A Floating Pool in the NYC East River is Coming This Summer

It's officially happening!  After receiving $12 million from the state of New York and $4 million from New York City, the +POOL pilot idea will now come to life.  At 9,300 square feet up to 5 ft deep, the floating pool is strategically designed to include everyone by combining four pools in one: kids, sports, lap, and lounge.  

{Personal Post} PHOTOS: Toronto, ON (Part 3)

I was working on another Personal Post and remembered that this one was still in the drafts!  These two days were an interesting roller coaster.  All types of things seen (and mostly unseen) took place.  We looked good tho ;) 

Make History: NASA is Allowing You to Send Your Name to Jupiter's Moon

Send for me.

What a random and cool way to close out 2023.  Be a part of history!  No pun intended, NASA has launched a "Message in a Bottle" campaign and is encouraging you to participate.  You are invited to submit your name to be engraved on a micropchip traveling to Jupiter's moon, Europa.  1.8. BILLION miles away.  In 2024, the Europa Clipper spacecraft is headed to this icy moon to explore further on whether environmental conditions there are suitable for life.  Whoa.

{Personal Post} PHOTOS: Harajuku Haze | Tokyo, Japan (Pt. 4)

The final installment of Tokyo... 2023 that is.  We ran the streets of Harajuku this day.  This part of the city was so vibrant and full of themed culture.  I was able to capture so many dope shots of the neighborhood.  When you have no itinerary and go where the wind takes you, you seize the day...

{Personal Post} PHOTOS: The Girls Take Shibuya | Tokyo, Japan (Pt. 3)

Continuing from part 2.  My birthday was fun! but it didn't stop there.  The next day... back at it.  From Go-Karting on the streets (and literal expressway) to wandering aimlessly.  They were NOT regular go karts.  My most exciting moment was when the leader took off in a tunnel... and you better believe I was right behind him.  Reeeeenn.  I want to say confidently, I hit at least 65mph.  In a Go-Kart aside to regular cars and trucks, the rush was CRAZY.

There are photo booths everywhere in Tokyo.  You'll see that in part 4 too.  Anywho, let's get to the day...

Disclaimer: there is one part that's NSFW and no it's not us, it's something in a store.  Caution  

{Personal Post} PHOTOS/VIDEO: RZA Presents "The 36 Chambers" 30th Celebration w/ Live Orchestra | New York, NY

Back in September, I blogged about this event and stated I was not missing this show.  I actually bought my ticket before I published the post lol.  It was imperative.  So here we are, 11.09.2023, exactly 30 years from the Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) album release on 11.09.1993.

This show was beautifully crafted and curated so perfectly.  A brilliant mind is all I can say.  What a night!  The excitement returned making this post.  Sharing photos and videos through my lens.  

Let's get to it!

{Personal Post} PHOTOS- Spike Lee: Creative Sources Exhibit

First and foremost, let me say... can you believe I ran into thee Spike Lee there!?!?  I'll get to that.  

The "Spike Lee: Creative Sources" exhibit would be appreciated by any fan.  Almost every single solitary piece was sure to provoke thought or conversation.  You, also, realize from the range of autographed memorabilia here, just how much Spike is loved and important to our culture.  I am so glad he got to receive his flowers on this level while he can still smell them.  

Cause I know you got soul... Brothas and Sistaaas!

This is an extensive ride.  Buckle up.

{Personal Post} PHOTOS: Birthday Fun | Tokyo, Japan (Pt. 2)

10/11!  My birthday was spent in the streets of Tokyo this year, literally.  Started the day early with the Gym and then headed to the Tsukiji Outer market for some eats. After that, a little shopping in Chou City and more eats.  That night, we went to an amazing art installation that pictures do no justice for.  I finally got that chicken I mentioned in the previous Tokyo post.  I'll get to that.  Ukiyo!

Off we go...

{Personal Post} PHOTOS: The Temple | Tokyo, Japan (Pt. 1)

Rather than country hopping again for my birthday this year, I decided on one country... Japan!  City specific: Tokyo.  They are 11hrs ahead of Eastern Standard Time, so while we left here during day light, it shortly turned dark there after landing.  It was like pitch black by 5pm.  I wanted to get some culture in the first day and visit the Sensō-ji Temple; the oldest temple in Tokyo. That's a good place to start...

Grab Your Glasses: An Annular Solar Eclipse is Happening Soon

Todd Heisler/The New York Times

 “The next annular eclipse seen in this part of the country is actually going to be in 2046.  It’s going to be a long stretch before we will see this phenomenon again, so we’re really encouraging folks to go out there and observe safely.”- Kelly Korreck, NASA eclipse program manager.

 Stargazing.

The time where the moon passes between the Earth and Sun is happening this month.  In 10 days to be exact.  Depending where you are on the path, the eclipse will last from 1-5 minutes.  Also named "The Ring of Fire", the solar eclipse is a special celestial event to witness.  NASA urges viewers to wear safe solar viewing glasses (non damaged) or utilize a safe handheld solar viewer to prevent solar ray burn to your eyes.  Sunglasses "won't work".   

img via Travel+Leisure

The solar eclipse will be partially visible in 49 of the continental U.S. states, but will be completely visible in these locations starting at 9:13am PDT:

{Personal Post} PHOTOS: Graffiti Alley | Toronto, ON

My personal post drafts are backlogged, but we're making progress.  Circling back to Toronto, we stopped by Graffiti Alley.  The weather was beautiful and the artwork ... ahh the artwork... exceeded my expectations.  I had imagined it would be a small alley, but it was actually about 4 blocks long.  Maybe 5?  Phone was fully charged and I was ready to capture it all.  Such a great time.

Take a look through my lens...

{Personal Post} PHOTOS/VIDEOS: Beyoncé RENAISSANCE World Tour - Toronto

Earlier this month, we headed up to Toronto, Ontario Canada for Beyoncé!  Yes baby, our Renaissance World Tour concert date finally arrived.  A TIME was had.  This was my 4th time seeing Beyoncé live.  The production on this show was mind blowing.  Worth EVERY penny and more.  I documented it, of course, to share :)  Below are compilation video(s) AND photos that I captured of Day 2 at the Renaissance World Tour in Toronto.  Still in awe.

Take a vicarious journey.  Follow me.....

{Personal Post} PHOTOS:: Bacardi Party x Honduras

In between all of my HARD work, I make efforts to set aside time for play.  Incorporating travel is always a move.  Last month, I visited Honduras.  It was HOT, but treated me well.  I wish I'd taken more pictures this time around, but I was distracted.  There are a lot of 'us' in Honduras, which I kinda knew, but got to see first hand.  Everyone I encountered also spoke English well.  I was chit chattin away lol.

If you remember back in November last year on the Tortola post , I mentioned that there was one more stop on that trip.  That was the Bahamas!  A Bacardi Party to be exact.  I never got around to that post, so... I'm combining it with this one. 

Look at my mind...

floating away...

Wanna Travel? : Hong Kong is Giving Away 500,000 Free Airline Tickets

As the COVID pandemic continues to change the world forever, tourism has hit a low in many previous hotspots.  Specifically in Hong Kong, travelers had to abide by quarantine restrictions and mandates including multiple COVID-19 tests along with 21 days isolation.  The number of visitors declined drastically from over 50 million to barely reaching 100k.  

Now in efforts to boost tourism, the gov of Hong Kong has introduced the 'Hello Hong Kong' initiative.  Hong Kong is planning to give away 500,000 free airline tickets through their major airlines — Cathay Pacific, HK Express, and Hong Kong Airlines.  Interested?  Here's how.

{Personal Post} PHOTOS:: Art Basel 2022 Pt. 3 - SCOPE x HIVE Wynwood

Day 3 and the final installment of the Art Basel 2022 series post.   SCOPE was overwhelming in a good way.  There was SO much art.  I mean SOOOO much art.  We were there for about 3 hours, but actually would've been better off if we came an hour early, just to take it all in.  I, also, noticed there were countless messages throughout this day to take heed to.  You will see plenty throughout the post.  A perfect way to close out the weekend.  Let's get started...