making my weekend, 5.10.24

i was in mid-conversation with a coworker, when noel comes up to me and says she heard atlanta, tampa and that it was smooth and mellow and that she really liked it. just that one little interaction made my day, my whole weekend.

atlanta, tampa on streaming services nowwwwwwww.

-ratha, 1:23pm, 5.10.24

the waffle mules, 5.9.24

when i was in miami a few months ago, i stopped by the design district louis vuitton. i missed out on the drop for the waffle mules and had inquired about them. a very nice gentleman working there named daniel said that piece was one of the most sought-after pieces, but if they restocked, he would let me know if i gave him my number. daniel took my number and he hits me up a few weeks ago saying his store is getting the waffle mules. fast foward to today, they came in. i can’t believe he remembered i wanted them and hit me up. that piece is so rare and it’s one that i’m sure he gets asked a lot about, especially being in miami. that was incredibly thoughtful of him and i really appreciated it! i told him next time i’m in miami, that i’ll stop by and say hi. i tried them on and they fit perfect. i don’t know where i’ll wear them to, but it’s gotta be a somewhere tropical.

shoutout to daniel!!

-ratha, 5:11pm, 5.9.24

wednesdays after work, 5.8.24

we planned to go to maya after work to check out the wednesday buffet. in a stroke of bad luck, they were closed for some event, but i was informed they’ll return to their regularly scheduled programming next wednesday. due to this, we went to yoki. the food at yoki was pretty good. we took advantage of their happy hour apps, and i also got a lychee mocktail. it was top 3, maybe top 2 all-time. the only other one that i remember being as good was the one i got at grace. as we ate at yoki, p said my shit played on the dj channel on spotify and they even announced my name. i’m sure a lot of other artists get played on the dj channel, but that made my night. he said they played both december 2023 and atlanta, tampa. e texted me last week saying they played atlanta, tampa, too. i know it’s just the beginning, but things are happening and it feels very real. after dinner, i called franko. we hadn’t spoken in some time, but he called me before dinner and left a voicemail. franko is my guy man. we’ve known each other since freshman year at uncc. i asked him if he was still working the project in holly springs and he said they have 1.5 years left. it was also good to hear that him and his girl are still together. she’s about to move in with him in the next few weeks and i couldn’t be happier for him, for the both of them. i love love and i love it even more when it involves the people i love. i told him i was thinking of pulling up some time soon and he told me to let him know. definitely have to make it back home this summer at some point.

i just got off the phone with franko and i think i’m about to walk bagel then do some more writing.

-ratha, 9:02pm, 5.8.24

the good things, 5.7.24

today, we were back on the court. i went 2-1, which means i’m 4-1 overall on the season. i dropped schuni off, picked up some cfa, then went home. as i sat in the living room talking to my dad, my mom, and my aunt, i thought to myself how good my life is at the moment and how i should be more appreciative. as soon as i opened the door, bagel came and greeted me. his love is like no other. it just warms my heart thinking about him. i went up to my room to eat and watch playoff hockey, specificially the canes taking on the rangers, and he followed. he’s laying next to me as i eat and everytime the bag crunches, he turns around lol. these are the good things in life.

some days i do take these things for granted, but today was not one of them.

-ratha, 7:15pm, 5.7.24

pollen on pollen, 5.6.24

i could not sleep at all. i was tossing and turning. then when i finally caught an hour and it was time to get up for work, my eyes were watery and my nose was congested. i decided to take a sick day and get some rest. this pollen has been kicking my ass lately. it does this every year and though i know i should be taking some medication, i never seem to learn my lesson, smh.

-ratha, 10:15am, 5.6.24

military’s in-store, 5.5.24

i went to burlington mall to get a few steps in. i didn’t intend to buy anything, but i came across the military iv’s in-store at jd sports. i was surprised. they actually had an 11.5 in stock, too. i looked at the shoe and it was just so bulky. the miliary blue iv’s are my favorite colorway of the iv’s. i had the 2012 version and i had the 2006 version. i’m biased on what i grew up on, but the 2006 silhoutte was the best. it wasn’t as bulky as the newer jordan’s. i ended up passing on them, but hopefully someone after me will get to get them for retail who will enjoy and appreciate them more.

-ratha, 6:43pm, 5.5.24

cranston to north reading, 5.4.24

we went and picked up the car today. it was exciting. lowkey, i still can’t believe i bought a car. in a way, it’s inspiring. this is my first car i’ve ever bought and what a high it is. i can only imagine when i buy my first ferrari or my first lamborghini how it’ll feel. it’ll come close to what i felt today, but it won’t quite match up.

driving off the lot in a new (to me) car playing atlanta, tampa is just a different type of feeling.

-ratha, 4:44pm, 5.4.24

size 8.5, 5.3.24

size 8.5 amiri trainers purchased in connecticut and shipped to brooklyn from fwrd? with my card? in my name??

-ratha, 2:32pm, 5.3.24

the timing belt, 5.2.24

i dropped the sequoia off today at the dealership for a timing belt and water pump replacement along with an inspection. overall, it’s $1700. then i have to get a new tire, change the oil, and get a new battery.

it’s only the 2nd day of may and it’s already been an expensive month lol.

-ratha, 7:11pm, 5.2.24

a third gone, 5.1.24

today marks the first day of the fifth month of the year, which means a third of 2024 has already passed. i feel like so much has happened, yet some nights i still find myself stuck in the same places emotionally as i was months ago. i have to remind myself there is no timetable for feelings, much like there is no expiration for things in this life like love and missing someone who is no longer here with us physically. a lot of growth, a lot of thought, a lot of intention, and a lot of uncomfortable nights in silence. ironic it is because i used to find solace in solitude. i guess times now are just different. bri reached out to me a few days ago about a storage unit i had gotten for donovan years ago when he was in the hospital and i moved to new england. i didn’t even know they still had it open. she told me they were going to leave some of his stuff there for auction like his weights and squatting rack. it brought me back to when he first bought the squat rack. he had ordered it, but was in utah for his work rotation. he called me and asked me to check if it was delivered, and sure enough it was left out leaning on the garage in the drizzling rain. i pulled it in as heavy as it was lol. then i remember it was in the middle of covid times where he needed weights for the bar/rack. jordan came over to go with dono to an academy sports somewhere across the border in south carolina to get the weights because that was the closest location that had them. she was always so kind and i actually miss talking to her so i should probably reach out to see how things are. i don’t know, i’m all over the place. it’s actually incredible how one message can cascade into so many emotions and thoughts. dono, i know you’re reading this. i still love you and miss you every day bro. there’s more to the story, but i’ll put it in the music. or in my journal.

a lot of things i wish i could talk to you about these days.

-ratha, 10:23pm, 5.1.24