Where have all the travel agencies gone?

Friday Feels // Rom-Com/Rom-Trauma #9

April 11, 2025

I’m testing out a bit of a new format. Like last week, I’ve been deep in these passion projects and a few career things, so I haven’t had time to watch many new movies. I’ve only got one review this week, so I’m bringing back the Friday Feels format. The “watching” section will still hold my reviews — just expect fewer of them while I stay focused on finishing my film and juggling these side hustles.

Now that that’s out the way, let’s get into it.

I read somewhere on here that we have to be our own archivists — to preserve, collect, and ultimately protect our memories. People always talk about digital footprints, but what about our physical ones? The moments we leave behind. The memories we etch into the world. This blog is part of mine. One day, my films will be too.

Remember photo albums? Hell, remember CD albums? My mom used to grab four or five from this guy at Sandy’s Roti Shop, right off the A train on Liberty Ave (RIP — way better than Trinciti, shade). Every summer, without fail. Most of the time, they were clear CDs labeled in Sharpie with names like SOCA PARANG XMAS MIX 20XX, but occasionally, they’d come with proper graphic sleeves. Between all the moving and the slow death of the CD, I couldn’t tell you where any of them are now.

Physical media, man. Physical media.

And now that I think about it, right next to Sandy’s, actually upstairs, was a Caribbean travel agency. We were getting deals from both: discount flights upstairs, 3 for $10 soca CDs downstairs. A simpler time.

Lately, I’ve been recording little “vlogs” with my niece, just capturing moments. But I want to create a physical album soon. I already have a film camera, and I spent a semester in the Baruch film lab, so I’m halfway there, just need the book. And to make the time to start.

About a year ago, I discovered a group of archivists in Brooklyn (shoutout Ariana for the put-on). They have this hidden shop in Park Slope with tons of physical media — prints, photos, hand-painted posters, documentation of protests in NYC over the decades. Mad shit. They occasionally host exhibitions, workshops, talks, and screenings. I signed up for their Eventbrite like a proper nerd — the stuff is fascinating. I implore you to find a similar group in your city. Shit tough.

Memories are wild. The other day, I remembered when my middle school homeroom teacher performed Sent from Heaven by Keyshia Cole like a praise dancer during mass. You can’t make this shit up, bro. LOL.

Catholic school in East New York was: bumping Fab, rocking Jordan 6s, being surrounded by the “I no Black, I Dominican” brigade, and saying “dique” like Spanish was your first language. A lot of downs, but also some ups. And somehow, now I’m here.

Shaggy, I wasn’t sure if it was you, tbh, but I thank you for reading. I hope things are good with you and that one day, if not soon, they’re better for us.

Anyway, I’m not feeling too hot and it’s late, so I’mma wrap this up here.

Before I introduce this week’s video, let me keep it a buck: I don’t fully know what these young ladies are talking about, and to be honest, that’s not really my business. I fuck with the vibe though, especially the way the second rapper bobs her head. She hits that Wendy Williams shoulder-bounce-body-roll combo.

If you ask my sister Kelis, she’ll say I be talking shit about “bird” music. But look closely — I’m on they wings, enjoying TF out the ride.

Without further ado, here’s this week’s music video:

Feeling

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

My stummy hurt

3.5 out of 5 stars

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Listening

Music is undoubtedly one of the best parts of being alive. Here are some of the tracks that have contributed to the soundtrack of my life this week:

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Watched

Serendipity (2001)

Written by Marc Klein | Directed by Peter Chelsom

Like many films on this list, I first watched Serendipity when I was younger. It shaped my ideals about love and fate more than I realized. Watching it again as an adult, though, was an interesting experience. One takeaway: about halfway through, I thought to myself, "I kinda feel bad for liking this movie so much as a kid." But shit, I was a kid, I was completely unaware back then of how many lives were impacted by the two characters’ quest for love. But at the same time, I couldn't help but think, damn, fate, right?

The characters oscillate between hopeless and hopeful romantics, and the movie really leans on its plot. So much so that if I mention anything more, it would kind of spoil the magic.

I remember talking about this movie with my best friend in high school. We used to talk about visiting the restaurant named Serendipity, which inspired the film. Interestingly, the word serendipity predates both the restaurant and the movie. It refers to the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way. According to Webster, fate and serendipity are different because fate is neutral, while serendipity is often positive. In this film, we see both at play, and by the end, you’re left with a stronger belief in these two forces. It might even make you believe that there are no such thing as coincidences.

I mean, what are the odds of the same dollar bill ending up in your hand twice?

Did it make it to the Rom-Com Ranking Top 50 list? 👍🏾 (for nostalgia)

🍿 Letterboxd review 🍿

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Misc.

finsta flow

It's fw me Friday...y'all fucking w me??

Lyric of the week:

God gave you what you could handle.

What you could handle

Biking (Solo) by Frank Ocean

J