No! I don't have ebola or the plague, BUT I still have some mojo! Yea baby yea!! Three seperate times today I caught women checking me out, and dammit I don't know when the last time that happened. The first time I was walking to the stretching area of the gym and this woman is watching me as she is cleaning the glass door she's working on. Then again as I'm stretching I can see her checking me out in the mirron. When I go to the gym, I'm not big on socializing. I have my music, know which machines I want, and go straight to them sans interaction. It's probably rude because people have actually tried to say hey to me and some I've missed, and others I've walked right on by without noticing and it was too late to go back. The same thing used to happen at school, and I can't tell you how many times people have asked me if I were mad at them because I never said hi. It wasn't that, it was just that I was so zoned out that they literally went right by me.
Mojo experience #2...
happened when I was doing crunches and this one woman and her friend, walked right up between my legs and said, "motivate us! do another 50!" They then plopped down and flanked me and did crunches with me. The one left saying she's gonna workout with me tomorrow. It was endearing, but not likely.
Mojo experience #3 occured on the way home from the gym, I got that feeling that someone is watching you. I look over and this woman in a black acura is doing the "drive and stare" on me. I do a double-take because I'm thinking this isn't happening right? She WAS looking over and like a DORK I didn't smile and she fell back. GRRR on me!
I still got it biatch! Ahem, excuse me, did I say that out loud? Look, I haven't gotten that kind of attention in I don't how long and I'm enjoying it! LOL May be it was the moon, may be I had something up my nose or there was somebody hotter behind me. But dammit I'm gonna enjoy this! lol Now I gotta loosen the hell up enough to smile back and not be so much of a dork. In my defense, I'm usually too shocked to smile because I can't believe it's happening. haha!
Today's original entry was inspired by an international news segment on NPR (National Public Radio) and it talked about how smiling is treated in different cultures. That's right, simply turning up the corners of your mouth. People always tell me that when I'm walking somewhere, that I look like I have a scowl on my face. Well, no, I'm not mad at the world or anything. It's just that at that given moment there's nothing to smile about, so I'm not going to grin like the village idiot from Point A to Point B wherever I go. I will admit I probably could soften that look up a bit.
Anyway onto today's entry which was inspired later on in the day with someone I know/knew back in Santa Barbara. I was trying to explain to Jennifer this THING in my head that causes constant associations/degrees of seperations to occur. For example, I'll hear a song and from that song jump 4 or 5 hops to a place or thing, from whic that song reminded me of. People who have witnessed this, think it's either really funny or nuts because it happens instantly and they usually don't follow the train of thought that leads me to the final hop. Here's where things get jumbled and most who don't experience this phenomena can't comprehend: Since my memory is deep (going back as far as 3 or so) COMBINED with this association thing, there are a lifetime of experiences to call upon.
Makes sense? The title X-Factor is a play on how in the comic universe mutants have special talents because of some skewed bits in their genes. Well I go the short end of that stick, if that is the only 'power' I have...haha! On the real that skill, for lack of a better word, comes in hand when I meet new people. So when I meet someone I can something about that moment and associate it with them and try to lock that person in my head. Yes, I am a shameless networking whore, but people like to be remembered.
Now, this does NOT mean that I want to remember everyone I've come across. Mercifully fate isn't that wicked as to make it so I never forget. No, I don't have a photographic memory, but I have been known to take mental snap shots of scenes and people - which I think is normal. The ____ thing, and I don't know what to put in the blank because it could be good or bad, is that some associations I don't choose to remember and they stay with me for a long time. Take Jennifer for instance, there are a number of things, that I identify her with because of who she is and our brief history going to the same school.
Finally, this phenome for the most part is totally uncontrollable on my part. It runs in the background of my brain and when something familiar pops up - bam there's that person or thing. Sometimes it is something/someone I want to remember, and other times it isn't. Most people when they hear that I do this, think I make a conscious effort to remember and associate and I wish it were so. If I could, I wish I could turn it on and off selectively. Asaunta's sister and I do have the similar, err, quirk of remember people usually by stuff they wear.
There is something very, very therapeutic about pummeling a heavy bag. This was my intention of going to the gym today. While at the gym I wailed on the heavy bag using every kick and punch combo from tae kwon do I could think of. When those ran out I did some kick boxing improvising with elbows and knees. This went on for about 30 minutes and then I did cardio. Muscles are sore I totally forgot could be sore. For example, round house kicks take more than just leg muscles, I am being painfully reminded. I had forgotten the amount of abdominal effort is required to pivot, help lift a leg, and throw said leg into a target. That effort is increased exponentially when a double kick (high and low) is done. WOW this smarts. Hurts so good...mwhaha!
Soundtrack to this slugfest was a few choice MP3 tracks from Prodigy. Nothing else is better when you want to beat the crap out of the bag.
I gauge what kind of day I'm going to have by how many green lights on the way to work I hit. It is a totally random and arbitrary way of starting out the day, but there IS something gratifying about doing the speed limit and hitting a lot of green lights.
Last week was a vacation from everything save for work. I came home and was totally slothful. The only thing I didn't do was pig out. For the most part, I don't really pig out. But the last few days I've been having the breakfast of champions that consist of the McDonald's breakfast menu #2: Bacon, Egg and Cheese biscuit with a medium orange juice and hash brown. These things are killer, but so damned good.
This is a great segue to my hitting the gym again...LOL. So I'm at the gym working on this machine called the 'hammer strength' something or another that works shoulders mainly and indirectly biceps and chest. It's the 2nd exercise on this day, after the inclined bench press. I'm sitting on this machine about to do my 2nd set, listening to my music and spacing out. I see something in the mirror that makes me snap to. I'm looking at that space that separates my pecs and I think to myself, holy shit do is that MY chest. It was just there! Not huge or any, but I havenft see that kind of definition in my chest in I don't know how long! I have a ways to go, but dammit I'm getting more and more motivated!! Several people have commented that I've lost weight and look different. Even though Ifve only 'technically' lost 2 lbs according to the gym scale! GRRRR!!!
This is the period for re-connecting with old friends and one can't go wrong with that. This evening I drove into DC to meet up with my old friend Melissa and her parents who are visiting the Capitol. Talk about more good times! I haven't seen any of them in over 9 years. Mel and I went to an Afgahni restaurant and the food was off the chain. I had the supreme platter thing with 4 different kinds of meat and this delicious basmati rice. Asaunta was right in calling the food sort of like Indian food that's not as spicy. The flavor was on point though.
As a side effect of this meeting, I have a new favorite shirt because Melissa complimented me on my chest - mwhaha! So I guess it was me under the shirt, but I really do like the shirt no less. It sits on my chest and shoulders perfectly. Carson would be proud.
A couple of things about this weekend slipped through my novella yesterday can not go without mentioning! On the drive to New York Asaunta and I saw this written in the grime, in BIG letters on a dirty panel truck: "I'm Rich BIATCH!" It had us rolling for miles after! If you don't know, it comes from Chappelle's Show in the segment where Congress approves paying slavery reparations. Yea, right, like that'll ever happen. Still whoever wrote that needs props!!
There's been all this talk about how high gas prices are going to cause people to use their cars less. Well, you know I think friggin' toll prices would have stopped that a long time ago. Me, personally, this weekend paid about $30 in tolls ALONE. That's more than half of what my gas for the trip cost driving 700 miles. Most of those tolls were assesed coming and going in DE where they screw motorist sans the benefit of a reach around. Dupont practically owns that state, so why the hell are the tolls so high?? It costs 5 bucks to enter DE and another 2 to leave it. Makes you wonder why you'd want to enter! When we went to NY tolls were paid there too, but don't know how much because we used an EZ Pass. I bet NY bends you over too.
One of my co-workers does this thing with the way he says, "that's great!" It comes out one-part sarcastic, one-part sincerity, and one-part pretty damned funny! My weekend was great! And that is ALL sincerity!
Friday: I went shopping at the Old Navy Outlet near the house and there were some really awesome deals. I stretched myself from going with my usual solid colour ensemble and tried to mix things up. I actually walked out of there with 3 different shirts that were cool and not just plain. The cargo shorts were a given because that's why I went there in the first place. On this note: the sizes I normally wear don't fit anymore as they are too big, which proved a pain in the ass because my pants were falling off me all damned weekend! I was doing the drooping thing and didn't want it! Anyone know if it's allowed to exchange clothes after you've worn them? I doubt.
Saturday: In a fit of spontaneity I drove up to visit Asaunta in New Jersey and that was just great! I met up with her sister, g-ma, and aunt it was good times hanging out with people from the islands again. Adequately explaining the significance of this is almost impossible. My accent came back, old lingo came back and it was just great being around my people again. We went over to Raisa's and hung out watching TV and trying to figure out the best way to twist my hair. I haven't laughed that much in a long time!
Sunday: Slept in. It was great! Then Asaunta and I went to one of my favorite places in the whole wide world: IHOP!! Wooohaa!! I have been craving IHOP for a long ass time and so has Asaunta, and we didn't hold back! She got the bacon omlette with pancakes and extra bacon on top. Somewhere Emril Lagasse is whooping. I had the steak omlette with country grain pancakes, topped with blueberry topping and whipped cream. The waitress, who was absolutely hilarious, just dropped off the can of whipped cream and let me have at it. I literally scooped the remaining berry topping with extra whipped cream out of the bowl it came in. It was pure, undulated, artery clogging decadence and every life-shortening minute of it was worth it!
Later that night we drove into NYC to visit with Saida, another high school friend. That was great times for similar reasons akin to those hanging with Asaunta's family. Saida broke the code as to how to do my hair. Since my hair is soft and fine for people of colour, twisting it would be much more difficult than normal.
Monday: Slept in again - so great! I saw Asaunta off to work and got back on the road to head back south. It was a short but immensely rejuvenating trip. On the way up and the way back down, I worked stuff out in my head and dammit I feel so good right now. The scenery was very UN-California because it was so green with forestation, but like my drives in Cali this road trip was very helpful on many different levels. This was the mini-vacation that I've been in dire need of. Thank you Asaunta and family!
Oh yea: got my hair twisted today (Monday) too! It looks great! Now that I've found a place that does twisting, I'm going to let my hair grow out and let it lock.
Lastly: From Saturday to Monday I literally didn't eat any vegetables or fruit, and I'm pretty damned sure french fries and blueberry topping doesn't count! haha! After getting home I fixed myself a Seinfeld-esque big salad and my colon should be squeaky clean again soon...haha!
Ok, so that song probably won't be as good as Sting's Englishman In New York, but I am in IN NY as I am writing this!! Woohaa!! First trip to the Big Apple!! Woohaa!! I'll write more about this later, just wanted to drop the Treehouse a line. This is soooooo different and loving every minute. I'm visiting Saida, another cool friend from high school. Lastly, great googa mooga the women here are fine!! Aye mami!
"He only says, "Good fences make good neighbors."
Spring is the mischief in me, and I wonder
If I could put a notion in his head:
"Why do they make good neighbors?..."
"Mending Wall", Robert Frost was so most apropos for today. Here in our development a lot of the houses back up to each other and there are no fences seperating the yards. Kids frolick and play freely, but there are some electrical deals keeping the dogs in their respective yards. About a week or so ago my neighbor gave me the low down on who to tell and not tell what in the cul desac. Well today it came true. I was off collecting my little cousins when 4 wives were standing around talking and I introduced myself. Each of them acted just like that guy described. It was kinda cliche' too because one of them was all up in my mix asking me who I am, where I came from, et al. We need some fences up in the mug. Think: Peggy Bundy.
Oh yea, none of them could a lawn to save their lives. They were using this zip zag thing that cracked me up.
Today started out the BEST in a long time. I mean, I was literally hopping up and down I was so happy! I came into work greeted by at least 4 people telling me there's an "old guy" looking for me, and I was wondering wtf? So I go back to my department and there was the guy and I remembered helping him and his wife get a new computer. One of the features this computer had was the ability to record and pause live TV in a TiVO like manner. I told them of my love of The West Wing and if I had this computer I could record the show and watch it whenever I wanted. Because of work and other stuff, I've actually missed most of Season 5 and this bothers me to know end. Well it turns out that these folks were the parents of one of the co-stars!! This gentleman remembered my love of the show and came back to the store with the express purpose of giving me an autograph photo!! I'm not going to mention the star's name out of respect. However I will say this particular co-star is exceptionally beautiful, talented and has a body from hell - she rocks 50 different kinds of hard!! I was a kick ass way to start the day! Dammit I'd love to get on that show!
Today I was struck by several things that brought a justified smile to my face. The first was when a baby in the stroller at work who looked me dead in the eye, stuck his finger in his ear, whiggled the finger around for good measure and shoved the whole thing in his mouth. And then smiled ear to ear. It was the funniest thing I had seen in a long time. Even now, as I write this I am forced to smile myself.
After work I picked up my chef's knife from Kitchen Etc. from being sharpened. I've had the thing for over 2 years and it has never been honed or sharpened. Yes, there is a difference. My knife is an 8" Wustof and I love it. It came back good as, if not better than new. The Germans make the best cutlery. Don't believe that hype about a set of knives for 50 bucks, with the a free juicer. It's utter nonesense. Most knife accidents are caused by either dull blades or knives poorly suited for the user. Wustof and Henckel knives, the 2 preimminent knife makers, are made from a single block of metal. They are perfectly balanced and will hold an edge through most abuse. One only needs about 4 good knives for cooking. They may run you a few hundred dollars, but be assured that you can pass them on to your kids.
Passing things on brings me to another thought from today. The idea of a legacy and family heirlooms came to mind. Be it piece of jewelry, china, knick knacks or as I've heard a cast iron skillet. The continuity of passing something on appeals to me. Giving something of the past to a new generation strikes a melodic chord in me.
This week President Regain died and he too left behind a legacy. He would be lauded for many things in some circles, and just as quickly denounced in others. America as a nation is young as political state, but our power and influence is rivaled only by a few others. I wondered today, what our legacy as a nation will be. In 2076 or 2276 when we celebrate our 400th and 600th birthdays, what will we have left behind? When I think about other nations that so much older than ours and their legacies it is astonishing. North African, Asian, Central American and other nations whose mark is visible to this day.
Last night I was contemplating the months ahead of what I have to and want to do. All of it is looking pretty damned fun and good, but it's all going to be crammed into a relatively small space of time. Next month is Nils' wedding and that's going to be a blast. The wedding of course requires, no MANDATES, a bachelor party. This bachelor party will be off da hinges and has the potential to be talked about for a lifetime!!
Also next month one of my best friends from high school and her parents are visiting the Capitol. I haven't seen any of those guys in dog years - literally. However, we've remained in constant contact since high school.
Then in August one of my aunts is getting married and family from all over are coming for that. Family including the ones I've met only once before but are a total blast.
While watching the highly anticipated Game 1 of the NBA Finals, ABC, one of the most conservative stations on television advertised 2 new shows: Desperate Wives and Wifeswap. They sound too closely related to be 2 different shows. Has American TV gotten this low? This pathetic? For all of our freedom of press and expression, this is the best we can do? These announcements begs one final question: who are the demographic the marketing folks are targetting?
Oh yea: Lakers lost Game 1. It was a suck ass night.
Today I had a Smokey and A Bandit experience. I was late for work and there was nothing but open highway before me. What I didn't realize was there was a cop somewhere behind me in an unmarked Grand Maquis. He lights me and pulls me over, and I'm like I'm screwed. I see him calling in my plates and I'm thinking oh this isn't going to go well. When he comes to my window, I can the attitude because I know I'm dead in the wrong. I sincerely apologized left and right, and he tells me how things COULD have gone if I had gotten a different officer. Turns out officers in this area are not very partial to people of colour. At least 3 people told that I could have my car impounded and license suspended. Even the officer himself tells me to be more careful because "you never know who is patrolling." That was pretty much my reality check. I forgot where I live. KKK meetings are regular in this area. Lesson for the day: be a little later rather than get a red neck cop pulling my ass over. Thank you officer and thank you God!
Today an officer came into work and be damned if I wasn't extra nice to this dude. My way of paying karma back a little.