The J Way

Ilya: Back In the Mix

2008-07-25T22:14:00.004-04:00

I'm at my buddy Ilya's house now. He e-mailed me today suggesting we hang out. After dinner with Marcia, I dropped by Ilya's. I haven't seen him in a while, but when we hang out it's as if virtually no time has passed. I feel blessed to have so many good, quality people in my life. People I know, like and trust.

We're about to go now. Ilya wants to go to bars and talk to gurls. I'm along for the ride.

Kris is doing a Clone Wars event Times Square. He wants me to visit and check out the scene around midnight.

Chang Tae: Back From Korea

2008-07-25T22:06:00.002-04:00

My sweet friend Chang Tae returned to NYC today for a week vacation. He came to my office and we went to lunch in Korea town. I'm so happy he's back and it was a pure delight to see him again. He's staying in Queens during his visit.

Just to recap: I met Change Tae last year while volunteering at The International Center as a conversation partner. I helped him improve his English speaking skills.

Birthday Boi: Kris

2008-07-25T21:59:00.003-04:00

Happy Birthday to you!

Gettin' Soapy With Y&R

2008-07-23T21:35:00.004-04:00

Although I crave culture, I always have time for a little frivolity. CBS is number one in daytime with The Young and the Restless as the highest-rated daytime drama for almost 20 years in a row! It's the only soap I get lathered up with!

This new CBS promo features the song Love Today by Mika.

Craving Culture

2008-07-23T20:29:00.003-04:00

I need to visit more museums. I totally want to see the Superheroes exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum. I'm also way overdue for another visit to the American Museum of Natural History. Plus, I'm motivated for MoMA.

It is necessary for me to make time for cultural excursions. I can go alone or in the company of a friend. With hectic city life, it is most refreshing to step into another world via history, art and creativity.

Golden Girl Gone, But Never Forgotten

2008-07-23T10:09:00.004-04:00

Estelle Getty found peace early this morning. She was 84. Her 85th birthday would have been this Friday. I'm sad to see her go, but everyone has their time...

Estelle is best known as Sophia Petrillo on The Golden Girls. In one of my favorite scene, Sophia tells Blanche what real suffering is like:

Blanche: Girls, I have writer's block and it's the worst feeling in the world.
Sophia: Try not having a bowel movement for three days!

Unpleasant Summer Scents

2008-07-21T11:30:00.003-04:00

Uhhhhggggggg, with summertime here, the heat releases vicious olfactory demons of the city's past. The smells and odors streaming out of the pavement, gutters, trash cans and fish markets can become stenches of unearthly proportions. This morning before and after my subway train ride, I was assaulted with some foul funk. Yuk!

Living Legend: Diahann Carroll

2008-07-20T23:41:00.005-04:00

I was reading the August 2008 issue of Vogue on the train home; it's The Age(less) Issue. The article Grand Gestures by Jonathan Van Meter was an informative piece on the legendary Diahann Carroll. She turned 73 this past Thursday and looks fantastic.

There are many successes that span her nearly six decades in show business, most notably her TV show, Julia. In the article, I discovered that in 1962 she played a fashion model in No Strings, Broadway's first interracial romance for which Carroll won a Tony Award.

Her memoir, The Legs Are The Last Thing To Go: Aging, Acting, Marrying & Other Things I Learned the Hard Way is set for release in September. I'm going to get it.

On the Way Home Tonight...

2008-07-20T23:31:00.003-04:00

... I was just walking from the train station in the slight drizzle of rain. On the ground, I noticed a singular card next to a fence. The card? It was the Joker.

I almost stopped to pick it up, but thought it unnecessary.

More Tea For Me

2008-07-20T14:15:00.003-04:00

I brewed some more Yogi Tea and read the uplifting phrases attached to the tea bags.

You are unlimited.
When you know that all is light, you are enlightened.
Your greatest strength is love.
Wisdom, character and consciousness conquer all.
Your greatness is not what you have, it's what you give.
Where there is love, there is no question.

Simply beautiful.

The Art Of Worldly Wisdom... Read It, Learn It, Live It!

2008-07-20T13:40:00.002-04:00

The Art of Worldly Wisdom by Baltasar Gracian

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
One of my most favorite books in all the world. I read this book periodically (one to three times a year). I'm going to start reading it again today! It is filled with so many gems of truth and knowledge that will benefit you and the world you live in. It is a brief but enjoyable book. Get it, or check it out from the library. A must read!

View all my reviews.

Wisdom From Tea...

2008-07-20T13:09:00.004-04:00

...No, I'm into reading tea leaves (at least not yet, but I may take it up one day). I was brewing tea to make iced tea. The flavor? Green Tea Pomegranate. I'm using Yogi Tea. I noticed that each tea bag has a maxim attached to the string. I'd like to share the ones that were on the tea bags I just used. I gained so much quiet reflection from them, and I didn't want to forget, so I put them up here.

Your infinity in you is the reality in you.
Your breath is the voice of your soul.
When we practice listening, we become intuitive.
Live to share.
Let love elevate your self to excellence.
Your intuition is your best friend. Word!
By honoring your words, you are honored. Amen to this one. I dedicate this to all the unreliable people out there that don't do what they say they will (or won't) do. I'm not hating on you, but want you to understand you are only as good as your word. It's all you. Keeping your word keeps your respect, sense of self and the respect of others in tact. Don't take it lightly. True, no one is perfect, but you can be excellent.

I think anyone and everyone can learn from these statements. Take a moment to ponder what they mean to you the next time you're sitting quietly with a cup of tea. Or simply take a moment for yourself. Honor the you that is true...

More Birthday Fun For Tanya

2008-07-20T10:50:00.012-04:00

Yesterday was the continuation of weekend birthday events for Tanya. She reaches her 3-Oh this Wednesday the 23rd. We joined the lovely lady (seated to my right; your left) for dinner at VP2.

Afterwards, festivities continued at Failte. Lots more of her friends and husband Kieran's friends showed up. We had the whole second floor to ourselves, where I proceeded get a lil' jiggy wit' it! Hey!!!

The Dark Knight Is Sure To Light Up Theaters

2008-07-20T10:34:00.004-04:00

Yesterday, K, Kevin and I saw The Dark Knight. We all enjoyed it. It's a great film. As The Joker, Heath Ledger has sealed his career as a legendary talent. We will miss him...

As Batman, Christian Bale is a dark dreamboat in his portrayal of an enigmatic harbinger of justice. In the scenes where he is Bruce Wayne, you can't help but notice how fine he his. "How you doin'?"

There is speculation that this film will shatter all sorts of previous film release records. We'll find out for sure tomorrow.

Although I am not an avid Batman fan, I like a good story with strong character portrayals. There are twists and turns you don't immediately expect, but you're eager to go along for the ride. I enjoyed this film.

Happy Birthday, Greg!

2008-07-20T10:24:00.002-04:00

Just wanted to give a shout out to the casually cool Canadian. Have fun today!

Thursday Night Out

2008-07-19T11:53:00.005-04:00

Later Thursday evening, Matthew, Tionna Smalls and I went to dinner. I so much enjoyed catching up with them. Matthew told us about his fab trip to Fire Island and showed us pictures of the super posh pad he stayed in. Look at these pics!

Doug, Melissa, Justin and Alex dropped by to say hello because I was in communication via text messages with Doug. They came to greet me, chatted for a moment and informed me they were going to Posh. I said I'd join them soon.

After dinner (my treat), Tionna went on her way home. Matthew joined me at Posh with the aforementioned four. We stayed for another half hour or so and called it a night. It was Thursday, after all and I don't like to be out too late during the work week.

I took the train back to Brooklyn with Matthew. On the train, he told me some great stories from his adventures in Fire Island. In Brooklyn, we walked down Franklin Avenue and he showed me two points of interest in the area. We talked some more as he walked me to Nostrand Avenue. Then I made my way home.

Closing Gaps

2008-07-19T11:25:00.003-04:00

Thursday, during Jacob's farewell event, I caught up with my old friend Kevin. I invited him because I thought it would be a good chance to hang out and clear things up.

We were estranged for months due to a misunderstanding and lack of communication. I don't like having rifts between my friends. This had gone on for months and I knew it had to be resolved. Thankfully, it was. I spoke up and explained that he's important to me and I don't want to keep things going the way they are. We sorted things out and realized there was no real issue at all, just a distortion of perception. Things are good again and the three of us are planning to see The Dark Knight today.

I'm really glad that this is behind us. Kevin and I always had an affinity and mutual respect for each other. We used to talk more regularly, but dynamics shift and people change. Plus, we do live in New York, so I have to keep things in perspective. At least now we can move forward.

Jacob Sets Sail (But Won't Be That Far Away)

2008-07-19T11:09:00.005-04:00

Thursday night K and I were among those who bid Jacob Bon Voyage at Vlada. He's moving to Philadelphia to attend Wharton.

Ed Shepp, Tionna Smalls (pictured here with Jacob), Mark Baratelli, and Michael (whom I finally met in person for the first time), and other friends and coworkers of Jacob's were in attendance.

It was a good scene and we had fun. The only thing that's out of place is the fact that I don't appear in any of the photos!

Sing Sing Singin'

2008-07-19T10:41:00.004-04:00

Last night I sang karaoke at Sing Sing with Tanya and Megan. Tanya's 30th is July 23rd and this was a part of her birthday weekend celebration. Tanya's husband, Kieran showed up too, but of course, he didn't sing. He doesn't like karaoke.

We had a lot of fun with a lot of laughs. Megan and Tanya are always a riot.

Tonight, I'll see Tanya again for dinner with her friends.

Light

2008-07-18T13:51:00.003-04:00

My dear darlings,

As always, I have so much on my mind and so many things I want to share with all of you and the world at large. I've been keeping an active schedule and still struggle with finding time to note what's going on.

My friend and "lil' bro" Kasheik sent this lovely message to me and friends on Facebook.

What is Light, spiritually speaking?

It's joy. It's unconditional love and compassion. It's that which animates us and fills our body with life.

And you experience it all the time. Any moments in which you feel genuinely happy, when joy floods through you...that's the Light. When you are pleased by a job well done, when you are tingling from falling in love, when you are perfectly relaxed on a boat on the ocean, when you are laughing so hard with friends that you think you're going to explode, when you watch someone you love earn something they deserve. The source of all of this is the Light.

The Light is on 24/7. We only need to step back from our rational, self-serving minds, and let it do its magic.

Allow yourself to feel the Light today. Just let yourself experience the joy, love and compassion that is inside of you. That's it.

From: Yehuda Berg

Wow. How wonderful. I wanted to share this with YOU.

Go Goodreads!

2008-07-16T18:31:00.002-04:00

Monday, I joined Goodreads. It's fun!

Suze Says: Proctect Your Money In Tough Times

2008-07-14T23:07:00.004-04:00

My gurl, Suze Orman is amazing. Love her. She's helped me so much with my personal financial successes. In this interview with Larry King, she tells us where to put your money now during these trying economic times.

I'm not abundantly wealthy (yet) but I have a lot of coin in the bank and my bills are PAID, baby!

J Walking: Andre Balazs

2008-07-14T22:21:00.010-04:00

After dinner and on the way to go shopping, I walked right by Andre Balazs. He's Uma Thurman's ex boyfriend. They almost got married some time ago. I saw him once before last year at Barneys.The hotelier and residential developer is a sexy and handsome older man who I'm sure he has no trouble courting attention from the ladies.

Sunny Summer Shopping

2008-07-14T22:04:00.005-04:00

After work I went to dinner and then shopping at Le Chateau . I bought some gray iridescent slacks and slim fit straight leg jeans.

Last week at Hos & Mos, I bought a bunch of button-down shirts and T-shirts. I've been getting my summer shop on!

Ed Shepp Moves On

2008-07-13T10:16:00.003-04:00

It's Sunday. The sun is out and there's a pleasant breeze in the air.
My friend Ed is moving today, so I'm going to help pack, organize or whatever he needs me to do. The actual move, from what I've been told is scheduled for later this afternoon. He's moving from the Upper West Side to Park Slope, Brooklyn. I won't be able to stay long for that so I thought I'd do my part by helping him prepare. It helps that Ed doesn't have a lot of possessions (unlike the photo here).

I'm looking forward to seeing his new place and what events he'll cook up there.