Settling In.....

So I am writing this post from my new apartment in Washington Heights. I am so happy with this place, it is a shame that I only can have it until September, I totally love my room and the neighborhood looks really nice (from what I've seen so far). I can see Fort Washington from the lobby of my building....and it is really quite nice. I also have a huge window in my bedroom that gets great light in the afternoon, so everything is copacetic!

As for the roomies, well we already know one is cool and I have yet to meet the other one...but apparently she is a really cool chick too. I trust Columbia Girl's judgement sooo I am feeling really cool about the situation, however this IS my first time living with females other than my mother, so who is to say what will happen...right?

I figure gay guys and girls would make for an ideal living situation....I mean look at how well Will and Grace turned out?

LOL!

Too bad we don't actually live on the Upper West Side, that would have made it perfect! In any case, I am happy with my living situation right now and I really cannot complain.

I actually came home tonight to dinner from Columbia Girl. She made chicken and broccoli and it was fantastic! Aren't you jealous? I didn't even ask for it...she just decided that she wanted to make it. I guess this is what my dad feels like when he gets home from work...LMFAO! I'm definitely gonna be cooking up a storm this weekend to pay her back for her generosity, I just haven't figured out what I am gonna make yet. One thing is for sure, I am excited to throw down in this kitchen. I mean it is truly HUGE, I've totally gotta put it to good use.

Anywho, in other news...I am so excited for this weekend because my Dutch brother from a different mother, Pete, is coming into town and we are gonna have a crazy time. He is one blogger that I have really been looking forward to meeting irl and I believe that we will definitely have some stories come next week

LOL! And dudes, could he have picked a better weekend to come?

Come on......Memorial Day Weekend?

ANDDDD IT IS FLEET WEEK IN THE CITY!

YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS RIGHT?


A bunch of horned up sailors descending into the city to let loose and "blow off some steam"

DADT baby! *wink*

LMFAO!

Dudes, there is gonna be seamen flowing in the street!!!!!!!*







* And of course by seamen, I actually mean seamen and not what you probably thought I meant. Although if the aforementioned seaman is cute enough perhaps we could then work out some sort of arrangement whereby I could possibly help him release his "other seamen".

In a safe and equitable manner of course.....

Summer Is Here!

So I am finally done with the semester from hell....and it looks like I got A's in all my classes!

SCORE!

You would think that now I could finally relax but au contraire my friends, I am currently in the process of moving all my shit to my new digs in Washington Heights.

YIKES!

For those of you keeping track, that is like 170+ blocks away from my current residence in Brooklyn Heights. LOL! But the price is fantastic, it is in a great neighborhood, it is right off the train and best of all....i'll be sharing it with Columbia Girl!!!!

You guys will remember her as the first person I actually sat down and came out to (I'm not counting PR Boy in this because that situation was different). Anyways, she is my #1 hag and we are bound to have a great summer together here in the city. I am actually subletting a room from her current roommate because she is going home to her family in New Jersey. I am kinda excited but I hate this whole packing foolishness. Also, I'm gonna have to rent a car too and I'm really not looking forward to driving in the city...alas it must be done :(

In other news, I scored a temp job at this construction firm that is overseeing the renovation of The Plaza Hotel. Honestly, this has to be the most random job I have ever had, but it pays great and I basically just copy, fax, collate and file all day. My supervisor is the coolest chick and she sends me on like 2hr breaks and PAYS me for them. HAHA!

I am probably only gonna be there until June or so, but it is a great placeholder for now...and I can still work at the store on the weekends so everything is working out.

Plus I get the added benefit of seeing SMOKING HOT CONTRACTORS IN TIGHT JEANS AND WIFEBEATERS/TEES ALL DAY LONG.....Sweet Jesus!



"You can come lay some pipe right here playa......"

(Yes I know it was corny, but you totally giggled, don't front!)

I Did Something Kinda Drastic This Morning

For whatever reason I woke up this morning, logged onto my Facebook account and said......

F-U-C-K T-H-I-S!!!

I dunno if I have explicitly mentioned this on the blog, but I have always been listen on Facebook as being "Interested In Women"

LIES!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now, you have to understand that I set up that account the summer after my freshman year at UF (so over 4 years ago). At that time, even though I knew I was gay, I wasn't in a place to accept it and I really thought that perhaps I would meet a really cool/hot chick while at college and everything would change......

Well, we all know that doesn't happen LOL!

Anyways, the reason why I never changed my orientation on Facebook was because I have A BUNCH of cousin/godbrothers/godsisters on there and I really didn't want my family finding out that way for obvious reasons. This was also way before the advent of the hyper-convoluted privacy settings that FB now has...so I didn't have the option of hiding some stuff from some people and revealing some stuff to others.

I figured that any change in the "Interested in Women" field, even if I left it blank, would totally spark some intense scrutiny....so I've basically left my profile dormant since late 2004.......

NOT ANYMORE!

Those of you who are Facebook friends with me will recognize what I did if you check my profile. Now, I didn't come out or anything...I didn't put that I am interested in men...but I think I made enough changes to it now so that it isn't a complete lie/misrepresentation of me.

Baby Steps!

NYC Is So Random....

One of the reasons that I enjoy this city so much is because at any time of the day you can get into the most random shit...

I was at the Barnes and Noble in Union Square looking for a book to help me with my Personality Theories paper when my friend Ryan called me up.....

"K, I don't know where you are but get over to the Virgin Megastore right now, Robyn is about to perform!"



I was like...."word....save me a spot"

Now, I have to admit, I really don't follow her music that much. I only know of some songs in passing and I remember that she had that one dance hit back in the 90's when I was like middle school or something....so I was kinda out of place with all the other hardcore fans who were singing along to every word.

Nevertheless, I had a great time. She is as CUTE AS A BUTTON and so so gracious. I am definitely a fan. I've gotta catch up to everyone else and start checking out ol' homegirl's music now.

And let me tell you....apparently Robyn brings out all the hot gay men because the Virgin Megastore felt like G or Barracuda when I walked up in there. Sooooo many hotties. (Including the guy that Ryan bought a drink for at B Bar, Jay....LOLOLOLOL!)

Anyways, here are some pics....we had an excellent spot, but I've gotta say, I've got a MASSIVE headache now from the speakers. I was tooo closssseeeee!







Only in NYC!

Perhaps I Need To Start Watching "The Real World" Again

So season 3,456 of the Real World is currently airing and it looks like it might be the hottest assemblage of guys in the history of the show.....



Usually there is like one stand out guy per season that just makes your jaw drop, but this time around, they are all uniformly hot in my opinion. Too bad none of them are gay (that we know of).

Anywho, so Dave's sexy ass was on display the other night and I just thought I should share. Check out the video.

(NSFW obvs, unless you work at Sean Cody or something....in which case, sign this boy ASAP!!!!!!)






Pretty nice tush, you've gotta admit :)

If You Need A Laugh, Read This......

Ugh, its like 12:30 and I swear I am still drunk from last night's B Bar festivities. How responsible am I? I have a 15 page Developmental Psych paper due tomorrow and I only have 4 pages done. Goo me!

LOL!

Anyways, so I was checking my mail this morning (I suppose it is actually afternoon) and I ran across the most hilarious email from my homeboy that I just have to share. Everyone knows that the missed connection section of Craigslist brings the LOL's better than almost any other website out there. I present you with THE MOST AMAZING HUMAN BEING EVER.......

Reply to: pers-649036595@craigslist.org

Date: 2008-04-20, 3:31AM EDT

"You, caucasian, female, early to mid twenties, were standing on the Brooklyn-bound N/Q/R platform at the Canal Street stop at around 2:20 AM late Saturday night. I was on the N train that pulled up alongside you. I am sure you remember me. I was the guy stuck in between two cars, the doors of which became hopelessly jammed after I passed through one. Yes, that guy: the one you made eye contact with, and then quickly looked away from. You may recall how I tried to get your attention by addressing you directly and politely, asking if you would please notify the conductor, perhaps ask him if he could unlock such door. But, no, you steadfastly looked away. It was only after I began calling you out by what you were wearing that you looked at me again, and when I asked if you'd assist, you shook your head, clearly and calmly, 'no.' When I subsequently remarked that you were an asshole, you nodded, equally calmly. If you are wondering why I spat at you as the train pulled away, it was only because I was tired of being trapped underground between two cars, and was really hoping to have gotten inside the train before it crossed over the Manhattan Bridge, which, of course, it then did. That part of the journey was even somewhat lovely. Don't worry, when all attempts by people inside either car to open either door failed, I kicked in a window and found a seat. But then, you obviously were not worried. I would like to meet you, if only to get a sense of where your unsparing indifference seeps from. I give you my every assurance that I will not punch you in the throat repeatedly. Do write back."

L-M-F-A-O

I swear I thought I was gonna choke on my own tongue....I was laughing so fucking hard!

Who would do such a thing?

An Open Letter To White People.....

Dear White People,

I love all you guys soooooo much...but it is high time we have a sit down conversation (pats seat next to me). You see bb's.....I've noticed a disturbing trend that really, really needs to be nipped in the bud like yesterday.

Please, allow me to be the first to let you know that.......ALL BLACK PEOPLE DO NOT LOOK THE SAME!!!!!!!!!

I repeat.......

ALL BLACK PEOPLE DO NOT LOOK THE SAME!!!!!!!!!

I know, I know, it is a shocker!!!!

Because of this, I will definitely give you some time to process it. But please....now that you have been put on notice, I expect that you take care to properly identify the correct African American/African/Afro-Caribbean/Black person when you are prompted to do so....lest you embarrass yourself in public and make an ass out of yourself for being so ridiculous.

Thank you so very, very much.

Sincerely,

Your Token Black Friend
-K

--------------------------------------------

So with that out of the way, let's discuss what happened to me at work today. I had the horrible misfortune of working at our flagship store on 5th Avenue this afternoon. They were severely understaffed and our SoHo location had enough people for the day so I was sent over to help out.

Now y'all should know that the store on 5th is ridiculously enormous and always packed to the brim with Upper East Side mom's who are utterly helpless and totally over-demanding. Anywho.....let's discuss one in particular....

I'm gonna call her "Sheila"....because that name has always grated on my nerves so it would be absolutely fitting for this heffa.

So, I'm working one of the registers, ringing up a customer and my co-worker (let's call her Cindy) started ringing up Shelia next to me. Now, I was focusing on my customer so I wasn't paying Shelia much attention....I mean, her hair was kinda ratty as if she hadn't combed it this morning, but that might have just been the "boho sheik" look that she saw in her US Weekly mag and decided would be cute. What really caught my attention however (as I was folding a shirt) was when I saw her pointing to me out of the corner of my eye. Obviously I focused my attention on what was going on between Cindy and Shelia and I hear Cindy say......


Cindy: I'm sorry, who helped you?
Shelia: Oh he did (dismissively pointing as she rummages thru her purse)
Cindy: Oh, it couldn't have been K, he has been at the register all afternoon. It must have been someone else.....
Shelia: Oh no, I'm pretty sure it was him.
Me: Haha, I appreciate the credit for the sale, but it wasn't me ma'am
Shelia: Oh..... (vacant stare)

Voice from the corner: "It was me." (We all turn around)

Before I even turned around, I just KNEW it was gonna be another black guy that she was talking about.

AND LOOKY HERE...the voice that we heard was coming from none other than a black associate who looked suspiciously.......NOT LIKE ME AT ALL!!!!!!!!

Now guys, I wasn't upset at all. I mean, this happens to me all the time....so I learn to laugh off lil' silly slights like this and just chalk it up to whatever. But then...........the bitch REALLY DONE TOOK IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL Y'ALL!!!!

Sheila: (waves hands as if swatting a fly) HAHA, that's alright.....YOU GUYS ALL KINDA LOOK THE SAME WAY ANYWAYS..........



Cindy: (nervous laugh....looks at me) Uhhhhhh...
Me: (narrows eyes questioningly and tilts head to the side) You Guys?!?!?
Shelia: (looks at my face, slowly recognizes the implication of her last statement and subsequently gets red and flustered)
Me: (purses lip and waits for a GOOD response)
Shelia: Ummm, ummm, well, ahhh......YOU GUYS ARE WEARING THE SAME EXACT THING, IT'S KINDA CONFUSING!!!!!! (nervous laugh)
Me: HAHA...well we have uniforms ma'am....we all are kinda wearing the same thing (knowing laugh)
Shelia: Oh, I guess your right. (a look of deflation crosses her face as she realizes that her seeming clever attempt to cover up her ignorant gaffe doesn't work)

So, seeing as tho I was sufficiently pleased that I brought her ignorant statement to her attention, I picked some items that needed to go downstairs, cocked my head to the side, smiled at her (insincerely of course), and said.....

Me: "I hope you enjoy the rest of your day....the weather is sooo great outside!"

And then I walked off

Poor thing, she was so confused...she just looked at me embarrassingly.....very much like when little children soil their clothes and they look at you to clean them up but they can't bring themselves to say sorry, or much less anything else, so they just look at you and hope that you forgive them and help em out........


Anyways,

I know some less cynical people out there might be reading this and saying to themselves, "well K, perhaps when she said you people she was really just referring to the employees of the store." Um yea.....as convenient a cop out as this sounds, I really don't think that is what she meant by her statement. Not only did she insist that it was me at first (even after Cindy TOLD her I was behind the register the entire time) she was visibly flustered and embarrassed after I asked her to clarify her "you people" statement. And then there was the whole follow-up conversation about our uniforms, which I believe further proves my point. Now of course no one will ever be able to prove exactly what she meant when she said that, as your own personal thoughts are.....personal. But as far as I am concerned, her reaction indicates that she realized what she said, recognized the negative implications of said statement and is throughly shamed for showing her ass in such a horribly ignorant fashion.

This whole incident brought back undergraduate memories for me as well. At UF I was a sociology minor and I remember my one of my social theory professors talking extensively about the cross-race effect. This is a phenomenon wherein people of one race can more easily distinguish between people of their own race than people of other races. In other words, if you are white, it is easier to tell the difference between other white people than it is to tell the difference between other black people or other Asian people or hispanic people...etc etc.

Curiously, research has shown that, in general, White people demonstrate a larger cross-race effect than Black people with respect to measures of discrimination accuracy, and "majority group" individuals demonstrate a more robust cross-race effect than "minority group" individuals (see above link for article).

Also check out this study conducted with hispanic participants.

So basically, research suggests that this lady just couldn't help herself.

LMAO!

I for one totally believe that there is much truth in CRE's, although I don't find it true for me at all. White people look totally different to me and I can easily discern between individuals. Same goes for Blacks, Asians, Hispanics and basically every other racial/ethnic group on this planet. LOLOL! I do not understand why some people find it so difficult.

The research is as interesting as it is disturbing. Personally, I think this should be required reading across the board. If we are gonna tackle racism and prejudice in society, we are really going to have to face it head on and realize that even on a subconscious level, we harbor all this shit.

Anyways, I'll get off my soapbox now. To be honest, the situation in the store wasn't that big of a deal...I'm just using it to illustrate a problem that I've seen in society since......well since forever. LOL!

Thoughts?