Man Up The Street Update

He's back! And not just that... She's back (the girlfriend who promised the judge on that television show that she'd never speak to him again) and her "little bitch" daughter is back! (Please note: Miss Nikki Ann is not calling "said" daughter a bitch; it's what Man Up The Street so lovingly called her one day). So they're all back.

Mom said to Miss Nikki Ann: "I should call her over here and show her the taping we have of them in court, and then tell her 'when you go to court the next time and the judge asks if you're going to stay away from him, tell the truth.'"

Yes, Man Up The Street's little bitch was outside pumping, bumping and grinding to some music that was playing from the vehicle that they'd all been bent over looking under the hood for two hours. Boy was it a show. And all I could do was chuckle. I hadn't noticed how much I'd missed their entertainment. But I sure as heck can't wait for them to go back home too! It's been hours, and as I type, they're still out there.

For those who are just getting acquainted with Man Up The Street, here's the link to previous posts: Man Up The Street Updates.

Besos

Man Up The Street Update

As we know, Man Up The Street was on People's Court with his ex-girlfriend. She'd kicked him out of the house and had vowed to never take him back again. **Nikki clears her throat** It has been reported (Neighbor told my mom) that Man Up The Street was spotted at his mother's house with ex-girlfriend. It just goes to show you that old habits are hard to break and that both of them are full of it! Full of what? Maybe lust, love, stupidity, foolishness... Whatever it is, if I ever hear of them having another court date, I will be there to enter my verdict: GUILTY (both parties).

Man Up The Street Update

Yup, another Man Up The Street spotting, but with a twist. Yes, I have seen him on the streets, but this spotting was on TELEVISION--The People's Court, to be exact. He was on there with that girlfriend I told you all about. Actually, she's now his ex-girlfriend. And I learned way more about them than I needed to know (like how she's had a hysterectomy). Man Up The Street was claiming that when he did his last stint in prison, the ex-girlfriend was supposed to take care of his outside business. He receives disability and wanted her to pay his bills with that money. He claimed that she'd stolen over $2,000 of that money. She claimed that she did as she was told to do with it and had kept a written record of all transactions. She also claimed abuse by both the hands of Man Up The Street and his 16-year-old son (and she had police reports to prove it). He stated, "Your Honor, I didn't know we was having problem until now." Um, excuse me Man Up The Street, you've been abusing this woman and lazying around on her couch (as she called it); and you didn't think y'all were having problems. For real? Un-huh. Man Up The Street... **Nikki sighs** Okay, The People's Court is filmed in New York, so he went out of state to lose this case when he could have stayed home (away from TV Land) and lost with dignity. Now e'erybody knows his business. I knew he was on TV because Neighbor rang my phone and told me to turn the channel. I was so excited that I packed Sir up (hair uncombed and all) and went across the street to view it with them. Man Up The Street. Other information that the judge got from him was that he'd been arrested for DUI 8 times. The judge pondered as to why they kept letting him go from prison early. And after his last stint, he was released under the care of the ex-girlfriend. Now why would she let this dude come back to her place? Especially when she told the judge that after she'd had her hysterectomy, he'd threatened to kick her in her stomach. What? Maybe a month ago Man Up The Street and Sir had the kindest and most gentle moment when they'd spotted a rabbit in his mother's yard and he proceeded to show Sir its beauty. **Nikki Ann shakes her head** Anywho, Miss Nikki Ann must go. I've talked enough about Man Up The Street. Latas!

Man Up The Street UPDATE & More

It's another Man Up The Street spotting. And for once it wasn't I doing the snooping; mom informed me that he was up to some suspicious activity. She wondered how a man recently released from jail could have a cell phone and spanky white new clothing. **Nikki shrugs her shoulders**

Sir and I spent some much needed time with Mrs. Miller in her yard. She was zapping weeds and sprucing things up a bit. Mrs. Miller is my second mom. Her daughter and I have been best friends since I was born. LuCiana and I share the same birthday (except she's a year older) and we've been neighbors for almost 31 years now--Ciana now has her own home, but she's always over.

Mrs. Miller and I delighted in old neighborhood stories, and, she spoke passionately about women being able to do things on their own. We both agreed that waiting on a spouse or significant other to get the job done can sometimes lead to it never being done (not in all cases, but in lots). Mrs. Miller was like a June Cleaver (actually, both she and my mom were). She was a stay-at-home mom until LuCiana went to school (they have 5 children in total, and with Ciana being the youngest, there was a HUGE age gap between her and her siblings). Mrs. Miller took a position at our schools JUST to keep a watch on all of us neighborhood kids. As soon as our last neighbor, Shawn, finished school, she left the school system. I always thought that was such an honorable thing.

She spent her time making Ciana and I matching, themed outfits for different holidays, and playing board games with us. She and my mother made a great unit and helped each other in many ways; both their husbands worked tiring full-time jobs, and they leaned on each other for extra strength. Mrs. Miller helped to nurture the responsible women I've become, and my gratitude is endless.

Added note: Man Up The Street is The Millers' neighbor. And I know we all wish more for him.

So it was a great day. Sir and I also spent time with Neighbor as she finished washing her car. Tony and Joe did some work on the inside of the house. Sir and I spent time in the park. Rishawn came to visit. I spoke with Crystal on the phone (that's ALWAYS interesting). I had a retina appointment--which inconclusively diagnosed me with White Dot Syndrome (more specialists to see). Sir and I made our daily visit to Aunt Theldra and Uncle Robert Earl's to watch the last soap opera. Mom and I caught the Poland Spring Water Sale at Big Y ($3.33 for a 24-pack). Sir and I skipped swimming class, AGAIN (yea!).

Overall it was busy, busy, busy. Tomorrow mom is making German Chocolate Cakes (yes, that's plural). Eating them always brings back thoughts of my grandmother, who is in the hospital right now. Oh yeah, I returned lots of phone calls between today and yesterday, which is pretty good for me. I have a few more to do, but I plan on getting back to everyone. And I can't forget to add that Thembi arrived safely by plane--and with the craziness that's going on, that's a blessing.

Latas!

Man Up The Street UPDATE

Yes, it's Man Up The Street, outside in the pouring rain reading the paper and smoking a cigarette at 6:45 am (This photo is blurred because I don't know if, legally speaking, I should be snapping photos of the dude. And don't even ask why I was up nosing around in his business.). I fear that things have taken a sour turn for Man Up The Street. Rumor has it that he tried to bum some cigarettes off of my cousin the other day, but cousin didn't have any to spare. We fear that what he really wanted was some money. Then this afternoon Mom and I spotted him in the northend of Hartford. Funny part? He had a cigarette in his hand. I guess he finally got his nicotine fix. Other rumor has it that his drug issue probably really has resurfaced--at least that's what neighbor says. He was telling her that he's working for the Urban League and stuff and that he's supposed to be staying in some sort of group housing. Um....really now? How can that be if he's here all the time. Come on Man Up The Street. I'm rooting for you. At least when you were outside calling folks all kinds of BITCHES your life seemed a little more stable. When we waved at you today, you just didn't look good. Not at all.

Man Up The Street

Man Up The Street,

I watch you as you come out of your mother's house early in the morning. I watch as you puff on your cigarettes and look to nowhere. You're in your early 40's, but you dress as if you're in your 20's, long baggy pants and long baggy t-shirt hanging down to your knees. I've watched, and laughed, as you've called your girlfriend and girlfriend's daughter a bitch. Not because it was funny (maybe a little) but because I knew she'd cuss you back and return an hour later for more, as her hoochie daughter stood outside--legs spread open--and did the wind and grind to music that pumped from the car. Not that color matters, but to see this 14-year-old white girl dancing to dancehall music out in the front yard in a predominately black neighborhood is a sight to be seen.

Man Up The Street, I remember when you ran into my mother's car and didn't want her to call the cops because you were on probation. Man, I've known you my entire life. I can remember when I was about 10 and your father's (God rest his soul, he was one of favorite neighbors) car fell on top of you. Since then, you've been imprisoned way too many times for me to remember (at times I wonder if that car knocked the good sense out of you). Mostly I fear drugs and liquor might be to blame (and maybe even those cigarettes). It's like you're an immature boy trapped in a man's body.

I must admit, while I was pregnant, watching you in action, yelling at your girlfriend, was the highlight of my day. I've entertained my family members many times with the authentic way you say the word BITCH.

I must go now. Not because I have things to do, but because I plan to go to my window and see if you're still outside puffing on that cigarette. I missed you while you did your last stint in jail, and I'm way too happy to see you back, pacing your elderly, sickly, bedridden mother's driveway. You give this quiet neighborhood a little spunk. I thank you for making my long days interesting. And hey, if old age doesn't kill me, your secondhand smoke will--I love having options.

Your neighbor,

Nikki