Half penny post: At year's end

And so the year has come to an end. I am back home in Chi to bring in the new year. I am going to try to avoid making New Year's resolutions based on stuff that I'm not already doing.

I have travelled a great deal (photo is of me sleeping on a heating vent in DCA) and have one last story to add from yesterday's trip. People see only that which they wish to see. I was on my way through security and had taken off the requisite layers of clothing (shoes, belt, jacket, sweatsheat, hat etc). I was about to go through the detector and security tells me to go back and take off my light sweater. I almost threw a fit. The white bloke in front of me had just gone through wearing his. What The Fuck? I know I had my boi swagger going (I caught 3 different women eyeing me) but that was uncalled for. Black folks aren't trying to start somn on a plane, we've got other shit to worry about. Also if the white lady can go through the screener with her head scarf on, my black ass can sure as hell go through with my skull cap on as well. I just had to get that off my chest.

Back to the gist of this post... where was I ... o yes travel. I have gone to a good many places and enjooyed myself. I took my trips alone which enabled me to go wherever I pleased at the drop of a dime. In the last six months I've been to DC, NY, Philly, Miami, Berkely, San Fran, Vegas, Phoenix, New Orleans and a few other cities that are not coming to mind immediately. I've made acquaintances on planes, at airports even at coffee shops. All of whom have helped to make me feel that much less lonely.

Side note: Nicole Pina hot damn, if you are on Downelink look her up under nicki*****. She put up a new photo and Lord have mercy. I have the worst crush on this woman. How do you know you're not quite straight? Look at the photo and tell me you did not forget your next planned activity.

This year has also helped me to further define where I wish to be careerwise and socially. I am that much surer of myself and that much more comfortable with my sexuality. I have cut down on how much I take other people's opinions into account. This means I don't hide / dance around my sexuality as much. Still not sure how my mama will deal with meeting a girlfriend - should be fun. She is currently smitten with my sister's beau though. My sexuality has turned into the litmus test for people in my sister's life. If you can't deal with it get a stepping. I do love jr dearly. She's even out with me when I'm hitting on women.

I have lost people that I love and a few others have given birth. I discovered how much of a temper I have when I was crossed. I recently found out that someone who is practically family to me is expecting her first child ... yay!

To be continued ... I need sustenance.

Travel: Home again ... or not

I made it back to Chi yesterday after the lil snafu at the Columbus airport. That is one airport that you do not want to get stuck in. I had to catch the Megabus. Got home at 7am and checked out. I woke up later in the afternoon, ate and went right back to sleep. Woke up this morning feeling rather perky and have decided to do one more round of travel. All things equal, I should be heading out of here at 6 for one last jaunt before the New Year. Proposed airport tally ORD - PHL - DCA - IAD - CLT - ORD.

Update: I come to you from the humble seats at Washington Dulles airport. My abs of late have been getting one hell of a workout. They positively hurt. Its from sleeping on the floor / (on top of the heating vents if I'm going to be honest) at the airports. The heat serves a dual purpose, my ass is heated up and it provides relief for muscle fatigue.

Travel: 3 cities 1 day

Greetings from the floor at the humble Port Columbus OH airport. Yesterday I pulled a 3 city whirlwind tour. I had breakfast in New Orleans, lunch in Washington DC and dinner in Columbus OH. This is a meal in the downtown area of the cities mind you not the airports.

As luck would have it, due to weather and other lil things, I can't fly out of OH. I've been rolled over on standby from 2 flights and I'm about to call it a day and catch the bus back to Chi.

I made it to my home town last night and my favourite ice cream spot was open ... yay! I got a hot apple dumpling with home made pumpkin spice ice cream and caramel (pictured). Sinfully delightful ... I was in heaven.

I have an hour to kill before I've got to catch the bus into town. Airport tally for this trip ORD - PHL - DCA - IAD - MSY - CMH.

Travel: Big Easy

72F Amen! Hossana! Hallelujah! A sun tan ... double Amen! Yes I made it to the Big Easy. I spent one glorious afternoon in the sun taking in the scenery. Well evening as well if I'm going to be honest... Bourbon Street anyone?

We got here on a wing and a prayer BTW. It took 3 tries to find a plane for us this morning. 1st plane needed maintenance. 2nd plane was flown in from Philly but first needed maintenance in Philly. It arrived and broke down at the gate. Jesus must've been in on that one as we would not have fared so well if it had broken down mid flight. Anyway 3rd plane was finally brought in and we were out of there, an hour and a half late.

I hope you all enjoyed a hearty holiday feast. I ended up fasting instead of feasting. Not that I was on a religious bent or anything .... I simply could not find a place to eat in New Orleans. 99% of all eating spots were closed :(. Even Emeril's was closed and I was soooo looking forward to his gumbo. I finally found a spot on some side road that sold Po' Boys and I got a spicy sausage one. Not the best tasting sandwich but it sure as hell was filling :D.

I made it out to Algiers Point where we did some work after Katrina stopped by. The neighborhood looked quite different. The houses were repainted and all looked vibrant. Families were on the porches and it just brought a smile to my face.

Back to the cold weather ... Happy Boxing Day!

Half penny post: On the runway again

Happy holidays to everybody! I hope you all get some quality time with your families.

I blog today from my humble seat in the Reagan National Airport in DC (Sheena, you know me too well). I have been out here since Monday well more of Tuesday. I detoured and stopped by Philly in the name of an original Philly Cheese Steak :). When I can get off standby I shall be on my merry way to New Orleans. I have not been back to see the city since we went to help with the clean up a few years back so it shall be nice to see the changes that have taken place.

This is going to be the first Christmas that I've spent alone. I am usually with my sister or friends. It struck me this afternoon and I almost burst into tears in the middle of the mall. I had gone in search of a travel bag as my current bag is on its last shoulder straps. Mall visit: Can you say ants in an anthill. It was simultaneously exciting and downright scary. Hopefully N.O. will be just what the doctor ordered.

As I will be on the road, I can't have the traditional Christmas feast. In lieu, I am having the famous Nandos Peri Peri Chicken. I picked some up on my way to the airport. The host at Nandos and I are now well acquainted so shoutout to Toni. I walked in with my bag and the first thing he said to me was "You're flying out and leaving me again aren't you?" I had to laugh. He really is a sweetheart.