2015 was a year that a lot of bucketlist wishes came to fruition and good fortune blessed my family.
- My love finally found a job that fits his career goals and has a workplace philosphy and culture that is nurturing, familial and supportive of its staff. They have Happy Hours at their home-base and his colleages have no chill when it come to jokes. Yes, I'm hella envious cuz my 9 to 5 is mos def the antithesis of all that.
- We attended Wrestlemania XXXI. HYFR. That event was super golden to the both of us (me & my boo, duh!) as it fulfilled our childhood experiences and admiration of heroric fantasy role models. Its pre-event Wrestlemania XXXI Axxess allowed us to meet Sergeant Slaughter and Ricky "The Steamboat" Dragon. Those two definitely reflected how it felt to grow up in the 80's culture and as an Asian American child. Mr. G.I. Joeness instilled patriotic pride while Ricky never turned into a heel and gave us Asians someone to root for like a brother/cousin/uncle/dad. So when our turn arrived in their meet and greet line, I was ready! I mentioned to Ricky that I watched him when I was a youngin' and was hella devastated when his nose got busted (I didn't mention that part cuz it was traumatic to me at that time). He hella lit up as he signed my faux Championship belt. LOL my husband on the other hand straight up saluted Sergeant Slaughter as he probably felt proud to be an American. And as for the main event, that was everything. One fall Ladder matches, Iconic people like Sting, Brett Hart, Ric Flair, and The Undertaker were in the arena. Oh and The Rock, Sexy ass Beast. Truly we were happy being there.
3. We listened to hella good music. Eargasims and reminiscent moments of our adolescent were revisited when we attend concerts this year. SWV, Boyz II Men, Babyface and Outsidelands 2015. Weak in the Knees, Bended Knee, Every time I Close my Eyes, and Swimming Pools. Music makes me high.
4. The Golden State Warriors VS Cleveland Cavilers, Game 2. My love has watched basketball before OJ drove his Bronco 35 mph and I became a fan before the Dubs unveiled their newest logo. So to attend the NBA Finals was mandatory. Jameson parking lot pimpin' before the game got us hyped and Finals photo opps as souvenirs was the real MVP. When we entered Roaracle, the energy was insane...LOUD, Proud and Strength in Numbers. And although they lost this game, the Warriors did it in 6 and made history for their team, putting The Bay on the Map.
5. Can't Stop Won't Stop. Meeting writer Jeff Chang at the Asian Art Museum in SF was special because I ride or die for Hip Hop. Although it took me 10 years to finish his book, it was perfect timing as the NWA movie was debuting soon, a huge Hip Hop history reference in his chapters. When I finished the book, I felt more connected to the culture's multiple aspects. For instance, listening to lyricism enables me to vent out the frustrations, anger and unwanted energies from my soul. Rockin' bold styles allows me to speak with all gold errrthang, Jumpman kicks, been trill shit and streetwearbles that satisfy my inner tomboy. And its hard hitting dance grooves always motivate and inspire me to always WERK. So meeting him and hearing his perspectives on Asian American maleness in society was epic. And we both wore plaid flannels that day too.
Finally, I'd like to sum up the notables and crazes of 2015.
- The Shoe Game became fun and dumb at the same damn time. Famous fictional Characters' wardrobe and sneakers were synonymous. Billy Hoyle's, Nike Air Mags re-release, and Marvin the Martian were nice collaborations. However, the Yeezy series was a Hypebeast inner adolescent peer pressure moment, (which I did try to take part in, mostly for bragging rights). Cuz honestly if Kanye was not the endorser, would Sneakerheads give a fuck about some What are Those!!!???
- Simplistic Urban Dictionary vocabulary was a social media and texting favorite. Tho, Fleek, Lit, Squad, Weekend, Yasssss, Nope, Yup, Slay, BAE, IDFWU, Basic, Lifestyle. What I like about these short response-hashtagging words is that you're concise, your typing skills are fast like twitter fingers, and you can sound somewhat coherent when you're drunk as fuck while socializing on your Cellphone. But you will also sound like a teenyboppin' ass fool too.
- Nae Nae and Hit the Quan. I'm guilty of doing both on the reg cuz I love dancing. No shame in my game as long as it's a part of Hip Hop. My favorite version is when The Rock kills it.
- 90's errrthang. From sneaker releases like Nike Huarches, OG Nike Air Max colorways, and Timbs to plaid button-downs. And many throwback artist have performed this year at award shows like Brandy, Tevin Campbell, Babyface. Also rappers like Fabolous, Diddy, and my love Drizzy have paid homage in some type of way if you follow their IGs. Sorry, but 90's culture was and is the shit. That's why Tupac and Aaliyah are resurfacing in the media.
- Drizzy. If you are reading this, I LOVE Drake. From him winning his beef with Meek, JordanxOVO, Steph Curry's #1 groupie, Future collab, runnin' through the 6 with his Woes, and Hotlinebling. He is my favorite urban hybridity of cheesy, kinda trill, fashion collaborator contributor, and dad dancing entertainer. Drake is cooler and does it better than Ja Rule. Yo Nicki, All Eyez on Drake.
Overall, I've been blessed this year. I more calmer instead of going 0-100 real quick. My friends are my family and my family tree grew stronger branches. I've been able to cope with less alcohol and with more movement such as dance, hilly strolls, and neighborhood runs. And I'm pleased that there is less of a stigma towards mental health and moods, especially depression. From experience, its a bitch to go through it daily with it eating your inner-self. I've notice on FB that people are communicating to each other and supporting the pains that their sharing with each other. That's the bravest thing to do, to keep it real.
As we all embark on a New Year, I hope that the trait of Bravery will be accessorized, encouraged, and awarded to all. Nothing happens overnight, but consistent perseverance can do wonders. One Love.
