The Manrilla Blog | Life. Art. Religion. Culture.

I originally started this post as NYC Trip, August 2006, but instead I wanted to post something a bit deeper. I hope the reason is clear by the end of the post.

Like many other “converts” I’ve spoken with over the years, the people you take shahadah (convert) with hold a special place in your heart. And while you may drift in different directions from the point, you will always carry a connection with them. For me, Naeem is one of those people. Over the years we have grown: spiritually/religiously as well as the type of growth one receives from just plain old “livin’“. Much of my initial understanding of Islam (and therefore practice) was based on what I learned from him. I can think back nostalgically as I used to sit in his basement after maghrib and we would read Maududi and other works like Riyadh as-Saliheen. There’s a very interesting article in Islamica magazine this month that talks about the nostalgia of taking shahadah. Give it a glance. You may find it interesting.

But unlike many other converts my bond with Naeem only increased over the years. Oh, to be sure, we’ve had our disagreements but underlying everything was a commitment to Islam, if I may be so bold, in the spirit of the Sahabah (the Companions of the Prophet). We looked after one another. I suppose in the parlance of our times you could say we had (and still have) each other’s backs. Naeem’s thing was for Allah and my thing was for Allah so with God as our common denominator we’ve been able to stay close despite all of the different experiences we’ve had over the last fourteen years.

Seeing Naeem today was really momentous. It has been quite some time since we’ve been in the same ZIP code. Aside from the usual catching up (which we do on a weekly basis) it was more the comfort that both of us feel by being in the presence of some one who just “gets you”. You can let down your guard and chew the fat. Seeing him has made me realize how much I miss my “crew” from Michigan and how much a part of my Islam they are. How much they inform it.

Enjoy a few picks from the day.

NYC Reunion - 72^nd & Columbus Ave

Mosque, 1 Riversie Drive

Big Nicks, NYC

Self Portrait, Big Nicks, NYC

Lunch, Big Nicks, NYC

Big Nicks, NYC

72^nd & Amsterdam Ave

I’m in D.C. this weekend on a top-secret mission for Manrilla.net. Okay, not that’s not the case. I’m away on pleasure. I just completed my third week at work and decided to skip town for the weekend. My back was out of wack this morning – I almost thought that I might not make it due to back complications. But eight 200mg pills of Motrin later (including liver damage, most likely), I was on the road, if only a little worse for the wear.

I made it out to the airport at 12:30. I picked up the car without any hassles and headed back into town to grab a bite, a few supplies and then I was off. The ride down was cool. There were only a couple of trouble spots in terms of traffic. As I made it into the District area the radio changed up. There was a dj on who was spinning old school hip-hop and mixing as well. His selections were great and I was bobbing in and out of lanes with a smile on my face as I navigated 395-South. Biz Markie. Big Daddy Kane, Eric B and Rakim. There were many others and I was grinning as by hearing these songs, it took me back to a time when I was young and life was simple and rap music was good. I don’t know who the dj was or even the radio station but I will say thanks. It was really good stuff (Trace, it reminded me of The Wizard on WJLB!!).

I had a really nice dinner in Arlington. I had the chance to make some new friends and acquaintances. I’ll be back in Philly on Saturday night or Sunday morning – my cousin’s coming to town (I’m excited to see you, Karen!). And of course, there’s the new Harry Potter movie. Gotta check that one out.

Saturday night was a great night. Just one of those quiet nights when a few things are just right and you’re satiated with pot-pie (the pot-pie was damned good!!). I slept like a champ for the first time in quite a while. Thanks to all for their warm hospitality. You know how to make a man feel at home (feed him and rub his belly when he’s full).

Sunday was the icing on the cake. My cousin Karen’s in town. It’s already been a year since I’d seen her last. She is simply one of the most fascinating people I know (and she’s my cousin to boot). She’s very smart and compassionate. We have great talks about Buddhism and religion and all kinds of stuff. I’m just sorry your trip had to be so short. I promise to come and visit.

So that was my weekend. More enjoyable than it should have been allowed to be. I will now fade off to La-La Land, happily wrapped in the blanket of half-envisioned memories. Ciao.

I have only been to DC twice in my life. The second time ’round was this weekend. On the first trip I came in at night and only had a chance to visit the Lincoln memorial, the Vietnam Memorial and the Korean War memorial. Grabbed a quick bite and then was back on 95-North. But this weekend I was able to spend two days going around the city. My first impressions is that it’s more of a city than I had previously thought, though not as urban as I usually want my cities to be (knifings on every corner, grime, et al).

DC has great beauty - it fit perfectly with a warm, fall-like weekend. I like the neighborhoodness of it. How you move from one part to the other and there’s destinct differences in how the look and feel. You have a downtown (or two it may have seemed…?). Trendy neighborhods, little out-of-the-way places. Cool little outdoor markets. The city exudes money and power. New York does as well but in a totally different way. I may not be able to specifically explain that - something you have to feel. I found myself saying, “I could live here.” “Well, no, I don’t think so.” “Yes, this neighborhoods nice - I could stay here.” In the end, maybe. As I tried to explain to Titus, I like a city to have more grit to it. To feel more urban. DC doesn’t have a huge sky line so at times it seemed as if it sprawled a little bit. But all-in-all, I liked it. I think I’ll go back down again soon and do some more photographing.

Dinner was great, tonight. We ate at the Banana Cafe on 8th and E St (SE). It’s a mix of different “latino” foods. Everything from Tex-Mex to Puerto Rican food. They also have a piano bar. I had the Bistec a la Milanesa (breaded flank steak pan fried with black beans and rice). I love milanesa. We were joined by John and Karen, who live in Silver Springs. John’s the new associate director of the new Museum of African American History and Culture here in D.C. By the end of dinner there was talk of us (Titus and myself) going to Ecuador to do some shooting next April. Who knows. When Titus says he’s goin’ some where, he usually goes. Better start putting in for time off! All-in-all, it has been a real treat coming down here this weekend and seeing Titus and Maureen. They are like extended family. I’ll never forget our late evening rendezvous with the Nairobi mad man who drove that shuttle bus like it was a Maserati! I’ll come down to visit in Durham soon. Hasta la vista.

I had some business to attend to in New York yesterday. It’s always a pleasure visiting that fair city. I especially like the Village. My kinda people. It was a good trip. I will be busy for quite some time with the work I took home from there - some freelance Web design projects. We’ll post as soon as we have stuff to show. Thanks to Amir for being a very gracious host. Alhamdulillah, it was good to meet you at this point in my life. You’re an inspriration. I hope to see you soon. And of course, we’ll see NYC sooner than later.

I also had the chance to do a little more filming. I’ll put up something amusing about my NYC trip but here’s a tid bit that I shot today of Tyrone, a street musician. Click here to view the movie. Enjoy.

I was in Wisconsin this past weekend. A quick three-day trip back to Mad Town, as they call it. It really was my pleasure to photograph Tru’s wedding. She looked stunning, as expected. Going back to Madison this time offered me a chance to reflect on some things I have had in the back of my head. And of course the chance to reconnect with friends as well.

Many thanks to Julia and her roommate for putting me up. I’m so proud of her. She’s working and everything. It’s amazing. “…sniff…” Daddy’s little girl is all grown up now. Ha!! We had a chance to eat at Cleveland’s Diner (I did twice. Second time with Nick). That is one of my favorite places in the world.

Great greasy spoon diner food. It’s the kinda place I wish my dad and I could go and have breakfast. And the owners, Niko and Telly, are fantastic. It’s like getting a hero’s welcome every time I’m back.

I must also offer my condolences to Aaron. Sorry about your sorry-a@# Packers!! Ha!, boy! Detroit was all up in yo’ house! Naw, you know I’m just teasin’. Word of advice - watch what you say around this boy. He may look timid but he’s kah-rayzee undaneef! That probably will be the last thing the Lions ever will until Jimmy Hoffa’s becomes president.

One thing that was slightly amiss was my boy Pete not being here. Nick and I lamented on him not being around. But, I’m sure the three of us will find a way to all be in the same room at the same time again.

Nick was around though and we had a good time reconnecting. It’s funny using the word reconnect because in truth I’ve only been gone two months but it seems longer. Much longer. It’s interesting to note how we as humans do not live linear lives. Time floats on a pendulum, swinging fast and slow. Nick; be strong and know you’re worth it. “Death is lighter than a feather - duty heavier than a mountain”. It was cool eating with you at Cleveland’s. We’ll have to do it again.

Another big highlight of my trip was seeing Charles again. Charles is like my little brother (and to most white folks we do look like brothers!). Charles had been doing a study abroad term in Sweden, where upon completing that he embarked on a summer-long trip throughout Europe. Before his trip he and I bonded. We really have so many qualities and interests in common. I look forward to Charles doing a little writing on his trip and all of the experiences that lied therein (nudge, nudge); and not just the stories of how the Polish girls were “off the chain” and “had a thang for light-skinned bruthas”. Ha!, I’m just playin’ with you, Charles. But I do look forward to your words and your pictures. Charles has a blog that’s hosted on my server. Check back from time to time and see what he’s writing at manrilla.net/charles.

I also got to drop in on my boy, Adem. He was chillin’ in the backyard, playing and practicing. I met Adem shortly before going off to Philly so it was nice to sit and rap with him. I hope to be able to work with him in the near future.

I regret not being able to make it to Käri’s show. I would have bumped up the numbers of attendance about 100% from what I heard! Sorry to hear that. I know you guys will have a great show on the 22nd. Check out her group she’s in with Shane: Makeshift Ego. She’s the most talented and amazing person you could know that was born on the 28th of February (except for me? Hee hee). Good to see you again, Käri. Until next time.

JW Davis had the dubious honor of meeting me at Edgewood College. We hit it off immediately, being two big jazz heads. JW’s a great man - a man of concious. It was essential that I make time to see him, his wife, Terri, and Coleman. I wished I could have added a whole other day to the trip just to hang with him and chat. I’ll be back for more. And keep the biscuits ready!

I also ran into some old colleagues of mine from Edgewood. Larry Laffrey as well as Sita Chabra and Zang Vang. It’s funny seeing Larry. I’ve managed to run into him practically every time I’ve been back in town some how. He’s originally from the Detroit area as well so I can mess with his head by saying things like The Fleetwood Diner or Lafayette Coney Island. It makes his head whip around and his eyes go distant as if some arcane spell has been cast and he drifts off to some long forgotten memory.

Zang is someone I really missed working with. He’s a rare person. Gentle and thoughtful with a wry sense of humor. He’s had a fascinating life, if one could term it as that. He will always have my utmost respect.

Married? You didn’t say anything about being married the last time we spoke! Well, congratulations. I hope that your move to Hawaii is fun and you and Corey have a blast. Stay in touch.

It’s almost impossible on little trips like these to get around to seeing everyone I want to. Lea’s another person I really had looked forward to seeing and I only saw her for maybe 10 minutes total. I’m sorry, Princess, but time was short. I promise to come and visit again or better yet, you come to Philthy and visit! Well, I hope to hear from you soon. Oh, say hi to Muhammad Ali (yes, Princess Lea’s dating Muhammad Ali!)

Well, that’s about it, I think. There may have been more and if there is I’ll post more. I had a good time and miss everyone. Madison’s no longer my home - I don’t really have one at this point but I’m making my way. Take care everyone and keep in touch. Wa Allahu ya’lamu ahsan.

Day 1

I almost didn’t go on this little trip. Two weeks ago, Ricardo asked me if I wanted to go to New York with him for a few days. I said yes at first but then last night I felt so exhausted from the last several days I was gonna say no. But when I awoke today I felt better.

I met Ricardo and Mike down at the 30th Street train station. The SEPTA subway was running a little behind so we missed the first train. But after switching our tickets we were away in no time. Read more this entry »

I finished the Zero1photovideo Web site today. It’s the wedding photography site of Titus Heagins. Titus and I have been working together on some photo stuff and we’ve decided to collaborate together doing wedding photography. I posted the completed site today. Have a look and book us for a wedding if you like!