بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

As-Salaamu ‘Alaikum Ma Bebies!

(I see you Mr. Henry 😉 )

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.

“Stay here, Pretty Lady…“

And I ain’t goin’ nowherr!!! Cain’t. Roots…. 😉

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

(Even though I’m from L.A./Compton 😛 )

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.

As long as I can.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

AS-SALAAMU ‘ALAIKUM MA BEAUTIFUL BLACK AND BELOVED BEBIES!!!

So, after I found out about the fund raiser for the Candlelight featuring my favourite trombonist – Mr. Corey Henry – I was going to go to the Library and charge my laptop and iphone but I found an outlet near a HONEYCOMB HIDEOUT, so I started charging my stuff, real comfortable like, next thing I know, the pigs pull up right in front of me.

I wasn’t doing nothing wrong, or so I thought, so I maintained my position.

Then, a Brother pig gets out and asks if I was visiting someone.  I was in the hospital parking lot. And I was like no, I’m charging my laptop. He said, this is private property, you’re not allowed to be here. So, I was like, Cool, I’ll just go.

But, I think pigs are like any other Black men, they see a pretty girl and want to cuff her. LITERALLY too. So, he’s like, not so fast, miss missy, do you have any I.D. on you?

And, I learned a long time ago to NEVER give the pigs your I.D., so I was like No, I don’t have any I.D., I’ll just leave. Trying anything to get away free.

But he was not having it.

You know it’s against the law in the state of Louisiana to not carry I.D.

No, I didn’t know that, Sir.

Even though I figured as much, since it’s the same in California.

So, anyway, he asked for my name and birthday but not my SSN, which was unusual.

I told him my name and took ten years off my birthdate. 😉

But when he didn’t ask for my Social, I knew he was gonna let me go.

And he did.

So I just went back to the HONEYCOMB HIDEOUT but I felt Mr. Henry telling me not to go to the fundraiser.

So, I just chilled but then Razzaq told me to go anyway.

So, you know Razzaq is Jefe too, so I went to the library to use the bathroom and I ran into Keyvin resting on a bench.

I was genuinely happy to see him, having hoped I would run into him today since I was in his neck of the woods.

He wanted to kick it, but I had to use the bathroom, so I was kinda reluctant to leave his company and do you know he asked me if I wanted to have a one-night-stand?!?!?!?!

I was like, “Boy, you better go somewhere with that. I’M MARRIED!” And I showed him Razzaq’s picture. Do you know he started talking about my body? I ran away from him.

But he made me so self-conscious! I mean how can he even see? I wear my garments which are loose-fitting and cover every inch from my neck to my ankles AND I had on a knee-length cape covering even that! I mean really! Seriously? Miss me with that!!!

So, I went to the library, then pushed to the Treme’.

The streets were packed with everybody in town for the Bayou Classic. I only saw one group of people rooting for Grambling. Everybody was Southern. But I think they lost. I kept asking people on my way home but everybody acted like they were deaf. LOL That’s why I’m pretty sure we lost.

So, I get to the Candlelight and before I could even lock Lulu up, this drunk woman comes staggering over to me with a beer in her hand talking about she heard I had followed a little girl home and I couldn’t stay if I was going to be scaring the children. This is a Private Park. I was like, Seriously? GTFOH But I told her I love children. And she seemed to accept that answer and staggered back to the party.

So, a band was playing but by the time I locked up Lu, they had finished and I saw the cutest little boy with a little tiny trumpet. I asked him could he play it. Daddy said, Not yet. And I was amazed at how small his trumpet was and I was wondering if it was a cornet. But he said it was a Pocket Trumpet and I breathed a sigh of relief because I bought my son a cornet and I was hoping it wasn’t that small.

So, anyway, apparently there was a break between groups, so I went and bought a couple of juices and sat down and started reading my Message To The Blackman in America and listening to Musiq Soulchild.

I hadn’t listened to him yet and I was really into the music.

The lady who owns the Candlelight and her cronies don’t really like me, hence the “welcoming committee” but the Brothers were cool. I don’t trust women with blonde hair anyway.

I saw this Brother I always see, and he said, You’ve been reading that same book for six months. I said, Correction Brother, I’ve been reading it for the past ten years.

So, I see a few musicians. You can always tell trumpet players because they carry these square backpacks and you always know they have a trumpet in there. They are the only ones who can do that.

Then I saw Mr. Henry and I had to keep telling myself, I’m my husband’s wife, because I’ve got a thing for musicians and he’s tall and Razzaq’s Doppelganger, and he showed me a little more than a little attention, but I can’t.

A. I cannot hurt Razzaq.

B. I really don’t wanna hurt Razzaq.

So, I just listened to my music and stayed pretty much to myself. Even though I know I looked like I’m somebody with my fur cape and all white garments. I told you Will I Am asked me if I could sing back in the day, so I just have that “look.”

So then, I see Mr. Henry with his trombone and I knew they were about to start. But I kept on my headphones until I actually heard the music.

So, then I see Theodore. The O/G Brother who walked off with my Miles Davis Autobiography last time, but brought it back. And he asked me could he read my Message To The Blackman. I ain’t stupid. I was like Nah, Bruh. Fool me twice, shame on me. Then he asked could he listen to my phone. I was like, Seriously? HELL NAW! But I just said, they are playing music in the club! Then he said, I wanna listen to my own music. I said, that’s MY music. So, then he just comes on out and asked for $1.35.

I don’t know why but I felt like he was trying to play me. So, I told him I needed it. And he asked again! And I was like, Nah Bruh. He was like PLEEEEEZE. And I was like, Look, it’s the end of the month, Niggaz is broke!

That worked. He rolled up.

So, like I said, the suggested donation was a dub but all I had left after buying my juices was $12. (They didn’t accept Food Stamps ) And I was going to pay $10 to go see Mr. Henry on Thursday at his weekly gig, so I figured I might as well give my last ten dollars to support the Candlelight and do you know that bih told me it was twenty dollars to get in?

I told her that’s all I have.

She handed it back to me.

I was like, “Hmph! Some fundraiser! Refusing money!”

But I know she just doesn’t like me because I don’t like devils.

So, I went back outside and just listened to the music.

But it looked so COOL inside!!!

It was BLUE and I wanted to be inside that mug like a mug!

But live music is live music and I contented myself knowing that most musicians had to sit outside the shows before being allowed in for one reason or another.

So, then here comes the Brother who was smoking crack last time, OH! I forgot to tell you, after my donation money was refused, I saw Mr. Henry come look outside, like wondering if I was still there 😀 And then here comes the smoker talking about Mr. Henry lost his phone, did I see it?

Now, this is the same Brother that was talking on a stolen phone the last time I saw him.

So, I was like, He didn’t lose no phone, you just trying to give me a hard time.

He was actually telling someone to call the phone and acting like it was about to ring from my purse or some ish!

So, after I said that, he felt stupid and walked away.

He knows I don’t dig drugs, so he was trying to start some ish to get everybody to make me leave.

But you can’t fool a Muslim nowadays.

So, then Theodore is trying to push up on me and the “welcoming committee” comes and asks him if we were together. He said, Yeah. Then she asked me and I ignored her. Seriously? Leave me alone!

So, I’m really digging the music. They did this Samba or Bossa Nova number that I was really feeling. Orfeu Negro is one of my favorite movies and I like to dance like the women in that movie when I hear that style.

So, I’m standing right outside so I could hear the music good. Then when they finish that song, they played a song I didn’t like so much, and I started being able to smell the port-a-potty that I was standing right next to, so I went to sit down.

Then here comes the “welcoming committee” again. She says something to this devil and points at me. “Ma’am!” She starts calling me. I ignore her. “Ma’am!” I just got up and walked farther away. In fact I walked all the way to the edge of the park before I turned around. She was gone.

So, I went back to where Theodore was sitting and this Brother walks by. I thought I heard Theodore call him “Umar” That’s an Arabic name. So, I asked him if his name was Umar?

Why did he say his name was “Bo Monkey Red?”

I was like “THE Bo Monkey Red????”

I told you earlier I’m a big print media reader. Well, every magazine I’ve picked up since I’ve been in New Orleans had something about this man in it. I was not expecting to meet him like that. But I was cool.

I was just like, “You’re his father,” very matter-of-fact.

And he started telling me how quiet Mr. Henry was growing up and how he could not figure him out until he got him into music. He told me about his other children and I asked him to Lapeitah. He is the Grand Marshall for all of the Second Line Parades and that’s one of his dances. Mr. Henry has a song about it on his record. Okay, I just looked for it. But I remember he just mentions it in one of the songs. That’s the title of his c.d. “Lapeitah” I asked him to do it, but he said he wasn’t feeling it right then. I understood.

He told me his daughter plays trumpet in an all-girl band. I’ve heard of them but I couldn’t remember the name. And he didn’t say, but I’m pretty sure it’s these girls here.

But I had SUCH a GOOD TIME.

I LOVE Mr. Henry’s music. It’s brass but it’s FUNK and I enjoyed it thoroughly. He calls his band a FUNKTET, which is pretty clever because he doesn’t have to change the name if the lineup changes.

This Sister was playing a tambourine and I wanted to snatch it out her hand so badly. I think she knew. But she sounded okay most of the time. And she was with the “krewe du blondes” so I know if I asked her if I could play she would’ve tried to clown. And she didn’t sound bad, so I just enjoyed the music.

They did my favourite song.

You know I’m straight Hip-Hop, so I love when somebody can bust a rhyme – DECENTLY.

I hate when everybody tries to rap just because it’s popular. If you can’t rap PLEEEEEASE PASS THE MIC. PLEASE!

I think that’s why I still haven’t gone to see Kermit Ruffins.

That and the fact that I’m supposed to be Ella to his Louis.

I’m waiting until Allah destroys the devils before I hit the stage unless it’s in a segregated club like back in the day. And from what I’ve heard, he loves them. Got his daughter or somebody up there singing for devils not to mention his song choices – SHINE?????? Seriously?

Granted most of his coonish numbers were from earlier albums, so maybe he didn’t know any better and was just singing Pops’ songs to be singing them. So, I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt but I still don’t know when I’ll be visiting his Mother-in-Law.

I just LOVE LIVE MUSIC and am a glorified GROUPIE at heart, but I’m A.J.’s wife so I can’t be sneaking in the tour bus or limousine or nothing like that no more. LOL

It’s all about the music now.

I can’t even get A PRESS PASS!

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

AS-SALAAMU ‘ALAIKUM MA BEAUTIFUL AND BELOVED BLACK BEBIES!!!

So yesterday was a straight trip.

I got up early and was going to go to a laundromat to dry my garment that I had hand washed the day before but ended up posting on a stoop and it was unusually hot yesterday, so I decided to just lay my clothes out on the stoop and let them air dry.

I sat there for about four hours just listening to music and then decided to go to the masjid.

It was Friday and I knew they were having Jummuah, but I didn’t have anywhere else to go. (Everything was closed for Black Friday). So, I went and just stayed in the Ladies’ Room. I wasn’t expecting so many Sisters. There were about eight in total who came in. But I knew the last one (an old goat hypocrite) would be a problem.

I had my laptop plugged in and was writing and facebooking and whatnot and then I heard them making Salat. I still didn’t go out. I was going to leave but I was listening to the Messenger (Peace Be Upon Him) and he was almost finished, so I figured I would just wait.

Next thing I know, all these Sisters are coming back in the Ladies’ Room, probably to see what I was doing. I talked to one who didn’t have her head covered. And the youngies seemed particularly interested in me with my garments and everything.

But, I like being alone, so I packed up.

And just as I was leaving, the hypocrite poked her head in to see if I was still there.

So, I was and I left.

I went and bought some coffee ice cream and was going to eat it on the stoop I was on earlier.

But I had noticed across the street an empty garage and it was off the street, so I went in there instead. I had already hidden my stuff in there before I went to the masjid, so I just made myself at home and dubbed it THE PRINCESS PAVILLION 2.

So, I thoroughly enjoyed my ice cream, found an outlet, plugged in and started listening to Raheem, just coolin’ out, writing and thoroughly enjoying myself.

Next thing I know, this homeless lady comes in talking about she lives there and I would have to leave.

I was like, “Not no more, you don’t. I live here now.“

So, I just ignore her and keep on writing, not even looking up.

Then she comes tapping me on my foot talking about she was going to call the police. Getting all up in my face.

I was like, “Yeah, right, you live in a garage and you’re going to call the police to make ME leave, GTFOH.”

So, she gets on the phone acting like she was calling the police, telling them I was dressed like a Nun and whatnot and had my electronic equipment plugged up.

Then she comes and yanks my charger out the outlet and I was pissed off but I thought that was kinda bold and decided not to plug it back in.

I think she would’ve hit me.

And I didn’t feel like fighting.

So, I just kept on writing and basically ignoring her, while she’s screaming I have to leave, the police are coming, this is her house, blah, blah, blah.

Then she sees my stuff I had hidden up high and she starts trying to take it down. I just watch her, while I’m steadily writing.

She gets it down and I thought she put it in the garbage bin outside.

But, I had seen this Jehovah’s Witness dig in the garbage after I threw away some literature he had just given me, so I figured I would just do the same thing.

So, I’m still ignoring her and another lady comes by and she starts calling me all kinds of Bs and crazy to her. And I still don’t budge.

But THEN, this big grown man comes in and I’m not afraid to fight two women, but I am not about to try and whoop a full grown man, so he tells me he’s the owner and I’m like, “Yeah, right, whatever, you’re homeless too.” But nevertheless, I was not trying to get a black eye, so I started packing up, talking smack the entire time.

I asked him what’s his name. He told me but I forgot what it was.

Then he asked me my name.

I said it was none of his business.

Then he starts getting mad talking about he’s used to dealing with crazy people and he can be crazy too.

Before that he said I couldn’t “squat” there.

I said I wasn’t squatting.

He said what are you doing?

I said I’m just sitting here.

So, when I wouldn’t tell him my name, he got all in his feelings talking about he was trying to be polite.

I said, you’re kicking me out, that’s not polite.

Then he started showing me he could be crazy too and charged at me, reaching down grabbing the empty bag my ice cream was in and acting like he was going to attack me, yelling and everything.

So, I really started hurrying up and got the hell outta there.

So, much for PRINCESS PAVILLION NO. 2

Turns out she did live there because after I left she went through this door I couldn’t open and went upstairs to an apartment upstairs and he went through the gate in front to this humungous plantation looking like house.

So, I went back to the stoop and tried to play it off even though everybody was looking at me. LOL

So, then I figured since I didn’t have anywhere to go, I would go back to the masjid until they kick me out after Isha.

But when I went in the muezzin told me they told him not to let me in. I asked why. He said he didn’t know.

But I know it’s because I don’t believe like them. And they think it’s their masjidun.

But it really it Allah’s.

They’ll see.

So, I sat on the stoop outside the masjid and plotted my next move.

A few minutes later, the light came on and the muezzin poked his head out and motioned towards me. I knew he was only going to tell me to leave, so I acted like I couldn’t hear him. I had on my headphones. And he went back inside.

I figured I better “posse up” and find another stoop.

So, I started on my way and soon came upon another PRINCESS PAVILLION and spent a cold, interesting night there.

It was even better than PRINCESS PAVILLION NO. 1 because it was quiet and less traffic.

I had a wonderful dream wherein my soulmate officially made me his wife.

Up until then, I had just been saying he was my husband (zawji) or soulmate.

I NEVER said I was his wife.

But in my dream he stamped, “YOU ARE MY WIFE!!!” ON MY HEART AND MIND.

SO NOW I FEEL LIKE IT’S OFFICIAL.

LIKE I CAN’T TALK TO ANYBODY ELSE BECAUSE I AM HIS WIFE NOW.

So, right before dawn, he woke me up and I looked up and saw a beautiful crescent moon, like a sign.

So, I left before everybody woke up and went to where I had stashed some of my stuff.

I was sitting on a stoop, just enjoying the beautiful morning and the aftermath of my dream, when this young Brother comes out of his house and asks if I’m alright. I said, “yahh” like they say in NOLA.

So then he comes over to rap and we talked for a good two hours.

Then I started feeling “rooted.” He liked talking about Voodou. So, I took that as my cue to leave. I had planned to go to the library and it was almost time to open, so I went an got Lulu. I had parked her in front of the front door of the masjid, blocking the entrance.  I was mad.

So, I went to get her basket and ran into the lady who walked up on me and the “homeless” woman from PRINCESS PAVILLION NO. 2 and she pointed out some vacant houses I could take up residence in. I really appreciate that because it’s beautiful but COLD in the PRINCESS PAVILLIONS.

So, me an Lulu push to the Library. I was going to go to CLEO’s, and they are supposed to be open 24 hours but this is the second time I went and they were closed.

So, I just went to the library and it looked like they were open, so I parked Lulu and went up to the door, but they weren’t open yet. Ten more minutes.

But ten minutes can seem like an eternity while you’re waiting for something to open up, so I decided to walk to the gas station and get some coffee.

I walked past Subway, grudgingly, since they banned me.

Picked up somebody’s New York Times and saw another car with Southern University Jaguars flags on the windows and it hit me that today is the Bayou Classic.

So, you know my husband went to Southern and I couldn’t help but remember how vivid my dream was and wonder if he could be in town.

❤ ❤ ❤

So, I went to the gas station and was going to get hot chocolate but they had some mint mocha coffee that sounded pretty good and Zawji (my husband) told me I needed it. So, I got some and went to the register.

There was a Brother ahead of me and I always give Brothers the opportunity to pay for my purchases, so I asked him if he wanted to pay for my coffee and he told the cashier to add it to his bill.

Al Hamdulillah!

Sisters, real men enjoy spending money on us. We are the reason they go to work. A man who doesn’t have anyone to help him spend his money has a void in his life. One Brother told me he loves taking women shopping. He said frankly, “it makes his dick hard.”

I hope that doesn’t mean he expects sex because sex before marriage is a sin.

So, I went and sat where me an Keyvon sat the other day and drank my coffee and saw yet another Jaguars car. I drank my coffee and looked at the headlines on the NYT. The main story was about Venezuela and I’m only interested in America. So, I figured it wasn’t worth reading.

Lately, newspapers have been leaving me hanging. The New Orleans Advocate used to be really good, but the last time I read it it was about half the original size and the stories were fluff.

I used to be a really big print media reader, but they are so banal now. Even the ones with concert listings seem to just be about where to buy alcohol or homosexual or pork restaurants. So, I haven’t been picking them up at all lately.

Raheem has a song with Trombone Shorty that is good. But his solo is dry. Corey Henry is better. I was thinking about going to catch his show next week. If I can remember where. Let me Google it. BRB

Okay, so I couldn’t find his weekly show but came up on a fundraiser he’s organizing today. I don’t have the suggested dub but I can give what I can.

So, Zawji, if you’re in town, I won’t be trying to sneak into the Classic Bayou, I’ll be in the Treme’

HOLLA IF YOU HEAR ME

❤ ❤ ❤

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

AS-SALAAM-ALAIKUM MY BEAUTIFUL BLACK BEBIES!!!

So, I got kicked out the original PRINCESS PAVILLION and I’ve just been kinda kickin’ it wherever. (As you can see in the picture LOL)

But I have my laptop and Allah ALWAYS leads me to spots that have outlets and I have a hotspot on my iphone, so I have Internet access (Facebook, my blog, YT) and most importantly MUSIC, wherever I am.

It’s just NIGHTTIME that’s tricky.

After spending that night in Lancaster, I think I can take anything, but there’s nothing worse than being cold. Being cold is worse than being hot, IMO. It’s also worse, much worse than being lonely.

Sometimes, I get so lonely, I cry. It’s usually at the end of the month. Like last night. I haven’t figured out why that is yet. I can only assume it’s because a new month is brewing, thus a new beginning.

But, I’ve been wondering/contemplating what I’m going to do.

The Masons have a thing they call “Traveling Man” and for them it’s just symbolic.

But Mason means “Muslim Son”

And for us (some of us) its literal.

I met Our Saviour, Allah – MASTER FARD MUHAMMAD, TO WHOM PRAISES ARE DUE FOREVER – traveling.

I really believe Allah Wants Me To Be A Transient.

Whenever I find a place, it feels good to have a place, but it never lasts.

My peace is disturbed one way or another

And I find myself back on the streets.

And it feels worse than if I had never found a place.

So, I think, I think I’m going to remain homeless BY CHOICE.

At least until my Razzaq decides to collect me.

I hate having to start all over

BEING HOMELESS

Even if I moved in with someone just to get off the street

Or even if I got my own place

I know it won’t last

It’s like if I hook up with somebody

Just for whatever reason

I know it won’t last

And then I’ll be back at one