Monday, May 7th 2007
Birthday Getaway
;)
Last weekend I was back in Boston for my friend Saya’s birthday. We spent Saturday with her folks in Peterborough, NH. I love her family and I love where they live. The backdrop is green, lush and secluded with lots of lakes. This is where Stoneybrook Yogurt was founded, born out of one man’s desire to create something beneficial for the consumer and kind to the animals. We all joined forces to create a Mexican inspired feast; tacos with lime chicken, rice, beans, roasted veggies and an impromptu cilantro sauce that Saya whipped up.
;)
Getting Goofy!
;)
Our friend, JD, on his first trip to meet the family.
The next morning was the highlight of the trip, Montreal. We dropped JD at the train station and headed north. I love, love Montreal. I’ve always thought of it as a little Europe in my backyard, the city smells of the continent. It is in the attitudes, looks and general disposition of the people who call this lovely metropolis home. Saya knows her way around the city since she lived there for many years. It was such a nice way to see something new; through the eyes of somebody who knows it and loves it just as much as you.
;)
Hearing the native language of French spoken was also a treat. Such a beautiful language and Saya speaks it with finesse and confidence. As we walked around I would ask how to say something in French, I would study it in my head before proudly exclaiming my new word. It usually would become “the word” until something else caught my eye.
;)
Saya reached a break in a grueling week of sewing, cutting and more sewing. She, like me is a little arty and crafty. She makes extraordinary bags of all sizes that she sells to the boutiques around town. Fun fabrics, some from Senegal, they are original, whimsical yet remain functional and sturdy. You can see some of here work here.
Needless to say she was looking forward to some no obligation existing. I was all too happy to oblige. We took naps, ate, saw her friends from the old days and just hung out with no where to be and no where to go. The weather was not the greatest; it was gray and chilly with a very shy sun. It was that way all weekend until the morning we left; it was bright and clear all the way back home to Beantown.
It’s good to be home after a fun-filled weekend far away. I will be here for 12 days before I have to go to Vancouver on the 17th for a dance gig. Looking at the calendar I realize that I have not been home for more than 7 days in about a month or so. No complaints from me. That is definitely one of the perks of my job!
It sounds like you and Saya had a great time. The trips where there’s nothing planned and nothing you have to do are the best.
Montreal is a glorious city. When I was in high school, my parents and I went to Toronto and Montreal on vacation. I fell in love with Montreal and decided I wanted to go to McGill University for college so I’d have an excuse to move up there. Alas, they required applicants to be fully bilingual (French and English), and my French was limited to “je ne suis pas un thon” (obscure joke from school which will make little sense to anyone else), so I never got to go back.
Uh!
That blows! Their loss my dear.
You will never find me there from about November till April. I left that weather behind long ago.
Lovely… Tasty coulours on Saya’s site and great bags too! I love Africa, the African Paris and African taste for everything… on particular I appreciate white people learning from it.
Johnny, Montreal is a wonderful city, far more civilized than any other town in Europe, I guess… but when you feel shooting yourself over the ocean you know Europe would welcome you with open arms (and something else maybe…) …
Saya’s bags are absolutely gorgeous! I especially love the red/brown/pink tote.
She said on her site that she doesn’t mind if people pass her URL to others, so I forwarded her site to Styledash, a fashion blog I read.
Even is I wasn’t a complete accessories whore, I would buy one of her bags. I think an email is in order…
Johnny — Awwww, thanks. I loved the school I ended up attending, so it worked out.
As for the weather, well…Atlanta is the farthest north I’ve ever lived. I was born in Puerto Rico, then lived in Miami and Central America before moving here in second grade. Winter in Montreal? So beyond my comprehension that I probably would never have lasted through the first winter.
Thank you so much ladies for checking out Saya’s website.
Pass It On!!!!!!!
Elfgirl you sound like a sun baby like me.
I couldn’t resist and bought a bag. I’m a ho when it comes to purses and totes. She’s got some gorgeous ones in her gallery; it’s only a shame not all of them are available for purchase through the site. Thanks for pointing her out to us!
Hey Johnny – Girl power is in effect!!
Johnny I LOVE the longer hair! You look fantastic. The first one in this entry is especially hot…the wet looking curls on your forehead. WOW. I am so glad to see you growing it out. BUT if you ever go short again, try to do it on cam!
Thanks for your blog. I really enjoy it.
dgnick – Yeah, I have been begging Johnny to grow his hair long for the past three years. Of course, he finally decided to do it on his own so I can’t take credit. There are some other suggestions I have made that have been ignored, but that’s another story.
Once when Johnny stayed at my place he let me fuck around with his hair (VERY slumber party, I know). It was then I realized why he keeps is so short. That shit is out of control and has a mind of it’s own. It is so thick he could to Shaft in a pinch.
Thankfully for all of us he has a stylist that knows how to thin it out while keeping the length. Thank you!
Thanks bud.
It has been quite the job keeping this mane; I have hair all over the place and I have to schedule washings so I have the perfect texture for the perfect event.
I feel the time drawing near when I will return to a shorter style and yes I believe it will be on cam, perhaps even on video.
I’ll plug my vote for the longer hair, too!
But can I just say how totally unfair it is that you’re torturing us with images of running fingers through Johnny’s hair? The best kind of torture, of course…
Wow, sounds exciting. I’m new to this whole thing, and I kinda just was introduced to you. I heard your song “Deeper Into You” and wow, great song. Hypnotizing beats and sexy voice. Perfect combo. I’m a DJ and I’m currently working on a remix of it. Just for fun and all. But anyway, if u do get back to me, let me just say, you’re adorable. Very cute guy. People are talking about the length of your hair on some of the comments, and I like it either way (I did hair for 7 years until now). Do what makes you happy, man. Well, one of these days I have to see Montreal. I keep talking about going, so I’m going to have to now. Well, I hope to see great things from ya man. Keep up being beautiful, and definately work on that music. I know I am, so u have to give me more stuff to remix.
I guess I’m not an expert on fashion and style, but human nature along with tastes is pretty the same everywhere…
that is to say that Johnny’s inner soul makes him shine of beauty whatever his body looks like (until his mood is ok)… I’m sure MaH agrees with me…
so, let’s make him happy and let’s enjoy him!
Oh BW, did you guys wear facial masques and prank call boys too? And play “Mystery Date?” And if so why the hell wasn’t I invited? That sounds like my kinda party!