After 2 weeks in India and 2 weeks of 100 degree days, Im back home in Jersey and it’s 80+ degree temps. The India experience was eye-opening and makes me even more grateful for the opportunities and life that I’ve been given. I can’t imagine living in the daily struggle of many Indians. Their faces show the toll that a life of hardship has taken on them, the tattered clothing telling of their lack of material goods, and blue collar labor. Many things I saw were heartbreaking. Many things I assumed about the country I was wrong about. Many things I saw left me in awe and inspired.
Saying India is a country rich in history is an understatement. Like I read somewhere, the place is indeed an “assault on the senses”. You find yourself being overwhelmed by so many things around you. From the smell of the curry and cumin to the blur of children running around barefoot in squalor to the majesty of the Taj Mahal, to the overbearing heat I can only describe as being locked in a hot oven, India leaves you nothing short of mentally and physically exhausted at the end of each day. I found myself doing quite a bit of reflecting on everything I experienced and witnessed. Thinking, wondering, questioning, I’d fall asleep many a night doing just that.
With that said, the most memorable event for me was getting to see my father present his Philippine credentials to the President of India. It was the first time I’d ever gotten a chance to see him do so after missing his credential ceremonies at his other postings so it was extra special for me.
I took about 3500+ pictures so give me a minute before I start getting them uploaded on here.
So it’s been almost a year since my last entry and these are my confessions this is what i’ve been up to. I went back to school, started doing more freelance, got addicted to COD MW2 (24days + of actual game time), went to California, went on more food adventures, renewed my interest in photography (not just taking pics of food & stuff), worked the Memphis the Musical Award viewing and after parties, turned 30, and last but not least, traveled to India which is where Im currently writing this post.
30 is the young person’s over the hill number. At least that’s the way I look at it. It’s a number that tells me that seriously need to buckle down and figure out what Im going to do with my life. If I had to sum up what my first 30 have felt like? Id have to say it’s been like being the Michael Jordan of baseball. Things up to now haven’t exactly worked out the way I planned, but such is life. I think what I need to do is setup a physical board of goals and just focus in and work towards them instead of going off on different tangents. It’s easier said than done and Im sure many of you can relate. I want the stability of a corporate gig, but I dont want to work for the “man” again. I want do take pictures all day, but can I make a living off of it? Do I still want to do apparel or is my heart in another area of design? Finish school or go back to work? Forgive and forget? Water or soda? These are just a few of things and questions that linger in my head daily. I do know that I need to stop questioning, stop thinking, and just start doing. Before you know it, I’ll be posting an entry on this blog entitled “Blog Much? Pt.2 – Im 40.” and still be asking the same questions.
I do have some upcoming projects that may interest some of you, and I’ll be sure to keep you all updated on them. Til then, it’s good to be back. Have a good one.
Fuck it. I live at Zeppelin Hall. I got caught off guard when I got home to see Sinorice Moss wearing an I <3 NJ shirt on ESPN. Turns out, the NJ is his son's nickname. Still pretty awesome to me.
Today I learned it’s not a good idea to play full court basketball in boat shoes with no socks and no knee brace. Not only was it extremely uncomfortable, I put my fragile knee in danger, and worse of all, I was all dressed for an early dinner and got all sweaty and dirty. There’s just something about basketball that makes me drop everything and just start playing. Thankfully, I wasn’t too late for dinner and ended my day with a stomach full of scrumptious Cuban food.
About once a year, I smoke a cigarette to try and understand what it is that gets people addicted. Today was that day, and just like every year, I don’t get it. Smoking still sucks. My fingers smelled terrible and my face felt really oily. Smokers, I don’t envy you at all. Later this evening, I watched the UFC fight at Brian’s crib and watched as Dan Henderson knocked Michael Bisping the fuck out and Mr. Lesnar pummel WEC announcer Frank Mir. Afterwards, I witnessed the finest in post fight interviews.
Fresh off her trip from California, I felt that Shannon needed to experience Zeppelin Hall first hand so off I went again for another night of beer and chat. One positive of the evening, I wasn’t nearly as drunk as I was last night.
What better way to spend a summer’s night then with friends at the newest drinking hall in town. As you can in the pictures below, I obviously had a grand ol’ time with the booze and of course, I acted a fool.
And this is what I consumed.
Breakfast: Silciliana Omelette from the VIP Diner.
Lunch: 2 Bacon Cheeseburgers and fries from Checkers.
Bonus. I got a haircut today and the lady pictured below is the lady that’s been cutting my hair for the past 11 years, Dulce.
I was on a mission this year. I didn’t wanna half ass the 4th and just sit home and watch the show on TV. I wanted to experience it in person again so I made sure to put in work so that I wouldn’t disappoint myself. Above is the map I used to plan out where I’d be watching the show and my first stop would be Exchange Place in downtown Jersey City.
Exchange Place seemed like a good spot for the show, but being the fireworks were positioned more West (i think), Hoboken seemed like a better location. I headed off towards the Mile Square City and started seeing the traffic warnings for tonight’s traffic and that only residents of Hoboken would be allowed in during certain hours. As Im driving through the town, I looked at the Pier A which seemed like good location, but I started thinking about the traffic and parking nightmare I was sure to encounter and decided to check out a few more spots.
Weehawken was next on the list so I drove there next, but when I got there, I was surprised at what I saw. For those not familiar with Weehawken, there’s a huge parking lot for commuters, workers, and for the restaurants that are in the area and this lot is basically right on the waterfront. I get there, and all the parking lots are blocked off with signs saying $40 to park and watch the show. Last time I went here, which was years ago I guess, I remember watching the show for free. Guess times changed. If I thought that was bad, I got surprised when I saw the fee to park in the Chart House parking lot which extends a little further into the water. They wanted $60 to park in their so I said F it and went off to my next location.
Boulevard East would be my final stop in my morning quest to find my fireworks spot and it didn’t disappoint. I was surprised at how tame the area was considering that it overlooked the NYC skyline and would have prime views of the show. Maybe I was there a little early, I don’t know, but the temptation to just sit there for the next few hours and wait was definitely on my mind. I parked the car and got out to take some skyline shots and take in the views and relax in the cool breeze coming off the Hudson. I knew that this was where I wanted to watch the show.
Newport Skyline in Jersey City
Closeup of the NYC Skyline
Panoramic of the NYC Skyline (Click on the pic for the 1024px version.)
Fast forward a few hours, and of course I mismanaged my time and traffic was getting bad by the time I was done with my errands and other things. I asked to be dropped off close to Exchange Place case the roads were already closed and I marched on over to the waterfront and walked til I couldnt walk no more. A fence had blocked me from walking any further so I buckled down and just hoped that the view would be good enough. Before the show started, I got a chance to take a few pics of the NYC skyline again, the sunset, and the area around me. About 20 minutes of that, the show started, and I stood there, took pics, and enjoyed the show. Hope you all had a safe and wonderful 4th. Enjoy the pics!
Here’s a video of the last 6 seconds of the show….lol I know I was a little late with it.
