. mines.

I know we’re in a recession. I know the economy has tanked. I know that people have lost their homes. I know that eating out Is a luxury, shoot, even getting a nearly $5 Starbucks drink can almost be considered a frivolous spend. Somehow I’ve managed to still buy the things I love like my teas well they don’t cost that much. But, I still get my yogurt granola’s from next door, I still buy out during the week, I still manage to enjoy great fish dinners – be it salmon or trout or something other wildly caught sea creature. However, don’t ask me what bill was paid on time or not. Just know that they were paid, well most of them.

But, today I went down to BAM to get tickets for a friend and I to Alvin Ailey. Exciting, right? Yes! Now, I was a little hungry for a snack. I decided to go healthy and stopped by the street fruit cards. I usually just get fruit with a cover on it – like a banana. Its my opportunity to get an on-the-go snack without being super expensive. Like, when I stop by the local bodega they actually weigh the banana. And, that costs a whole lot more. I mean do we really have to weigh a banana, people. I remember a time when I’d go into a local little store and it was just 25 or cents. Now, if we were at an actual grocery store, weigh me and all my produce. But, I’m also expecting a high quality of fruits and veggies, but c’mon at a street cart I’m not expecting a whole lot.

So, I walk up to the cart and the Indian looking man there and eyed his yellow bananas. Great! Fresh and not bruised just how I like it. Cuz, I hate a bruised, borderline saggy banana. So, not cool! So, I picked out 2 bananas at 25 cents each or 3 for $1.oo and then a peach. Now, I don’t remember how much each individual piece was but the total he quoted me was $1.50. I handed him $2.00 and then the exchange went like this.

 “Take another banana.”  

 “I don’t want 3 bananas, I only want 2.”

“$1.50”

 $1.50? For this?

$1.50 for three and peach.

No, I only want 2.

Then he feigned kindness, and reluctantly changed my $2 dollars with a return of 75 cents instead of the 50 cents he was trying to give me. The audacity! I get it, you trying to get your sales hustle on too, but don’t try to work an extra 25 cents outta me, that’s my 25 cents if its only 1/32 of what it cost for me to get a soy latte from Starbucks.

 

The Instinct’s Find

You have to trust your instinct. Only you can feel it and hear it. I work on listening to mine. When I do, it never fails me. The other night – Monday when I was functioning on 3 hours of sleep – I had a lot going on. After work I attended a dance talk at Joyce Soho. Then, I wanted to visit the vintage store to find something to wear to my memorial celebration. But, I was feeling tired, the weather hinted of rain and I had my laptop with me so my bag was uber-heavy.

The talk was at 6. I arrived there on time. For the next hour or so I just got to sit and not think which actually relaxed me. So, when I was done I had the desire to still go the vintage store. Albeit, I felt weak. I had a banana for some energy and hopped on the express train to Brooklyn. Within 15 minutes, I was walking a couple of blocks to the store.

Once I got inside I just had a feeling… a feeling that I was going to find something good. I noticed a pair of heels off the bat. They were a green patent leather with a nice heel – at least 3 inches. There were name brand but I can’t remember the name now. The only thing was they were a size 9. But a small size 9. So, I picked them up just to see. Then, I started going through the shirt racks. Then, I walked over to the dress racks. I found something that looked like a possibility but I wasn’t 100 percent sure. Next thing I know, I went over to the shirt rack and noticed a pair of heels. BCBG heels! Say what. Too hot! And I saw the size 7 on the bottom of the shoe. Too hot! They were hot and also because I had some shoes just like this on my radar. I held on to those babies along with the other dress and the other pair of shoes in my hand. Then, something caught my eye from the purses in the center. Was it what I thought it was? The logo looked like Gucci. I picked it up and the logo looked authentic. I opened up the wallet and looked for the insignia. Found it! Oh my goodness. I had to get it. And it was only $6.95. Man, I’ve been looking for a wallet as well, especially one before the SA adventure. Man, a pair of heels, and a definite wallet! I felt good.

I went to the scarf rack. I always have to look there. I found a black scarf that I wasn’t 100% about, but there was something about it. I saw an old-school top that looked kind of cool so I picked that up too. With my hands more than full and my bag propped against a wall I decided I had enough to initially try on.

I went behind the brown curtain of the dressing room. I tried on the BCBG heels first. Winner! Loved them!!! They fit perfectly and felt so comfortable. I tried on the other shoes, cute but too big. I tried on the dress, ok but not a must have. I tried on the shirt – un-un. Nope. But, what I did have was a pair of shoes and a fabulous wallet. Just think, what if I didn’t come? See, you gotta’ trust your instinct.

cde

 

Black Eyed Peas

Its spring but it doesn’t feel like it. Its quite windy out and the sun barely made a showing today. I just feel lie winter should be over so that spring can do its thing. It was nice and sunny Sunday – abundant sunshine- and I slept most of the day away after running the marathon.

So, tonight as I came home I was so excited to just be able to be home and not have to go anywhere. I stopped in at the coffee shop. They had a black-eyed pea soup with vegetables. It seemed like it could be tasty. However, I instantly remembered black-eyed peas from my childhood. And, that memory didn’t include me eating them because in my mind – that was adult food. I can’t even remember the last time I had black eyed peas, must be years. I’m glad tonight I decided to give myself a new memory. I tried a sample of the soup and loved it. It was a nice consistency. The soup was a gravy brown with peas, carrots and corn. Man, who would have thought that the combination would be so yummy. I’m going to have to start looking for black eyed peas on menus.

cde

 

Will blog for film

What u won’t do…  do for film. La la la… you’ll stand anywhere…sing with me even in 30 degree temperatures battling the flu la la la to see something. What did I stand for – the film examined life at IFC in the West Village. I really wanted to go to see the movie as well as Mr. Cornell West who was to appear in person afterwards.

Last night was closing night for a film called “The Examined Life.” I’m glad I got tickets before leaving work. I went right after my meeting and opted not to go home and change. I’m SO glad I did. The line was 6 store fronts long which wasn’t as long as 6 stores would measure in a suburban town but still long for New York. In fact it isn’t even a short city block in New York especially  in the west village. I digress. This was truly one of those events – moments really – that made me feel like a New Yorker. It’s a moment when I’ve acted like a New Yorker too. Not that I was about to let my $12. 50 go to waste because it was rather chilly nor was I thinking of how it would be well after 12 once I get home. Technically that is early for this city but I was sick. Ok, yes the thought of home was in my head but my money was spent.  I wasn’t going back home.

You see, this documentary is one that I’ve wanted to see since I first heard about it. Sure it will screen somewhere else but hey its screening here first and this is where I’m seeing it.   I love how people don’t know how to obey a line. It’s clearly one line and a guy is next to me as if he’s my companion in the line. And, now I see him trying to inch up, that’s so not flying buddy.

Crazy, I’m so tired!  And, I’m out here in the cold.  Only in New York.

 

3 hours.

Since I slept for four hours in the middle of the day, I was wide awake in the evening. I was determined to get some writing done. I really wanted to go to the coffee shop. The dilemma, most of the coffee shops around here close early. Yes early in N.Y. The one downstairs closes at 8. The one down the block closes at 8. But, there is one Tea Lounge about 10 minutes walking that closes at 1. That’s where I really wanted to go. However, I’m often comfortable being close to home.

Since I had an abundance of sleep I decided to make my way to the other tea lounge once the ones by my house closed up. I packed my bag with my laptop and began walking. On my way there a bus came so I hopped on. Within a couple of minutes I was there. Once inside, I ordered a pot of tea. Although I had half of a soy latte at the previous café, I couldn’t sit in here and work and not order anything.

I believe I only had one cup of the pot of tea while I was there. What was so cool about being in that space with tons of other loungers was that I was just motivated and inspired to do my own thing and get my work done. I felt so good when I was able to start crossing the to-do items off my list. Yay! The downside? By the time I got home I was still wired with a little energy left in me. When I finally went to sleep I only had 3 hours until it was time for me to wake up to go to work.

All I have to say is 3 hours is not enough time to properly function on a Monday morning at work.

cde

 

15 miles!

Today I ran my first 15 miler in prep for the L.A. marathon. It was suppose to happen last week but the run was quite rough on me so I didn’t make it.

However, today was a lot better for a number of reasons. One, we started early before the sun came out. Our goal was to start about 5:30 but we didn’t make it out until 6:15. It was okay. But when the sun started to come out all I could think about was man, if we were out 45 minutes earlier I could of save my skin from the sun’s exposure. Thankfully it wasn’t in the heat of day and I didn’t get tanned that bad.

So, we also took snacks. The day before I got 2 tangerines and some fruit chews for us as snacks. Running 15 miles shouldn’t be done without any replenishing. I think that is why last week my running part A.B. almost passed out! Ha! It wasn’t funny then but we laugh about it now.

We got a couple of bottles of water. I also tossed some jelly beans into my back pocket just for some extra juice. I wasn’t nervous the day before as I felt I was preparing pretty good. The only thing I didn’t do was drink enough water; I don’t think I even had a liter. Can you believe that? And I did have a brownie during the middle of the day because I did proctoring. Someone offered it to me and I took it like it was gold. Ha! For dinner I do have two pieces of nut raisins slices of bread with jam, I needed some carbs. Then I made dinner, salmon and veggies. It was so yummy. I felt quite prepared and most importantly I felt light inside which is always a good feeling. I woke up in the middle of the night only to not be able to go back to sleep. I fixed the play lists on my IPOD which was really cool. I felt like I had new music even though it was rearranged differently.

To complete the prep, I had a banana about 3:30 in the morning and a handful of raisins and then I called it a night. I was up within the next two hours with gear on and ready to go. We walked up to the park and felt the cool breeze. A.B. was cold, for me it was just right. Once we got into the park the weight of the run was on me. People often asked what goes through your mind when you run. What do you think about?  Everything! I think about the past, the future, last night, getting through the next loop, hoping my mind doesn’t give out and make me stop, how much farther I have to go.  I mean jus everything.

So, when we started I had a personal goal. I wanted to run the first two loops totaling about 6.7 miles without stopping. Then I would pause for water. Afterwards, I’d run the third loop and pause for some tangerine and more water. Then coming to the 4^th loop I run straight through until the end. I knew I’d lose m running partner on the hill and that was okay. However, visually it messes with my mind to see her gain space on me like that. But I had to remember we each are running our own race. We each tackle the hills and running differently.  There is something about having her in view on those first two loops that inspires me. It lets me know that ‘m not far behind and that I am still a contender. And for the first two loops I could see her. After that, I knew she was ahead of me but just wasn’t sure how far. 

The other cool thing about running Sunday was that there was a triathlon on in the park. How motivating!  Man, even though they weren’t going to start until 8 o’clock when we would nearly be two hours into the race I was still amped to be among some other fellow runners. Doesn’t get any better than that right! Sure enough as I came around for the third loop I was running right them. What a nice preview of marathon energy.  On the 3 rd loop I could feel the effect of the hill but I took my time. I told myself I only had one more to go, although I knew good–and-well I actually had too. Then when I came around for the 4^th loop I was hurting while coming up the hill. But I talked myself through it and just pushed until I got to the top. I allowed myself to take a complete pause and stretch. I looked behind me constantly to see if A.B. was coming and she wasn’t. Thank God. If she was I would have died because I knew I still had a good 2.5 miles left. I began again determine to finish the 4^th loop and when I did I was so happy to make it to mile 13. Now, I was chartering path that I hadn’t done in a while not since last year’s marathon. I could feel it boy could I feel it. I still kept pushing myself, I said just make it through the trespass way that would lead to the final hill. And, I did. I walked for about 3 minutes and then ran up the hill. And then it hit me, the urge to go the bathroom! Oh no, I was a good 15 minutes from being able to come in at 3 hours. When I checked my watch at mile 13 I was just 3 minutes behind my 13 mile time from the last run. I rushed to the bathroom, felt a lot lighter afterwardsJ and headed back on the trail.

Man, I had some sprint in me. All of a sudden my legs were spry and I was sprinting home. Home I could see it. And finally I made it right on time with 2 minutes to spare to 3 hours.  It was done.

I feel the pain, my stomach is a mess, my legs are soar, my butt hurts but I’m happy. 15 miles! Baby, 15 miles!

 

cde

 

flash aint dancin

Each time I did it, I told myself I shouldn’t. I knew that someone could pull it out, bump into it by accident, that I could hit it up against something unknowingly. All these unfortunate accidents because of my choice to comfortably leave my flash drive in my computer while traveling could potentially break the motherboards back.

 

That’s exactly what happened today. Only, I wasn’t carrying my laptop on the subway with the red BW button in view. Nor was I on my way to or from the coffeehouse in a rish to get to the next place. Instead I packed my bag in the house on prep to later leave to go to the coffee shop and then took it out on a whim while on the phone just to see if I could get online again after previous unsuccessful attempts.

 

As I sat my laptop on my lap I saw something that looked liked a usb in my port but the cover wasn’t there. “Oh no” I said. What happen to my drive. Before I officially went into uber-panic mode I try to retrieve a file that I was working on. I was unable and felt the fear of the worst overtake me.

 

This isn’t the first time I’ve been on an emotional brink of oh my god how could this happen-this is happening – if only I followed my intuition- line of thinking. I know I’m no tech-guru-gadget-smadget let alone motherboard repairer. But I could see a little cicruitry board inside and knew that was not good.

 

I phoned a friend, yea was trying to use the nearest tech lifeline I had. Everything that is now, that i$ working on is there. Good thing the most major in progress work I have a print out of. Whew. But there are ideas and files there that I need. Kinda’ like what I had stored on my bberry before I had to get the master reset. Which reminds I need to back up my bberry too. Aww man I just remembered that one of new blog idea is there too. Snap!

 

So, see a friend is suppose to meet me on Monday for help. Thank Goodness. I cant’ stand it if my flash stays dark. So,  for now info on the new flash will get  backed up. I want to push it in and see its lights dancin’ dancin’ like a….you know.

 

 cde

 

yay no. 14

I use to think that MAC had the monopoly on cosmetics for women of color. I must say they’ve never done me wrong. In fact, their use to be a man named Roger in l.a. who worked at the Westside Pavillion who could hook my makeup UP. Yes, I intended for that last up to be UP ha! He could make my almond eyes edible. I mean they were so fierce I wanted to drown in my own reflection. The last time he did my eyes was for my parents 25th anniversary I believe.  I’m not sure where he is now. Hotness!

 

 

So, last year I developed a slight skin pigmentation issue. As it worsened and  I went on the search for some facial makeup to just cover up the spot that eventually would turn into spot(s). For this natural girl it took a moment to get used to the idea that I now needed makeup. In addition, I now had  to carry a little tube of makeup – sampler really – and being conscious of needing something to cover a blemish.

 

 

My first attempt at finding a color didn’t fare well. I felt like I had orange makeup on top of my honey skin. How could I go out in public like that? On top of it all since it was summer, the sun tan my skin making the orange color brighter and thus worse.  Whoo….not good!

 

 

The hunt began. I went to visit a couple of makeup brands,  MAC included. I just couldn’t get use to the consensus that I was getting from these “color” experts that the solution to covering the two spots was to do a full face of makeup??? Could you imagine…me with a full face of makeup everyday? I just couldn’t. Besides, one of the lines required that I base my face with a hue of gray first before applying the color that they suggested.

 

 

I remember when I was younger saying that i never wanted to put on a face and become that “someone” who couldn’t leave the house without wearing makeup. And now, I felt I was about to eat my “never” words. I remember when I was younger, my dad telling us that we should never say what we never would do. Pun intended I believe. So, I always tried to never say “never” when it came to jobs or menial tasks, or just things that I knew I “never” wanted to do, just so that I wouldn’t have to eat my words. Once, my dad said never and had to eat his words and he said it was a hard lesson to learn.

 

 

Now, here I was having to eat mine. But, if I took care of the problem, stopped feeding the disorder I knew I had a good chance at preventing myself from ever having to wear a full face, ever. Get it – ever, not never.  Last summer, one makeup artist turned me onto coverall 16. It was really cool.  Then, it seemed like a near close match. I realized too that as fall approached my pseudo-summer tan went away and my natural color blended seemingly well with the makeup color. 

 

 

Perhaps I liked the color so much because I keep low lighting in my house. So, I never really saw how bright the color was sometimes until I hit true light – like the sun. So, I always had to check myself in a fully lit mirror so I could see if I applied the color evenly. I learned to apply an initial layer lightly followed by another layer to darken the color a bit. I quickly learned firsthand what I never missed about not wearing daily makeup.  As soon I ate – whether biting into something or putting my mouth on something – I could guarantee that my makeup was coming off. Hmmph! What’s a  “I-dont-want-to-wear-makeup-girl-to-do?”  Cue sip out of straws, eat food requiring utensils only and keep a constant tube of makeup as my companion.

 

 

I’m happy to say that the tube I bough last fall just ran out, quite the longevity for a $30 tube. But, it wasn’t like I was using it on my whole face anyway.  I made a trip to the makeup store and I think I secretly yearned for something different. Once inside I bypassed coverall no.16 to test another color -  no 14. I dabbed it on my palm, the color seemed to blend in almost immediately. I was pleased.  I think I was onto something. I let it sit and then blended a little more over it. I got a tester bottle.  When I got home I tested out the color in my mirror. The initial application looked very light. Uh-oh what did I do? I relaxed. I added one small layer over it. Loved it! This color is actually so much better than what I had. Yay no.14! Makeup isn’t so bad after all especially when its just for a small cover up.

cde