| ((Disclaimer: While typing this all up in one sitting, I ended up leaving somethings out. I will have a filler for that sometime in the future.)) I had such an interesting adventure in New York, not to mention a series of unfortunate events that had occured before and during my trip there. First off, I was getting sick because of the sudden change in weather. My voice had not been affected so, I did not worry about not being able to perform well during the VO competition at NYAF. Unfortunately, the cold was forming faster than a giant snowball racing down a the side of an extremely steep mountain. >_<' Next, my printer went out of whack! It wouldn't print anything! So, I wasn't able to print out my contact cards or headshot, let alone my resume. I was completely empty. Then I thought, no need for them if I'm competing with others who aren't even actors. ^_^' Still.. being an unprepaired thespian is an embarrasment to myself and those who have trained me. Well, I make to the Chinatown bus in time and call up Devin to see if he'll be able to come meet with me at my destination. The first attempts he did not answer so, I went and called Vernon who did the same. Thank goodness he was able to call me back on friend's cellular. I called him just in case Devin was not able to get to me in time. Wouldn't want to be alone in an unfamiliar place. He assured me that he would come to my aid if Devin was unable to show. Not to long after getting offf the phone with Vernon, that Devin had called me up using a friend's cellular, as well, and let me know he would be there. I felt better after the call and called Vernon back and let him know that everything was alright. The trip to NY isn't too long but I wanted to listen to some music to put me to sleep, and lo' and behold.. my little Sandisk must've been left on and had no more juice to play anything long enough to knock me out. :( Still, I found a way to rest and calm my nerves. I awoke and we were already heading into Chinatown. Soon, the bus just stops and the driver yelling for everyone to vacate the bus. I thought the weird part was that all the Asians/Orientals stayed on the bus. -_-' I got my things and called Devin's friend. No one picked up. I wanted about fifteen minutes and proceed. No answer. I waited the same amount of time again and finally got an answer, "He's on his way." I was so excited from just hearing this, that I ended the call and stretched out my neck to look for him. Idiot me didn't bother to ask where he was coming from and when he left. I waited a long time at the corner but I had to walk away because a Korean man kept coming over and asking if I needed a ride anywhere. Gypsy cabs, is what my stepfather calls them. They say they will take you somewhere but what if they lie and take you somewhere else and do God knows what to you? No way, Jose. Aside from the man, there were so many drunk white people around. I thought, there must be a club somewhere but, I was so lost that I could even find it. It was getting so late that I had to look for a place to stay for the night since, I was beginning to lose hope on Devin's arrival. I kept hearing from those I asked around the area that all the hotels are expensive because we were in Mahattan. What to know what the sad part was? I didn't even know I was in Manhattan. u_u $250+ for just one night.I ended up calling Mrs. Akaolisa because Vernon was no longer with his friend. She was unable to help me but told me to ask a police officer where to go. I had already done so by time she replied back to me with a text. The officers just told me where I could go but that was it. Alone again. I was kind of scared but I would have paid whatever amount at this point. I walked to an area where I heard a hotel might be cheap, Bowery and Broom St. I think I must've passed by it before. I was tired and had to really use the bathroom. I know the policies in resturaunts is you must be a customer in order to use the bathroom. I went into a little Italian place and the owner let me use it without having to buy anything. After that, I let him know my situation and he pointed me back to wear I should be going. I found out it was a Best Western and the price for one night was $299. I nearly fell out with a sigh. The receptionist said she had made an error and told me that it was only $269. Really lady? Too f-ing expensive!! ;_; I just walked out to look for another hotel and you know.. it started to rain. Oh yeah.. gorgeous. But you know.. I came prepared!! I had a workable unbrella. Hah! And then Devin calls. ^_^ We weren't very far from each other and met at Canal St. at the corner of the Commerance Bank. He apologized for his lateness and proceeded to explain what had happen. Silly willy had left his phone in the kitchen and was without a way to contact me and vice versa. Anywho, he managed to get money and place it on his phone, somehow. We take the subway back to where he lives and man.. that ride seemed to go on forever. It was nice to ride on the train again in NY. It was like having actual transportation service. Unlike this pissy ass SEPTA. NYC transit gets me there!! Hmph. Anyways, Devin and I talked and I was trying to catch a glimpse of the scenery. I saw JFK airport! It's HUGE. ^_^() We got off in Queens and he kept telling me about the water nearby. I couldn't tell much about the area but I kept close to him and followed him on in to his place. It was so nice and homey, though a bit crowded. I was glad to know he had a proper place to stay. I really miss him at times and worry. He's a resilient individual and resourceful. I told him about my cold and he made me some hot tea with honey. Mmm.. he even had my bed made out for me before I got there. Hospitality. Really, this was the first time he was able to do this. I'm so thankful. We had of course talked some more and I told him that I need to rest my voice I would speak to him with my notebook. Fat chance that actually happen. I talk to damn much. u_u' Sad to say.. I could feel my throat getting worse but my voice was usuable. He had made me some more hot tea with honey in the morning. ^_^ Unfortunately, I had slept over the time I needed to be heading out because I was so worn out from the night. Devin and I managed to catch a train on time but drinking tea causes me to have an overactive bladder. We had to get off the train in order to find myself a rest room. Which meant taking time away from arriving at the convention on time and getting to the competition. Fulton and Arvene St. That's all I remember being near. Managed to find a lumber place that was kind enough to use their rest room. I suppose Devin was trying to find a resturaunt of some sort but I didn't care but being relieved. So, after that little side trip we get back on the train and head to the Jacob Javitis Center. The place was much more massive than the Baltimore Convention, I think. Devin and I depart because he had to head to work and I went on to the panel after paying for the resgistration. I find the room and all I hear from the panel is "Okay! That's it for round 1 of competitions and we are not taking any more performers." Talk about being smacked in the face with reality. I wanted to collapse and just cry. Second f-ing time that I got there late. >_< But, I saw him again! Mr. Sinterniklass!!! I found a seat up front and he saw me and gave me a surpised look then smiles. God, did that make me feel a whole lot better. He remembered me. I spoke with him during intermission after the first round. "Hey, I remember you. Where's your demo reel?" Demo reel? FUCK!!! Idiot me came unprepared. I'm a walking embarrassment. Not to mention because of the funky business with my printer, I was unable to print anything or have time to go to the Tech because of my contract. I wanted to cry again. I told him that my laptop crashed and I would speak to him more when other fans weren't bombarding him with questions. I sat and watched in utter bittersweetness at the people who made it through to the final rounds. I wanted to be there, too. Still, I spoke with Mr. Sinterniklaas afterwards and told him that my voice was in no shape to perform, anywho, which it wasn't. He told me to go to a website and send him my demo reel, after we talk more at the autograph session. I felt I had missed the only reason for coming here and wanted to go. "I don't think I'll be able to return." I think I just wanted to rest and grab something to eat. Man, did his expression become sad in seconds of my response. He touched the side of my face and throat with the back of his hand. "I hope you get well soon." -Blushes- I hope so, too. I leave and head out of the convention to find a cheap place to get some food. I ended up eating a hotdog and decided to go back in and speak with him somore. But damn this cold!! My voice finally gave out to the point it cracked with every attempt to produce a sound. Laryngitis kicking in as always. I wrote in my trusty notebook. "I'm handing this notebook to you because I feel the laryngitis kicking in. This a usual thing that happens everytime I catch a cold. Anywho, please write down the name of the voice-reel(sp) website to go to, so that I may use it for my demo. Even though I was not able to particiate in the voice-over competition, I'm glad I was able to meet with you again. ^_^ " I went back into the convention and headed to the autograph panel and handed him the notebook. He stops at some point and smiles to me and reads on. He writes down the name of the website at the bottom with his own face " => " Hehe. I also received autographs from Bill Rogers, Jamie Mcgonical, and Tom Wayland. After this, I finally left the convention and went on to the subway. I was still hungry after the hotdog and got some McDonald's along the way. While in line, some chick with my HM red hobo bag is in front of me. I totally rocked it better 'cause my outfit matched. ^_~ Anyways, I take out the makeshift map Devin had made and given to me on the way to the convention. I was trying to take the "A" train to Canal St. but there were only "E" trains going by. I finally asked one of the workers after four "E's" had gone by. I must say... I've never seen chocolate so fine in my life. He should have been on a cover of DKNY with nothing on but a scarf around his neck. Anyways, he told me to get on and he'd tell me how'd to get there. He adored the map and told me to take the "C" after two stops. I thanked him and went on to the "C" and good lord... another fine ass man working on the train. White, muscular, hot, with silver razor shades on. I love NYC transportation. I get off at Canal St. and found myself in Soho. It reminded me of T.T. when he had went. Anyways, I kind of got turned around so, I went into an over-priced home interior store and asked for the store Devin works. One of the workers said, "I don't know. You should go outside and ask." First off, I wish people would stop being fucking lambs and dress the way you are in Soho! Second, nigga please! (sorry) Don't be all uppity! I found the store which was about four stores down. Devin was surprised to see me early and explained to him what had happen. He kept apologizing but I let him know he didn't do anything wrong. Things happen. Besides, my voice was shot. He told me that Vernon, Kevin, and some others were chillin' at Duet but I was tired and just wanted to rest. I waited for Devin and spoke on the phone with Herman until Devin got off of work. We went in the direction of Duet, hoping we would catch the group but to no avail, we didn't run into anyone. He took me back to where the Chinatown bus would be and got there right before the bus took off. I was so beat by time I got back home that I didn't do much but eat what was left in the fridge and passed out. A series of unfortunate events and so on has given me a memory that I will never forget. I had fun! It was such an adventure. I'd do it all over again with the whole me being sick, and not making it to the con on time being cut out. |
