This might run a bit long. I apologize, but it’s my blog and I’ll run long if I want to.
So I got rolled out of bed this morning, threw on jeans and a hoody to go watch the NYC Marathon that goes past my apt around Marcus Garvey Park but not before I had a literal 5 minute melt down because I thought I lost a digital audio recorder that I borrowed from my office to conduct a 20 minute interview for my mini-ethnography on white anti-racist groups. I knew I had it somewhere but I had a freak out for a few minutes before I forced myself to calm down and finally find it. It was ridiculous. Even while I muttered and cursed to myself and paced frantically I kept going to the window to watch the runners outside my window. It’s always weird to me when I do that, when I do stuff I need to be doing in the middle of a nervous breakdown. It tells me somehow that this is all a symptom of something else and not that serious. Or I’m just nuts. That’s fine. I’m fine with that. Lord knows it’s not news to me. So anyway, after I put the recorder in someplace safer than my shoulder bag, (I finally discovered it there. That bag has way too many pockets!) I ran downstairs with my camera to take some pics of the Marathon, which as I said is literally in front of my apartment. I love living here!
A bunch of people, including some of my elder neighbors were out already, cheering and clapping. The sun was out and it’s been a perfect day weather wise. I loved feeling the sun on me as I watched the Marathon go by, all the different ethnicities and colors, sizes and abilities. It was beautiful. Plus I just rolled out of bed here! My messed up hair covered by my hoody and my sleepy eyes covered by my dark sunglasses; I was in bed like ten minutes ago! I love it! Then to top it all off I realized that the broadcast of WBLS I was listening to was live across the street from me in the WBLS tent! And there in the tent was the man my family has listened to since I was a girl. Gary friggin Byrd! I walked across the street like a moth to a light. That smooth voice was real and right there! I shyly snapped a few shots and then stood next to the tent for a bit watching the marathon and listening to Gary talk about Obama and the presidential election. Man! It was amazing!
I went back into my apt for a bit to upload up my pictures when my mom called. We were on the phone for a while. I even went back out to watch the marathon again while I was on the phone with her. As I got down the bottom of the stairwell I saw my dad outside on the sidewalk watching the action as well. I know he was on his way to see me because I had spoken with him earlier when I first came out. He brought me some veggie patties from Brooklyn that I really love. So for a while I was on the phone with my mom while standing and watching the race with my dad. That meant a lot to me. When I got off the phone me and my dad stood and had a good talk for a while as well. I saw this lady in red who I’m guessing was apart of the marathon because she was ringing a bell run behind a parked car just a few yards behind us to squat and pee! I shit you not! I think I’m the only person who noticed.
Anyway, here I am downloading my second set of pics from the marathon to my flickr account after talking to my mom for another hour or so. It’s like 4:38. Gary has inspired to me to listen to WBLS and I have been all day, which is saying a lot because I HATE RADIO. I have had such a full day and I never even left my block! This is why I love New York man. I just wanted to share that.
Thanks!
