We are Star Dust...

When I listen to Daft Punk...I am 100% sure we are all Star Dust...looking for ways to collide...connect and be reborn to once again shine as brightly as the sun...

Running from the world...

'This world truly scares me...  when I run I don't know if I'm doing it for the health benefits...or to run away from it all...but ultimately there's no escaping the realities we create on the planet...its not flat...we can't just fly over the edge and into utopia...we have to face the facts, deal with the truth...and somehow create our own happiness...one way or another...' Hajee

The Search for Avonte

Decided to put my legs to good use today and help with the search for missing autistic teen Avonte Oquendo. At one point I was walking along the train tracks where I'm sure I wasn't supposed to be but the gate was open and I figured since Avonte is known to have an affinity for trains, it made sense to search every nook and cranny.   However, after 5 hours of searching...No luck.  While I did put up a lot of posters it was difficult not to feel painfully disappointed knowing I had not been successful in finding this lost child.  Don't know how this family (or others who have been through this nightmare) cope... I am proud to see the amount of love and support pouring in to the family from so many new yorkers and people all over the world.  

Its so weird when things like this happen...  The volunteer tent was near the new luxury high rises in LIC and as I returned after the search, feet hurting and honestly just wanting to cry a bit...It was hard watching the rest of the world pass by looking as if they didn't have a care in the world.  But then again... I guess that is what we want.  Everyone to live happily, untouched by nightmares like this.  All in all, I pray and hope this sweet child is foundI took some flyers home and will post them in manhattan tomorrow.  The more people who see this poster, see his face and know the story...I'm sure we will be able to get him home safe where he belongs.  <3

unharmed. 

Life is a PUZZLE...but we can SOLVE it with LOVE

I wrote this after seeing the news clips on the Trayvon Martin case...watching way more news than I generally like to...and feeling a bit concerned about race relations and the future of our world....

"At some point we ALL need to SIMPLY step back...and look at the BIG picture...see where we currently fit in and do our part to put it all TOGETHER... Life is a puzzle...but we CAN solve all our problems the moment WE think, work and LOVE as ONE." -Hajee

 

Cherry Blossom Fever!

Dear Mr.or Mrs. Cherry Blossom,
I'm Ready!
Regards,
Hajee

Yin-Yang Perfection

“They love you then they throw you away…As humans we love to build up only to tear down…it is better to be mediocre…walk the middle line; be too great for disdain but not quite enough for vicious envy…The answer to all questions in life is moderation. The space between Yin and Yang…is perfection.” -Hajee

Disco Skate Funkadelic!

Created a group meetup for the latest Down n Derby Disco Skate Party (LOVE THESE BTW) and ended up lost in the streets of BK for a good 30 mins (sadly I AM a Native New Yorker......who gets lost in the city EVERY DAY).  But a guy I never met, but was supposed to meet with there was nice enough to walk out and meet me halfway.  When I got there the music was great but the space was no bigger than a dance floor.  That of course did not stop the crowd from throwing on their skates and having a GREAT TIME!  Of course "Sammy" (apparently everyone knows him) was there. I had seen him at the last party dressed in a skin-tight purple glitter outfit doing twists and flips on the floor.  This time he had glitter SHORT SHORTs and a huge feather in his hair.  GOTTA LOVE THIS GUY!!!  He really makes the party.  I truly enjoyed myself and although I never met up with the group I stuck with a few people there and at times got lost in the music...went out to the middle of the dance/skate floor with my head thrown back and eyes close and swam in the euphoria!  (no....i don't drink or take drugs...I'm just naturally spacey ;))

Can't wait for the next disco skate party!!!!  wooohooo!!!

Thinking of taking skating lessons with one of our group members, check out her vid she's good:

My Latest Art Review, Just in Time for Black History Month

My Latest Art Review: 

http://nycartparasites.com/reviews/MoMA-PS1-Exhibition-Now-Dig-This-1530.html

Please read and "like" ♥

Gym Therapy

I'm not crazy...
The GYM is my THERAPY.

The True Love Potion

With the fast approach of yet another lonely valentines day, I've been spending a lot of time thinking about love...and my seemingly bad luck in this area of life.  It wasn't until I did my natal chart that I found that my Venus was in my 12th House...aka a propensity for being "unlucky" in matters of the heart.  I think the moment I learned that I stopped reading my horoscope and believing there was any credibility in astrology.  It was my defense mechanism kicking in.  I just finished watching a movie called "5 star day" which focused on whether or not there was any truth to astrology...for the sake of my love life and future kids (if any) I hope not. lol.  Anywho, after watching this movie and listening to one of my FAVE songs "Satellite" by Guster, I wrote this poem.  Not the best poem in the world...but I figured I would use it to convince myself that 1) There is such a thing as true love and 2) I am worthy enough and lucky enough to someday obtain it.  We all are :)

Mutual Love Potion

We all want it

Some more than we’d like to admit

It’s the potent force behind our feeble attempts;

Our hasty decisions and ill fated unions.

When we have closed the doors and locked

Them against the disappointment of it never arriving.

We tell ourselves it did not exist and was nothing more than a fairytale.

This helps us sleep better whether it’s cold and alone or warm beside a flimsy substitute.

It is there…

And like all other things we desire…

It is only obtainable if we believe;

Stupidly, heartily, blindly

Until the universe has no other option but to make it manifest…

This thing that would make us feel as if we were soaring through the heavens

Showered by shimmering stars and warm galaxies…

Those arms that would hold you tight and make you forget the

Body of thoughts and pinching worries you’ve accumulated over the ravages of a lifetime.

That person so perfectly made they could never disappoint…well…not for long

In them you could see all that was beautiful in this world and beyond.

The soul that makes you feel whole; no longer an alien being just passing through

On your way to nowhere discernible.

A part of something bigger, something eternal, something kissed

By creation and blessed by the heavens.

Mutual Love is not for the weak; not for the disbelievers; Not for the Seasoned Reasoner,

Nor for the sly or calculating.

It is for the pure of heart, who would wait an eternity if it would take so long

For their paths to cross and their hands to touch…

For when the right one comes along, whether in this life or the next or the next

There is no question, no hesitation, no wondering

There is only connecting

Again and again and again

Like colossal stars bursting and dying; their dust creating new planets and nations and forms of life

Forms of…Love

From this very moment, this day and the next, past time and space

In a perpetual cycle of

Mutual Perfection.

By HaaJar “Hajee” Johnson

Superbowls and Bleached Khakis...Life is funny :)

Life can be soooo funny at times.  I don't follow sports at all...but I think anyone with a pulse knows this thing they call the "Super Bowl" is today.  I just happened to look at the news and saw the Ravens are playing.  Some of my close friends know I met Ray Lewis (of the Ravens) years ago...probably in 2000 I think, while riding a grey hound bus from Virginia (oddly enough).  I had no idea who he was, but we had sparked up a convo and he told me he played football and was being allowed back on the Ravens after having "nearly messed things up" or something like that.  We sat and talked for most of the ride and he told me how he was trying to get his life back together etc.  He mentioned that he needed a "good girl" like me in his life and he was sure he would stay focused and not get sidetracked (yeah he was trying to spit game lol). 

Anywho, he gave me his number before we parted ways.  I was wearing a purple scarf (don't ask) and khaki pants with tons of pockets (don't ask) and put his number in one of the pockets.  I wasn't interested in him romantically but figured I would keep in touch.  Long story short, I forgot about the paper, washed the pants in bleach (don't ask) and never had the chance to call.   Now watching his prep for this major event, I'm excited he FINALLY got things together outside of those issues a few years back and really hope they win.  I won't be watching the game (trying out Hot Yoga today woohoo) but whereas I usually just root for the team with the prettiest colors...today I know who I'm standing behind.  :)

A Lifetime Dream closer to coming true...and I nearly missed it!

http://www.britwriters.com/news/brit-writers-awards-2012-the-winners.html

Just found out I was granted the Brit Writers "International Writer" award!  I flew out to London from NYC for the awards but left the ceremony probably just SECONDS before they called my name.  I was not aware I was even nominated for this category.  Definitely learned a few life lessons here but overall STILL SOOOO EXCITED about this achievement!!!

I had a great speech prepared that is now lost in some other dimension of time and space...but i'll use this post to say the most important parts...i started off thanking God but that obviously goes without saying...i then spoke about a little girl growing up in the Bronx with big dreams and high hopes...and I went on to say...that my father helped me write my first poem, was my biggest supporter and greatest fan...and I was certain that he could see this and all my future achievements knowing he played a major part..and among any applause for my work, even in death, his would be the loudest and most sincere...


KEEP DREAMING, NEVER GIVE UP, KEEP HOPE ALIVE: all so very cliche and YET all SO VERY TRUE!!!

<3

2013 New Years Eve at Times Square: Couch Surfer Style

Couch Surfing NYE at Times Square 2013

This definitely stands out as one of the most memorable times in my life.  My first NYE in Times Square…that’s right…I’m a Native New Yorker and never experienced this once in a lifetime (once because after standing hours in the cold with no bathroom, you generally WILL not do it again) event.  I created a meetup via couchsurfing thinking 5 or 6 ppl might join myself and my 2 couch surfing guests but it ended up being well over 25 people who showed up.  Thankfully I had painted (way too much time on my hands and coffee in my system) an orange Couch Surfing flag the night before and that was our beacon of hope in a crowd of millions.  I asked everyone to say their name, where they were from and their New Years wishes.  During this process I pulled in some strangers who looked lonesome and like they wanted to be a part of the fun.  We called them our “orphans” and they ended up sticking with us the entire night.

We ended up spending the first 5 hours circling Times Square as the INCREDIBLY smart and diligent NYPD officers either sent people in the wrong direction, right out said “I have no idea” or simply stared at us wide-eyed and dazed when we asked where we should go after other officers closed off streets and told us to “move it”.  We finally ended up on W48th and Broadway with a great view of the ball and the big screens.  From that point on the night was filled with silly group activities.  We created 1) a new dance called the penguin shuffle (mostly just to stay warm) 2) the penguin hug (mostly just to stay warm and cop a feel) and 3) The London Fish song….(don’t ask).  We found a guy who was delivering pizza to the crowd and bought two huge pies that were devoured in seconds…while the song “Animal” played in the background….lol

After the ball dropped, we all went a little crazy.  We could not believe that our 12 hour wait was over.  I can honestly say that waiting for this felt more strenuous than the marathon I ran a few months ago…  The relief of seeing the New Year in and the connection we had made with a host of strangers…truly made this a once in a lifetime moment.  I asked the group to hug after the ball dropped.  As we hugged and got in all the love vibes, the song “A wonderful World” played and no one let go but we began to sing together.  People passing by began taping us, taking pictures and one guy even broke into our circle and started to break dance!!! Lol Hilarious!  Before we could break the love circle the song “Somewhere over the Rainbow” played and so we saw this song through as well….really an amazing moment for humanity.  One of our members (and my buddy for most of the night) from Denmark had a birthday and so we sang happy birthday to him.  Then totally spur of the moment a group of our French members sang it in French, then the Colombians and Hondurans sang it in Spanish, then the Danish sang it in their language, then the Turkish sang it in theirs, and the Indians as well…truly a spectacular moment as well.  As we left Times Square with our CS flag raised so we didn’t get lost in the crowds, we made our way to a Mexican bar for an afterparty.  A bunch of our 20 remaining members came up to me and let me know how thankful they were for me putting this together and our “orphans” told me numerous times they were happy to have been pulled into this love fest.  I did not expect this to be such a huge undertaking or mean so much to everyone, but am glad it worked out this way…

I have to say….definitely a night to remember, forever and for always… <3