Halloween 2011

So Halloween 2011 does not quite compare to Halloween 2010 but it came somewhat close. Face it, Halloween 2010 had a pleasurable trip to New York, change of scenery, shopping, breakfast in Pershing Square...it will be hard to top that. 

Okay, so current year. Bummed that I was not taking an exciting trip this year, I stayed home on Friday night, watched the tube and reacquainted myself with my couch, you know how that goes. Received several texts from friends that were out and about wondering why I was home. What can I say, I've lost my edge?

I did not want Saturday's fate to meet Fridays so I was dressed and out of the house with no known destination except to drive out of my home. It took everything in me to get out of the house, in fact it took me two hours to get dressed and I wasn't even in costume! I just got really comfy with my home digs, not good. I decided to go to P'cheen and have a "quiet" drink. It was early, the bar doesn't get really busy until about 10pm, so I thought just sit at the bar have a nice drink, nice dinner, and just chill in an atmosphere that is not my living room. 

However as I arrived at P'cheen all hopes of having a "quiet" drink were out the window. I got there at about 7:15 just in time for their Hell on Highland Halloween party. Yep, you heard me right, Halloween party. They went all out too, free buffet for a couple of hours, free beer for an hour, ghouly decorations, silly string, bar staff in costume, and 10 DJs rotating spins all night. They took it really seriously and apparently they do this every year. I had no idea. Well, I should have had some type of idea...it's Halloween weekend, tons of parties, tons of people dressed in costume, everyone, perhaps except me and about 7 other people (I counted!). 

So I chilled and had a pretty decent time at the gig. Amidst all the funny costumes, men dressed in drag, disco glam outfits, pimps, angels and the ever popular Village People, I ended up having some intellectual conversations with some people. One who works as an international contractor in Africa (and has been to West Africa several times) and a lady (with a pink wig and pink tights nonetheless) who goes to law school part-time. Day jobs from people in drag, who knew! 

Sometimes you bump into events that fate has destined for you to enjoy, and you just have to be open to possibilities for experiences, to say, "So this wasn't what I planned but I am open to where the night takes me." That's one of the advantages of being single: being spontaneous. To tell you the truth, I've never been to an actual Halloween party. I've been clubbing on Halloween weekend and most of the people were dressed in costume but not an out and out Halloween party. To attend one without ever planning to go one, was pretty spectacular, this one's for the record books. It was a fun night filled with many oddly dressed people...I particularly enjoyed the gentleman in the Gaddhafi outfit, I thought that was a nice touch. And the bishop with the incense chalice...seriously dude, that was a trip! 

I thank the fate gods for putting together a fun evening and I didn't even have to get dressed for it. I wish I had pictures of all the funny costumes but some things are better recorded in your memory.

To everyone...Happy Halloween. 

Reminisce

I stayed up late last night reading my blog, my past entries. I read up on the trying times of 2007/2008 when I had just finished my Master's Degree and had applied to so many jobs and got turned down. It was one of such rejections that put this blog on the map. Every one else had been turned down by that particular company so they came to my blog for solace. This time also lead to so many comments, so many judgmental people, people criticizing my life choices, my decisions, which I deserve because I was putting so much of my self out there, on here. But at the time no one else except me was reading this shit, but once that review of that company came up, I was now center stage, that and the Yelp incident just set my life on blast, and then of course, the "attorney guy" incident, and just everything just imploded.

I realized based on people's comments and my reading of my thoughts years later that I have changed considerably. For me to read those thoughts and think they must have represented thoughts of someone else, that means those no longer represent my thoughts. Some salient changes not a lot. But what I mostly noticed is that in as much as I write about my disappointments and sadness and constant melancholy on here, I never write about my joys, which to be honest with you do exist. Anyone reading this must think what a sad, sad girl, I mean she is on an "eternal man hunt", "eternal job hunt" she wants to move to Iceland, she hates Atlanta, she is just so negative, what a sad, sad girl. That is... true, but I am also a happy person, if I may so. I guess I didn't open a blog/journal to celebrate the happy happy things that happen to me, quite the opposite, I thought it'd be a good way to release tension, of all the sad sad things that happen to me. I mean life is a constant search for meaning, and this blog represents me searching for that meaning, for the focus to my love life, my home life, my career, my internal peace. 

There have been times, not that many, but there are times when I feel really blessed, and I won't deny God His praise, there are times when I think Oh, God you just saved me from that shit, I thank you, OR, Oh God, this just happened, I can't believe this just happened to me...Thank you so much for that, It felt good. Like every time I've been on vacation, every time I've gone on vacation by myself and have come home safe, every time I've walked on a street in a different city not knowing where I was, at night and somehow still made it home safe. Every time I've had a plan, like drive from Santa Barbara to LA by road, or eat fish tacos by the beach while you watch the sunset, every time I've made one of those type of plans or dreams and they have come to be, it's a good feeling. Every time I get an offer for a job and they say on the phone, we want you to start on this date and the pay is this...I think Hallelujah, how did that happen to me. Passing my International Tax law exam when I was out of a job...that was God's hand right there. Getting a job just in time for my brother's visit to America - I so did not want him to meet me unemployed. I did end up getting 2 jobs actually, which I worked back to back...that was a momentous occasion. Then, finally, going to New York last year for something as frivolous as getting a tattoo...waking up in Atlanta, making it to the plane 5 minutes before they closed the gate, and arriving in New York just in time for breakfast...it just made feel like a baller. 

So it's not all doom and gloom. There have been sad moments I know. There have also been moments that I've chosen not to write about maybe because they were not my proudest or maybe because I would rather keep them to myself. Like making an obscene pass at "Trouble" in a bar while I was wasted out of my mind...exchanging angry texts with him like a child...actually thinking he gave a shit and making plans to spend his birthday with him. Pffttt...what can I say I am not proud of those moments so why put them down on paper. 

As a promise to myself and this blog, and to me who happens to be the only person reading it, I promise to be more positive, to always see the glass half full, to celebrate the good times as much as the bad, and to bore you all with news about the good times as much as the bad. Yes, Iceland sounds great but they don't have 90 degree weather which I love, so hey, it's not all bad in Atlanta. It's not all bad in my life. :-)

All in a nights work

I did a "three-fer" on Thursday night, commonly known as the act of visiting 3 places in one evening. Yes, me, and on a school night nonetheless. Gosh, I can't believe I did all that and made it into work this morning no questions asked. Not even hungover one bit.

I have been home since returning from my trip to Miami. You know I often or not suffer from vacation blues, otherwise described as once I taste the sweetness of life outside Atlanta, I feel oh-so-sad to come back to my routine ATL life. It is a sickness, also known as "vacation withdrawal."

I decided to shake that off this Thursday and took in a three-fer, would have been a "four-peat" but, the last place has parking issues and I didn't feel like dealing with all that - on a school night - nonetheless.

First location.

I attended the opening of Derek J (of RHOA fame) salon in Buckhead, The J Spot Salon. This had been advertised as having an open bar, passed hors d'oeuvres, hair demonstrations and a DJ. They had me at open bar regardless. The event itself, of course, being a hair event was filled with all the best looking African American gay men Atlanta has to offer, clad in their funky supposedly "fashion forward" outfits. The women were fashion forward too, a bit too much for a week night for me, but I am old so, anything short and daring in the Fall (weather was rainy and clocking in at 60 degrees) is a bit much for me. But I must commend the good hair that was on display. The open bar was sponsored by The Perfect Bartender providing all the Remy Martin variations they could think of. Using one bartender for a thirsty crowd is quite a stretch, it was hard for her to meet all our thirsty demands so the line for drinks was always quite lengthy.

The event itself was not a whole lot of fun but it was eye candy worthy. The fun factor was strained by the nicely dressed people standing at corners, pouting like Derek Zoolander, not being friendly just because they wore their Sunday best. Comon people, when you dress up you don't have to accessorize it with an attitude, seriously, it is really not that deep! I said Hi to a couple of people and instead of responding, they moved away from their tables causing me to think, oh well. Derek J walked in and hugged everyone in attendance, including me. I thought that was so sweet. I don't know him at all, and he came up to me and said "Hi Sweetie" with a hug. That made me feel good. Upon leaving they handed me a goodie bag, a choice between Phyto products or natural hair care products from Miss Jessie's. My nappy haired self chose Miss Jessie's. The goodie bag was packed with a punch, lots of hair goodies thanking me for just stopping by...that made me feel good too. I promised I would give his salon a shoutout for such an awesome well planned event. Asides from the surly folks in attendance, it was not a bad time at all. Good luck to you Derek J.

Derek J from RHOA

Second Location

Live at Loews. Some unknown band playing covers. They covered Jason Mraz, I'm Yours and it sounded bad. How can you mess up that easy song, how hard is it? This was a bust. Ended up chatting with some guy on a work trip from Oregon who just absolutely adored our wonderful city. It always amazes me when people rant and rave about how awesome Atlanta is...is it really? But I digress.

Third Location

Kat's Cafe. Open Mic set at Kat's Cafe on Thursday nights is usually a riotous time. It's always a lot of fun, with or without a crowd. This night there was no crowd and I still had an amazing time, dancing to amazing renditions from a quality band, everything from Chaka Khan to Michael Jackson and of course, John Legend. You dance, drink, laugh hysterically at some foolishness, it's a good time. I also had the pleasure of meeting Tony Terry (which I had never heard of until I googled him) on his way out. I embarrassed him by asking him who he was since everyone seemed to be coming up to him to introduce themselves to him. How could I not remember him...it's age I tell you, you loose your marbles.

So, suffice it to say that my three-fer night went well. I have the goodie bag from Miss Jessie's and signed autograph from Tony Terry to prove it.

Vacation withdrawal gone. 

Exhaustion

I'm exhausted. You know sometimes you can get literally exhausted by the state of things, not just physically exhausted, but emotionally, personally and professionally exhausted. I'm exhausted just thinking about all the things that could exhaust me.

Meeting new people doesn't excite me as much as it used to. Perhaps that novelty wore off, I don't know. But when I go out and people talk to me, I just keep shaking my head in my mind, thinking, I am exhausted and whatever you're selling, I am not buying...and that's that. I just think people are exhausting...spend all that time getting to know people, acting like you care and oomph, they are gone. It's exhausting. Plus, the people in Atlanta think they are the shit. Exhausting folks, the lot of them.

I should have a better mindset considering that I just got back from a 5 day trip to Miami. Miami Heat as they say. Even that was exhausting. The airport was exciting though. I love travelling, the excitement of taking off and arriving in your destination, going through a strange airport and then, making your way into the city, your mind filled with butterflies and lots of glee. It was a fun trip but I didn't party at all by choice. I just wanted to chill and take in the day by blogging, sipping pina coladas by the pool, cuddling up in my hotel room and eating very good Italian food (which there is a huge amount of in Miami BTW). And I did all that. It was excellent fun, fun under the sun. As the last day quickly rolled around my stomach started to turn, Oh-er, it's time to get back to reality, get back to Atlanta (and it's exhausting needs) so after I took in the very best I could of Miami on that last day (the 1st of October BTW)...took one long lingering look at the palm trees, I knew it was over.

And we're back. Back to Atlanta, a week later, and I am just running out of energy. I can't really compare the 2nd half of this year to the first part which was so fun and flirty. This 2nd half, so far, is disappointing me...even with the Miami trip. But in a keen effort to stay optimistic, I will not complain, just hope that more fun latently lies ahead.

Miami Recap

I just returned from a 5 day visit to Miami.

What can I say? Miami, as exciting as it sounds is like a deep dark (or sunny) hole that just sucks your money, gives you a little fun and lots of sunshine in compensation, but it sucks you dry nonetheless. I came back with an empty purse, this is even after I begged myself to keep my money very close during the trip. The last time I went to Miami was 2 years ago, and even then I vowed to not come back until I've lost 50 pounds and can comfortably wear a bikini. You would think, why go back so soon after, with the pounds still in existence. Well, my sister was on a business trip with the hotel paid for until Friday so I thought, why not, I deserve a break from the Atlanta social scene (which is getting rather tired by the way), and I could use some sunshine.

So I guess writing about my trip would not really work for this site as it was not an entirely solo trip per se. At times I was accompanied by my very married (oddly conservative) sister. During the day I was by myself, but at night we roamed the streets of Collins Avenue, Lincoln Road and of course, Ocean Drive. Ocean Drive, oh how I've missed thee. This was a much quieter version of Ocean Drive if I may so. So quiet that I could walk comfortably on the narrow paths of the street without bumping into people, without being propositioned by drunken men, without being shoved by women trying to find a spot to barf! Not sure I like this version that's devoid of theatrics. Maybe, this is Miami in the off-season, with as much sun but not as much color, no frills, just derelicts. Perhaps, this would be a good time for me to unleash my non-bikini ready bod at the beach. Hold on, not so fast.

This trip also afforded me the occasion to visit with other sides of Miami. The down town area, Biscayne Boulevard and Coconut Grove. All of which were all artistic driven - or artsy-fartsy as they say. The downtown area with the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Arts, also took in the random Mona Lisa Exhibit, then Coconut Grove and the Coco Walk Art Walk that very conveniently occurs on the first Saturday of the month. Now, I can place the crazy side of Miami with the artistic side, which is an unknown side to Miami.

All these people gathered for a free HIV test. Nah, just kidding...it was Oktoberfest.

Downtown Biscayne Boulevard and 2nd Ave

Adrienne Arsht Center Downtown.

The View from my downtown hotel room at the Hilton.

The intersection of Collins Avenue and Ocean Drive.

My last glimpse of Coco Walk.

Miami Heat

Me after one too many. There's a theme in there somewhere.

Coconut Grove...Boats on the Bay. How tranquil.

A few observations as I spent my days roaming the streets.

1. Coconut Grove I suppose is the Buckhead/Ikoyi end of Miami. Very quiet and withdrawn with yuppies on their bikes or their boats along the bay. Interesting turn. You always think everyone would want to live close to the beach because that's where the action is...after experiencing this place and it's welcome quiet, I would take this over the beach chaos. It was a refreshing pace to Miami.

2. Biscayne Boulevard - Whilst on a a leisurely stroll through Biscayne Boulevard, I bumped into Lil Wayne's official tattoo artist - Dow Hokoana (a very big tatted up, long dreaded having blonde lady on a Harley, yep, screams do not mess with me). That was unexpected.

3. Coco Walk - Art Walk - Unlike the art walks in Atlanta where the wine flows freely because there are hardly people in attendance. Miami's Art Walk is packed. 30 minutes after start time and the wine has run out and the food was following closely behind. Either people came just to eat and drink or they really do love the art. Can't decide?

4. Miami folk are not very chatty. The Bartenders probably don't even know what it means to be personable, maybe cause they force feed you with the gratuity charge every where you go, or the fact that for most of their wait staff English just may be their 2nd language.

5. I was surprisingly the only Nappy haired chic within a 100 mile radius. Folks even stared at my Nappy Do as if I had lost my mind. I guess, the Nappy haired movement hasn't made its way to Miami. Or, the black chicks have to stay trendy and on point to compete with all the bodacious Latinas, beats me. But seriously until I got to Atlanta, I still hadn't seen a sista with Nappy hair throughout my 5 day stay.

6. The gentleman at dinner at Lulu's who just happened to be celebrating his birthday that night. We were talking about looking your age and getting older and he just casually mentioned that that day, Saturday, October 1st was his birthday. It just caused me to look twice at him and think, this is no different from what I would normally do on my birthday. I would sit at the bar of a restaurant and order some very good food (he had steak tips) to enjoy with some wine while people watching and taking in the day and the long year ahead. He didn't as much as want to tell the bartender that it was his birthday, which I would do to score some free booze. He just wanted to sit there and drink rum and cokes, and rest and commiserate about the year ahead all by his lonesome self.  It got me wondering that if men can sit alone on their birthday, why is it such a big deal for women to do the same.

7. Finally, another gentleman at dinner (yes, I had dinner twice on the same night) who mentioned something rather memorable. He said, when you take pictures, even if it's just a hobby, it should have a theme. He said he has a friend who takes pictures of strong women, and another who takes pictures of homeless people...all such valid themes. I take pictures but I don't have a theme. I just take them to match the mood I am in, at that moment, especially if the scene is something I want to replay forever. I guess, I probably should think about a recurring theme.

So that's Miami in a wrap. Fun times. This time I promised that if I ever go back (along with loosing 50 pounds) I would stay close to Coconut Grove to take in the tranquil palm tree lined streets but also close enough to feel the heat and excitement of South Beach.