12/17/2014 0 Comments My Happy ThursdayThe Sugar Bar is so my happy place. I was a bit annoyed because my friend Renee from the shelter invited a friend that had no money to come join us. I didn't realize that when I asked her to come with me that she couldn't pay the door cover. She kept saying "I ain't got no money " but I insisted that Renee come anyway. I forgot that I'm the only one getting in free of a cover charge. I also missed her intention when she asked me if it was ok that she invite Denise. I won't be making that misunderstanding again. Let me back up to how my day started. I didn't see Renee until 10pm.
It was lightly snowing yesterday morning as I walked the two blocks up the street to the library. In order to finish up my paperwork to get into AMDA I had to print out some papers and fax in. I was feeling really good because I was taking it slow because I was committed to going out that night. From the library I walked two more blocks to the cleaners to pick up some of my items. (Danny wasn't there thank goodness) I got back to my room and ran into Sonya the landlord. She wanted me to get a box for her when it came. I had no problem with that. A while after she left (maybe 30 minutes) it gets colder upstairs. I could feel the cold creeping through my arms to my fingertips. I immediately text Sonya that the temperature was dropping and her reply was "it's on a timer". That seems to be what she does when she leaves the house. He drops the temperature down so the heat not come on unless it's below freezing in the house and turns it back up when you come home. But her excuse is its on a timer whenever one of us mentions the temperature is uncomfortable upstairs. She keeps trying to make it seem like I have an issue because I'm from the south but the other roommate feel the same cold that I do. I'm just the only one that is very vocal about it. I got fed up with being cold and refused to stay under the covers for the rest of the evening so I got up and left. Googled target and found one, three buses away. School had let out by then and there were children everywhere. The bus was packed and loud. Sonya called me to see if her package has arrived. I told her it was too cold for me to sit in the house so I left. She was clearly irritated and hung up on me pretending like she couldn't hear me. That is the last phone call I will ever take from her. She has been so rude and dismissive that I can no longer be polite so for the next two months I will avoid her to keep from cussing her out. It's a shame that I was so excited to see a simple Target store but I was! I found a space heater and a onesie with feet! Triumphant! So how did I manage to get lost on my way back home but still having the exact same buses that I used to get there? It only took me 40 minutes to get to target but an hour and a half to find my way home. I was cold I had gotten rained on and could have easily decided to stay in but I refuse to miss another night at the Sugar Bar. Alex was the first face I saw when I walked in. I hope met Renee and her friend at the train station so after we paid to get in you went upstairs and got the only table that was not reserved. It was packed in there already and it was only 10 o'clock. The upstairs bar was full of people and despite having to pay for others I still had a little money to eat. I realize that at that point I hadn't eaten since breakfast. I ordered the wings because they looked so good on other people's plates. One plain and one BBQ. there were so many talented people singing that night. I met a guy from Mexico who was a contestant in the Mexican idol. He was so cute! He had this really sweet face and an Elvis look. There was all kinds of laughter and good energy around sugar bar all night. It was finally my turn to sing towards the end of the first half of the set. I decided to seeing the song from Dreamgirls "and I'm telling you". The piano player didn't know it so Mrs. Simpson had to play it for me. That part alone made my night. I felt so special even though she play song for everybody. I just never had the privilege for the honor so for me it is the bees knees! I've never been nervous or scared to sing that song before but for some reason I was a little jittery. I completely skipped the bridge and told the band and take it all home. When I finish the song the entire place went wild with cheers! It feels so validating to be appreciated and to be seen so many people. Especially to be seen by people I admire and respect. Before the night was over I was approached by a booking agent. That has never happened before and I could really use the work so I look forward to talking to him later. Before the night was over I did get to see George Faison again and Mrs.Kathy. To my surprise they both invited me to parties before the year is out. Looks like I won't have a sad lonely holiday after all.
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12/10/2014 0 Comments WinterToday starts a day I will regret for months.It is snowing. Yeah, I know I moved up north. Yes I was aware it was coming and yes I could have left and came back in the spring but damn I hate it. I have dreaded this for the last 5 months. I was all packed up and set to sing at Times Square today. I had checked the forecast and it wasn't supposed to start until 10pm but it was snowing around 1pm instead.
Good job meteorologists. Well, I looked good for nothing but at least I looked good. I did not go to the city. I lost a glove but found Ben & Jerry's ice cream instead and went home to a cold house. I swear, me and this landlady will be at odds real soon if she keeps this up. She is trying to pinch pennies and turn the heat off when she leaves the house. (She lives in the downstairs apartment). Yet she has a clause in the lease stating we can't have space heaters. I may be facing removal. lol I'm not gonna keep asking her to turn on this damn heat! I'm still riding high off my great news of having a full scholarship but my almost date fell off already. I was so ready to be swept off my feet by a strong New Yorker. I guess Danny will not be the one. Smh. I mean, how do you destroy something before it even starts? Are men that clueless? Have sluts really created that kind of confidence in dudes that make them think they can have it their way? Let me give you the story.
We met that night for coffee and he invited me over for a movie. Of course I declined. Told him I wasn't comfortable with that and I like to take things slowly. (shouldn't have had to say that) . The next day while I'm at work, he texts good morning. We had very brief texts because I couldn't use my phone while working. After work me and my new roommate Jacob hung out at the Metropolitan Museum of Art because we were both bored at home. Danny texts asking if I wanted to come by his house as friends and watch movies. I told him "not yet. Plus I'm out tonight at the museum". His response wasn't what I expected. He said " Im not trying to fuck you were just friends". This is his actual words I'm copying from the text he sent. I told him, I'm sure, I just can't. His response was " But hey sorry for imposing. Have a wonderful evening". I'm so annoyed at this point. My roommate Jacob tried hard to be on his side but couldn't. Jacob even tried to help me best navigate my response because he could tell I was gonna blow up. He told me to reply that he wasn't imposing. He was. Lol I didn't expect to hear from Danny today as I didn't hear from him last night after being let down. Around 1100 hours he sent the standard morning greeting. He then followed it up with asking me to come watch a movie at his place if I'm up to it later. Wait, what? I feel like I'm in a twilight zone! Ok so at this point there is no more pussy footing around from me. My reply was " I'm not. What I said at Starbucks still stands. If that's not ok with you then we can discontinue contact". He then had the audacity to say that I was being rude! Told me "Bye". WTH! THEN almost three hours later after getting no response from me hits me up with " Hey it's not going to work. But we can be friends . If you like if not take care gorgeous". Really? I dodged a bullet of selfish insanity with this one. Too many times warning flags are waving about a person and we ignore them. "I'll give him/her a chance. Maybe I'm making a big deal out of nothing. I need to be with someone, might as well be him/her". Screw that! lol I admit that it gets lonely being single. I miss having someone's arms to rest in and hearing a familiar mans voice at the end of the day. I want someone to rub my feet that I don't have to tip afterwards. I miss having someone to cook for or that would surprise me with dinner or gifts. But I will not go against my instincts. It's the one thing I've learned to trust over the years that's always on point. Desperation leads to very bad decisions that will ultimately end you up right back where you were, single or worse, with kids and single. I tell my family and friends the same thing (one day they will listen) a person has to be right for you not forced into it. This guy (like others) is playing a game I'm hip to. I fell for stuff like this in my twenties. I've learned better so I do better. Don't go along with situations that I know I'm not comfortable with in order to make someone else happy. 12/5/2014 2 Comments Blah Blah FULL SCHOLARSHIPNo one wants to hear how I've been in limbo from work at the new job while begging for days at the old job. No one wants to hear about how I've been suffering with horrible pain in my elbow everyday since April but went to the ER last night and got a shot that actually worked. The pain isn't completely gone but this is the closet it's been since before my injury. No one wants to know about how I met a tall good looking karate intructor while dropping off my dry cleaning and I'm meeting him tonight for tea. I know what you though! Getting my mail from the shelter was the best thing I've done all day!
It clearly said I'm getting a FULLY AWARDED SCHOLARSHIP! All I have to do is be on my game and keep the standards. Nothing hard, 3.0, follow rules and be awesome! I can do that! I'm missing two of my recommendations but one was sent in today and the other should be in by tomorrow. Can you say GEEKED?! I do however need to pay this deposit of $700 by the tenth and submit my registration packet. I'll be working on that tomorrow. My smile hurts! UPDATE My first "coffee " date went well. I had tea he, double espresso with light whipped cream. We met at the Dunkin Doughnuts close to me. I walked the 5 blocks kinda quickly. Most of that was because of the cold and part nerves. I didn't do much dating outside of my friend pool before so strange guys make me nervous. Weird huh? I've been single for six years so Its easy to say that I'm really out of practice. (understatement) He was late but texting me the entire time. He was coming from school. His name is Danny. His last name is an Italian one that I can't spell or remember. Smh. He was born to white and Latino parents but adopted by Italians. He has a 3yr old son and he's 39. Good grief, his thighs are as small as my arm. I had to keep my mind in the game and not have body issues right now. We talked about our families and how abnormal a start we both had. His eyes were dark and his gaze was so intense I was weak. lol He asked me "what made you give me your number"? I told him "I decided to give it a shot. The only way I will meet anyone is to meet strangers and well, you asked". I will admit that it totally threw me off when he did. We were in the dry cleaners and as I waited for them to price my items he spoke saying "good morning. "how are you"? I half turned to him to reply because I didn't know he had come in and replied, "fine thanks, and you"? Nothing big. As my clothes were being gathered he asked me if I would take down his number amd as he wrote his down on paper I told him I would give him mine. In my head I'm thinking "I hope he has a phone ". It's a common thing around here to see flip phones still being used here but he pulled out a smart phone. I try not to judge. 11/30/2014 0 Comments Taste Of SnowToday started out a little off. Well, I was off. I was getting ready to catch the bus and realized I had one minute to go so I rushed down the stairs closing and locking all doors as I went. As I stepped on the porch I saw the bus pass by my hand we're still on the doorknob. I heard the door lock. I turn to open the door and realize someone locked it and walked away so I rang the doorbell nothing happened. I'll running the top doorbell and the bottom doorbell no one came to the door. I knocked on the door, no one came to the door. So I called Sonya the landlady and she didn't answer her phone. so I rang the doorbell constantly. It wasn't until I peeked through her front window that she decided to come answer the door. It took 5 minutes for me to get back in the house but I was cold and it felt like forever. Realizing that I left my keys didn't make me feel any better. The reason I was rushing out of the house was because I was in total elation about seeing Gerald and his mom Sam again today. Today was the day I would finally get a tour with them. We met at Port Authority by the Jackie Gleason statue. From there we rode the Big Tour Bus. We took the lower Manhattan tour. I wasn't too happy about sitting at the top of the bus because I saw snowflakes as I entered the train station earlier. Mind you, it is much warmer where I live than Manhattan. But I did want to get the full experience of the tour so I sucked it up and set up front like Sam told me to. This particular tour bus burgundy and yellow, I I kinda liked the colors. The tour bus covered everything from Times Square to the World Trade Center, to the fashion district. The funny part about the tour was every area we covered was an area I had previously gotten lost in since I had been here. All this time I've been in and out of historical places in areas and had no idea half the time. Smh. After we finish the tour we were treated to lunch by Sam at TGI Fridays!
The prices are so high I almost didn't order. Almost But I didn't have to pay. Lol. We were good and full and ready for the next part of my tour which fortunately involved walking. By the time we left I could feel my toes and fingers again and stay tightly wrapped in my jacket, scarf, turtleneck sweater, sweat pants, jeans and sneakers. Gerald made fun of me because he had taken off his coat and was warm and so was Sam. I told them "I'm a summer baby I don't do cold". Sam even bought a sangria to keep us warm. I added a hot chocolate in case that didn't work. I had no idea how close the Rockefeller Center was to Times Square. The walk took no time and we could see the lights on all the trees from three blocks up. Walking through the area NBC was open to the public and I didn't know that. There's a lot of shops and food there we even passed the Rainbow Room. By then I'm cold again but I don't care. The moment we headed to the ice skating rink my mouth dropped again. I really love light! There were angels and Greek statues in gold engraved on the walls! I even saw the tree that would be lit for Christmas but it wasn't decorated yet. The amount of people out today was maddening. I know it will be worse by Christmas but I will try to brave it all. I was so excited I wanted to take pictures by everything! We even walked by Saks Fifth Avenue to look at the windows! Their windows were so beautiful and I wasn't prepared for the light show that started playing as we walked away! I couldn't get my phone out fast enough because I was too busy staring like a little child pretty lights. I'm such a kid. We also stopped at St. Patrick's Cathedral. It was so beautiful from the outside I almost cried. Everything about it architectual a perfect. It was old and out of place yet perfectly sculpted. Inside was equally beautiful except all the scaffolding from the renovations and the people who got in my way and the kids who also got in my way. You could almost feel the history of the place. I felt an energy, my teeth were buzzing. It was strange. I only felt it as I near the back of the cathedral. On our way out of the building I saw the statue of Atlas! We walked all the way back to the Port Authority station from there. I have been waiting on a tour with these people for years and it finally happened! This was my Thanksgiving. As usual this app is giving me grief with uploading pictures but I will find a way to post them. http://www.saintpatrickscathedral.org/ 11/27/2014 0 Comments No TurkeyI've been in training for the new job for over a week now. Nothing but me getting lost, struggling to stay away in a hot classroom and running home to go back to sleep. Two days ago I got the best surprise though! Gerald and his mom Sam came to NY! They came to be with family for the holidays but I got squeezed in! I must say that when Gerald told me to meet him I was in tears. He tried to surprise me by telling me he had set up a tour for me with someone in his family. He gave it away when he told her to say hi to me, it was his mom. LOL I put two and 2 together.
We met up after my training was over and they treated me to dinner. I love to eat! I was all smiles all the way back home. Yesterday morning I had to take another test for work but I managed to squeeze in a breakfast with them first. This was what I really needed. I didn't realize how starved for family I was. Today is Thanksgiving and I'm cooking for myself and watching everyone on Facebook post food and family. I did good as far as my meal is concerned. I made apple potato salad, potato soufflé, asparagus with mushrooms and garlic cloves, corn on the cob and reheated baked lemon pepper chicken. It was good. Would have tasted better with a side of company. Ahkeem my roommate was in and out but headed to be with his people. The landlady Sonya had been cooking all night and has he family over. The only reason I even saw her today was because she stored food in our fridge and because our shower was leaking into her bathroom. LOL. How can she be irritated at Us? How were we to know that if the sliding doors were on the wrong side she would get rained on? Oh well. Once it was fixed she offered to bring me a plate. I don't trust it. That was an hour ago so I don't think she meant it anyway. This is really a silent night. I should have let Ahkeem lend me his TV like he asked when he first moved in. I could go out see the lights that I'm sure are up but I'm in no mood yo battle crowds and cold weather. I'm too full and dehydrated to cry. Today, I don't want to be alone. 11/26/2014 1 Comment Watching My First ShowLife has been mundane and boring up until today. I was so happy to have gotten some donations over the last two weeks. The nee amp not working has crippled my hustle game. I'm thinking about going it solo on the trains till its replaced. Idk why I'm so hesitant. Today I put all that aside.
I Wasn't able to get the audition in But Mr. Faison was cool enough to let me come to the show! It's actually an old firehouse! The cutest theater! I know Phaidra of Infinite Arts back in Atlanta would flip to use this stage! Although this is the matinee, seats are filling up pretty fast. A lot of the patrons are older. I get the feeling that these people know there stuff when it comes to good work. I've never seen "Ain't Misbehavin " live or even since I was a kid, watching it on TV. The air here is vibrant with excitement and chatter as we wait. UPDATE! As Mr. Faison opened the show he introduced me! OMGS He even told me to stand up and sing a quick song. I was in shock but opened my mouth. And what comes out? The title song. I sung the first verse of "Ain't Misbehavin " and immediately received applause. After I sat down I felt like a total fool. Of all songs, that came out of my mouth? I really felt that was in poor taste on y account. I thought I was prepared to sing just in case he asked but not like that. I even brought my songbook for belters. I didn't let on that I was mad at myself but I was punching myself mentally. He also introduced his very special guest and friend, Dionne Warwick! Maybe that's why I was so thrown off. I've got to get the star struck thing under control. I didn't want to approach her because many people were. I knew she was there to enjoy herself so I figured I would try to get in a picture with her after the show. Cab you say AMAZBALLS! The show was on a small set but if felt larger than life! The 5 singers who's names I MUST learn were some real show stoppers! I couldn't help but applaud loudly at each song. I want that stage. I need it. 11/19/2014 0 Comments New StartsI've been getting up all week before the butt Crack of dawn (3am) to be in training at 6. The course is a week long and testable. Super boring stuff security. And outside too? Another thing I do not want to do but oh well. Do what I gotta do right?
Mr. Faison told me last weekend to be looking for his call and life must go on. Im having a hard time getting the right clothes for this weather on this budget. Where so I shop? Who has my size?! Shit! What size AM I? I am truly a Sponge Bob body now (like grandma jokingly called me)! I think my thighs are a size 14 now. I have however come down to a 2x up top from a 3! Slowly but surely I'm gonna be stripper fine! lol Things are looking up! As I'm leaving training for the day I get a call while I'm on the bus. It's Jackie from AMDA! IM IN! IM IN! IM IN! I've been accepted for the spring semester! She hit me with a whammy and told me I need to drop $500 to secure my spot and but IM IN! if only I haven't been out of work again I would have it. 11/5/2014 0 Comments While I WaitThis app is being a pain again so I can't post any pictures. Smh. While I'm waiting on word from so many areas I've been hitting the streets with my new equipment. My solo venture to Times Square and back to 14st Station hasn't yielded the same ends as before. I have been having sound issues like crazy. I thought the equipment may have been in n damaged in the mail but I was wrong. I bought a cheap AUX cord to go from my phone to the amp. It's already shorted out. Luckily I bought 2! I know I'm on borrowed time with that one too. As soon as I can I need to collect more cash for a quality cord.
MEAN WHILE IN NON MUSIC LAND MY new job got canceled. I'm still with the company but the contract has changed so I have to be placed somewhere else. I was told not to worry about the security licence at first. I shouldn't have listened. Now I need it. There was a huge miscommunication with me and the hiring manager at the office. She gave me a paper and told me to go there for the new position but what she failed to say was that I was being interviewed for the position. I thought maybe I was taking a picture for a new ID or getting new uniform. I was so wrong. I'm wearing black jeans, a black fleece my beat up walking shoes and colorful socks. Not even close to professional. To top off my looks, I was late by an hour and a half. I got off the bus too early. I got something to eat and missed the next bus. Once I got to the next station I had to use the restroom and missed the other bus! She made it very clear that she didn't believe me about the mix up and tried to tear me apart about my attire. I had sincerely apologized already but at this point she was being a bitch because she felt she could. She said "I don't want to hire you but you're getting in because he does". The he was the other manager in the room. I heard them discussing my situation while she had me wait outside her office. I'm in though. I have to wait until I do my federal background check which will cost me $30 (I was trying to sing it up) in the morning. Needless to say that leaving the situation left me out of sorts. I couldn't find my way to my next destination to save my food stamps. Oh, my renewal was scheduled for yesterday which was voting day so it was closed. I spent an hour getting on train after train going in circles. I can't blame GPS this time. It was all me and the map. I spent way too long under Queens today. I need a hug. 11/2/2014 0 Comments Day One Of FreedomI woke up shining on the inside! No loud noises or shouts of idiots or even a loud TV to wake me. I got up on my own time and it feels great! Since I'm the first one to move into this apartment I'm gonna enjoy every piece of silence while I can. Someone else is coming today to look at the other rooms. I have some domestic errands to run also but after that I'm gonna hit up a subway station and see how much I can make. It's far too cold to be outside singing.
UPDATE I got lost. Go figure l, right? lol I wanted to see the area so I got on a bus but it headed in the wrong direction. I'm so close to the airport! When I came back I found a lots of discounts at one store. Lefferts has everything! I got lost on the way back. Had to walk 11 blocks back because I got on the wrong bus AGAIN! LOL Got good Intel though. I like this place. I'm happy. |
CategoriesAll Auditions Diary Performances AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. |