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So, I’ve been procrastinating about writing this blog long enough.
I just didn’t have anything to write about and when I write it gives the enemy clues to my whereabouts so they can trail me.
But Allah is Sufficient.
I got to Facebook and help some Brothers who are mistakenly following leaders other than The Honourable Elijah Muhammad (May the Peace and the Blessings of Allah forever be upon him).
But you know, now that I’m writing, I feel one thousand per cent better.
Razzaq was telling me to write all morning.
But, like I said, I didn’t have anything to write about.
It feels so good to be out in The New Orleans weather.
It rained last night and I didn’t even know.
Master Fard Muhammad, To Whom Praises are due forever, keeps me sheltered without me even being aware. Al Hamdulillah!
So cheah.
It’s the end of the month and I’m just trying to make it until I get my check on Friday without being caught.
I mean, jail would mean shelter and three meals, but they make me take off my headpiece. Both jail and the hospital.
That’s the only reason why I don’t want to go.
That and I probably would have to buy another laptop and iphone.
Police steal.
I never get my stuff back.
They stole two hundred dollars from me the first time I got arrested.
I had a tablet TWICE that I never saw again.
They steal in the hospital too.
I had twenty dollars in my purse the last time I went in, but when I got out, no duckets.
So, I’m just going to try and persevere.
I had a loaf of bread, some cream cheese and capers that I hid yesterday because I didn’t want to carry it around with me and this morning when I went to go get it (I really wanted to eat too) it was gone.
But Allah is Razzaq.
I survived three months here last year with nothing.
I was just about to say, It’s just BORING and then I look out the window and see white puffs racing across the sky. I’ve never seen clouds travel as quickly as they do in New Orleans. It’s amazing.
New Orleans is so romantic.
Especially at night.
But I heard somebody got killed on Bourbon Street this weekend. And nine people were injured in a shootout.
They say Bayou Classic is one of the most dangerous times in New Orleans.
Apparently some Brothers who had beef ran into each other but neither one of them got injured.
I rode by and saw how lit it was. I mean they had streets blocked off so cars couldn’t go down them and there were Black folks er’wherr, and I love that, but something kept me from going in. Al Hamdulillah!
I guess I’ll buy another loaf of bread and try and keep it this time.
The Messenger (May the peace and the blessings of Allah forever be upon him) taught us that bread and milk are our best foods. Or bean soup and bread. So, I’ll get some more cream cheese and that can be my “milk” LOL
It’s just SO peaceful where I am right now and peace is HARD to come by in this wicked world, so I’m hesitant to leave.
Maybe when my battery runs out…
It’s so HOT today.
This weather is bananas.
But I’d rather be hot than cold.
I was thinking about telling Keyvin about one of my HONEYCOMB HIDEOUTS that I hate. But I would hate to have to go there one day and have to try and kick him out. So, sorry Key, that would not be a good look. Take the road less traveled and find your own spots.
Compared to the weekend I had, today was very boring.
I got up, typed my blog, then decided to wash my cloak (which is filthy due to me sleeping on it in less than habitable places) but my laundry pod thingies were locked in the masjid along with my shampoo, Ivory Aloe and white washcloth among other things.
So, since my funds are kinda low, I decided to go pick up the pods instead of buying more.
I get there and, of course, it’s locked.
But that’s never stopped me.
I hopped the gate and found Brother Muhammad doing groundswork.
He’s cool. I think he’s like one of the Believers who just went along with the Sunni Hypocrites to stay alive. So, we get along real good.
He didn’t trip about me hopping the fence and I got to watch him do “man work.”
That’s my favorite pasttime. 😉
I just love watching Blackmen work!
They could be cooking, doing construction, yardwork, carpentry, electrical work, playing music, performing surgery, teaching a class or anything manual. I don’t think sitting at a desk, pushing papers or typing on a keyboard would be as interesting. Then again, if it’s the right Brother……. 😉 ❤ ❤ ❤
So, this car pulls up and it’s the Brother who always comes for Zhuhr and sits in the car until the Muezzin unlocks the door.
So, me and Mr. Muhammad are not really paying him any attention but his presence is felt.
So, Razzaq tells me that he has the key.
And after another Brother shows up and leaves, he gets out of the car and unlocks the door!
I was like, Mm, mm, mm. SMH
This nigga is probably the one who kicked me out.
Sitting there like he’s nobody.
But you can’t fool a Muslim nowadays.
So, I go around to the back door, so I won’t have to hop the fence again and Mr. Muhammad had just come out, so I go get my stuff and leave.
I go around the corner and these Brothers were working on the street and you know very well, I like watching Brothers hard at work. So, I stopped and we watched each other.
Then I saw the Sister who told me about the vacant houses in the neighborhood. She said she has THREE houses. I told her I just need one. And that I had tried to get in one of the houses she told me about but I really don’t like hopping fences. I’m trying to be a LADY and chill on hopping fences and climbing in and out of windows and whatnot. Sometimes it’s such a hassle, waiting for somebody to open the door for me. But I’m a QUEEN in training, so I gotta leave the little girl stuff to the little girls. Even though that’s more little boy stuff LOL
So, she tells me that that gate is unlocked. And I was like What? I don’t remember there even being a gate. But she was walking in that direction, so I reluctantly left the men and followed her. Shelter is important.
So, she tells me that the owner next door to the house is her Brother-in-Law and I could just tell him I’m homeless, so don’t call the Po-Pos on me.
But I hate being dependent on anyone other than my Razzaq, so I didn’t say anything.
I feel like they’re trying to trap me.
The house was right next door to the little Brother I spoke to for two hours the other day and he was outside when we rolled up but he went in after they spoke like he didn’t want to have anything to do with me. At least not helping me. Even though that was how we met. He asked if I needed any help.
I feel like if I ask them not to say anything they’re going to feel like I owe them and I ain’t the one.
Not to mention, that little Brother was talking about Voodou a bit much for my taste and Idk, I could climb through that open window (which happens to be the ONLY house I’ve ever seen in New Orleans that had an open window. All of the other windows, even in inhabited houses, are boarded up) and never come back out. Next thing you know, they’ll be using my skull for some type of Voodou ritual. IJS
So, I went back to the Brothers working on the street and gave them my fliers.
Then, let me think….
Oh yeah, I remembered another little wash house. I’m not even gonna call it a laundromat. SMH
I don’t know why they don’t have more laundromats in New Orleans.
The only thing I can attribute it to is what I was talking about earlier, how everybody gets paid, so they probably all have washers and dryers.
When you finally find one, in the hood, they are the jankiest ramshackle broken-down machines and they cost so much!!!
In L.A., I used to get upset when they charged $1.50. Most are $1.25 to wash and .25 to dry. Yes, one quarter to dry.
Out here, you can pay $3.50 just to wash and another $3.50 to dry!
I used to do a whole weeks laundry in L.A. for $6.00.
In NOLA, I can barely do one load for that much.
And having only two changes of clothes, I have to do laundry EVERY DAY.
When I have my own place it’s no big deal because I can handwash and air dry.
But being homeless…
Try finding a sink where they don’t trip….
Al Hamdulillah, I’ve been pretty lucky.
So, anyway, I try this new wash house, and it’s just as janky as the other one I found in the hood and there’s nobody there and no change machine.
BUT
There are outlets!
So, I just start charging my laptop.
This Mexican lady comes in and does a load and I ask about the units because it’s in an apartment complex.
She doesn’t like me at first, but I win her over with my wit and charm.
She tells me who manages the property but it’s some big corporation and I don’t like those, so after she leaves I remember there’s a phone number on a sign outside and called it. But, alas, it just redirected to the big corporation.
Razzaq’s way of telling me he wants me homeless.
So, I’m in there just chillin’, listening to my music and this Brother comes in asking could he look in the garbage for some empty bottles.
I was like, What? It’s not MY garbage!
But, he just wanted to talk to me.
We talked for a good hour, and I think he just wanted some blessings because he was a singer and I’m good friends with Allah and also really into music.
He also told me about his love life and I gave him some wisdom.
But, he is a diehard Christian, so I don’t know about him…
After my laptop and phone were fully charged, I shook.
Went and got something to eat. Ate and came to the library where I am now and they’re about to close.
So, yesterday, after writing, I had two hours to kill, so I decided to go to Subway and get some cookies just so they would let me sit in there.
But why, after I was just complaining about how dull Uptown is compared to Downtown, did I see ALL THESE BLACK PEOPLE EVERYWHERE!!!
At first I thought they might be having something because of the Saints’ game, but then I was like, Nah, there were just TOO MANY PEOPLE FOR A TAILGATE.
So, when I finally made it through the crowds to get to Subway, I asked this Sister what was up?
She said it was a Second Line – “The Ladybug Jumpers“
I had heard of them and knew them to be pretty popular because of Mardi Gras.
So, Subway was packed with people trying to use the bathroom but, of course, you had to buy something to use the bathroom. Employees….
So, I just set up at a circular table and found an outlet to charge my laptop and just enjoyed being around New Orleanians. They are so charismatic! I love just being in the vicinity. So, I was just chilling waiting for it to cool down a little. And as the last man was getting ready to leave I asked him if he wanted to buy me a sandwich. He gave me four dollars and I got a cheese pizza. It costs $5.00. Subway has the best pizza, if you can find one that offers it.
So, then I look out the door and I see movement among the crowd. The Sister had told me the Second Line was going to go down Washington (Hey Bay! 😉 ❤ ❤ ❤ ) and I saw floats and cars with people with highly decorated costumes and I felt like it was just another parade but with ALL BLACK PEOPLE and I appreciated that because you know how much I LOVE BLACK PEOPLE but I wanted to hear the BAND!!!
But they just had recorded music.
So, I went back inside and started eating.
Then I see a Sister go look out the door and when she opened it, I heard the music and I knew the band was coming!!!
That was the biggest brass band I had ever seen. They had TWO TUBAS!!!
I would have joined them but
A. I was still eating and had all my worldly belongings on me and didn’t know how far they were going
B. I didn’t want to walk back. It seemed so dismal just thinking about it. But I was to find out later, it is far from dismal.
C. I needed to stay in the area so I could get in the shelter
So, I was really enjoying the music and I saw that after the band there were pigs, so I knew they must be the end.
So, I ate and went back to the shelter.
I was grateful to have a place to stay to get out of the cold at night.
And just went in with the other women.
Of course, they didn’t like me and started talking about Jesus and whatnot like they always do.
When they finally let us in, we had to sit in this little patio and I was the last one in so I was looking for a seat by a Sister and do you know when I finally found one and sat down, she got up and moved!?!? I tell you, these Christians….
So, the lady had told me earlier that the returning women can just go in, so I figured I would wait until they all went in before I tried to do my intake.
Do you know when the lady working there saw me, instantly all the beds were full.
I was thinking, how do you know?
But she kept saying they didn’t have any room and she had turned away three people already. Which I knew was a lie because I was the last one to go in. But she kept saying, I would have to come back tomorrow.
Now, I was thinking about how cold I have been these past few nights and I was not leaving that easily.
She told me after six they close the doors and if someone doesn’t show up I can have their bed tomorrow.
I was like “Why not today?” If I come after six I should be able to get their bed.
She said, it doesn’t work that way.
So, I asked for a blanket.
She said they didn’t give away blankets.
So, by then I knew she just didn’t want to let me in.
And I told her.
She lied again, of course.
I left feeling really down.
I mean, I can’t help being fabulous.
But some women are jealous and hate me because I’m beautiful. LOL ‘member that? I used to think she was so ugly! frfr
But, what could I do?
I can’t be normal.
So, I just packed up all my fabulousness, sat for a minute and tried to plot my next move.
I was so sad I wanted to cry.
But I was not going to give her the satisfaction.
So, I remembered a place I slept in INSIDE last time I was here.
And as I was leaving I saw some clothes and things that someone had dumped on the entrance to the shelter. So I picked out a hot pink sweater to wear over my garment and an oversized cardigan that I thought I could use as a blanket. There were a pair of black knit cotton pants that I thought would be good for my legs but they had a big hole. Razzaq told me to just take them. But I left them.
Then left and rethought about it. I’ve learned to take advantage of certain things because you won’t have the opportunity again once it’s gone. So I went back and got them.
So, there were still a lot of people on the streets even though the Second Line was long gone.
In L.A., our thing is lowriders and Harley Davidson motorcycle clubs.
They have a few lowriders out here but they don’t have switches!
And the motorcycles are like dirt bikes and four-wheeled motorcycles. They ride through the streets doing wheelies and I saw this one Brother fall off! That was scary. But he was okay.
They have a lot of these too. At least more than I’ve ever seen anywhere.
In New Orleans, the devils really want us to stay slaves, so they pay us a lot of money. Everybody has a car and makes “good” money, so they can spend it on “fun” (drinks, cigarettes, clubbing, expensive clothes and jewelry, motorcycles, &c.) And I’m sure there are a few business owners but I’m afraid most of the people who Second-Line and party like they do out here work for devils – SLAVES. And use the partying as a way to forget that fact.
But with the help of Allah, I am going to make them see that we MUST DO SOMETHING FOR SELF for posterity’s sake and drinking and smoking are chains to death. I think because of the Great Flood (that wasn’t really a flood ) a lot of New Orleanians are all about the NOW. They are just happy to be alive and are trying to get as much pleasure out of living RIGHT NOW!
So, they don’t care about the future – their progeny or even their own long life. Not all. But some.
I’ve had more people tell me, when I tell them to stop smoking and drinking, that “you’re gonna die anyway!” than I’ve heard anywhere I’ve been. Like they don’t care about prolonging their lives or living as long as possible. It’s sad.
But I saw all the people walking back and it was like a street party. Crenshaw ain’t got nothing on New Orleans Second Line street parties. They aren’t every Sunday but they are on Sunday. And when they have ’em, it’s like mager!
It was like everybody Black had come out just like last time.
But I didn’t find the main street where everybody was unless it was at this church. And I really hope not.
It was scary trying to maneuver through all that traffic and pedestrians but I finally made it.
I was much warmer than I’ve been at my other spots.
It did get a little cold around one but I just took the oversized cardigan I had been using for a pillow and wrapped up in it.
O! I forgot to tell you I saw Keyvin AGAIN! It was good to see a familiar face and he stopped and talked for a minute. Asked me if I wanted to get a hotel. I was like yeah. He said, Okay, on the first. I laughed out loud and was like “What about now?”
I had a spot but I don’t like trespassing.
He was trying to get me to take him to one of my spots.
You know I couldn’t do that.
But for some reason, probably because my father is an architect, I’m good at finding GOOD places in buildings that most people don’t know about. So, I can stowaway. But I know better than to tell anybody about them. That’s how I got caught last time.
I learned when me and Razzaq were in the fourth grade that once you compromise your position, it’s over. You get caught and there’s no going back!!! So, I’m EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS WHEN IT COMES TO MY HIDEOUTS.
I also got to take a “hoe bath” last night which I really needed since the Sunni Hypocrites kicked me out. I know another place I can take a shower but the water is cold. And I can’t take that. I’d rather be dirty than take a cold shower. So, I’m just going to take hoe baths until I get my check on Friday.
Three days is a long time to go without showering or changing clothes to me now.
Before I became a Muslim I could go seven days.
But, I don’t know. It’s only Monday….
So, I was looking for a picture or video of the Lady BUCK Jumpers and I found out that I turned down the street right before the one the Second Line went down. That’s why I couldn’t find the main street.
I’m kinda glad because I’m Muslim and MUCH MORE RESERVED THAN MOST PEOPLE and New Orleans is wilder than anywhere I’ve ever been. Including Vegas. Vegas is just nasty. But Rawlins is just about partying and drinking and smoking. And I like to party but I don’t drink nor smoke and really don’t care to be around it. And they know it.
BUT THE MUSIC!!!!!!!!
I think I like music more than most people so they’re just going to have to deal with me.
And Razzaq put roots on me so I CAN’T leave. So there!!!
I had to post this again, since I’m in New Orleans and I love Raheem and he features New Orleans’ own “Trombone Shorty” on this track.
As-Salaamu ‘Alaikum Ma Beautiful and Beloved Black Bebies!!!
I had such a good time last night. I’m still basking in the light of that good LIVE MUSIC a la the Corey Henry Funktet! I’m so lucky to be in the birthplace of JAZZ!!! I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I don’t even care if Razzaq put “roots” on me to get me to stay put.
I’ve never been able to stay in one place longer than six months and I tried to leave in October and November, but alas, I’m STILL HERE!!!! Loving it!!!
I still feel like the “new girl” especially after meeting Mr. Beaux Monkey Red last night. He was SO New Orleans. The novelty is nowhere near to running out. I still love overhearing conversations and their fabulous accents!!! Behbeh!
I was talking to Joi, the music producer, who is also from L.A., and she shares my sentiments. There is no better city than New Orleans!!! ❤ ❤ ❤
We can have a Second Line from the Wedding Reception to the hotel and never have to leave the city for our Honeymoon! 😉 However, I still want to visit the birthplace of Hip-Hop one day but AFTER I marry Razzaq. So, I’m content to just chillax in the CRESCENT City until then.
I slept in the HONEYCOMB HIDEOUT last night thinking it might be warmer than THE PRINCESS PAVILLION. It wasn’t AND I got my cape dirty. Making me feel even filthier and I know this is the Dirty South but I’m a Muslim and I can’t stand being dirty. I bought a bike because walking two blocks will blacken your shoes.
But anyway, when the Sun finally came up, it was still real cold when I went and got some coffee. Then went back to THE HIDEOUT to try and decide what to do with my day.
I couldn’t get in the masjid to get the rest of my stuff. They are really hating on ya gurl. Just because I don’t follow the prophet who was sent to the Arabs. So then I got caught in THE PRINCESS PAVILLION 2 again! By that crazy man who kicked me out the other day.
So, I was sitting at this spot I know where I can charge my phone feeling really frustrated and I was just like “Forget it. I’m going to the shelter.”
The first time I came out here I couldn’t stay there because I didn’t have any I.D.
I have one now, I just don’t dig shelters.
I ALWAYS get kicked out.
But this will be my first time in a shelter in New Orleans. And I’m going to TRY to not let my mouth nor my attitude get me kicked out.
It’s free the first seven days and after that it’s ten bucks nightly. Which is better than a hotel, which is what I was going to do every few days just to shower and wash my garments.
So, I haven’t been to Washington Street since I moved out here and it felt really good to see my Baby’s street again. I used to walk down it every day last time I was here.
But this time, I haven’t really been spending much time Uptown. This time I’ve been Downtown. And I like Downtown better even though the name (Downtown) sounds worse than Uptown. I mean who wants to be “down?” besides Brandy? LOL
But The Treme’ is Downtown and that’s where the MUSIC is! Even the Jazz Playhouse is in the Quarter – also Downtown. The Mississippi and the Lake are Downtown. So I REALLY did not want to come all the way Uptown to go to this blasted shelter.
But I don’t have any, well I don’t want to spend any money on another blanket, and I hate being cold at night, so I’m like let me at least see what it’s like.
So, I pushed Lulu in the direction of Uptown and ran into all this traffic. At first I thought it was everybody leaving after the Bayou Classic but then I saw somebody scalping tickets so I knew the Saints were playing today.
Being from L.A., where we haven’t had a football team in upteen years, I just can’t get caught up in the frenzy. It feels like a suburb when they play. Everybody wears jerseys and keeps up with the score and they actually have tailgate parties! I had only seen them on T.V. before I moved out here.
It seems so corny. But last year they had this big shindig outside the Superdome and they had rappers and I kinda dug it. But I don’t know what that was. Something special.
These tailgate parties I saw today were interracial and the music was so annoying and LOUD. I couldn’t wait to get away from there.
But I did roll past one playing brass band but I didn’t go out of my way to check them out because I knew it was a recording. If it had been an actual LIVE band, I would have gone two miles out of my way! Did I mention that I absolutely LOVE live music? 😉
So, I finally made it to the shelter. It’s one o’clock now, but I was told they don’t start admitting until four.
Most Traveler’s Society employees are such jerks.I mean, you would think they were financing the shelter themselves. But they have such superiority/power trips. She wouldn’t even let me sit outside for five minutes to rest before getting back on my bike after trekking all the way from DT. But I’m gonna take it to keep from being cold.
Homemaking For The Black Muslim Woman Journal ™ 