An Old Lesson Revisted

I know I usually write novels but this post is short and sweet.

I was riding the subway last night when some I suddenly started hearing yelling and the whole train was looking toward the other end of the car. New York always got some craziness going on inside the subway so I thought to myself, "What now?" An older looking man (possibly Dominican?) gets up from his seat in a frenzy. I couldn't see the man who was yelling at him but I sure as hell could hear him. He sounded old and grumpy. Here's a sound bite "Go back to your country...Where were you born? You're not an American. Go back." and of course, "Are you going to blow up the train?" I thought to myself, "Great more ignorance in the world." I wasn't sure whether or not to be surprised. Then in the midst of the old man screaming and the Latino man shaking his head in disgust and clearly agitated. I got up from my seat since my stop was next. I was closer to the whole scene but still couldn't see the man. A white middle aged woman with a stupid ass hat suddenly comes zooming past me to say something. I thought she was going to spit out some self-righteous sh*t, condemning his ignorance. Instead here's a soundbite from her, "_____, I know you... You need to go to the doctor and get checked out. You have Alzheimer... You need help before you get yourself killed!!" Then she went back to her pole.

As I got off the train I felt a little guilty. I judged the dude without knowing the full story. Poor old man's not right in the head and it's not his fault. I felt like God just retaught the whole train old lesson- not to prejudge people. Even when people are spewing hateful BS, you should have compassion ala MLK, Ghandi & oh yeah Jesús.... Maybe you think I'm pushing it by saying show love and compassion for evil ass f*ckers.Don't mind me I'm just having a relapse to the days when I wanted to be a Buddhist.

Music: T.I. out of Jail

So apparently T.I.'s out of jail already??! T.I. is out on $2 million bond put up by both him and Atlantic records (good thing he's a chart topper or they would have left his ass in prison).

December 22, 2009 -- The rapper TI was released from Arkansas Federal Prison today (December 22)...

Originally sentenced to one year and one day in prison after trying to buy a few machine guns and a couple of machine guns silencers in 2007, the Atlanta Rapper could have been in jail for up to 10 years. In March 2009, Clifford Harris Jr. (a.k.a TI) admitted guilt to weapons violations and was given a year sentence for his cooperation. This happened as part of a plea agreement that also included a $100,000 fine and a promise to complete 1,000 hours of community service.

I'm a fan T.I. and in true Che Nazario fashion, very anti-Prison Industrial Complex. However, for someone who could have have served 10 yrs in jail, he got off so extra light. Damn I wish I was a rich celebrity. smh.

Btw, check out the toothless dude in the last pic- LMAO!! Click on the title of the post to see the pics larger.

Deuces,
Naz

It’s not a date…..

In this day and age people know each other’s whole life story and have only seen each other once before starting a connection via facebook, myspace, text, or bbm. Yet, expect to be treated like somebody’s something (smh). You have friends with benefits, which is different than jump-off’s, and not to be mistaken for the boo. If you’re really luck you might make it to wifey which doesn’t always mean you’re the girlfriend (i.e. committed, monogamous, and claimed). It is more likely to hear I’m “talking” to someone rather than I’m “dating” someone. There are so many technicalities and mixed messages. It’s hard out here for a pimp, indeed.

So I and my friend “Polly” (I laughed for about a good 30 seconds behind her code name and she knows why) have been discussing what exactly constitutes a “date” for a long time. She’s a firm believer that ambiance (we’re expanding people’s vocabulary here) i.e. setting, mood, atmosphere, vibe is the determining factor. Now what the h-e- double hockey sticks does that mean? The following are a couple examples of hints for the confused and clueless about whether or not when you and person “x” hang out, it is or is not a date:

- They accept GWorld*? It’s not a date.
- Your order your food and then sit down… it’s not a date
- There are more than two people on the “date”…. Umm, no sorry.


- The restaurant must have cloth table napkins for it to be a date.
- A candle on the table? Okay, a date.
- The other person pays…. Yep, a date.

For clarification purposes, these indicators are for the first few dates & not for people who’ve been dating for a little while. Example, Applebees works once you’ve established a foundation of whatever label you so choose.
A date in no way has to be expensive. There are restaurant that are nice and cute with reasonable places that aren’t chain restaurants like Friday’s. Creative dates are the best. A trip to the Zoo or a walk on the waterfront followed by an ice cream run is freakin’ adorable. Courting girls is a lost art if you ask me. I think Men these days don’t figure it out until they’re in the later half of their twenties. It’s a shame. Some people think they’re the exception, however most are the rule (watch “He’s Just not that Into You”). I’ll leave cyberspace with a few gender-neutral tib-its.

- No discussing politics or religion
- Don’t be stingy with the compliments
- No “you remind me of…”
- Don’t have me meet anyone in your life (no friends, parent, siblings, co-workers,etc. I’m not trying to be a part of your life yet)
- Be on time
- Don’t be needy
- Don’t monopolize the conversation


Deuces,

Naz

♥ Best Friends Forever ♥

YESSSSSS!!! The semester is over and I can breathe. Having nothing to do never felt so good lol. I still wish I was in Costa Rica but, hey, everything happens for a reason. I have a new blog post ready to go, however I wanted to take the time out to readdress an old post. "...Brand New..." was written in a manner that wasn't as rude or out of pocket as i was feeling but was nonetheless written out of anger. Ironically, that week I made amends with three different but all close & important friends. None of it was intended and it wasn't until I thought back on the week that I realized how crazy of week it was for friendships.

The friend that inspired the first post came to my room the following day to apologize. I don't think they could tell you why I was ever so mad at them in the first place. Yet, I forgave them. I personally flip-flop between thinking he's a a typical butt-head and the notion that he's just still young mentally at times. You can call that me making excuses/ justifications, whatever.

Three days after feeling like the first friendship was in the direction of getting back on track, another friend met me at my house to resolve our problem(s). This individual did not do anything to hurt me directly, however they hurt someone close to me which they promised they wouldn't. I vouched for him and ended up feeling like a fool and questioning his character. I never had intentions of deadin' the friendship, i just needed to give him a piece of my mind. Long story short, he was so terrified to speak to me (complete opposite of his character)that it pacified any anger I had towards him. It's crazy to think that he thought I was going to dead an 8 year friendship that quick (then again he's seen me do it before). When you love someone you're there for them even when they mess up.

The third reconciliation occurred that Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. In middle school & high school I had one friend who was my partner in crime. We never fought about anything. Then, senior year rolled around.... After we worked through our first big fight (which almost resulted in me pushing her into the train tracks lol) we were at odds again. For the last two years the friendship felt different. Promises to be friends forever seemed to be premature and naïve wishful thinking. That week we made plans to go out to dinner and by the end of our 5 hour long conversation (that extended past closing time, then past Starbucks closing and ended in a 24 hr McDonalds lol) I felt as though she and I never missed a beat as we divulged all our personal secretes and laughed our butts off. I guess I haven't changed much in the last 2-3 years because she understood me exactly.

Some friendships are like supernovas- a massive and bright but quick explosion of a dying star. Truthfully, most friendships are transitory and meant for a specific time and/or place (ala summer camp). There are those few friends that stay with us for years and years. My mother has three best friends aside from cousins. One was a neighbor that she meet when she was fourteen. Another (her truest & closest) was a schoolmate from the third grade. The third is the second's younger sister. I've always been jealous/inspire (funny how that works) by my mom's friendships. Each one has served as a different example of what a life-long friendship entails. The first friend I described had undergone some rough patches with my mother that included a 2 year stint of not speaking. The second woman and my mother almost never have disagreements or get on each others' nerves. The third friend was the annoying little sister that turned out to be mad cool... Some friendships take MAD work and get worse before they get better. Some friendships are easy and natural. Then, there are great friendships with people who you have known for a while but you never suspected how amazing or deep of a connection you could have. The "moral of this story" is that relationships are messy, take work, and then still might not work out- you just have to be the best person you can be and attract people with that same mentality.

Deuces,
Naz