Brooklyn Flea Market

Rob looking at some old map.

Chuckie's brides

Mr Sexy Mos Def himself hit up Fort Greene Festival. The day was full of vibes and boootiful people, and it was FREE!!!....I had mad fun. Check out the snaps :)

Slyvia, Dipo, Ronnie and Moi

The lovely Jess and Mariella

Sexy Mos Def

I regularly catch up with my girlfriends back home, via BBM, What’s app or some other free communication method (Give thanks for digital technology). We start with the general "How u doing?”, "How’s your family?" chit chatter. Then without a doubt the "You got a man yet?" question pops up. I always answer "No" (unfortunately) followed by an explanation of the mad experiences that I've had. And yes, I've had some crazy experiences in the NY dating world. Let me fill you in.

*Disclaimer*
Names of people mentioned in the post have been changed/omitted for my personal safety (I ain't kidding). Keeping them anonymous also ensures I don’t get sued, as for some weird reason everybody loves to sue in the US.

Date #1: UNDERCOVER GUN POPPIN' GANGSTER

* He looked a bit like him, cute huh?  

Picture this. 6ft 2inc, dark chocolate, muscular build, jet black locs swinging past he’s shoulders. It was a look made for one of them nude black men calenders (gotta keep it real) lol. Surprisingly, it wasn’t actually he’s looks that caught my attention; it was he’s Tribe Called Quest ringtone, as hip-hop is my heartbeat. I was at work, and he was delivering the Dasani water and the sound of ‘Bonita Applebum’ echoed through the silent office so I had to turn round. I saw him and smiled (any sane heterosexual woman would of), he came over to my desk; we started chatting and exchanged numbers. Following on from there we exchanged a few text messages, telephone conversations and then he invited me out and I accepted. 

We met in a Chinese restaurant close to where I live, he came dressed in a white tee and jeans – the casual look, the way I like it *big smile*. The food was nice the conversation was somewhat ok; we discussed regular things like he’s job, my job, how I was enjoying New York. It was pleasant, but nothing like the 'deep' convo's I'm used to.

The meal finished, we left and he dropped me NEAR (safety first) my house. There was mini hurricane outside so the plan was for me sit in he’s jeep until the possibility of me being blown away was eradicated.  So we sat, and talked. He then proceeded to show me the photos of himself in he’s i-phone, which I thought was bit weird, but whatever. So as we were scrolling through the photo’s one in a particular caught my attention. It was extremely disturbing. It was a self-taken photo. He was standing there looking in a bathroom mirror holding a gun to he’s head. So I asked the obvious question “What are you doing?”, he was like “I was having a bad day”, I replied “So you put a gun to your head!??”. Any regular person would have ran at this point. But no no, not me, I don’t do normal. Being the inquisitive person I am, I stupidly digged a little deeper. (I'm actually shaking my head at myself writing this lol).

So anyway, I asked him if he's ever used the gun before. He's response was a straight-faced, police examination room style  "No comment". It rolled off he’s tongue like he’d said it many time before. He decided to put the icing on the cake when he then proceeded to give me an unprompted in-depth explanation of the situations that would lead to him killing me with he’s gun. Let me remind you, this was still a date! He was talking something about having to eliminate anyone that was a witness to one of he’s crimes. Yes, ELIMINATE. To be honest, at this point I weren’t really paying attention I was focused on planning the quickest and safest exit strategy. Midway through something he was saying, I politely said goodbye and ran (Usain Bolt speed) home in the storm.

It’s typical that the first date I go on in NY is with a undercover gun poppin’ gangster.

So, my search for 'My Soul Mate Husband’ continues…

*Source

GILBERT "GIL" SCOTT-HERON

April 1, 1949 – May 27, 2011

I wish you a peaceful transition brother.

"The first change that takes place is in your mind. You have to change your mind before you change the way you live and the way you move......the thing that's going to change people is something that no one will ever be able to capture on film. It will just be something that you see and then  all of a sudden you will realise, I’m on the wrong page or I'm on the right page but I'm on the wrong note" - Gil Scott-Heron

Check the video below....

 

The whole being a vegan idea seems impossible when every time I step into a Crumbs Bake Shop.

I'm not a big fan of cake to be honest, but when it comes to carrot cake no one can keep me away. Its second in line to yellow packet peanut M&M's (which I'm currently addicted to). Crumbs do the BEST carrot cake in New York and the whole wide world, they're so moist and yummy. Oh and apparently the shop was on Sex In The City. See below pictures of  mine and Tana's visit to Crumbs.

The Divine Carrot Cake

Tana being Ghetto in the Cake Shop SMH

Me admiring the Carrot Cake

Tana and her cake, not as good as the Carrott Cake

Tana being weird Tana

The remains of the Carrot Cake

I certainly could

Last week I was in my element when I spent half a day volunteering as part of the New York Cares program. Nothing makes me happier than giving back and helping people after all smiles are priceless. When this program was brought to my attention I signed up on the website, attended a 1 hour orientation session then ey presto! I was good to go.

On the website there's hundreds of projects to choose from such as reading bedtime stories to children, planting trees, jewellery making. Something for everybody. I decided I'd have a go at sorting clothes in a Housing Works warehouse. Being a shopoholic may slightly have influenced my decision, I'm not gonna lie lol. Housing works has thrift stores (charity shops for my UK people) all across NY, their proceeds going to helping people homeless people that are living with AIDS. Sounded good to me!!



On the day I caught the 7 train to the Warehouse in Queens. I had no idea what to expect when I first got there, but  thankfully everyone was warm and enthusiastic. The warehouse was full to the brim of donated second hand clothes, shoes and bags. I've never seen anything quite like it.

 
I was assigned the task of putting coats on hangers.

The clothes that I hung up

Whilst I was there I made friends with Crystal and Marsha to very animated talkative characters. They were hilarious.

Crystal (back) Marsha (Front) and the green tees

Marsha and I

The earrings and I

I feel I made positive contribution by being there, although I was only hanging up clothes the energy that I took to complete the task will in the long run help somebody in need. Its what they call the 'ripple effect'. I'll definitely will being do another project so time soon. Watch this space.

"Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly" - Proverb

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