Ten Years

July 31st, 2002 at 3:00 pm, I set foot in this country on what was to be, a four year excursion in the pursuit of my Bachelors degree at Morehouse College.

Here I am, 10 years later, almost at the exact minute of my arrival, pondering my experiences. July 2012 also marks my 30th year in existence so as of this point, I've spent exactly one third of my life, in the United States.

I've made (and in some instances continue to make) some mistakes and there are many things that I wish I could go back and do differently. The last decade has played out like a greatest hits of the top ten things a person shouldn't do with their twenties. But I am a firm believer in the true value of experience, the true value in making mistakes. I believe you never truly learn until you've done something retarded or made silly mistakes like I have.

But my twenties weren't all bad. I've learned the value of what it means to have true friends as well as family members that truly care for your well being. I can't imagine where I'd be today without the very close knit group of individuals that have supported me throughout the years. I'll avoid calling names because the list of people is extensive, I don't want to run the risk of leaving people out.

I must thank God first and foremost for helping me see this milestone in my life and for putting people like my parents in my life. We haven't always seen eye to eye over the years but despite our differences, my folks have always had my back. Special mention goes out to my eldest brother who, were it not for his support, I can't imagine where I would be today. To my brother's closest friends, you all know yourselves, and despite my waywardness over the years, have always looked out for me as though I were your own flesh and blood.

My beloved aunts, uncles and cousins particularly the Atlanta-based crew, the Pittsburgh posse, the Orlando massive, those in New York, Toronto, Mississauga and of course my two beloved "little" brothers and all crew in T&T, my Fatima bredrens, thank you all. My closest friends, you all know yourselves, I can't name you all but know that I have appreciated all of the support and occasional cuss out that you've done on my behalf. Special mention goes out to the Loganville crew, the dougla, my Tan, Dr. John and everyone else I've had the pleasure of calling my friend, Thank You.

Last but not least, thank you lil Nick Nick for loving your Daddy. Bless

Anonymity......or not so much

An interesting thing happened to me last Friday night.

Before I continue though, let me preface this by saying what many of you already know and have been trying to tell me for years............the internet is by no means a private place, and even if you think you're secure, you really have no idea who is looking at you.

Case in point........

Friday night I'm out with my home girl doing the usual (clubbing.....duh). Friday nights are always slow for West Indian clubs in downtown for some reason; but, we took the chance and headed to Mingles for the Sexi Bleu Jeanz party. As is my habit, I tweet or update Facebook even while clubbing; the party itself was slow and never really picked up so clearly I had extra time to tweet.

Up front was a very empty dance floor except for two girls dancing by themselves. From the nature of the dance moves, it was fairly clear that they probably weren't West Indian.........don't ask, you already know what I mean.

After watching them "dance" a while, I decided to tweet about it............

"Well at least those two girls "dancing" up front are entertaining." 

Would you believe they found the tweet and responded? I'm still flabergasted at this point. How did they.....who in the.....what the hell? I'd checked in at Mingles on Foursquare earlier in the night but that doesn't explain how a completely random and vague tweet that made no mention of or reference to where I was or who I was talking about, was located by the very people I was talking about.

That right there is scary. Good thing I didn't say anything derogatory and in all fairness the young lady was an awfully good sport about my commentary. Lesson learned people, be careful what you say online, you really have no idea who is watching.

Pace

June 20th marked the official start of summer. Now that probably means nothing to you lucky ones living back home in T&T but for us in the US of A, summer is a big deal. We finally get to do some of the shit trinis get to do year round. 

Feeling like a beach run? Well if it's before Memorial Day or after Labour Day, guess what? You outta luck homie. In the State of Georgia at least, beaches are closed from Labour Day to Memorial weekend. Even more horrifying, is the fact that it's not just closed beaches, but pools, rivers, lakes and waterparks as well. 

That being said, we literally have 3 months of beach time followed by 8 months of bathtub surfing for kicks. And it's not like we're in college anymore, most of us work; those 3 months are really 24 days total (Saturdays and Sundays) that I can devote to beach season. Many would argue that beaches are readily available in Florida outside that timeframe. I would in turn argue that a 4 - 6 hour drive is impractical each and every time I felt the urge for salt water. 

(which isn't to say I haven't already been to Panama City Beach twice this summer........so far).

All in all, it's almost August already and I've only put in two beach limes and two waterpark trips so far and haven't seen a river yet. Thankfully the crew has decided to do Sandy Springs Summer Splash Festival this year, a City-sponsored, six mile float down the Chattahoochee River near the end of July. Twelve trinidadian and/or otherwise caribbean-oriented people, two inflatable rafts, alcohol, six miles of open river..........trouble. 

Stay tuned..............