J.Genius’ Neighborhood

We went Ice Skating in Bryant Park yesterday after work and I was actually surprised about the ppl that came out.  The only reason I say that is because I planned this event w/ two other ppl and most of our close friends were excited about coming out.  Those 2 ppl decided not to come out for whatever reason and the ppls that showed are friends I haven't seen in forever.

In any event, we had a great time besides have ice skates from hell...  Lol..  The skates they gave us were the cheapest skates with absolutely no padding whatsoever.  Beside that is was great... Lol..  Naw, but for real, I stepped on the ice and was like "word!" I haven't done this in so long and it was something fun & different.  Need to bring my next date here i.e. 5 Ways to Date on a budget.   Definitely recommend ice-skating, but make note either bring your own skates or get ones w/ padding.

I attended the NABA (National Assocation of Black Accountants) Professional Development event “2010 – A Year of Change for the Financial Sector” at the Morgan Stanley office in midtown.  The panelist for the event were very informative and laid out the issues they faced during the 2008-2009 recession and concepts that need to be used to further grow as the economy recovers as an institution as well as an individual maneuvering through these tough times.

 

Here are my tweets giving the play by play during the event.  Instantaneous views:

@_Chuckcity  At a National Association Black Accountants professional development event @ Morgan Stanley...

@_Chuckcity  Panel discussing Forward Change in the economy from the Financial Sector perspective... Changes, credit regulations, and capital mkts growth

@_Chuckcity  Assessing these recent past events. Credit tightened, banks failing, retail areas that suffered losses... And how things gonna be addressed

@_Chuckcity  Morgan Stanley is still think they will be a net winner in the business despite losing what they are calling "Best Athletes" bc/ salary caps

@_Chuckcity  Conflict of Main street vs. Wall street.. Banks owe to shareholders to make money, but Banks are getting shit holed for making too much

@_Chuckcity  Solutions for the moving forward: what tools are you going to use to be successful & understand volatile markets and models..

@_Chuckcity  Figure out ways to generate revenue and generate ways to engage your clients... MBA gives you that broad scope to think critically

@_Chuckcity  Finance dept at Morgan Stanley work very hard to move this firm forward. Everyone has a great morale which is important 4 overall productivity

@_Chuckcity  Thanking the panelist for their time and knowledge. Thanks so much.... Time to network.. Ttyl guys!

Buddy of mine Landon Dias is featured in the current  Ammo Magazine.  Landon Dias is a native Harlem resident, who graduated from Morehouse, starred on the BET show Harlem Heights, and recently ran for City Councilmen 9^th District in Harlem.  Landon is currently in Miami working on the Rudy Moise campaign for Congress #17th district in Miami, Florida He is a very influential young man in the community that is illustrating how young men and women can achieve whatever they put their mind too.  “We are not the except, we are the rule,”  says Landon Dias.

Here is a little of the article.  For the full version, go to Ammo Magazine.

What first ignited your passion for politics?

I still remember Jesse Jackson running in “88 and I’ve always had a political interest since then; I’ve just always paid attention. My first campaign I worked on was in 2000 for Gore, then Obama, and then my own campaign.

On the show, Harlem Heights, you were doing a lot of community work.  Are you still active in that program?

After the election I’m working on starting my non-profit through CitiWorks. It’s called the Uptown Residents Who Care; URC.

What were you doing before the show?

I was working on a few construction projects in the Tri-State area as well as a GED program that was based on teaching young men who had dropped out of high school.  A lot of them were going through legal problems and financial issues and helping them gave me an understanding of my community and what I needed to do really try to make a difference.

Sean “Diddy” Combs unveiled his new wax figure to an intimate audience at Madam Tussaud’s in Times Square. The statue is clothed in a replica of the outfit for his famous advertisement for the “I Am King” fragrance.  A white dinner jacket by Battistoni, black dinner trousers by Jones, New York, a white tuxedo shirt by Hugo Boss, black shoes by Ferragamo and a black bowtie, cufflinks and shirt studs by Pronto Uomo. 

After coming back from Boston on Sunday, group of friends of mine had a planned Holiday Soiree at her place in Harlem.  Even though I was definitely tired from the weekend festivities and partying with the screaming kids, I made my way over to 142^nd & Edgecomb.  Soon as I stepped in the door I was invited in by the sweet sounds of the group performing renditions of Boys II Men Christmas songs, and the smell of candy yams and eggnog.  It was just the welcoming back to New York I needed after my weary travels.  I immediately took off the jacket and dove into the cookies and treats sprawled out throughout the room until the food was ready.  More and more people trickled in even though the invite was a mere 12 people, very intimate. 

Once the food was ready we lined up to fill our plates with yams, mac & cheese, stuffing, turkey, cranberry sauce, and more.  Everything was just delicious.  Thank you so very much @cjrodney because all this would never have happened if not for her, she orchestrated, cooked, and planned the decorations.  Much luv and respect.  After the food, we started making Christmas tree crafts.  She supplied the balls, markers and glitter markers for everyone to customize their own ornaments for the tree.  It was magnificent.  And then…   Yes, there is more.. lol…  We all bought secret santa Christmas presents to do a swap.  Just lil something under $10, nothing serious.  It was fun and we all had a good time.  Cant wait for the next intimate gathering.

Friday evening began with Stephanie’s Bday party at Fashion 40 in midtown.  Even though it was THE worst cold known to man outside, the party was blazin.  I mean the music was jamming since we stepped in around 6:30 and was a non-stop party until I left and heard it was crunk after I left.  I swear on my momma’s left big toe that Stephanie is not an acclaimed professional accountant at one of the biggest public accounting firms in the country, Deloitte & Touche, because she parties like its going out of business.  Most accountants I know work to damn hard to even get out that much.  Stephanie understands the idea of work hard, play hard.  Everyone from @vferg, @jovizi, @cjrodney to @treva @shyvonne was there to party it up for Steph’s bday.  They made 8:30pm seem like 1:30am for real.





After Steph’s party I went to Kevin Powell’s Annual Clothing Drive down at Tribeca Cinemas.  Totally different type of crowd but a much bigger venue with more people and various rooms.  First room was a regular bar/club looking space with DJ Beverly Bond spinning on the one & two’s, drinks flowing at the bar, and attendees taking pictures at the step & repeat.  Second room was the quote unquote Xbox room.  Apparently, Xbox and SobeLife, along with others, were sponsors for the event and had a tv-video game set-up with free SobeLife Waters throughout the venue.  Third room was the Live band / Art room with the guys in the back painting canvases and various groups performing throughout the night.  It was amazing evening with cameos to fulfill the colossal event that Kevin orchestrated from DJ Beverly Bond, Diana Hilson of Black Enterprise to Beverly Smith of B. Smith.

Then on Saturday, hopped on the bus to Boston for my nephew’s 1^st Bday, Brandon Mekhi Hill.  1^st of all, at this point I am exhausted because not only was I out the night before til late, I was on the bus for about 4.5 hours, and then went straight to hall to help decorate with balloons, toys, and Mickey Mouse party bags full of candy and all sorts of toys.  It was a slow start but the then the chaos of kids began.  Kids running, screaming and throwing things everywhere.  There needed to be some sort of organized game to calm the kids and let the parents take a break from yelling at each child about hitting or crying…  lol..   So, of course I started playing Simon says, Musical chairs, and Red light Green light.  The games were great and each winner got a present.  The party was Mickey Mouse themed with Mickey balloons, party favors, and a huge Mickey cake.  My lil nephew had a ball and we all were exhausted by the end of the evening.  He got tons of toys and lots of love from everyone.  I don’t get to see my family that often so I captured a bunch of pictures with my family & I.  Enjoy!