NYC... Bye!

Marc Jacobs denim knapsack • Marc Jacobs book bag • YSL duffel bag

After an extended period of time spent in New York City you are left with two options to cope with the stress of living in a big city. Either you drug yourself out of your mind so that the meticulous work of the day to day grind and the stress of balancing a personal life doesn't penetrate your brain, or you escape the zoo every time you see the cage door open. Ghost P and I are currently running from NYC for the weekend and heading down to Pittsburgh to see our brother Judah, the conquering lion.

We have embarked on this 15 hour road trip, due in large part to a 3 hour layover that we have in Philadelphia and the numerous 'leg stretching' stops that we are blessed with in between. The blue MJ book bag seen above is filled with enough snacks to help us make the trip on a somewhat full stomach. The other two are stuffed with more than enough outfits for the weekend and anything that I might get into. Won't be back to NYC until 3AM Monday morning; see you then.

SoHo

Thrifting & Lifting

I haven't been too inthralled with what designers are making this season, honestly I haven't loved something new since '07 (beautiful year for fashion). So I took '08 off, Ghost P and I made a decree that we wouldn't purchase any big article of clothing for the whole year and we survived successfully due in large part to all of the shopping we did in '07. However since we completed the year I have been getting into vintage pieces and as a result I've been frequenting a lot of thrift shops and scoring some really nice finds to add to my collection of clothing. Personally I don't think I need anything because I'm really satisfied with what I have already but sometimes I want to step outside of this comfort zone that I have created so I'll pick up something nice like this varsity jacket seen above. Right now it's a blank canvas that happens to fall exactly at my waist but in a month or so I should have completed the personalization process.

SoHo

Impulsive Thought$

Gucci

Usually hard bottom shoes are uncomfortable after extended periods of wearing but when I slipped my feet into these I knew instantly that we would be very good friends. Ever walked on a cloud? In my mind when I go on my extensive mental journeys of self awareness I walk on clouds often but these shoes were the only thing that my feet have ever felt to reproduce that feeling; amazing. The exterior is brown suede and the interior is supreme cushion comfort stitched by the good people at Gucci. I've owned them for about two months now and the funny thing is that I've only worn them once. That's self control. 

Too bad I can't say the same for their cousins that I abuse at least 5 times every week (work shoes). Funny thing is the day that I purchased them I thought I would have killed the brown pair by now for sure.

SoHo

The Second Coming

The Matrix

When I speak of the matrix I'm generally referring to an industry, a company or a system of control. As a matter of fact I'm referring to all of them at the same time but for simplicity reason's I'll speak of them individually. The way people get lured into the matrix is always by something that appeals to their five senses but it usually boils down to money. Which is why it has been said that "money is the root of all evil" however money is not the root nor is it evil, money is just a factor in the equation it is the human intention that taints the money.

The bait is set strategically in your path so that you come across it and once you show signs of interest you are caught in it's gravitational pull and have no choice but to be sucked in; the harder you fight the deeper in you go. Once you feel the pull it is pointless to fight it, your mentality cannot be changed until you satisfy your curiosity about the matrix.

Once completely in the matrix the first thing that will occur is your image will be warped. You actually like what you see and experience so you will make the necessary changes to fit in. You feel as though you never want to leave; mental utopia. You will disregard the things that brought you joy in the past b/c the effect of this new experience is an unknown pleasure to your mind. You wish to explore every square inch of it not realizing that it is slowly changing who you are as a person. The things that you would cringe at now don't seem so repulsive anymore. The people that you once laughed at are at the dinner table breaking bread with you and the ones that used to laugh with you now laugh at you from a safe distance because you are so out of touch with what is really going on that they don't know you anymore.

After a while you realize that you are eating but you are still hungry; actually your starving. The food isn't filling and the fluids that are being shoved into your hand complimentary of whatever liquor label sponsored the event of the night just isn't thirst quenching. So here you stand hungry, thirsty, exhausted, under paid, over worked but you are still very well dressed in those pieces that you borrowed from the showroom that you mustn't sweat in because they have to be returned bright and early tomorrow morning. You push your body to the point of exhaustion and you need a break but there is no time out, no lunch, no sideline because you are always on. Your life is now completely out of your control, you are just an actor in the grand scheme of things, small role, two words; help me. CUT! That is when you realize what is really going on. When the director yells cut, all the smoke clears, the mirrors are removed and you open your eyes for the first time because your brain feels like it is now safe to show you what it has been concealing from you all the time. Your new friends don't like you, as a matter of fact they are all jealous of you for 25 different reasons. Your real friends don't know you anymore because you are so far from the things that really matter to you, your 10 megapixel digital camera can't picture it. The constant drinking and lack of sleep has taken its toll on your body especially since you've already paid your taxes to overtime. The clothes are all borrowed, the jewels are all rented, the drivers didn't even know that their cars were in the shots and the location is nothing more than a white background.

Now you want out and there is no door that says EXIT. You are so turned around that you can't remember the way you came in so you stand still and ponder. Ponder about all the mistakes and missteps that you have taken. You ponder until you realize that you don't even recognize yourself anymore so you dig at this ghost of the person that you used to be in hopes of pulling the real you forth but this gets you nowhere so in an act of pure frustration, anxiety and hopelessness, you scream. You scream as loud as you can, you cry for help but no one comes running, no one responds. They are there but they won't help you because they don't care besides they are too busy screaming about their own issues. So deal with it.

This is the world that I plan to step back into. I can't help you avoid the pitfalls & potholes if I never fell in any myself. My sacrifices are investments for a better you.

 

SoHo

Just a Thought

Mental Exploration

What does life mean to you? 

We are here for such a short period of time. 100 years might seem like a long time but in actuality it goes by rather swift. It's simple for us to imagine life because we are living it but how easy is it for us to fathom death? 

What does death mean to you?

In life what you say was what you wanted and looked forward to, it's what you worked your whole life for; worldly possessions. So what now?

Death is kind of unfair because there wasn't much thought about life before life but there is a lifetime of thought about death before death.

Death is just a step.

Life is just a step in preparation for what is to come after death. Some say there is nothing there, you just die. While others maintain there is a heaven and a hell. However no one really knows for sure. When we die in this realm it is because our heart has ceased to pump blood to the rest of our body which leads to the shut down of our brain, which is in control of the entire body. So my question to you is if the brain dies how can you live?

The soul.

James Brown sung about soul and there was a whole genre of music dedicated to it but the soul plays a very important part of our identity. There is a grey area between science and common sense that gets attributed to the soul. When the body dies, the soul shall live on.

Energy.

We are all comprised of energy so picture this: when you burn paper it turns to smoke, the smoke is the energy that was in the paper being released in a new form. The same thing will happen to us when we die. Our energy shall be released to transform and begin a new life cycle.

SoHo

Visual Appreciation

Rome

click here

SoHo

Dominique Auxilly

If you were not here you missed the best fashion show of fashion week.

SoHo

Wake Up Young World

Lochness • King D • SoHo B

click to enlarge

This post is probably the one that I've had in mind for the longest. I've been speaking on the issue to those around me and almost everyone I come into contact with for some time now and I think that this picture is the perfect depiction to assist me in getting my point across. 

Members of my generation: 

You have been mislead, what you have been taught to cherish means absolutely nothing. The items and ideals that you have grown to hold dear to you mean nothing in comparison to the bigger picture of life. I'm only able to sit here and type about this because I too was victim to this brain  washing. About a month ago someone seen me sneezing in my LV handkerchief and actually said "I respect you". I had mixed feelings about it, did he "respect me" because I understand that it means nothing at all or did he "respect me" because he thought that was so fly?

We have all put too much emphasis on clothing and labels. I do not wish to ignore the prestige of the fashion house because the designers and creative directors have worked extremely hard over the years to establish the name in the fashion world. However I do have a problem with the fact that people are using the labels to recreate themselves into something that they are not. You are not taking out the time to really get in touch with yourself and find out who you really are but you use the fact that you have this article of clothing to make yourself seem cooler. The people you look up to are just as confused as you are; we are all human.

This picture represents the free minds of my generation. Sorry for those that are excluded because I know first hand that there are many more but this was a spur of the moment thing.

Own the clothes, don't let the clothes own you. Be yourself.

SoHo

The Happy Medium

A Night Out

Friday night a small contingency of New Yorkers gathered at STK NYC for a grand dinner in celebration of Michelle's birthday. I must say all in all it was a beautiful night and I enjoyed the food and conversation with the beautiful young ladies. Hard work is a great thing but if you do not find a balance between work and your personal life you are slowly destroying yourself. You become consumed with work and in extreme cases it may be impossible for you to consider anything else important. Continue on that path and before you know it, your 40, single and so far removed from everyone else in your age group that you can't even relate. In life separation from certain people may be necessary but isolation is never a good idea.

STK

26 Little West 12th St

New York, NY 10014-1303

(646) 624-2444

SoHo

Real Life: Big Mark

Big Mark

When I first saw Big Mark he appeared to be an intimidating person. However after I really met him and we hung out a couple times I realized that there is really nothing to be afraid of. A lot of people see him at parties, exhibits, around SoHo but how many of you really know him? After watching this video, there will be almost nothing that you don't know about him.

Watch and enjoy.

SoHo

The Difference?

Rough Around The Edges

If everyone tries to be different and they all achieve that which they were aiming for are they different? No. Open your eyes and allow me to open your mind for a second. First everyone was opposed to difference and change. Then everyone wanted to get fresh and wear a whole bunch of labels, it became a race for the labels. Whoever had the biggest flashiest clothing was the freshest. It has now slid into "the age of (in)difference" where everyone is striving so hard to be different but what you all are failing to see is that in trying to be different you end up looking alike again. It's quite comical if you really sit back and watch it. No two people are exactly alike therefore we are naturally different, it isn't something that we must try to achieve. If you were to just be yourself your difference would shine through. How is it that some people can wear all black and still get the most attention in a room? Aside from the fact that the rest of the room collectively looks like an easel after the kindergardeners are done with it, some people's energy naturally attract others. 

Stay true to yourself and you will never get lost.

SoHo

Life: Drink Responsibly

Life Is Like A Bottle of Moet

Sometimes you reach a certain level and you start to feel a bit over confident. You really haven't achieved your goal but you get a bit closer so you feel good about yourself. The closer you get to your goal, the better you feel. Until the point right before you achieve whatever it is that you are aiming for and you feel like no one can touch you. This is a dangerous feeling because if you allow it to, it will consume you. I don't tell you these things because I sat and meditated on the topic for a lifetime and I have come to a conclusion on it. Nor do I want to preach to you because I am some authority on anything. I tell you these things because I have been there, I went through it, I've experienced it and I know how it feels. It feels good when your up and you feel unstoppable but for every unstoppable force there is an immovable object. For every good man there is a better man so never think more of yourself than you already are. Remain humble and you should make it out in one piece.

Party Life

SoHo

Farewell For Now

September 11th means a lot of different things to so many different people for numerous reasons. However the night of September 11th 2009 whether you watched the Jay-Z concert, (which was a fund raiser for a foundation in support of relief for the victims of September 11th.) actually attended the concert or you were present at Ray's get together; you had something to smile about. The good brother Ray is leaving New York, moving down to Virginia to better himself. He is pursuing a degree in the Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering field, so basically when he comes back he'll be working hard to come up with new ways to save the world. I want to take this time out to congratulate him on this important step in his life and for actually having the drive to achieve something more than what he was told that he could do. Honestly I do not know anyone that works in that field and neither does Ray but that didn't stop him from pursuing a career in the area.

Dream it... Be it!

For the pictures from the actual party CLICK HERE

SoHo

Ghost P

Maison Martin Margiela

No big spending for a year straight, practice a strict budget, work diligently, invest your money wisely and maybe you can comfortably afford the right trainers to run this town in.

SoHo

ROMEing Panda!

When I first heard about the ROMEing Panda exhibit it was still in the early stages and nothing was definite; that was about a month ago. I got a text message from APN of 6'' informing me of the exhibit, the night of. I headed out to the event not expecting anything more than new colors on the rings however I was completely blown away by the range of Panda accessories created. It would be an understatement to say that Rome has been busy. He has completed a full collection ranging from the classic gummy bear rings in the original colors to belts, pins, pendants and neck accouterments. I am very impressed with Rome's progression to say the least. He has transformed what started out as just a cool ring that he impressed his friends with to a complete collection with endless possibilities. 

Rome

I am genuinely intrigued by the way in which an artist mind works. To take something as practical as a gummy bear and make people pay attention to it by reintroducing it is a talent. Most people don't even look at gummy bears when they eat them. The gummy bears in the "Yummy Gummy" collection are made out of a lucite mold of an actual gummy bear so no real gummy bears were injured in the process of the creation of the collection. I just want to take this time out to toast to Rome and all the people involved in the creation of this collection and the showing of the collection. I enjoyed the presentation 100%. I know that there was/ is a very special team involved with the process so to them I want to say congratulations.

To the people that aspire to do anything, work as hard as you can and then you work even harder because no one is going to put anything in your hand; you have to want it. You have to fight for your dreams because if you don't believe in your dreams how can I? If you don't fight for your dreams why should I? Nothing is impossible.

For more pictures from the showing of the collection CLICK HERE

For any questions, concerns and or ordering information: ROMEing Panda

SoHo

40 oz Bounce

Originally I wasn't going to attend the 40 oz Bounce. Then I spoke with some people about it, explained why I wasn't going and after great deliberation my mind was made up to go. Well that and a text message saying "Jason please come and save me" Maellé. On my way their I spoke with a young man by the name of Mark, but he may be better known as Mark the Kaws, a name bestowed upon him for his appreciation of the Original Fake brand. Mark was a little reluctant to attend the Bounce and he had good reason. He and I had the same reason for not wanting to go without previously speaking on it, that was until I sent him this message.

"I understand what your saying about it being hypebeasted and I'm impressed that you took such a stand against the hype but we aren't much different from them; we just know a bit more. When we start separating ourselves from everyone else we become a bit less human." Jason Burke

For more pictures from the Bounce:

CLICK HERE

SoHo

Shaken Not Stirred

Everyone in New York knows that what you do during the day is only a prelude to what is going to happen when the sun sets. So to conclude my day in SoHo I met up with two lovely ladies: Virginia and Maellé; what more could I ask for?! After their quick pit stop for hair products we made our way to Cafe Tasia which used to be my favorite spot but much like anything else that used to be good in New York it is now over saturated and over populated. End result is that it's great for business but bad for a patron in my situation that just wanted to share a nice conversation over some drinks with some beautiful women. We ended up having a good time anyway. MORE

Pineapple Margarita

Fried Calamari

Sucré!

SoHo

Brief Intermission

Award Tour • Bathing Ape

Yesterday I happened to be in SoHo with the good brothers Demetri and Marlon. We went to a couple shops, spent some time in a fast food restaurant talking and laughing (mostly laughing). While walking I saw this picture in my head and thought to myself I wish everyone was here to see this. The Award Tour shirt was looking really cool yesterday especially since that was the shirt I was two steps from putting on before I left the house. Demetri doesn't know but that in my opinion the Bape shirt that he is wearing is the best Bathing Ape article of clothing that he owns. Phil just spoke of the cuff in the pants "everyone and their grand mothers was prepared for a flood of epic proportions."more is it pure coincidence that Marlon wears this extreme cuff in his pants and wears an Award Tour shirt and hat with it? Probably. The best thing about my friends is that they are not afraid to be themselves regardless of persecution. Societies standards don't apply to us.

The Award Tour

SoHo

A.P.C (D.O.B) B.B.C

If I'm a mystery man then Coolness P must be the ghost. The readers like to see him on the blog but they know almost nothing about him. Women that know him and see him more than I do, have no idea what he does to generate an income. The people he goes to school with would be the best to answer questions about him but even then the most you'll get out of them is "He's cool, he dresses really nice, I had class with him." [So you spoke to him before] "No. I just see him all of the time and I think he's cool." There are people that know P, however you don't know those people. Our circle of friends is a family, very much like the mob. Most people don't have REAL friends and would never know what that is like. I am blessed, I have so many REAL friends, I can share.

Peace to the god Ghost P.

SoHo

Your Network = Your Net Worth

Net Worth

For an individual, the value of a person's assets, including cash, minus all liabilities. The amount by which the individual's assets exceed their liabilities is considered the net worth of that person. [source]

Look at the people you closely associate with and ask yourself why you associate with those people. 

"Why are you my friend?"

Everyone enters your life for a reason, I believe that everyone has a purpose.

 You are directly affected by the people that you keep closest to you. 

What if the people that you have around you have little or no ambition? You in turn will start adjusting and adapting to their habits until their habits become your habits. The good news is that it also works in reverse. If you have highly ambitious friends that are always striving to achieve something more than what they have and improve their quality of life their habits will eventually become your habits.

You are born into your family but you grow into your friends.

SoHo

Frais de Résiliation Anticipée

[marc by marc Naomi Campbell tee, Top Shop jacket, Longchamp by Jeremy Scott]

L'esprit de la vie la beauté en elle. 

The entire day at work I was thinking about leaving to meet up with this beautiful young lady that you see above. I have known Maelle for a little over two years now and she has been a fan of the blog since we started. She was one of the first people to put the link on her myspace page, a link that I believe is still there to this day. She is visiting New York this week, hailing from the South of France she is excited to see everything New York has to offer. Being the gentleman that I am I was more than happy to be her guide for the day. I left work a bit after lunch, dropped the files off at home, made some minor alterations to the attire and headed back out to meet her. She is every bit as beautiful as I could have imagined and a bit more. I really enjoyed spending time with her and upon reaching my residence I received a text message assuring me that the feeling was mutual so I highly doubt this is the last I will see of her.

Sucré!

SoHo

The Day Off

I took the day off today to get some out of office things accomplished. Prior to today I hadn't been in SoHo in three weeks straight. I was starting to forget what the area looked like and I missed the re-opening of the Stüssy store. After a quick trip to the bank and about an hours worth of catching up with Alex Goldberg I was in the mood for pizza so he suggest we go to 2 Bros Pizza. I question everything but Alex has already proven that he won't lead me astray so I trusted his decision and honestly it was the 2nd best decision I made all day (2nd only to me NOT responding to her last text message). 

If you thought the sign said it all...

wait until you actually taste the pizza.

Usually when pizza is this inexpensive they cut corners on the dough so the crust is not as plump and the pizza is rather flat and dry. However this pizza was moist, the cheese's were oozing and the crust was as plump as a fresh pillow. I really enjoyed the pizza and was very grateful for Alex's insight.

2 Bros Pizza

32 Saint Marks Pl

New York, NY 10003-8033

(212) 777-0600‎

SoHo