In The Heights… Crown Heights.

Things I am loving about my new neighborhood:

1. I look out Jeanne and Adam’s front window and I can see the Manhattan skyline. I look out my back window and I can see fireflies floating around the untamed jungle that is our backyard.

2. The dollar store. Lots of products made in China. I bought a temporary shower curtain with two Asian women sitting in a concrete pool with floating flower petals. As Adam pointed out, the women are sitting in the pool fully clothed. Jeanne bought a 4 pack of loofas, which sold itself well by claiming to “Always refresh you everytime,” and “Makes your body comfortable and full of lather juat a few soaps used.”

3. I had this conversation with a Sassy Black Lady at the deli, as she listened to music on her sidekick:

S.B.L.: You know this song?
ME: No
S.B.L.: What? You don’t know J. Holiday?
ME: No.
S.B.L.: You don’t know music! You need to listen to R&B.
ME: I’ll get working on that.

S.B.L.: You know Mary J. Blige?
ME: Oh, I know Mary J.

(S.B.L. looks at me for a moment. She’s either shocked that I actually know Mary J., or shocked that she’s been talking to a big Homo this whole time and didn’t realize it until now.)

S.B.L.: You know R. Kelly?
ME: Yes, I know R. Kelly.
S.B.L.: Them’s baby making singers!

Right on, girlfriend…