Yesterday afternoon I got to spend some time with Tracey and my goddaughter Zakiya for the first time since I arrived home here in Detroit. I had a bunch of really fun little gifts for Z from London, Paris and Jackson Hole, WY … I think she liked her cowgirl leather vest the best, she kept saying to anyone who would listen, “I’m a cowgirl! Yee haw!” Seriously, it was adorable:

We took Princess Z to Chuck E. Cheese’s for a little birthday part of her own and she had a blast. She spent all of her tokens on rides galore, she was in heaven. I was a bit dismayed to see that Chuck E. Cheese has really become a diluted version of its former self. I remember when the first Chuck E. Cheese opened in Detroit when I was a wee child (actually, if memory serves, Showbiz Pizza Place came out first … or at least, I preferred Showbiz over Chuck E‘s but the big Cheese ended up winning the battle for supremacy) … it was a much more elaborate experience. The show was better, the prizes were better … but, in defense of the new Chuck E. Cheese franchise, all games and rides cost one token. In an age where video games cost $1 or even $2, this was a nice surprise. I also enjoyed the Monkey Ninja cartoons that they played — they were actually very funny (check them out HERE). But I’m way digressing … Tracey, Z and I had a blast last night. Zakiya also got a whole bunch of really cute clothes so I’m looking forward to seeing really cute pics of my growing little girl very soon.

That was pretty much my day … tonight I’m meeting up with Erik for food and hanging out. I also decided to stay in Detroit for one extra day so I can really enjoy the weekend here in the D to its fullest.