Bye, Crackheads

In these last few weeks I have been tested on several life lessons that have taken me years to learn. I have passed. And although I told MaryKatherine that I took one step forward and 693 back, that actually isn't true. I took many steps forward and about 2 steps back but then I took a LEAP forward again.

When faced with any challenging situation, I try to remember Laurie's instructions: give thanks. So I have. And it works.

A new lesson I have learned: there are a bunch of things one can do to build confidence - to "fake it 'till you make it." Wearing my gi makes me feel confident, but it's off-putting to others, especially in the street. Did you know that great lipstick and a bit of swagger is like a magnet for interesting people? It is so easy to make conversation with all sorts of strangers when you have on NARS pigali and sit up strait!!! I got so much play on the subway last night! Usually only crackheads love me (and I love them, but they tend to be unreliable friends...) A girl and I watched a grape tomato roll around for a while and laughed together, I talked with some random boys, and an older woman (older than me, that is) winked at me knowingly.

Oh yeah, algo esta cambiando....

Viva Colombia!

Usted sabe que yo amo Colombia, verdad? But I do not like the bougie attitudes of South America that value unrealistic perceptions of women and girls and the culture of normalized cosmetic surgery...you get the picture:

That mannequin has the most ginormous breasts e.v.e.r. Does Shakira look like that? Does Ingrid Betancourt look like that? Not even Botero makes his women so dis-proportioned!

[And because we are talking Colombia, we must mention Juanes...dreamy!]
And on a separate but related note, I have been introduced to a new bubble-popper game that involves jewels. I realize you all have known about this for several years, but as you know, if it's new to me, I gotta share!

I Am So Blessed!

Thank you, my friends and family for making my birthday amazing. I was showered with love. Look at the beautiful flowers from Jazzergirl.


No one fessed up to putting this in my office mailbox, but clearly it's someone who knows and loves me. Pez + NY Mets? Maybe it was Robbie?!


Shekkey and Benny gave me this gorgeous tomato.

I heard from dozens of people who love me and that just made me weak with gratitude. An old friend came back in my life and that was a highlight. But MaryKatherine wasn't around...and that was sad...like you know what.

Sensei Said There'd be Days Like This...

Sensei told me, "it always hurts more when you don't see it coming" and with that, te juro, he saved my life. I saw it coming. On several counts. It hurts like hell but it is manageable.

Sweet, Sweet Morning Love

She was gentle, yet insistant. She touched me like I'd never been touched before. Oh lovely TSA worker, you didn't miss one spot. I, on the other hand, was sweating, shaking, and about to faint. I suspect that it was the Mets sweatshirt I was wearing that got me pulled off line and "patted down." In public.



The two lovebirds sitting across from me had matching custome made sneakers. His had "David" embroidered on them, but I couldn't see her name. Unless maybe her name is David and as homage to his love for her he got her name on his shoe? I'm not sue that this photo does justice to the blindingly bright colors. Too early in the morning for this....

Elvis - What Happened to You?

Last night we went to Highbridge Park to see Elvis Martinez. Instead we got Bachata Heightz. It was a fun show, even though a drunk old man with a cane had to shame Osito into dancing with me. "Oye, muchacho, que te pasa? Baila con ella!"

On Sunday night in Travers park I saw PISTOLERA!

Mujer terrorista, feminista, Mexicana, Americana, condenada, peligrosa, pistolera...