Full Speed Ahead Batman!!!!

Icees after church!

“Full speed ahead Batman!” That’s how I feel nowadays.  My two-week trip to New York ended up being extended to almost a month long adventure.

Erto Berto on his way to Japan!

I arrived in time to see my little bro off to Japan and while we didn’t get to spend the quality one on one time I would have liked, in the manner in which I imagined it, we still got to be together.   The way I see it, he was given an opportunity to spend time with friends and family that truly missed him but he was also shown, that he’s changed.  There’s nothing like going back to where you came from to show you just how far you’ve come, and more importantly, how far you still have to go.  So, on July 6^th, he headed out…onto a two day journey that took him from New York to San Antonio to Dallas to Tokyo and finally to Misawa, Japan!  He had the privilege of being bumped up to Business and even First Class on the majority of his flights.  What luck right?!  Now, my fresh-faced 18-year-old hermanito and I are on similar yet very different journeys.  He’s experiencing the real life Top Gun, 13 hours ahead of all he’s ever known, financially independent for the first time in his life, while I’m sitting in a cafeteria, undergoing a Spanish-only orientation designed to prepare me to face 2^nd – 12^th graders beginning Monday morning.  I’m being asked to sign contracts that I can hardly understand and fighting feelings of panic.  Either way, we’re both in strange lands, embarking on new adventures, and prepping ourselves as best we can for what is to come.  We both feel excited yet disconnected, apart of a team and yet still lonely.  We’re navigating and looking to each other for support.

Don't miss this!

Did miss this!

Once Erto Berto left for Japan I realized I had a few short days to get a laundry list of things done.  I had already come to the realization that as far as my eyes could see, I wouldn’t be returning to live in New York anytime soon.  I also realized my parents garage was chock full of my stuff.  Letters, cards, notebooks, photos, books, clothing…the list goes on.  Some of that stuff, believe it or not, went as far back as elementary school.  It was time to start clearing that stuff out.  Letting go of what I no longer needed, finding use for whatever I “saved for later” and storing whatever I truly knew I’d use/need when I finally settle into my own place again.  So, I changed my cramped, no-space-for-my-knees-and-my-feet-Continental-Airlines-seat, for a nice and roomy Jet Blue seat 10 days later (no I’m not being paid for this endorsement although I should be)!  By the end of my bonus time in New York, I was ready to be home.  I missed Mama.  I missed Max.  I missed Titi Annie.  I missed Puerto Rico.  While in New York I got the good news that I officially got the teaching job at the school that my church has and I would begin August 1^st.  I also got all my paperwork in order to open my very own food stand!   Hence, why I feel like its been non-stop since I’ve gotten back.  Oh, and did I mention I chopped all my hair off?!  Yeah, check out my new haircut.  Its crazy short but I absolutely LOVE it.  More on the new job, the food stand and the decision to cut my signature mop aka hair in the coming post.  The blog slump is over!  Let’s celebrate! WoooO!

Went from this...

...to this!

AND I LOVE IT!!

Megatron

Today, as I sat in a hot Puerto Rican house, making small talk with family members while watching "Maid in Manhattan", my Blackberry chimed.  The chime was a familiar one.  I have a new e-mail, I thought.  So, while everyone else was mesmerized by J-Lo's breathy line delivery, I checked my phone.

It was a forward and all that was written to me was "Crazy!".  I scrolled down only to see a link to a news article...and there it was: "DJ Megatron Shot and Killed In NY"

For a short time, quite a few years ago in Philadelphia, Megatron and I worked together at Radio One.  I hadn't spoken to Mega in years, but that made no difference when the news came that this young man, this father of three, was shot dead this morning in Staten Island.  Murdered and taken just like that.

All I can flash back to is Mega...always accommodating- always chill - always New York - always charismatic - always working - always offering advice - always humble...Mega.  I am having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that he's actually gone, so I can't even imagine what his family and close friends are going through.

As we journey through this life many of us strive to make a mark here, to feel like we accomplished something, like we mattered.  Corey McGriff mattered...and it had nothing to do with his resumé.  Whether you knew him for 5 minutes or 15 years, he made a lasting impression on you.   May you rest in peace Mega, your family is in my prayers...

To my radio family... I truly miss you all.  "The radio life" is like this club that we all belong to...like when we see each other its a mini reunion and a floodgate of memories just come back...all the ups and the downs...damn, its so hard to put into words.  That was a time in my life that I will never forget and so I'm thanking each and every one of you...from Bent to Colby, E. to Brother E., Rashida to Nia, Kit Kat to Sarah, Helen to Raph, Renny to Nelly, Drewdy to Will, Moshay to Michael Shawn, Laiya to Pooch to Monie...the list goes on and on....you each made a lasting memory, each played a part (whether big or small ) that helped to develop me into who I am today.  Unfortunately, sometimes it takes horrific events like this one to force us to stop and reflect.  Enjoy every moment, every breathe and every encounter...

Corey McGriff aka Megatron