Downtown and the Underground

I have been spending some time wandering the streets of my home town's lower downtown area. It is truly a pleasure. I have been enjoying it immensely because I've been getting to spend a great deal of time by myself and I find that peaceful. I enjoy going places that I want to go, just doing my own thing. I like it best when there is no one bothering me or looking for me. 

There are several places I visit. Often times, I journey downtown to visit the library and roam the book shelves, admiring titles and book covers. I especially enjoy all the cozy places there are to seat yourself on the second floor. I like to sit at the tables to the far right and get a view of the legal buildings intricate walls across the street and do my homework sometimes, or just jot down notes. There is a lobby within the library that is really beautiful. It's a very openly displayed and well lit room because most of its' walls are two-story glass. It looks metropolitan to me because of the high seated silver chairs and spinly tables. There are a few low, rounded silver tables as well and I've sat there before writing poetry once.

Just outside the Library, there is a lovely little nook across the street and on the corner. Beware, the streets around it are torn asunder, but the little patch of freshly cut green lawn is a very clean space to sit and think. It is always sunny and so green that it just inspires me to come and lay on it with a book, which I have done so before. There are also various benches that rest in the sun along that side of thre street with the legal building and its quotes engraved on the wall. Just beyond the square of green grass, there is a small alcove boasting a statue of Lady Liberty dedicated by the Boy Scouts. The statue is centered in the middle of a shady space with wooden benches on either side.  There is a canopy of green above your head and you will notice the pattern of the light filtering through the leaves and illuminating the sidewalk where you stand.

Park and Harvey, the intersection the library is located, is pretty much my honey spot. It's full of so many goodies and my next one is now my new favorite place to dine (for the time being). It's the Park Harvey Sports Bar & Grill! =)!!! It's a sushi lounge *nods in approval* I love it muchly and the food can even be cheap at times if you order water. (I tend to spend about 7-10 bucks anytime I get the craving, which was pretty freakin' frequent this last month.... Oh well, it was delicious! :D) The avenue is rather small but it is a happenin' place to be. Sometimes I go at lunch and there are several patrons there populating the round tables with high backed, oriental looking chairs. I personally like to seat myself up at the bar on the second to last tall red seated chair near the glass wall. I like having a view of the library on the adjacent corner and I enjoy watching the busy people of downtown make their way past.

Which reminds me of another thing I admire about downtown: The people teeming in the torn-up streets and navigating all the one way streets and construction areas. I notice that a lot of the citizens wandering the town's streets are very well dressed and it seems as though people roam in packs almost to me. Groups from 2-5 seem common to me as I wander the streets as well, although of course there are the lone walkers such as myself, too. I greatly admire the men's three piece business suits and appreciate their good style. Many of them sport trendy sunglasses as well. As for the women, I observe with an envious eye all the decadent jewelry, such as necklaces and ankle bracelets and rings. And the dresses!! Dresses are my new thing.

I go a couple of other places downtown. I like walking the streets and looking at the colorful statues we have arranged there. They're random like large guitars, penguins, horses, and other such things. I usually see these things walking over to the Sheraton hotel. I like to go there sometimes and sit in their lounge drinking an alcoholic beverage of some kind and reading a book in a remote corner. Sometimes I stride past the bell hop with a sense of purpose and go around the corner to their elevators where I hitch a ride up to the third floor. There's an exercise room there but the main attractions (which has been closed recently) is their swimming pool. I'm sure no one would notice if I chose to take a dip in there this summer ;) I know this because when it was open, I would open the big black gate and go sit by the pool side, dangling my feet in the water. Or sometimes I would lounge on their lawn chairs and get drowsy in the sun just for the heck of it or read a book sometimes.

The Renaissance hotel is right next door and I like getting drinks there event better. The lobby is larger and the seating is sort of more privately arranged tucked in here and there. The lobby is much more beautiful than the Sheraton's as well. It looks more elegant and cozy to me with plenty of plants and I believe there is a source of water someplace, too. The atmosphere is more relaxing with its reddish (from what I can recall) interior and warm color scheme and lighting.

I also enjoy the Myriad Gardens, especially at night. But when I go there normally it is day time and my express purpose is to sit at these small tables right on the outskirt situated next to a sparsely furnished, low ceiling white showcase sort of room. There's a kitchen hidden in it's depths, I've noticed and I've seen people having wedding photographs shot there once before. It seems like an ideal setting for such a thing, really. The Gardens have been newly renovated and the cement there is perfectly white and fresh looking. There's a large square of this cement with 4 large potted trees strategically placed and then the benches I often occupy are off to their right. I'll write in my journal because I crave the sweet spring air and sunshine as I unload myself. Or sometimes I 'll lay on my back on the cement bench near and talk on the phone as I stare at the sky.

I've made the large chase building downtown my primary bank. As such, I parallel park in front of it and wander through the nice space. There are large fake flowers and the place is always sunny and well lit. The main lobby area is very open and huge and there rests a large black piano near one of its pillars. There are also a few chairs scattered here and there and the glass walls allow me to feel the warmth of the sunshine as I sit there and read my books sometimes (more like once, but it was nice so I plan to do it again).

My bank tellers are located on the second floor and I ride the escalator down to them. On that level, there is also an entrance to The underground! :D Hakim and I recently went and explored the brightly lit, differently colored, hallways. It was pretty neat and there are plenty of pictures and signs to observe along the way. I love that there was discreet entrances into corporate buildings and I saw some shops located in these buildings. One building in particular was quite pretty because they had these large, transparently colored tiles suspended in mid-air and there were tables to seat yourselves bat where the sun shined. Hakim and I also explored the air walk ways the adjoining buildings had to offer which was a pleasant experience also. I saw so many restaurants inside the tunnels and lower levels of buildings. i think I am going to make it my mission to dine at many of these places because I think they're pretty neat, like it's a surprise if you can even find them lol 

So anyway Xanga, that has been what I've been up to...

Hakim and I went to an excellent sushi restaurant~ Park Harvey Sports Grill & Bar downtown :)

I'd been meaning to go there for quite some time and my Honey obliged me. I pass the small cafe-ish space everytime I go down town to the Library. The venue is small but the food is so worth it <3 I don't actually have anything to say though... except I'm ludicrously happy and all that, still. And my mother is driving me up the wall. Nothing out of the usual... :)

You Are Spring

You can't help but be influenced by the world around you. You are open to change and growth. You are optimistic and trusting. You expect the best from people and usually get it. You are autonomous and fulfilled. You know how to make yourself happy. You are sweet and angelic. You try your best to never harm or hurt others in any way.

GOODNESS GRACIOUS. SOME PEOPLE ARE ASSHOLES.

My Aunt is one of these assholes, as fate would have it. :( *heavy sigh*

For, you see, she recently came a-calling to our house with her new boyfriend (did I mention she's also married?) and since Hakim had stayed the night, he was there for their arrival. I had high hopes- although she is not someone I seek to please or to have their blessing necessarily, I nonetheless like my Aunt even though she is also pressing herself on me and trying to show me how alike we are. (We are not. As far as I can see, the only thing we have in common is that we are more scholarly than the rest of our family, and I use that term loosely in my case... hah)

But anyway, I only see her a couple of times a year and she is so often sympathetic to my troubles at home with my mother. Apparently, my Grandma was a terror to her in her days of youth and she had the same kind of relationship with my Granny. So she listens and she understands. And miraculously enough, even for all her other short comings, I love Rob tremendously because she is one of the only people in our family that sees me as an adult, a mature and sensible one at that, that is capable of their own feelings and making their own decisions. Such is a luxury in my family, seeing as most of them view me as some rebellious, albiet nice, young person who depends on everybody in the family.

She no doubt knew about the anxiety I felt in introducing Hakim to the rest of the family. I never bothered to hide the fact that I wasn't necessarily singing for joy at the prospect. I was scared that they would come across as racist assholes and so I was reluctant to introduce my man to them. I do not like criticism of any kind, especially when I do not deserve it, so I was not eager for this to happen. I thought Rob would be understanding and although many of my family members take great joy in embarrassing me, I thought she would be above such adolescent teasings.

APPARENTLY, I WAS WRONG.

The first thing she did when she met Hakim was say, "Oh, he's attractive Lacy! I was picturing him with darker skin," to which Hakim good humoredly replied, "Oh yeah, I guess I should tan more." And then she was mean and rude and said, "I was expecting to see you in your robes!" And I blanched and stared out the window uncomfortably as Hakim laughed it off. We beat a hasty retreat into my room so I could erase the happening from both of us but before I did, I asked Hakim his first impression, and he said she sucked!!! WHICH SHE DID, DAMMIT. She managed to embarrass me more than my Grandpa before her, who actually questioned Hakim about his religious background and made a big deal about his ethnicity, too. She also added insult to injury because she was the first one to actually offend my Honey and I was so not happy.

I told my mother as much after my Aunt and her boy toy and Hakim left the house. My mom stood up for the more ignorant members of our family, saying that it wasn't wrong to point out a person's ethnicity and didn't I want my family to be themselves???? If you're going to be insulting.... NO, ASSHOLES, I DON'T. *fumes a little* I was just so disappointed that Rob let me down in such a way. I would never cast judgment on her to her face for dating someone when she is married, so what right does she have to be so rude and criticise my choice of partner?? Especially when I am so happy with my choice. I resent anyone casting a leery eye on my boyfriend when he deserves no such treatment. They talk about him as though he was one of the original hi jackers on 9/11 and I cannot stand this racist behavior. It makes me ashamed of them that they are so narrow minded and uncool about everything and I find it very insulting.

I am nothing but nice and respectable to the people in my family... so be nice and respectful to me, dammit! I do not call being racist and insulting to my boyfriend being respectful of me. I am not asking for much here, people. I told my mother that all I am asking for is that you treat my boyfriend like a normal ass person, which he is, and show him and me the respect you would reserve for someone your family member cares about. I just want people to accept my choice in partner, thus accepting my good judgement, and having confidence in the fact that I would not date someone who was bad for me or bad in an outright way. I am not air headed bimbo that gets herself into fucked up situations so please do not insult me that way by insinuating that I have chosen wrongly for myself. If he makes me happy and he respects me and is good to me, that should be all that matters. And Hakim is undoubtedly all of those things for me.

So quit being racist assholes, fuckers.

This survey gets a little personal can you handle it?
Bring it.

If you married the last person you texted, what would your last name be?
Salem

Were you happy when you woke up today?
I haven't woke up today! Because I never fell asleep last night ^__^

When were you on the phone last? And with who?
I can't recall correctly. My memory is hazy.

Have you talked to a complete jerk today?
Nope, not yet. Jerk free!

Whats a fact about the last person who text messaged you?
That service prepared my sexy new glasses in order for me to come pick them up today.

Want someone back in your life?
There is this certain someone.

What are you excited for?
I am excited to see my lover today.

What did you do yesterday?
a whole lot of nothing.

Honestly, who was the last person to tell you that they love you?
My dear Elizabeth <3

What's the last thing you put in your mouth?
My finger.

Are you scared to fall in love?
Perhaps a little, but shh.

Do you think teenagers can be in love?
yeah why not? even if it is juvenille, that doesn't make it any less real I suppose

Last person you wanted to punch in the face?
Well, as mean as it is, probably my mother

What time is it right this second?
12:36pm

Is there something you want to tell someone?
I am dying to tell him, yes.

What do you want right now, be honest?
to go to the bathroom

Who was the last person you took a picture with?
that would be my fine ass sexy glasses <3 :P

Are you single/taken/heartbroken/confused?
happily taken

Is it easy to make you cry?
I don't think so, unless you are the movie My Girl

Do you find it hard to trust others?
I think I usually trust you until you give me a reason not to.

Do you care too much/not at all/just enough?
a mixture of all of the above, please

How fast does your mood change?
Not very. My moods seem to revolve every couple of weeks, actually.

I bet you miss somebody right now.
Always. I miss her dreadfully and wish we were closer like we used to be.

Can you honestly say you're okay right now?
I totally can.

Do you tell people you're ok when you're really not?
more often then not

Tell me what's on your mind?
I have to go to work at 4:30. I both hope it doesn't take long but wish I could get more hours. -sigh-

Who is someone you wish you could fix things with?
My dear friend whom I no longer speak to

Have you ever worn the opposite sex' s clothing?
As night things all the time

Your best friend of the opposite sex likes you, what do you do?
chastise him

Do you have someone of the opposite sex you can tell everything to?
maybe two...