"You want Wasachi?"

My friends Tonyia, Andrea and Stacey were in town this weekend so I hung out with them and finally made it to Canal Street. I tell you that is the most interesting place I've been to thus far in NYC.


I heard stories about these Asian people who take you to a back room for the knock off bags and how true it was. The experience wasn't quite as sketchy as I would of thought but still quite and experience. You literally walk down the street and people come up to you. "You want Gushi, Lou Paton, Wasachi?" It took about 5 seconds to really figure out what they were saying but I got it. They get on their walkie talkies and signal for fresh meat coming in. It is a well organized operation I must say.

Saturday night we went to a comedy show. People have always approached me for $5 tickets on the street but I never really went. Well this time we went, and even though they get you with a two drink minimum it was still a fun night of entertainment. Four comedians, the first two were OK but the last two were great. You know it is high end though when Ashy Larry from the Chapell show is the headliner.

Sunday I met everyone in Manhattan for some more shopping. I bought 2 pairs of shoes and the girls didn't buy much at all. Who is the one on vacation? Anyway after a long shopping day we all headed back to Canal street to get Stacey's dress. Lord let that child get her damn dress. I am glad we went back though because we got the TRUE canal street experience. Cops breaking up the African sidewalk sales, and best of all, buying watches and purses from a man in a mini van.
When the door to the mini van opened we thought we were getting busted by the cops, but low and behold a strategically designed knock off shop was inside.

After our long day of shopping we went to Jacks in Time Square for dinner and then to the 40/40 club. Dinner was so good and there were more people at 40/40 than last time, but I definitely won't be heading there on a Sunday night again for a while. The girls were nice enough to let me crash with them in the city on Sunday night so I woke up headed to work and surprisingly was good to go for the rest of the day. It hit me the next day though, I can't party like I use too. It was so good to hang out with friends again, and enjoy some Southern Hospitality.

I must admit though the best part of the whole weekend was finding out that the McDonald's in Time Square had REAL SWEET TEA! Just goes to show they ain't all the same. N train here I come!

Does this diaper make my butt look big?

Yes that is what Morgan's onesie said, but more about my newest niece later.

I headed to Jacksonville last weekend to see Erika, Michael and the babies. I knew it was going to be a great trip when I met my fabulous flight attendant Stephen. I typically only get the pleasure of being waited on by a gay African American flight attendants when I head to Atlanta, but I was in for a special treat. As he walked by he smelled powder fresh and I knew that even though my flight had been delayed, my vacation could now officially begin. The best part was when we landed, Stephen got on the intercom and said, "All you's guys that were freezing on this plane, well you in FL now so enjoy the heat. I'm stayin in with the AC until I head back to Philly." LOVE IT!

Now onto more important things, Morgan and Addison :) Morgan Lane Sharp is the newest addition to Erika's family. Usually I am not that into babies, I like them a little older so we can play. Something about Morgan changed all that for me, or maybe I'm getting older and realize I can't break them. She just turned a month and all she wanted to do was snuggle and sleep. I was in hog heaven. I never had so much one on one baby time and it was great. I didn't even care that she constantly farted on me and spit up. She is so cute that I just let it all slide. She is such a good baby too. She only cries when she is really tired or hungry. I tell you Erika got lucky again!

Addison warmed up to me a little faster this time. I think it helped that I was just there a few months ago, but hey I'll take what I can get. By the end of the trip she was loving me, we played puzzles, laughed and sang "Uh Oh Spaghetti O's." She even said "Shannon me like you" talk about making my weekend! All in all it was a perfect vacation. I got to nap, got a little pool time in, laid out in the sun a bit, had a girls night, and got my toes did. That is why I love visiting Erika, I really get a chance to relax and that is what a vacation should be about.

I flew back Sunday from FL and then Monday I flew out to Dallas, TX. I flew on a work trip so not much vacationing there, but it was my first trip to TX so I was soaking in all that I could. When they say everything is bigger in TX, they ain't fibbin'. The churches were huge, the mall was huge, and yes I even saw super sized Jelly Beans. I tell you they are doing big things for real in TX. Overall the trip was good, I learned a lot got to see a lot, but got sick on the flight home. Needless to say I am sure my world wind of traveling played a big part in it, but I think it was my bodies way of rejecting coming back to Jersey where it has been raining forever! I miss Erika, Michael, Addison, and Morgan, but I think I miss the warm weather and sunshine more. Come on Mother Nature, can Jersey and NY get some of that sunshine? I'll be your best friend :)

Get it Girl!

I am finally glad to say I am offically dating. I swear only me can go from nothing to two dates with two different guys in one weekend. Playa play on!!! Yeah right I'm sure that will change quick ya'll know how I am :)
I met a guy from Jersey City and we did the whole walk in the park and dinner thing Saturday night. He did introduce me to the hood side of Liberty State Park. I should of known even the parks are segregated up here. I wouldn't say I would venture to that side to ready my book or enjoy a walk by the water, but you best believe if I want to find a cookout I'll be there. Just passing and smelling the charcoal made me hungry. Dang I miss a cook out! I must admit though the people watching on that side was so much better. There was a Zoolander wanna be, a Ving Rhames wanna be and best of all a questionable woman who looked like George Lopez. Gotta love Jersey.

Sunday it was the Brooklyn guys turn. So I took the PATH train and then the 3 train to Brooklyn. I have to say it because all ya'll would be so proud of my non-direction having butt getting around up here. I tell you it is a sight to see. Anyway an hour later I arrived in the Park Slope area of Brooklyn. This was my first non-tour guide trip to Brooklyn so I was excited. We had lunch/early dinner at a Thai restaurant. We ventured out and got the fish cakes, big mistake, but everything else was good. Then we tried to go to the Botanical Gardens, it was closed. Then we tried the museum, it was closed. Whoever said NY never sleeps must only live on the first Saturday of the month when things stay open later than usual. I find all kinds of crap closed all the time. Anyway after everything was closed we sat in the park and chit chatted. This man was born in BK (Brooklyn), went to college in BK and now works in BK. Now I am by far a well traveled individual, but I know there are other wonderful things outside of BK. Seriously he said that BK has the best parks and the best fountains. Actually he called them waterfalls, um...yeah that is what a BK education gets you :) Needless to say I had to set him straight about other parts of the world. I guess that is what you can expect from a 34 year old man who has never ventured to the south. Not even VA, I mean dang there are other places just as beautiful if not more than BK. But hey he is just proud of where he comes from.

To sum it up Jersey boy tops Brooklyn boy, for now anyway.

Bad Week

Do you ever have one of those weeks you wish you could just erase from your memory?

We are wrapping construction up on our last skate store so of coarse it was one problem after the next this week. Everyone trying to blame everyone else and me stuck in the middle. I got cursed at by our project manager while on a conference call. I swear if I wasn't the professional I am he would of known a thing or two about his attitude. So after I dealt with his crap, all hell broke loose on 3 of my Foot Locker projects.

Finally Friday was here and I was so happy, then damn if I didn't loose my work wallet, which included my work badge, metro card, transit card, and debit card. Then I walked home in the rain and about got my eye poked out 12 times with other peoples umbrellas. I need a drink but damn it my cruise in is 70 days and I can't spare the calories. UGH!!!!!

Thanks for letting me vent.