IN NEW YORK I haven't blogged in a good minute. The last time I had anything to say was around the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11th. From then until now (May 23rd) some big things have transpired. The biggest news is that I did have the opportunity to go back stateside for a month. This has been my first trip back home in 3 1/2 years. My globetrotting vacation has taken me from Tokyo to three different states and seven different cities, those being New York [Bronx, Harlem, Manhattan], Virginia [Hampton, Virginia Beach], and Tennessee [Clarksville, Nashville]. This vacation was all about family and escape. After experiencing daily earthquake aftershocks and radiation scares in Japan I finally made the decision to return to home in April for a full month to take a breather. I had an opportunity to visit with most everyone on my father's side of the family in NYC and do a lot of excursions that I wanted to do while I was there, such as go to The National Jazz Museum in Harlem, hang out in Harlem and El Barrio (because I am black and Puerto Rican so I can relate to both sides brother you feel me?) and dine at Cafe Reggio's down in the Greenwich Village on MacDougal St. Spent a lot of money shopping. Back down in VA/TN just chilling with family and socializing was the main way to spend a day. It was a blast for me. Photos: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150167016799824.313872.539344823&l=71df8cd9a1 MILES DAVIS BOOK My Miles Davis Companion Guide book officially released in April. It's one of those things that's hard to explain. If you love Miles Davis and Jazz music pick it up, if you don't then don't bother. Buy Link: http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/MAP VIVATOKYO PRIMAVERA PARTY This party was this past Saturday on May 21st in Roppongi, Tokyo. Complete blast, met some awesome girls. What a way to spend a weekend, let me tell you. If you missed it make sure you come to the next one for sure. Photos: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150265138485775.374710.12393065774 SHOUTOUTS Shoutouts to the NY family. Grandmother Dolores, uncle Jerry, great uncle Macho, aunt Rosa, aunt Delilah, aunt Maria, cousin Isabel, cousin Sky, cousin Melissa, Sapphire the cat, RIP to my uncle Freddy (three years today), RIP to Ashley the cat, and a shoutout to anyone who I forgot to mention. Shoutout to my father Augustin in VA for making the whole trip possible for me. I had a great time. I had the decision of leaving Japan permently and moving to NYC with your encouragement/blessing and from Grandma as well. I can't/won't leave yet, I made the decision that it isn't my time to go so soon so I'll stick it out here for a bit longer. Shoutouts to the TN family. Mother Ann, brother Miguel, brother Corey, niece Aliyah, sister-in-law Misty, the cat (forgot your name) aka the really fat cat. Shoutouts to the VivaTokyo party organizing crew. Founder Edu (Spain), Juan Carlos (France), Travis (Australia), Seth (USA), Taka (Japan), Naomi (Japan), and myself (USA). We are the United Nations of hot Playboys. Much success to us in the future. Let's keep the fun growing and growing.
