Business behind Mr. Stupid

       You can’t help but to notice the man sitting on Georgia Ave and V Street beating his drums, selling sculptures with a strong aroma of incents surrounding him. If you don’t notice him he definitely will notice you and either greet you with a “have a blessed day” and most likely follow that up with a comment about the lord or the devil. So I decided to find out who this man was but after introducing myself and explaining I would be writing a report on him he said “I don’t want to be recognized as the man on Georgia Ave”. Me: Well with this story you will be more than the man on Georgia Ave. I’m interested in getting to know more than the obvious. Man: Well all you need to know is I am here to make sure I spread the lord’s word and that you are not destined to follow in the devils path. Me: Could I have the pleasure of knowing your name? Man: Oh of course, I am Mr. Stupid. Realizing I was getting nowhere I decided to enter the restaurant he sits in front of. I had never been in it but have passed it several times and it always seemed to be empty.

            As I open the door to Torries @ Wilson I here “I don’t see nothing wrong with a little bump and grind” sung by R.Kelly, two waiters behind a round dinning counter that allows you to see a part of the kitchen and a scent of something beginning to burn. There is a women sitting on a couch on the phone and a man at the counter eating a piece of cake. Alongside the walls are pictures of Martin Luther king, Mohammad Ali, and other well-known people, some pictures are even signed. The walls are wooden and there are two wooden booths before you enter a dining area on the left which is currently empty. There’s a table filled with flyers and a donation box for stop the violence, a brown skin baby doll in the middle with flyers surrounding it reading African American Dolls at collectible show, a couple of uptown Magazines and flyers for the restaurant.

            The lady on the couch I noticed turned out to be the owner and her name is Edith Stevens. She seemed very annoyed and told me she only had a few minutes. Even though I was there to ask some questions I ended up being the one who had to answer a lot of questions. Stevens: Have you eaten here before? Me: No but I am planning to today, what is your most requested dish? Stevens: The Country Breakfast. Me: Okay sounds great I’ll have that, do you get a lot of Howard students? Stevens: No and I don’t understand why! I see them up at the Chinese restaurant right pass us but no one bothers to come in here. Me: Have you advertised with the school paper or advertised your restaurant at Howard? Stevens: Yes! Haven’t you seen it? We were in the hilltop a couple of months ago and for the past 3 years we have been included in the packets they give to freshmen’s of near by restaurants.  Howard students are always coming here to interview us but no one eats here I don’t get it. Do you? Me: Maybe the man outside is a distraction, we get warned to be extra cautious while walking in the neighborhood. Stevens: Who Gene? Ha Ha ha…well I guess your right I have heard him yell out some weird things but he wouldn’t hurt nobody. Me: How long has your restaurant been open for? Stevens: well I was asked to run it in January of 1998. Me: Who asked you to take over? Stevens: The Corporation that runs this restaurant TGFS. Me: What does TGFS stand for? Stevens: It’s very personal I am not going to tell you. Me: Okay well how did they know to contact you do you run another restaurant? Stevens: TGFS is my step daughter’s corporation and yes we sister restaurant I Florida Ave’s Grill. Me: That’s great, who owned the restaurant before you? Steven:  Wilsons did in 95, Hot Shop and role before. Me: Have you are any previous owner done any catering to Howard University? Steven: YES we used to cater in Blackburn cafeterias when Dr. Cheeks was running things but when the next man came he hired a white company.  Me: Is there anything you would like to know or include in my story? Stevens: No No No… you already know too much but you could find out for me why no one eats here that would be nice.

According to washingtondc.menupages.com Torries @ Wilson is a clean place, great food, service is slow but the food is worth the wait. I used a Lead with flair because I wanted to catch the reader’s attention. I picked this place because I know everyone passes it on their way to rite aid, the Chinese store or the metro and you can’t help but notice the eccentric man right outside. I believe people would be interested in this place because living on campus we have limited places to eat at so getting to know a local restaurant could be helpful for a hungry night.

A walk down Georgia Ave...

It was a great Friday afternoon, sun was shinning weather was great, cars blasting music, and a bunch of students walking towards campus passing Starbucks on the corner as usual. Even though the trees had no leaves and a smell of exhaust coming from the bus greeted us before we took our walk, It felt like a happy day! As we walked down Georgia Avenue and took in everything around us we could not help but to notice a man about 6'5 in a green shirt and jacket placed on one shoulder singing rap lyrics up and down the middle of the streets. Some people laughed, some just starred, and others just ignored him and went about their day. Walking down Georgia everything feels old. The  buildings seem abandoned but are not. In front of Howard University's Hospital, the corner of Georgia Ave and V st is a man with a long grey braided beard selling scents and sculptures  in front of Torrie@Wilson's a restaurant that has Christmas light hanging around the top of the roof. As we walk pass him he yells out to us "He loves you" and wishes us a great day. As we approach Georgia Ave and Florida the streets are much busier, older men are hanging at the corner of CVS pharmacy, a man is in front the corner of the boost mobile store selling water while go-go music plays loudly form a stereo attached to the store wall. People are going and coming from all directions via car, scooter, bike and feet as we all usually are when we or on Georgia Avenue but today was differnt because I actually noticed the environment instead of just being apart of it.

SUPER BOWL WEEKEND

It's amazing what you notice when you sit back and just observe. February 5th the Saturday night before the big Superbowl Sunday I went to a pre-party / get together at a lounge in Brooklyn N.Y. The smell of BBQ and buffalo wings lingered as i walked in noticing all of the black, green, white and Gold on the walls, tables, and clothes people had on. The energy was great a bunch of people laughing engaging in conversations  about the Pittsburgh Steeler's and the green bay Packers. I took a seat in the middle of the lounge, I could hear "Black and Yellow" by Wiz Khalifa play lowly in the back round. Lights were dimmed, there was about 100 people. I could hear the group of 4 guys next to me making bets on tomorrows game..."I got 50 your boys are gonna loose"..."WHATT nah i want 100 bucks when the steelers win boyy!" ESPN played on the flat screens surrounding the lounge, recaps of the teams were being showed and highlights of the best players along with predictions. People at the bar seemed to be more focused on the T.V, if something they didn't like was said they would all take there right fist bang it on the bar counter and suck there teeth in unison. People were so sure of there teams winning. You could see it in there face expressions, so intense eyebrows up in the air causing wrinkles in the middle of their heads, so sure of their selves ready to explain there cases to an fan of the opposing team. I for one never watched a game of football in its entirety but for some reason the energy of the room and all of the excitement felt by the people there got to me, and for the rest of the night i became a part of the noise.

Who is this not so familiar face?

For this interview i chose to pick someone who seemed interesting to me but i never really got a chance to talk to.  This assignment took me out of my comfort zone and forced me to use my reporter skills. I went to the student employment office where i knew i could find Adajo, a girl who seemed to be every where on campus. I informed her of my assignment and she had no problem with me interviewing her. I did not have a tape recorder, i took an old school approach and pulled out my note pad and pen. Before i started questioning her i introduced my self, told her my major and where i was from.

Me: What year are you? Adajo: This is my third year, i am a junior. Me: What is your major? Adajo: English and political science Me: What do you want to do after you graduate with those degrees? Adajo: I want to be a english teacher. I also want to open up a school for young women, a place where they can learn to beat the odds and gain skills to make it on this world. I also am really into politics and would like to be city council women for Queens, NewYork or something of that sort one day. Me: Have you done any internships yet? Adajo: Yes last summer i interned for the congressional black caucus, i worked up on the hill and gained a lot of contacts. Me: Do you feel like you have been able to gain contacts through howard as well? Adajo: Well i believe howard has taught me how to hustle which has lead me to create my own contacts. I love this school and i always say in the end i wont mind the payments i will have to make towards my loans because i have made every cent count. Me: What clubs are you involved with a school? Adajo: I am a campus pal, i am vise president of the NewYork club, I am a member of Street Business and i work with kids in the neighborhood through jumpstart. Me: Sounds like your really busy do you find time to socialize? Adajo: Yes i make sure of it, well probably not as much as i would like but i do make time for friends and myself on the weekends. Me: How would you describe your self? Adajo: Loving, outspoken, talented, caring, optimistic and focused young lady who will not stop until all is achieved. 

In between questioning i shared with her things we had in common. For instance we are both from NewYork and have a interest in political science. This interview was more of a conversation and i didn't go in with any set questions. I now have gained a friend and we have also exchanged numbers. :)

My Suite-mate and now "SOUl" friend !!

Alot of times we think we know people but the truth is if you don't ask...well we are only assuming...

I reside in a double suite in the West Towers with a student named Tokumba Ade Owalabi. Before my interview I thought I  knew her pretty well. Nigerian background, raised in Brooklyn, NYC,  21, cant cook and loves fashion. Knowing the basics i decided to take this assignment as an opportunity to get to know her a little better. I figured it just made sense to pick her since this is the person I not only share my cooking skills with but a bathroom as well. 

My first question to her was If you had to leave the country today what one item would you take? Tokumba: "My bible, with that i would be bringing along wisdom, strength for my weak moments, love for my soul, and i wouldn't feel alone".  Me: What is the one thing an enemy might say about you that is true but you see nothing wrong with? Tokumba: That I am cocky and brag to much, but what someone who doesn't like or know me might not understand is that i am confident, i love who i am, and that i was raised to walk with my head in the air! I also love fashion and am excited when i get knew things, i don't talk about what i have to brag i do it because i am so excited and absolutely love fashion! Me: How would a good friend of yours describe you? Tokumba: Funny, caring, and very dependable with an "in your face personality". Me: What is it you want to do with your life? Tokumba: I want to get my masters after i graduate with my bachelors in supply chain mangement. When i am done with school i want to work around the world with a business that will allow me to do that. Preferably in Europe or Africa. I want to be successful and  well dressed boss! Me: What makes you the person you are today? Tokumba: everything i have been through and overcome. Me: Can you elaborate on that ? Tokumba: Well i have been heart broken and have had to build my self up on my own. I have had so many family problems that have caused me to have tuff skin. Me: If you could talk to the younger you that didn't have as much knowledge what would you say? Tokumba: I would tell her not to change a thing and to keep doing exactly what she is doing since that is the reason i am who i am today.

After this interview i now feel like i understand my suite-mate a lot more than whats on the surface. If tapped into her soul.

Who is the Blogger??

My name is Vertulie Pierre-Louis but i often go by Tulie and i am a Howard University Student. My major is Broadcast News and my minor is Political Science. I am 21 years old born n raised in brooklyn, NewYork. My mother is from Honduras, so i speak spanish fluently and my father is from Haiti, but no i do not speak creol nor french :(. I have many goals i want to accomplish throughout my time hear on Earth. I want to work for News 12 as a News Caster, help public schools in lower income communities obtain better grades and produce better students. I also want to get my law degree and spend some time representing immigration cases. When I feel satisfied with my accomplishments i want to become a professor and teach at a community college and share with my future students my expierences, which will hopefully inspire them to continue on and further their education beyond an assosiates degree. Most importantly I plan on going through life with a smile, laughing with great friends, sharing my heart with those who deserve and need it and loving every minute of it!!