The Blog

I’ve touched down in Harlem, NY. Got the keys to my new apartment. And I had a good weekend. Here’s a few highlights form the weekend.

This is my new ‘hood. W. 144th Street & Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. I’m near a lot of things. Train’s right around the corner.

This is shot from Harlem Riverbank State Park. There was a neighborhood picnic on the day we (Jennifer and I) arrived. The new roomie, Darren, showed us around the neighborhood before the picnic. The picnic turned out to be a nice “welcome to Harlem” affair. Several long time friends and recent acquaintances made appearances.

On Monday, Jennifer and I spent some time relaxing in Central Park. We grabbed Magnolia’s cupcakes. Always good. She’s munching on a red velvet cupcake.

I was feeling like I wouldn’t be a New York resident until I had a library card so…

…I got myself one. I’m a nerd. Sue me.

Wish me luck.

This summer has been great. Baltimore is a really great city, despite what you may have seen on HBO’s The Wire. (On a side note: Most everything you see in The Wire is absolutely accurate.)

Highlights of my time in Baltimore…let’s see…

I met Jennifer. My internship with the Associated Press was awesome. I stuffed myself on Chipotle crispy chicken tacos and chips at least once a week. (As a foodie, that’s almost a sin.) I had two really cool neighbors who sent me away with delicious homemade strawberry jam. I enjoyed being a half an hour away from D.C. And I loved that I could catch a bus to NYC and be there in less than four hours.

But they’ll be no more catching the bus up to New York for visits because that’s my next stop:

Harlem.

Here’s the NPR Ledisi segment, which aired on Sunday (yesterday). It was produced by my “big sis” Veronica Miller. Good job, V! Follower her on Twitter, @veronicamarche.

My good friend Veronica Miller is a producer at National Public Radio in D.C. Today they had Ledisi in the studio to talk about her new album, which was released on Tuesday. Before wrapping things up, Veronica asked Ledisi if she would record a message for me. This. made. my. week.

Speaking to Ledisi: “Not only have you met me before, Ledisi, you’ve taken a picture with me. I’ve come to see you at least 10 times in Oakland, San Francisco, Las Vegas and even D.C. I have all of your music. And I mean ALL of your music. Yes, even the hard-to-find “Feeling Orange But Sometimes Blue.” I’m friends with Mike Blakenship, who played keys for you when your were doing shows at Yoshi’s in Oakland’s Jack London Square.”

What can I say? I’m arguably one of Ledisi’s biggest fans, without being a crazy stalker or pimply-faced president of the Ledisi fan club.

I love how in the photograph my glasses aren’t on straight, my face is greasier than a Kwik Way bag of fries, and my almost-shut eyes make me look like I’m high as a kite!

Thanks, Veronica!