Donny Hathaway - A Song For You

OutKast "Git Up Git Out"

Sybil Don't Make Me Over

LOL. Wonder Man posted his Sybil jam on Maybe It's Me and now here's on mine this is the one I remember. I think I played the hell outta this. My, how times change....

WCP: (Interlude) Good & Bad Hair!

There's a side story to this, from the trip, I may or may not write about...

WCP: Flying The Friendly Skies

Part One to The West Perspective Series:

Papa Red Bear’s gotta laugh at himself with this one! Sure do. LOL. Up until recently a few years ago, yours truly hadn’t foot on an airplane prior to 9/11/11. I never enjoyed flying and avoided it at all cost. Call me crazy, but I think it’s a control thang. Between getting caught up in the aerodynamics of what’s really holding that vessel aloft, incessant ear popping, uncomfortable seats, and obnoxious flight attendants, it was just too much.

Pilots are another entity all together. Please, let that person not be drunk, too tired, or just plain in a pissy mood, so s/he gets me safely to my destination. I rest my faith in your (hopefully!) capable hands. Combine all these factors and you have a passenger that sits quietly in his seat before and during flight. I only get up when time to disembark. Yeah, I know, “¡Vaya con Dios!” Still…

Anyhoo, since my first sojourn a few years ago, I’ve become a pro at traveling now. I have my crazy rituals, but I get by. Would you believe each flight I do my best to spot the Air Marshall? There’s comfort. Once I think I’ve ascertained the official, I ease back in my seat and enjoy the ride.

I’ll be the first person to admit I perpetually run on CP time. Again, laughing at myself, when I fly I tend to step out this tardiness and be as prompt as possible. Rest is almost out of the question. This last trip I was up until three hours before I had to get up to get ready to go to the airport. I don’t know anyone who’s fond of security at airports, but I want the experience over ASAP. When they first started doing the full body screening at my local airport, I said screw it. If I can go faster to the get to my boarding gate, y’all can have as much free peeps as needed. Just get me to the gate on time!

The last few times I flew to Cali, like Ms. Badu, I’ve chosen a window. Seeing the plane take off, watching the clouds around actually brings out the lil kid in me and I’ve learned to relax much more. Take off still grips by the short hair, by it's all good. That sudden lift off the ground makes me giddy and still nervous, but I’m cool with it now. I'm learning to live with the exhilaration or it all.

By far, United Airlines is my favorite carrier. I’ve gotten a tad spoiled because I think I addicted to Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue while hearing the in the event of emergency instructions. However this last time I flew Continental which was a better experience! The seats were wider. I had more leg room. And I’ll be damned, I event enjoy the in-flight movie (they showed the Lincoln Lawyer starring Matthew McConaughey. Not bad).

I have to admit each time I fly into Los Angeles, I get a bit mystified. Seeing the sprawling expanse is still strange. I mean, yeah, we got big cities on the East Coast, but generally everything just looks like an urban jungle to me. La La Land seems surreal. Again, the impressionable child in me, still gets awestruck.

My boy Jay was waiting for me when I got to LAX this trip. After getting my eat-on, my only agenda was to get to the beach, which we did. We ended up in Redondo Beach and Manhattan Beach. Cool, though I still hadn't been to Long Beach and wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I got there eventually, just not the day I landed.

After that we caught up with brother-in-blogging, Wonder Man, and hung out a bit. Some how every time I meet up with Wonder Man I always ended up on Rodeo Drive! LOL. Maybe it's that Louis Vuitton influence that he's a compelling spell over me. But Rodeo was a trip 'n a half. I longer feel like a tourist when I can laugh at other folks posin' and primpin' in front of the high-end shops.

Later, we left that scene to party at a BBQ at another friend’s house. That was some interesting shizz there and is worthy of it's own post.

Definitely a great start to a wonderful vacay….

In Joy and Hope,
-Ian

West Coas Perspective: (Prelude) Fear

I must not fear.

Fear is the mind-killer.

Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.

I will face my fear.

I will permit it to pass over me and through me.

And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.

Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.

Only I will remain.

Let's Kill Hitler Prequel...

West Coast Perspective

Tomorrow will mark a week that I've been home from my trip to the West Coast. After taking some time to digest what happened, I'm ready to write up my review.

So much occurred, some good, some not-so good, but all a learning experience. I've decided to divide the post into several parts and write up an analysis of what I gained. Below are the main topics I wish to highlight:

• Fly The Friendly Skies!
• Friendship & Brotherhood
• Fathers & Sons
• The Cards Speak
• You're Opinion Of Me Is Not My Business
• Going & Coming Home

Knowing it takes me forever to get to point, I figured it'll be easier slicing up my thoughts into multiple posts. Overall, the trip was a success and I came home with a new attitude...

In Joy and Hope,
-Ian

Hmm. Say What?

I woke this morning with this sick feeling in my stomach. I'm not sure what it is but I couldn't fall back to sleep and now that I'm up and about, I don't much better either. It's a few hours before I have to be to work so I'm just trying to find something to occupy my time... I don't know what to do.

Roll'em High.

Tensions are still a bit rough between my friend and I, but I'm trying to be decent and suck things up. It amazes me how a tiff can be a distraction when you're trying to learn.

Anyway, I'm going to wait to talk El Paso until after we leave Sin City. I hate Vegas. Seems like every time I come here some kind of discord follows. Maybe because this is such an extrovert type city, which contrary to my introvert personality???? Maybe.

I have a personal to make changes and get my life better organised. Invest in me before I can invest in anyone else....
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Low Man On the Totem Pole

So the other day I asked my friend some questions about his time share, curious because it was something I wanted to aspire for myself. When asked, he was tight-lipped and hesitant to answer anything just responding "it's expensive." OK. Feel you. You're private about your finances. Gotchu.

Today, sitting the hot tub our co-workers are asking relatively the same questions and ol' boy is just wealth of information. Hm? So what's the 411? I'm a l'il hurt because this isn't the first instance during the trip I've felt pn the bottom with my friend. I haven't said anything till this point because I don't want no drama starting....
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Check In

So far I'm enjoying vacation. The weather has been exceptional and I've relaxed, related, and released. Drinks have flowed. Delicious food has been eaten. Laughs shared. Now that said, why does drama (my own) have to creep into the equation? Lawdhavmercy! It's aalllll good. I said no damn drama this trip and I meant it.

I'll weigh in on some of discussion afterwards. It's interesting catching other folks' POV on Black folk, The Black Gay Community and other relevant social issues. Good discussions indeed. Always good to tap into others' perspectives, right?
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