The road ahead

Sitting on this bus on my way to Boston makes me ponder of the road ahead. While my friend beauty naps next to me I only feel joy, fear and uncertainty of what lies ahead in life. What new people and adventures are coming my way? What new heartbreaks are waiting for me under the next bridge? What laughter is around the corner? All I know is that I am blessed to have this life. One that keeps me away from boredom. One that puts amazing characters on my way. To learn. To grow. To intake all of its beauty and uglyness. Yes, also the uglyness since its the only way to appreciate the good. Oh road ahead...what will you bring next?

HFB:Harlem Food Bar

I love simple and unpretentious food. That is the case at HFB:Harlem Food Bar.  This neighborhood bistro is located at the bottom of Harlem between 113st and 114st on Frederick Douglas Boluevard.  The moment you walk in you have to leave any stereotype you might have of Harlem at the door.  This cozy little space not only is colorful but the atmosphere is friendly and familiar.

 Maybe because of the proximity of the tables you feel like part of one big party.  With high and low tables plus a vintage looking mural, HFB serves an eclectic panorama which goes a par with its clientele.

The food follows the same eclectic pattern with a combination of soul food, asian, and even mediterranean yet it is a very simple well crafted menu that the owners keep changing to keep the interest in the place.  From starters like the traditional corn on the cob with toasted coconut to crab cakes that are to die for.  My personal favorite is their mac & cheese squares but heard they won't be there for long!  So hurry and get there! 

What put a smile on my face was when I went to the bathroom and instead of a mirror found a writing on the wall that said, "You are beautiful just the way you are" which summarizes the attitude of the place.  In other words, they want you to be at ease and just be.  HFB is plain and simple a good place to meet friends, chat and enjoy simple food.  After all isn't that what dinning out should be all about?  If you ever get there, make sure you try their chicken paillard and to ask for owners Ernie and Scott.  They most likely sit at your table and have a drink with you!

NYC Profile: Emma

We have heard many times the saying "Never judge a book by its cover" but its not until you experience it first hand that you really get it.  Last summer I had the pleasure of meeting Emmanuelle Sirkis Bordas, or simply Emma  how we call her in our group of friends.  A mix of BBQs, concerts, birthdays and even the Super Bowl has made our friendship flourish.  What characterizes Emma is her quiet demeanor and sweet nature that could be borderline shy.  

Last Monday I was invited to attend Emma's Graduation Recital for her Masters degree in Voice Performance from Hunter College.  I knew Emma is an actress but didn't know she could also sing. The kicker? She is a soprano!  Not only she can sing but she did so in 4 different languages!  I'm still gagging...

I was a little afraid since last time I went to an opera I fell asleep and there was nothing in this planet that could make me stay awake. Oh it was on a date...with an opera singer...never saw him again.  

At the beginning, normal in any performance, she seemed a tad nervous when she opened with "Quando, Sperasti O Core Andante" but that was quickly left behind and I saw Emma transform herself from character to character in front of me.  Even though I didn't understand most of what she was singing, through her personifications I could relate to what the song was about.  This is where all her acting career, which even includes a spot on the soap Hope Hospital and many musicals, came into play.  The highlight for me was when she went back to her Puerto Rican roots and chose 4 songs of composer Rafael Hernández like "Capullito de Alelí" and "El Cumbanchero" and made them her own.  

It was a very special night that brought back many feelings from home but it was more interesting to see this quiet, shy girl transform into this great singer before my eyes.  This is one to watch because I know great things are coming her way.  And I am glad to be able to call her my friend.

Chinese Sunday

Do you know that feeling when you wake up and the night before just flashes in your mind? You look around to see if you are alone (I do), and get relieved when in fact you are.  Then you notice that your hand looks like a passport with all the stamps in your wrists, which apparently you later find out were with permanent ink or so it seems.  Relieved again that those stamps don't say something like "slut" or "blow me".  Trust me it has happened.  Then the first thing you do before you even brush your teeth is call for some Chinese delivery, which number happens to be on your speed dial...

My night started at Fontana's for the Rico Suave (formerly Nacoteca) vs D'marquesina party with an open bar of vodka and whisky.  Nacoteca was a latin retro party that helped inspire the creation of D'marquesina , it's PRican counterpart.  The funny thing about this party is that it's held in the basement of a rock bar. So imagine the confusion of people when this two worlds collide since to get into the latin party you have to cross thru the bar first and then go down to thebasement.  I can only imagine someone getting lost on their way to the bathroom ending up in this basement full of latinos shaking their asses to some 80's latin pop. Wasn't I just listening to The Doors?  On the other hand, imagine all the latino first timers coming in with this expression of: am I in the right place?  But this is what makes the whole experience great since you go from Iris Chacon to Joan Jet in a matter of seconds.

The biggest surprise of the night came at the end.  We have left Fontana's and headed to Ludlow St.  Ludlow in the Lower East Side is known for all its grungy bars, clubs and lounges.  This is when the night becomes a blur...between beers, bars and Jägermeister....All of a sudden the bars are closing and in our attempt, as true alcoholics, to grab one last beer we go into Wolfnights.  I don't know if it was our drunken state but this place has the best tater tots I ever experienced.  Did I mentioned that you get to sit on a swing by the window?  Which now in hindsight doesn't seem like a very smart idea in the state we were.  Their wraps were delicious and thankfully we were able to grab that last beer. 'Cause we really needed it.  Its is random moments and places like these that I love this city.

I don't remember much about getting home and know that my bank account took a major hit. While you think about all that you did on your saturday night I'm going to enjoy my Chinese food.  Delivery is here!

Bird of Steel

Walking in 5th Avenue I stumbled into this massive sculpture of a bird.  Its located right across from the Flatiron Building on 23 street.  It's a sculpture by Will Ryman and it consists of thousands of steel nails in different sizes.  Come check it out and maybe after you can cross the street and have a gelato at Eataly!

Test

It should be an interesting night!  Im still testing this

Hookup Accidents

Hookup Accidents

Don't confuse it with accidental hookups!  It is not the same in any way what so ever even though one can lead to the other.  Something that started in Grindr and ended in blood...

Have you ever been in a situation where you are with someone and the craziest accident happens to you right in the middle of it. Yep, that's me!  I wish I could say my life is just a boring "tv-dinner in front of TV" type but that's not the case.  

About a week ago I decide to hookup with a guy that I've met through Grindr.  (To all my straight folks Grindr is an app where you can meet people to go on dates, blah, blah, blah...only thing is in the gay world we skip the dinning part most of the time!)  I go to the guy's apt and to my relief he resembled his pic.  Trust me this is quite important.  In the middle of what seemed a great hookup, I mean there was probably lube everywhere at this point, I decided to go grab a glass of water without realizing that his dog was my the foot of the bed. Next thing you know I have teeth biting on my toes and the dog wasn't ready to let go so I pulled my foot in what could be an automatic reaction.  Not only tI was in a lot of pain, now there iOS blood coming from my toes into the bed....

Let me tell you a few things....first is that the dog should not have been on the room.  They DO KNOW what's going on people and its like doing it in front of a child!  Just weird!  Second, if you do have a dog that tends to do this warn the person.  AND third apologize to the person not get angry 'cause now there's blood everywhere!  Yes motherfucker, mine! The one coming from my throbbing toes. 

Honestly I dunno if I finished or just left.  All I know is the next day I could not wear shoes and I had to go to an interview.  Here is a pic of the toes.  So be warned of people with pets in their bedrooms.  What is your story?

New at this....

So I finally decided to share my crazy stories, likes, and experiences with all of you.  Cope with me since I'm still learning the ropes!  Let's go thru this adventure together!