The Rucker.

Last week I went up to Harlem to Rucker Park, one of the most famous court in America. Many greats have played at the Rucker and I had never been there so it was a first for me. For those of you who know me, anything I want to - I go out in do it. If you want to join me thats fine, but regardless I'm going to do it - that's just how I am.
Now I know Rucker Park isn't in one of the "nicer" areas of the city, but I really wanted to go! I mean c'mon, TO and Chad OchoCinco were playing in the celeb game - I'm in NY so why not right? So I went. Alone. Didn't think twice about it. Once I got there I called my dad, thinking he'd be super excited that I was at Rucker - but I received the total opposite response. The convo went something like this:

Me: Hey Dad! Guess where I am?

Dad: Where?

Me: Rucker Park!!

Dad: Rucker Park?!? What are you doing there?

Me: TO and Chad Ochocinco are playing in a celeb game tonight

Dad: Well who are you with?

Me: No one. I came by myself.

Dad: Paris, who are you with?

Me: Dad I really came by myself

Dad: You need to leave before it gets dark out.

Me: The game doesn't start until 8, I'll leave before its over.

Well the game didn't start on time, it actually didn't start until 9...I got a phone call around 9:30.

Dad: Where are you?

Me: I'm still here, its only the beginning of the 2nd quarter.

Dad: Who are you with?

Me: Dad I'm by myself! Why don't you believe me?

Dad: You can't just go everywhere on your own, its not safe for a young lady to be out at night by herself.

Me: Dad, I wanted to come so I did. Just because I didn't have someone to go with doesn't mean I'm not going to go. I would miss out on so much. Being by myself won't stop me. I'll be fine. I'll leave before its over. 

Dad: Okay, Paris.

And you know what, I was fine! Held my own, had a great view, right on the baseline - and really enjoyed myself. I'm an only child - what did he expect!? If I had to wait until I had someone else to be with me, I'd be missing out on quite a lot. But you know what, in retrospect, if I was him and my daughter called me to tell me she went up to Rucker Park at night by herself - I'd probably lose it! Okay, so maybe it wasn't the smartest or safest decision - but hey, live life right? Right.

Live Life.