It's Been A While... So much has happened. Here's 2015

So this blog started in 2014, so long ago. Hell, The language and experiences were of a 26-year-old black man exploring and traveling. I'd say it was successful because it taught me sooooo much. I have so many stories, and I lived...   I was curious, whimsical, and loving. I look back at that time, sooooo many fond memories and people I miss and still talk to. 

SOOOOOO, Let's keep this blog train rolling, shall we? 

So much has happened to this black man who probably has one of the coolest experiences this physical form has to offer. Let's update you all... but in bullets and a couple blurbs here and there... Hell, because it's the fastest. 

DISCLAIMER: i'm not a writer and this won't be grammatically perfect or proofed. TBH it's real, it's my thoughts written down and honestly, the story is cool enough for you to disregard the imperfection. Just read dammit! 

Late 2014 i return from my European excursion

• Racked up $15,000K in credit card debt because my gut told me to use credit overseas since i didn't have a job and I knew i wouldn't be able to pay bills w/ credit when i returned home. The smartest thing I did in hindsight. here are the quick stats: 
• Had about 10K saved 
• Was paying my rent while traveling because i still had an apt in NYC (Rent and bills were about $1100 a month without the monthly $300 of student loans that was on forbearance)
• I left in June/July and came back in December 
• For you math wiz folks that is 7700 gone from what i'd had saved 
• Oh did i mention i was unemployed!? 
• Additionally, i didn't get a job until February so let's add another 2200... I think you get the picture.
• I had $100 in my account as of February 2015 and $15K in credit card debt and another $20K in student loans (They were being paid in that monthly figure i gave above)

WOOF! 

HAHAH, i look back now, and I laugh because i was in some serious doo doo but truth be told I was calm. UNTIL I had a panic attack while taking a shit because I didn't know what I was going to do... haha. I look back now and prob should have told more people what was going on but I didn't... 

Maybe I was too proud 

*thinking* 

too proud and broken... 

*thinking* 

too proud to share my brokenness... 

that sounds right. 

BUT THE SHOW MUST GO ON!

So Jan 2015 hit and that 15K credit card bill started to gain "followers" like a Kardashian Instagram account ... I was using my debit for bills and rent because credit wasn't a form of payment. AND I'd say i was credit spending about 200 a week. I was still very active with my friends going out and just being present (the facade while i was broken inside). I watched as another 2K got added on... the occasional anxiety waves, but i stayed calm... mostly. 

I couldn't go out like that, my story was too good to be ended like this....

THEN 

My first lifeline. Head hunter. Sports Agency needs social help. 

IM HIRED!

GIVING ROSES! The first job i got after my excursion was with Excel Sports Management. WOW! Just WOW. They believed in me and we did some great things together from top to bottom straight class. Not to mention, I got a signing bonus!!! 5K (2500 after uncle sam) and a salary of 50K too so I had a decent stream of income, about 1.3K after uncle sam. i was safe, or so i thought because then it hit! 

INTEREST! %21.59 - Thank you! 

and "We would like you to know that your loan is no longer in forbearance"

...FUCK EVERYONE! 

My entire bonus went to my credit card... i didn't even think about it. Didn't even get a chance to save money or buy something nice. Every month one of my paychecks went to rent and bills and 20% of the other check went to student loans. I should have told Sallie Mae to shove it... but i didn't, i paid diligently. Oh and let me add that my credit card bill finally came due from my excursion and it was like 160 lol.

However, I bought food from C-Town and cooked daily. I fed myself with about $15 a day or $450 a month. So my expenses were... drum roll please...

2010 of my 2600 net a month but wait there's more - Monthly Metro North and MTA, Laundry, Haircuts hahahaha - If i remember correctly I was working with like 100-200 a month or 25-50 bucks a week sometimes nothing. It was like a box of chocolates, u never knew what amount you were gonna get.

Now to explain my antics that year. I didn't go out a lot that year and i don't think anyone noticed but hey ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ - I hung out with DWho A LOT! Ernie A LOT! Kelt A LOT- Game nights every week...   Patty and Sabrina because they went to a really cheap bar O'Doyles down the street in Queens and They always bought drinks or got them free.... or we played phase 10 and did home drinking. I made it work somehow struggling... but i made it work.

"BUT DJ DIDN'T YOU GOT TO CONCERTS! "

Thank you Buzz Killington, I did though. 

It was simple - The money i got back from Uncle Sam at tax time went to Firefly and EDC NYC and mad decent block party that year. The funny part is I drank at those places and guess how I paid.... CREDIT CARD BABY! and the total I believe was creeping around 16-17K. Not budging.

Listen the struggle bus lets you off if you ring the buzzer; it's either progress or distress... pick one. that's all I'm saying. 

That's how 2015 went until October. It was rough. nobody knew DJ was struggling and I NEVER borrowed a dime from anyone. Looking back October 2015 is when My now wife and I hung out for Aisha's birthday at a cabin upstate... Don't ask how i afforded it, you already know the answer. 

Stay tuned for the next part.