“I live for the nights that I can’t remember.. with the people that I won’t forget.. spending all the money I just worked my ass off for doing things that I won’t regret..”

~ Drake, “Show Me A Good Time”

It’s been quite the last few weeks. And rather than just post each weekend and what’s happened in each particular, we’ll just make this the catchup post.

#Pokesquad:

Now, unless you’ve been asleep for the last month plus (in that case, #staywoke), you’ve seen/played/obsessed over Pokémon GO. Yes, I play, and it’s #teamvalor all day, err day. But if you’re Team Mystic or Instinct, it’s all good. I’ll still kick it with you. Get some food, catch a movie, catch some Pokémon. I’ll just steal your gym when we pass by it. Anyway, I was feeling extra anti-social as of recently, but a few friends were able to get me out of the lull of work and have me head over to Downtown San Jose to be the very best, like no one ever was.

In any rate, I was amazed (or concerned, really) to see how many people would be roaming the streets playing at 11pm… Or how many were still going strong at 3am. If you’ve ever played one of the Game Boy versions, you would wonder and be skeptical of how many people would ACTUALLY be up at some ungodly hour in the game wanting to battle you. The answer is ALL THE PEOPLE.

Real talk, I can’t hang with the folks that are steady out here defending these gyms at 1, 2, 3 in the morning. So, I need a new plan. Willing to take ideas.

XXIX
I normally don’t put too much of an emphasis on birthdays after 21 (besides the golden birthday), but I figure my birthday was actually on a weekend, so I guess I should do something, yeah? A lot of folks were out of town, though, and besides, who goes crazy for their pre-thirtieth? So, I figure, do a little something, and then go crazy for 30. After all, I can’t get myself into THAT much trouble, right?

#seewhathadhappenedwas Friday was all sorts of blurs and ridiculousness.

Well, that can only come up roses, right? Well, it did. There were birthday songs dedicated by lounge singers, beach walks (the closest thing to walking, at least), lost phones, lost shoes (still can’t understand that one), butt dials, birthday wishes, and random 4am Lyft rides. Shoutout to Lili for holding my long flowing hair back and making sure I don’t get taken advantage of. I’m fragile sometimes. #dontjudgeme

#seewhatalsohadhappenedwas Saturday was all about recovery.. In which no one was in the mood to do absolutely anything, which was okay with me, because moving required too much effort. But ultimately, if you’re gonna celebrate a birthday, you rally. You get your friend to slap the hell out of you to wake up. You wonder why you asked him to do that afterwards. You shake it off and you take a trip. You call folks out the blue and tell them to be ready in 30 because why the hell not. You then wait 45 additional minutes because apparently 75 minutes = 30 minutes. But you forgive them because they are down for the cause and they are wanting to celebrate with you.

Don’t know why, but LGBT clubs have much less drama than other clubs.. And I have a much better time. So, it’s what it is. Overall, it was one of the best birthdays I’ve had. Not just because it was full of drinks and shots from people I don’t remember.. But because of the company and the fact that everything was so impromptu. As much as I’m one to plan these type of things, being spur of the moment was what made it memorable. Everyone who sent me texts, called, messages on social media, or joined me in the debauchery is just a Georgia peach to me. So, we realize that if this is 29, then #dirtythirty is going to be ultra lit. Come through. You just gotta make it to Vegas.

Air Cookie
2016 has been the year of the bucket list. Especially with all the passings of friends and family, it’s been eye-opening and a chilling reminder that all that we might take for granted can end at the snap of a finger. This is why a lot of things have happened this year. Some turned out great, others not so much. But it’s all in experience, I guess. Skydiving was something I’ve wanted to do for years, but never built the testicular fortitude to actually act upon. But after seeing enough videos and testimonials, I figured it was about time to bite the bullet.

I attempted to calm my nerves and ridiculous amount of anxiety with breathing, pacing and calming exercises, which worked.. Until they opened the door after a few thousand feet..

When they tell you to dangle your feet from the open door of a plane and scoot to the edge of the plane, you might have just a bit of hesitation. I had all the hesitation. But you take a deep breath, you remember that you are here for a reason (and you already paid for it), and you take that leap..

Free fall is something else. You feel weightless, coming into the atmosphere, and you’re wondering when you’ll stop falling so quickly. Once the parachute opens, the view is remarkable. It was one HELL of an experience… And it was only 8,000 feet in the air (only, right?). But my feet are wet, and my competitive nature is kicking in.. So, now it’s time to up the ante. 15k or 18k is what I’m looking for.. So, I need a volunteer. Any takers?
The best thing about this ordeal was that another thing was checked off the list, and I’ve been waiting on this for so long… And it’s official like a referee whistle.

I’m going to New York for New Year’s Eve.
I’m going to London New Year’s Day.

This is going to be all sorts of epic.

One thing you must remember about me: If I have an opportunity to do something and I can bring you along, then I’m gonna put you on. Ain’t no point in experiencing things solo. You just need to answer the call.

Marching In
The travel bug bites again. If granted an opportunity to explore a new place, then by all means, TAKE IT. You never know what type of shenanigans you’ll get into.. and this was no different.

If I go again, it won’t be during this season.
90 degrees in San Jose – 90 degrees.
90 degrees in New Orleans – 105 degrees with the humidity.

No one warned us it’d be 8,000 degrees. No one also warned us that the majority of the shops are cash only.. Coming from Silicon Valley where you’re looked at weird if you’re not using plastic, it threw me off that cash is king around these parts.. And considering all the horror stories you see with ratchet ATM’s, you are very reluctant to use bar cash machines.. Whether it’s exorbitant fees (seriously, $10 fee to use a gentleman’s club ATM?), to just having your information stolen altogether, it’s nothing you don’t want to deal with. But you deal with it how you can, and just take in the experience.. Because it is so very much worth it.

When you go to a town that is rich in culture like New Orleans, wandering is the best thing you can do (safely, of course, not trying to get you robbed over here). You ask around for the best everything.. po’ boys, gumbo, jambalaya, crawdads, bread pudding, bananas foster, beignets, jazz, zydeco, hand grenades, you name it.. and you go in with no expectations. They want you to try the alligator, you try the alligator. They recommend the shrimp and grits, you order two. They want to give you beads, you work for those damn beads. Or, you just ask nicely, and they give you beads. I ain’t no whore anymore, my tig bitties don’t come out for just anything. I just think it’s also funny to say tig bitties. #stopjudgingme

I was able to meet a cousin of mine who happened to work as a DJ at a gentleman’s club, and he showed us around (hence the gentleman’s club comment earlier, I don’t just go looking for these types of shenanigans without a valid reason). Ultimately, not my scene, but it was still good to see him, as it had been about 10 years or so since I had seen him, so it was good to actually catch up on our lives. I’m more wholesome than I let on, alright?

There were a lot of characters met, like my Kalamazoo bartender at the LGBT bar (I swear, these bars and clubs, there’s always a story):

..and the German exchange students here from university..

Ultimately, New Orleans was a fun trip, albeit for work purposes at times, we still had time to enjoy the scenery, the culture and its amazing history. So, I’m thinking Mardi Gras?
Next time, these posts will be more spread out and done per epic misadventure, rather than a fustercluck of ridiculousness at once. But while it’s always fun to take these trips and explore these places.. It’s never fun alone.

Come along? #overandout