The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Take some detours.

I know what they told you, but if you don’t FAFO, some discoveries will remain hidden from you. Like, what’s at the west entrance of New York’s Washington Square park. “Are you ready?”

Can Charlotte be the next New York City?

Something therapeutic.

A poem.

“Like Bruce Leroy, looking for the master. I walked New York City in the wrong shoes. My feet and knees did suffer. My lens and heart did not.”

Jovanna went to Miami to see “Chris”, so I had a two day break. I flew to New York to practice photography. The saying should be-If you can’t make it in NYC, you can’t make it anywhere. Literally, there’s opportunity on every other block.

First stop-hotel check-in. Second stop-Majestic Theatre. Thank you nice lady for the seat. “Audra” Gypsy is definitely one of them ones you’re suppose to see. HURRY! It would be a great addition to Charlotte’s Broadway season. Somebody start a petition and sign my name.

Third stop-Kenny Graham's West 4th St. Pro-Classic. I’m bringing my nephew next time. I now got an opening for my basketball screenplay. Thank you Barry Michael Cooper for Above The Rim.

A block or two over, at the west corner of New York’s Washington Square Park is a circle of chess masters. I stopped long enough for an invitation-“Are you ready?” I sat in the park long enough to consider if I was. When I got back to the table, someone else was in the chair. DAMN IT!

SOMETHING THERAPEUTIC: Add wandering to your wellness toolbox. Lounge in the park. Ask a stranger an open-ended question. Go inside interesting buildings. Touch stuff. Sit in the seat. Leave something for next time.

ARTIST: Here’s a talent you need-people watching. Street theatre can help you develop the shapes, shades, habits, motivations of the characters of your mind. Just don’t be weird.

THESPIAN: Casting for Gypsy is a 10/10. The characters evolve up til the last minute. As Rose, Audra McDonald gives a master class in how to body a character. Seriously, HURRY!

A couple of flashes, street food, and a few tracks over is the Museum of the Moving Image. Thank you nice lady for letting me into the screening for “Let There Be Light”. Well done Jon Jones and team. Give that man the budget! We need more stories about “Ebony people doin cool shit”. Next door is the Astoria Studio. It got me to thinking-Can Charlotte be the next New York City?. It’s definitely got the fixins.

A great American visionary once said-“If you build it they will come.” Weird politics aside, more attractions could be the answer for some of it. Consider this explanation for social unrest-“They don’t got nothing else to do”.

What problem could attractions solve for you? Your city? Country?

“A walk up, down, through, around town is - TherapeuticLiving.”