Most of you know that I love to travel. Recently, I returned to Indy (aka Naptown or Circle City). One of my old friends, invited me to her wedding. Once upon a time, I worked in Indy as a 'young', hungry co-op student. So, I have some pretty fond memories of cutting my teeth as young professional. Actually, it was one of my first legitimate 'corporate' jobs, that I secured while struggling through undergrad. I got a chance to connect with some people that I had not spoken to in seven years.
While I would never live in Indy, I did appreciate the opportunity to connect with my extended family and friends.
Anyway, I finally posted some pics of the ceremony.
You can find them here.
Despite the fact that we embraced the technology few years later Europe and Japan. The cell phone has nearly become a ubiquitous device in America. Because I made the decision to go strictly cellular, I abandoned my landline phone early last year. Hence, I happen to spend more time on the cell phone than the average person.
I also despise the idea of having wires restrict my movement. Especially, given the fact that much of my time is spent in front of a computer. Additionally, I also do a fair amount of driving. Using, cell phones while driving is against the law in some states. Yes, I typically have a few choice words for the knuckleheads, who drive bent over while talking on the phone.
Although, I too drive while talking on my cell, I have always used a headset. This guarantees that I have my eyes on the road and hands on the steering wheel. On, the rare occasions where I must dial a number, I typically do so prior to starting the engine.
Unfortunately, the useful life of these 'wired' headsets vary drastically. Most only last for about 1.5 months. I have tried the $9.00 knock-offs and the more sophisticated devices that clip to the ear. None of them impressed me at all. I finally settled for Body Glove brand, as they send you lifetime replacements. Heck, it only cost me the price of shipping the defective unit back to the manufacturer. Eventually, I grew tired of this arrangement. I just wanted a device that works all the time.
Well, I discovered the Bluetooth technology. So, the idea of a quality wireless headset for my cell, was really exciting. I took the plunge and purchased the Jabra FreeSpeak BT250 Bluetooth headset. Thus, far I'm pretty happy with it. Granted, it really works much better with a Bluetooth enable phone, not the Samsung N400, which I own. Nonetheless, I have no tethers.
No, I've not died, nor have I fallen from the face of the earth.
That would be impossible, as the Earth is round. I recently went home, and witnessed my first home Yankees game in nearly 20yrs. Although they lost 8-1, it was good to see the 2004 squad live in the Bronx. Perhaps the best part of the trip was giving a native Mid-Westerner a glimpse of life in NYC. He got an opportunity to ride the subway and also experienced the notorious Bed-Stuy section of B'klyn. We B'klynites affectionately call this section 'Do-or-Die', as it relates to the struggle and peril that most black youth face, while growing up in this area. Truly survival of the fittest.
Despite some of the advances in the neighborhood, due in part to 'gentrification', many areas remain largely unchanged. We walked with our out-of-town guest from Utica Ave, up through Gates Ave and Lexington Ave. It was very refreshing to be on the streets again, as I rarely get the opportunity to walk in the Detroit-Metro area. I listened to the conversation of the young black men and women in passing. It seems that most have a grim outlook on their survival and exodus from the slums. Lots of hopelessness and misguided focus.
After heading back to my friend's home, we began to reminisce on our youth, particularly our time at Tech. He started pulling vinyl from the many milk crates in his sound studio. One LP contained, an underground cut called Black Zombie by Nas.
The lyrics were very timely, as it reminded me of the mind state of the kids that I passed in the streets earlier that day. I suppose that positivity is in short supply, especially considering that the unemployment rate is the highest it has been in nearly 10yrs. The economy is sluggish at best. Nonetheless, I still wonder what will become of our youth? Clearly the problem is systemic and not limited to B'klyn. I can go to any ghetto, East, Central or West Coast and see the same condition. People seem unable to grasp control of their future, stand with strength and refuse to fail. I say choose life or death, or forever stay among the walking dead.
On a positive note, I greatly appreciate the fact that Hip-Hop has a few contemporary MCs that are spitting conscious gems for our youth. Perhaps even the most commercial entertainers (ie Nas, JayZ), can redirect the Hip-Hop Culture to it roots? It would be great for these artist to finish what their forefathers (ie KRS, Chuck D, Mellie Mel, Zulu Nation, etc) began nearly 30yrs ago.
Travel has always been huge part of my life. In fact as a youth it was a requirement. Although I grew up in Gotham, a place which has a huge cross-section of people, Pops always told us to venture out and see how others live. Well today I find myself in Kansas City. Clearly not a place that I've dreamed about, nonetheless a place where I've not visited before.
Purely, a business trip. I was told that this place had some of the best barbeque in the country. Sadly, I won't get the chance to sample any of it because I'll have to rush to catch a flight out of here this afternoon. Interestingly, one of my co-workers asked me to find the local grocery store 'HyVee', and purchase local favorite bar-b-q sauce 'Gates -Extra Hot'. It's clear that the locals are quite fond of there 'bar-b-q'.
I did a Mapquest search before I departed, and easily found the local Hy-Vee after driving about 10 minutes away from the airport. Copped the sauce and drove off. My co-worker also advised me to have dinner at Gates Bar-B-Q in Kansas City, Kansas. It never occurred to me that there was such a place. Something about Toto and Alice, seems to come to mind but anyway. I set out on a mission to find my hotel and then drive to get this special grub.
I drove around for nearly 45minutes trying to get back to Liberty from KC airport. Basically, I squashed any hope of getting out to Kansas to for dinner. Unlike my beloved Gotham, where eateries of all types are open until wee hours of the morning, Mom and Pop restaurants in the midwest close at 11pm. So, I settled for the ubiquitous Applebees. Ugh. Oh well, perhaps some other time. Heck I got the sauce tho.