All Things Go (feat. Wagamama x Avantgardevegan)

CHAPTER 1: Welcome To New York
Entry #4: "All Things Go"

Dear readers,
Learning to go with the flow is not easy. It's a challenge, to say the least. For me, as I continue to adjust to this new life of mine, it's very intriguing. It's constantly changing daily. Parts of my old life somehow come into play within this new life of mine. I have constantly been seeing lessons that I've learned over the last decade come back to help me in these new parts of my life. It's been a blessing to see it from this new perspective. My vegan lifestyle has truly come into play here in New York. I was never going to not carry that over into my new story. Back home in SF, every corner does not offer vegan options. But, in New York, it's a whole vegan world here. Deadass, every corner has some sort of vegan option. I have been in food heaven. For those of you that don't know, I do not eat meat... I can not eat meat. With my illness, I have to be very careful with what I put into my body. I chose this, to give myself a chance to have a little more years added to the amount of time I was given with my eyesight. If I'm being honest, I'm glad this was an option. I love not eating meat. It feels so right for me, and my body has adapted, accepted, and loved this diet for the last 3 years now. All my fam here in New York eats meat. Although, I have been getting them on my vegan train lately. So much, that Julio and Gio tagged along with me for my favorite vegan chef, Gaz Oakley, and the launch of his new collab meal at Wagamama, the vegan sticky, Asian 'ribs'. 
It feels like the boys and I have spent the whole week together. Come to think of it, we have. I'm glad they could come along with me at a very interesting part of our story. A lot is going on with us, in our professional, and personal lives. So, it's been a relief to have days and events, like this, distract us from our problems. Anthony came along as well. Anthony is Julio's best friend. I met Anthony about a month ago. The first day I ever met him, he witnessed how horrible I was at video games. Not my fault, I wasn't playing any games while I was living the hospital life, lol. Then we went and got drunk at this Irish bar and didn't get home until 3 am. The whole night was so fun. It's something I'll never forget.  Especially since it was one of the first fun nights I've had in New York. Now we live not too far apart from each other. Anthony is like the definition of the cool guy the other guys wanna be. Think Jake Ryan from 'Sixteen Candles', but the modern, slicker, more laid back version. The complete opposite of Julio's outgoing and bubbly personality. I get why they are best friends though. My best friends, even though they are my family, we're kinda polar opposites. That's what makes us a good fit. Anyways, he's a cool dude and the kinda guy that more guys should take notes from. I mean that. His style and his vibe rocks, and I'm glad the dude is now apart of my life too.

You know, vibe wise, Anthony kinda reminds me of Gaz Oakley. The man of the hour, and our vegan king for life. I love Gaz Oakley. I can't praise that man enough. I'm a really big fan of his. When I started to cut meat from my diet, I turned to youtube and found Avantgardevegan. Since then, I religiously watch his videos every single week, sometimes daily. His food is what dreams are made of. In June, I deadass went and hunted down his cookbook at the book store, because I wanted to make some for myself. Listen, it ain't as good and as pretty as his, but his recipes are the bomb. I love what he stands for and just how he approaches life. It made me change the way I approach certain things. The guy is a vibe through and through. I was so excited to try his vegan 'ribs'. Let me tell you, it was everything and more. The boys dug it too, and they are meat-eaters. I would eat it again and again. I'll most likely be back to Wagamama to have another round before they are removed from the menu on March 31st. NOTE TO SELF: get back to Wagamama ASAP. After we finished our dinner, we got to meet up with Gaz as we were leaving. Gaz Oakley has always been on my list of people I want to meet during my life here on earth. Finally, I can cross that off the list. God, he's so cool. Just positive, humble, and the kinda guy more of the world needs. I was deadass pretty nervous to meet him. I'm glad I did though. I admire this guy. From his food to his lifestyle, fashion, and general vibe, he's just too cool. So, yes, Roy got a little starstruck. I got to take a pic with him and he signed my copy of his Vegan 100 cookbook. Thanks to my brothers, for reminding me that I have the book for him to sign. I adore this book and I will now cherish this signed version from him, forever. Thanks, Gaz, for the great food, the inspiration, and for inspiring so many people like myself. We look up to you and hope to at least try to be as good as you. It was an honor meeting you, Mr. Gaz Oakley. 

Going with the flow is not easy. But, once you learn to ride the waves of the flow, you get to have cool moments like meeting Gaz Oakley. Who would have thought, this could happen. Life is hard, it's weird, but moments like this make all the hard and weird times, worth it. 

Love, Roydom Lucian

Head to Wagamama to try out Gaz's vegan sticky, asian 'ribs'. Available now until March 31st.
Follow @GazOakley and @avantgardevegan on instagram
and subscribe to Gaz's phenomenal youtube channel 

Photographer: Julio Chavez

What I'm Wearing: Coat - Good Fellow, Shirt - Vintage Wrangler, Suit Pants - Express, Shoes - Nike, Hat - Urban Outfitters