Well, 2008 is here… but it took two weeks of highs and lows for me to get here! But “Dear God, I’m here!!!!! I’m here!!!!”
On Saturday, December 22, 2007, I left all my New York City ways behind and headed to Atlanta. Always hungry when I touchdown and always excited to check off my Atlanta staples, my cousin Floyd and I high-tailed it to R. Thomas Restaurant (www.rthomasdeluxegrill.com/), the healthy, 24-hour spot I used to frequent (as it was just around the corner from my Buckhead apartment when I lived down south in the early-to-mid-‘90s). I like the organic chicken wings and breakfast dishes (eggs, bacon, home fries). I re-connected to my 20-something digestive track when I experienced the wings so spicy. (I’ve become spicy-intolerant in recent years). Just the same, I ate, enjoyed, and walked down memory lane – narrating to my cousin Floyd all the times I remembered in this watering hole (dates with women…and eventually… men, I shared as my cousin wondered if I’d share that tid-bit in the blog. Well, here it is!!!).
If I’d made it to Atlanta a little earlier, I might have gotten to see the staging of a musical that’s very special to me. It’s “The Wiz”!!! The Rialto is where it’s running (www.rialtocenter.org/). And my friend and mentor Kenny Leon’s theater True Colors is putting it on (www.truecolorstheatrecompany.com/thewiz.html). My good girlfriend Chandra attended and says she enjoyed it. Like “Dreamgirls”, any incarnation of “The Wiz” is alright with me, which is why I’m ecstatic that the 30th Anniversary Edition of the film – starring Diana Ross – is coming out February 8th (www.amazon.com/Wiz-30th-Anniversary-Mariann-Aalda/dp/B000XUOLNO). I CAN’T WAIT! And how great would it be for there to be a DVD premiere in New York City where Diana and Michael can ‘ease on down the road’ (a red carpet… or better yet… gold) one more time. It will be magical!!!!
After Floyd’s and my late-night bite, he took me to Tucker (outside Atlanta) to hook-up with my childhood friend, New-Jersey-based Ernest (also in town for the holidays) and our good girlfriend Carla who I’ve referenced in the blog before: (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2007/9/19/waiting-in-the-wings-dreaming-along-the-way.html). They – along with their former co-worker and dear friend Thelma – were awaiting my arrival at the Atlanta Fun Center (www.bowling200.com/bowlingcenters/atlanta.html). In addition to bowling, arcade games, drinks, and food, there was karaoke. And though I was on the back end of a cold, Carla and company wanted songs out of me. I concurred and performed three well-received numbers Maxwell’s “This Woman’s Work”; “Family” (from “Dreamgirls”); and my Diana’s “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”. One guy named Ty (short for Tyrone) came up to me after my first performance to see if I was interested in recording some material in his home studio. I didn’t know if it was a pick-up line or – quite simply – a compliment. But in the spirit of the evening, it was a welcome approach. We all partook of margaritas and wings (likely not organic a la R. Thomas, but they were tasty). And before all was said and done, we were dancing to the interlude house music the DJ was playing when folks weren’t karaoke-ing. This was quite the launch party!
On Sunday, September 23, 2007, Ern, Carla, and I got together for breakfast with one of my “Amazing Graces” Chandra, who hosts at “Thumbs Up” Diner on the weekends (www.thumbsupdiner.com). She was sporting her new, Rhianna-inspired do and – as always – I’m happy to see Chandra. This time, I got to see her brother Calvin, who now lives in Atlanta, and his friend. The folks who work at “Thumbs Up” are always happy to see me because Chandra speaks so fondly of me. But I’m usually happiest to see them because the food is off-the-charts good. From the fried catfish to the cheese grits to the home fries to the extra-crispy bacon, both of my ‘thumbs’ are ‘up’ when I eat their fresh and tasty, southern cuisine. Additionally, when Chandra got a break, we got the chance to catch up on her and where she is now. It’s always something new. She’s appraising homes, working with a clothing design company, hosting at “Thumbs Up”, and launching her own clothing line for full-figured women (on the heels of a degree she recently got from an Atlanta-based, design school). Chandra – always – goes for hers!!! And I love that about her!
After brunch, we went by the Atlantic Station Target (www.atlanticstation.com/) before heading back to Tucker to see their friend Thelma one more time. Over wine, we watched “Dreamgirls” and “The Mummy” on HBO before Ern and I got a tour of her digs. The tour included two beautiful pieces by the fine, African American artist Paul Goodnight (www.thecollectionshop.com/Paul_Goodnight_Art_Collection.asp) who is a distant cousin of my other “Amazing Grace” Lisa. I took a picture of one piece, “Hands on their Hips”, and called Lisa (in Maryland) to alert her of my finding. This chat gave us a chance to reconnect in the spirit of the holidays. It was great to see Lisa a couple of times during the last quarter of last year as we had a couple of weddings to attend. Plus, she finally got to meet Anthony.
That night, cousin Floyd was on standby to take me to visit my “original Amazing Grace” Natalie and her family. Her little girls Lydia and Hannah have grown so much and had lovely gifts for me (as I did them). It was lovely to see them all again. Additionally, I got to see Elise, yet another of my ‘Amazing Graces’ (and her family). She and I worked together years ago for “Good Day Atlanta”, but have maintained a special and close bond since we have both gone on to new places – geographically and career-wise. We talked the night away as she prepared her Christmas meal. Afterwards, Floyd took me to get one of my Atlanta (Southern) staples Krystal (www.krystal.com/) – which is not available to me here in New York City (nor Jersey), though we do have White Castle (www.whitecastle.com/). I love the burgers, the little corn dogs (known as “corn pups”), the little chili dogs (known as “chili pups”), and the chicken sandwiches. Oh! And don’t forget my favorite Atlanta staple of all: SWEET TEA!!!!