"Flashing Lights" -Paparazzi Pics (Pt.84)

I don't know what it is about this holiday (Labor Day) parade that turns Eastern Pkwy into "Stankonia!" Either is the piles of garbage thrown around, or it's the no panties/panties only dress code that's become the custom. Or both! Not that I'm opposed to the no/only panties thing, it's the guts that come with them that's a strong "NO THANK YOU!" for me I think. Would you agree? This year I actual made an effort to avoid attending, just due to the over-crowding and the ignorance in abundance that seems to take place among gangs of dudes, trying to holler at crotch hugging, shorts wearing girls. But the West Indian (Panama) in me sucked he's teeth and say "Go Wan." Maybe I'll see something "blog worthy." Before I even got out of the train station I started to regret it...just TOO MANY PEOPLE for me! It was like the "Great Migration" of animals in Africa. And cops were the cattle drivers! There were more food vendors then ever this year I feel. Every stand was selling Jerk something. By the time I left, with all the cooking smoke getting in my clothes, I smelt like one BIG Jerk! 15-20 mins tops is the most time I was out there, and half to that time was just trying to cross the G' damn street! I'm done! I boggle danced my ass back home, and brought a mild beef patty w/coco bread to feel like I was still down with the celebration. Maybe next year I'll be into it...maybe.

"No One Is An Island"-Food For Thought

Kinda hard to do restaurant reviews when all you've been eating lately is Kennedy Fried Chicken Combos (lol). However this past weekend, while attempting to attend the "Target First Saturdays" event (worst one EVER) at the Brooklyn Museum. Due to the overcrowding and extreme tropical indoor heating inside, my newly "Brooklynized"Japanese friends and I decided to abort mission and feed our talkative stomachs at a nearby local Jamaican eatery, called the Islands. First of all, do not go with a watch. Time management is NOT on the menu. Add the wait for a table, times the wait for the waiter & food, and that's about the length of travel time TO Jamacia mon! Once sitted, too close for comfort to the restroom, the former NBA player turned Jamacian restaurant waiter, came (ducking) upstairs to take our order. Keep in mind the upstairs dining area has sitting for only 15 ppl (tops) and the ceiling is 6'5" but the waiters '6'9" so that's a wild look in itself. BYOB is the policy in this spot, so liks was flowing everyway. our neighboring table even donated a bottle (or four) to us...SWEET! At long last once your food finally arrives, the loud drunk customer next to you, the towering waiter, the wait, all are long forgotten. Your mouth goes on vacation down to "the Yard." Halfway through even my Japanese bredrens started speaking with a Yard accent! Bumba clot! I swear you'll walk into every West Indian spot that you've ever ordered a meal from and slap the cook, for selling you bootleg Jamacian dishes. Yes, that how good the food is...no lie.

The Islands
803 Washington Ave. (near Eastern Pkwy.)
Brooklyn, NY
(718)398-3575

"Brooooklllynn Ballin'"-Kanye hosts Brooklyn Ball in the Brooklyn Museum

Now I predicted this was gonna happen...I was just hoping it was gonna happen the day that I was attending. DAMN! Anyway, this Thurs. at the Brooklyn Museum of Arts, round my old stomping grounds on Eastern Parkway (famous for the yearly Labor Day parade) they'll be hosting a sold-out private affair for the pre-pre-opening for Saturday's big exhibit feat. famed Japanese artist Takashi Murakami. Noted for his recent work with luxury brand Louis Vuitton and Mr. (Kanye) West "Graduation" CD cover art.
I still have my fingers crossed that he'll do a cameo at the dinner reception on Fri. I'll be attending (so I can take pics...all for you of course). I'm now working on getting a management contact to invite the "West entourage" to stop through to "the Class Reunion" (at Scopello's) afterwards, just to WOW folks the eff out. Plus I'm sure he'll be using the name ("the Class Reunion") for a future CD title...So it's only right. Right?