Let's rewind back to September 2012 a time that seems a world away, yes a world away! Throughout my eighth month working in Newark, New Jersey I got up to quite a lot of exciting things indeed! I showed my love for the theater when I saw 'Evita' on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre, there's nothing quite like the bright city lights of New York City's Times Square! Pop sensation Ricky Martin played the part of Che but I wasn't bothered what part he played because he was in the show. Madonna called me to the Yankee Stadium to 'Get Into The Groove' for her MDNA 2012 World Tour, she sung 'Holiday' and 'Like A Prayer' amongst her new material but her original hits made the night unforgettable! Apart from my fun times I want to look back at my time working at Newark Airport when I was a Passenger Services Agent for Virgin Atlantic Airways, I hated the hours but I loved the drama. Oh Brit, those September days! The North East coast of America can get mighty cold in September so I packed my carry on bag, trading the autumn chill for the sunshine of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. I missed the birth of my two youngest cousins that summer so I wanted a little holiday to recharge and to take the stress away from having no sleep whatsoever. Discovering the old forts of San Juan's colonial past, finding out the 'rich port' was fought over viciously I appreciated the time capsule atmosphere of the Spanish architecture that has been preserved. Taking a trip to Escambron beach I encountered some San Juan realness, I was in the hood for sure but I loved it really! My placement year in New Jersey afforded me the chance to experience some sketchy neighourhoods, it meant I didn't have a problem upon my arrival back to Birmingham for the new university term. I know in my heart of hearts I'll return to Newark and New York City in two years, anyway that September enriched my life no end but I'll be back soon NJ & NYC! Yes!
What difference a year makes? Tell the truth! September 2013 took me to the greener side! Getting our lives together me and my brother spent a mint weekend in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. We spent time at the Coffee Shops and even took a river cruise through the winding canals of the Dam! We saw what wanted from the Red Light District, don't be no fool! It could of just been an illusion? Wolverhampton served some serious fashion faux pas but I'll let it off the hook only this time. Back to reality, back to Birmingham for the final year of my university studies was a sobering moment, I had peace to make with my student city. I wanted to be back in the Dam! Starting a fresh me and a friend took a chance on Cannon Hill Park for the afternoon to catch up after the break. The Indian summer vibe transcended on Birmingham that Sunday afternoon but I guess some friends don't deserve my time!? Bye Felicia! I said 'hello' to my final year at University College Birmingham, I had the chance to be a Fresher one more time! My younger brother had started his studies and was out on the student scene so I had to join the brotherhood out on a few nights out! September 2013 gave me the boost to see a new side of Birmingham, after trusting a Google Map I managed to reach Birmingham's famous Balti Triangle that's in Sparkbrook, Choosing Shabab Balti Restaurant for a Kashmiri food experience. Being a frugal soul I dined on a sumptuous Balti three course extravaganza. Getting back to the Village from September 2013 and onwards gave me the chance to serve some fierceness on the dancefloor to my favorite dance anthems! Back to Wolverhampton for one moment, I had a mooch around the town in between changing the Euros for Amsterdam to find that WV needed some love! Amsterdam loved us and Birmingham embraced me for my final year of university so I was down for that!
The efforts of yesterday brings me back to today, what do you say September 2014?! Bringing some royal highness to my life I discovered Warwick and its Medieval Castle, I had to see what my inner Queen thought about it! Ethelfelda's mound stood as the original barrier for Warwick, that Mercian Princess began the fight against the Vikings! Slay! Warwick had several endearing qualities with its market square small town feel, I was impressed! Trying not break any dishes I chose Stoke-on-Trent for the day to see the Pottery legacy of the Industrial Age getting to know the Gladstone Pottery Museum suited me just fine. You know I was craving a Staffordshire oatcake with bacon and cheese! Hanley served me with a whopper of a oatcake that I fell in love with! I'm easily pleased! Concluding my day at Trentham Gardens, I appreciated the grandeur of the gardens but hadn't I seen you before Trentham? Yes boy!Stepping back in time to experience the Back To Backs in Birmingham's Southside showed how some of Hurst Street's finest used to live, I was astonished by what had been bought back to life by the National Trust! Memory, I wasn't alone in the moonlight because I had booked a ticket to see Cats The Musical at Birmingham's Hippodrome Theatre. The feline themed show didn't impress me much, I had seen it better done in the West End when I was a boy. Donning my graduation cap and gown on the 22nd September it was time to graduate from University College Birmingham with a 2:1 Honours Degree, I done good! I said 'Sissy That Graduate' as I made my way to the stage to accept my degree certificate, I had waited for that mother for a long time! The summer of 2014 took a lot of waiting but September made its appearance eventually so I didn't have to bring the house down! Wolves Pride concluded my September of 2014, it was a day to celebrate LGBT power! You've got to all be proud!
September ... Not Just Any Month!
Joseph Harrison
