Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival.

Yes, I love Hip Hop and you can only get the real Hip Hop in Brooklyn (several other boroughs would argue). This is the 5th annual if you can believe that. Hip Hop (or Rap) has been around since the mid 1970's.

We made it here at Noon but found out the live acts wouldn't start until 4. EPMD (early Hip Hop duo) is slated for 7pm.

They have a huge tent set up for kids' activities. The main stage is literally under the Brooklyn Bridge (I will post that pic).
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Brooklyn Hip Hop Fest.

To that fence will be packed with people once we return later.
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IKEA dining area view.

We found dressers, PC desks and a bed for Javon that we are planning to get from IKEA.
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IKEA in Red Hook

At lunch today we went to our favorite grocery store Fairway and had sandwiches out on their patio with the river view. During our meal we decided we'd satisfy our curiosity by visiting the humongous IKEA store/warehouse down the street.

It was amazing. This place has a grocery store, a restaurant and a giant dining area with an enormous wall of windows where you look out and see a view of the river and downtown Brooklyn. Kids under 12 eat free! Their meals are fairly priced, ranging from $5 for chicken strips with fries to $7 for lasagna and a big salad. I was very surprised at the inexpensive furniture. I always assumed IKEA was expensive because of how innovative and modern their stuff looked in their catalogs.

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View from the office.

My first day at the new office went well. I got off the first train one stop too early for my transfer, but it was no big deal to wait 2 minutes for another to come along. The heat was oppressive for the walk to and from the end-points. This morning it was already 83 degrees at 7:30am, and just after 5pm it was 101 according to my weather app.

It really is surreal that I am living in New York City. I never really had the desire to even visit here let alone live here. Now that I am here I feel fortunate to have the opportunity and the courage to take it. I have truly been blessed in life and I am thankful for all my past, present and, God willing, future experiences.
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On the Roof

My phone camera doesn't do this view any justice whatsoever. Although our view of the fireworks over the Hudson river were partially obstructed by the local hospital, the view of the NYC skyline at sunset made it well worthwhile. We could also see Jersey City's and Coney Island's firework shows in the far distance.
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Domino

Domino has found one of her favorite spots. The other one is on the top of the kitchen cabinets 12 feet up. I swear she was human in a past life. She really handled the drive out here well.

Happy Independence Day! We walked down to CVS on 9th St. Just past 6th Ave. and the heat is oppressive. Thank goodness the humidity is low.

My friend from High school John who lives a block away invited us to view the fireworks show over the Hudson on his roof, so we are excited about that. I "re-met" him on FaceBook many months ago and noticed his updates, which included maps of where he was at, happened to be where I was seeking a new home. Coincidence or fate, it really matters not. I am thankful for his hospitality and experience of the area. He did a data-dump on me yesterday so I now know the best bodega (corner store) to patronize and the trains NOT to take (no A train East).

I will take shots of the roof view and the fireworks and post again tonight, so visit back after the break.
Love from Brooklyn,

Jared.
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