More Strange Coincidences

As much as I love New York, I think it's time to move. The city is getting too small for me or perhaps I should move out of my hood. I just ran into the male model that I met on Friday night while coming back from the gym, sweaty and wearing shorts and sneakers. Glamorous. AND my friend's husband who I ran into on Saturday morning. If I run into anyone I know while in San Francisco, especially from my college, then perhaps I will seek out someone who can explain the phenomenon.

P.S. I'm excited about my trip! Excited to see my West Coast sister and also just to travel. Honestly, I love being in airports alone. Going with other people always involves making sure you don't lose them and balancing holding a conversation while being mindful of those around you. Last time I traveled alone was to Utah in October 05. It's about time. Phew! Time to pack!

Twilight Hangover

I finished the 4th and final book of the Twilight series about 3 hours ago and sort of feel hung over from the book. I'm already missing the world of friendly vampires. This is a very annoying feeling that I knew would happen. It could be why I stray away from fiction that's not based on something that can really happen. Like the feeling I'm sure we all had when we read the final Harry Potter book. Happy that we can re-enter the world of the living, so to say, but sad that we don't live in this world of mystery. And then over the last few days, I've gotten off track with reality. For the millionth time, my interest in the supernatural is renewed. Desire to study history instead of photography. Or become a treasure hunter. Yay, this is a whole other side of me that gets unleashed. The part that buys books on ESP, secrets of the Vatican, etc. and enjoys books like the DaVinci Code, Rule of Four, Historian, etc. Searching for antiques, mysterious family heirlooms in my basement that I'm hoping exist and a strong desire to marry someone who has a unique family history. And the sudden, intense desire to research my family history. All thoughts definitely NOT rooted in reality. Although I must say, I do have a strong feeling that there's always been something in my parent's house that I have yet to discover. Like evidence that my grandfather had an affair among the hundreds of slides, movies and his travel journal that I haven't read yet. Or other strange objects hidden in that attic that we missed like the 100 year old lantern I found in fourth grade. Or some evidence that I am, in fact, related to Napoleon. All likely mysteries yet to be solved..

From a scientific perspective, just because we haven't discovered something- it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. There is more evidence of ghosts and UFOs that Jesus..

Weird Coincidences

Friday night I saw the Nightrats at the National Underground. Don't ask me to describe their sound cause I can't. Okay, they're mellow, have a ukulele... anyway, there was a guy right smack in front of my view with a Hawaiian t-shirt and longish hair. Blah blah blah, we to the Submercer afterward with their Norwegian model/ photographer friend. Occupation significant because he happened to have met the Norwegian model turned photographer girl from fashion week THAT night. We found our way through the unmarked doors, through the cold wine cave passage way, and into the bar. I caved and had a glass of red wine despite being three days away from my no booze rule. I say three days because it was after midnight (I believe). Besides, when I made the bet with myself, I included red wine. (Don't ask). We took a quick tour of the bar, and as with any of my nights on the town, I ran into someone I went to college with. Yeah, I can't make this shit up. He was an art major, like me. And still working in the art world. Yay! Also met his friend Katie who went to Skidmore for a semester but transferred out. We had a very long conversation about how small New York is. Like disturbingly small, with many examples that freaked us out.

Sin number two. Had pizza. It was good. We walked home and I stopped off at Solas. The minute I entered the bar, some young college guys tugged at the hair coming out of my hair clip. Wow. Hit on in less than 5 seconds. This is so much less entertaining when sober. I quickly realized that the bar is way too young for me. Okay, so I knew that beforehand. And the music didn't have the same type of pull as it usually does. I skipped saying hi to my bartender and headed straight home. As I fought the 1:30 am throngs of people, I realized again that I was way too old to be living on that street!

Fast forward 2 hours of Twilight reading and a restful night. Saturday afternoon I headed straight for Abraco. Despite knowing that I tend to run into people, I thought.. what the hey. Just this once I'm going to rock the geek specs, unflattering and old Forever 21 jeans and purple, 5 year old corduroy blazer. I stood in line and saw the shaggy haired, Hawaiian shirt guy. Huh!!?? What are the chances??! Post amazingly good but weird sandwich later, I decide to throw out my garbage on 1st avenue despite it being out of the way. And who do I see but none other than my friend and her husband, who I saw last night. I take comfort in that my other friend finally recognized how strange it is that I do run into everyone I know. Like I'm drawn to them. They "weren't supposed to be there," living in Queens and all. And I didn't need to throw shit out on first avenue.

Happy Friday!

Lola is sassy.

Steadying My Heartbeat

I'm at my parent's house in NJ. I took the day off to do a photo shoot with my sister for my final photography assignment. It was everything I hoped for and more. Sort of. My flash with an extension cord experiment didn't work. I'll have to figure out what part of my hundreds of dollars of equipment didn't work and what I'll need to return.

I came home yesterday to find Cheetos in the cabinet. Really??! I yelled at my parents that it was like dangling some heroin in front of a recovering addict. After grabbing a handful, I insisted that my father hide it from me, well. Tonight I decided that I might as well have one last handful since I was going back into the city tomorrow. I quietly went to search for it in the pantry near the basement. And all of a sudden heard a massive growl, causing me to literally scream out loud and come way to close to peeing in my pants. Thanks dad! Holy crap. No Cheetos for me. Shiver.. I'll go back to reading the third installment of Twilight, thank you very much!

Some More Inspiration

I found this link on my friend's flickr page. Sounds cheesy but my heart slightly skipped a beat. Jacob Pritchard's portraits have an impact. Bam! Here's the link. Any idea what he shoots with? The colors are so beautifully vibrant. And here's a project he's working on - Pictures in Bed.

P.S. I think my left arm has finally recovered. This morning I carried a backpack with camera, flash and other lighting equipment, in addition to a long, bag filled with lighting stands. And my purse and coffee, of course. I need to move to Brooklyn and get a car. Oy vey.

One of Each

One of the downsides of having an amazing visual memory is that awkward moment when you recognize someone and they don't recognize you. Should you say hello anyway just in case? Well, I did. And it was awkward. And the fiance of my number one reader I might add.

True to form, I also saw a minor celeb during my lunch break. Brooke Shield's husband on "Lipstick Jungle." Is that show still on?

Happy Monday!

I've been too busy reading the second installment of Twilight to really catch up on my blog. Also felt like I had a serious carb hang over all weekend. That was a kick in the pants to really curb my carbs. No fun having a hang over of any sort when I haven't been drinking! So out of laziness, I'm posting another picture from last weekend's workshop. Eesh, I still haven't worked on all the pictures!

Seriously?

Overheard in New York

I overheard this while on my lunch break, walking near Irving. Dad presumably was picking his kids up from school.

DAD: Do you want some booty? Booty booty booty?
KIDS: Yay.

I'm assuming he meant Pirate Booty since we were near a health food store. But uh, still.

Maxell Ad Parody

And

Boo. It's totally making me want a boyfriend. Despite everyone thinking I have lesbian tendencies (I know, weird right?), I can relate to Bella's strong attraction towards Edward's perfectly chiseled physique. Wow. Did I just write that? Yeah. So like I said, I can relate. That burning desire to have someone who is "forbidden" holding you with their strong arms. Wait. Um. Just kidding. I totally said I was going to focus on just photography and not my dating life. Or lack of.

I Blame Twilight

For my lack of posts. Half way through the book!

Quick Updates

Carl was in good mood Monday for spin. I'm guessing it was because I was there! :) I nearly didn't get a bike. It was by pure luck that someone gave up their spot cause they didn't have spin sneakers. Crunch closed another gym which is going to make my two gym locals even more crowded. Grrr.

Tuesday was pretty crazy because of St. Patty's day. 30 seconds after leaving my office last night, a drunkish guy pointed at me and declared "I like you!" Flattering, yes. Then when I was closer to my photo class near the Port Authority, I saw three guys walking arm in arm. The middle guy was being held up by his friends and had a bloody mouth. In the chaos, I overheard his friend say "You'll be okay man." YIKES. My dad will be happy to know that I took a cab home.

Beautiful Couple

These two model/dancers were a great couple. Perfect models for beginner photographers like me. They had a ton of poses and knew what to do with very little direction.

Weekend Update

Sorry I've been M.I.A. I took an amazing photography workshop called the 15 Minute Portrait with Andy French. It was from 9am to 4 both yesterday and today. I learned a shit ton of techniques, how to use various lights, etc. and am ridiculously inspired and grateful I've been able to take the course. I'll post some pictures later.

In other news, I took the latest Facebook quiz- "What Country Should You Live In" and not surprisingly, it said Italy. Wow.

Past My Bedtime

More Photos

Just in case you haven't been inspired enough- here are two images I am in love with by Graham Miller. Hello vibrant colors! His work definitely reminds me of William Engleston and I also thought of Edward Hopper. Sure enough, I just scanned this interview done in December on Amy Stein's site and he reiterated the same influences. He also mentioned a book by Philip-Lorca DiCorcia that I just happened to be looking for during my break from jury duty today. Wow. It's like the universe is trying to tell me something. Very loudly! My ICP lighting teacher showed us slides on Tuesday. I might break down and buy it on Amazon. Somehow I feel less guilty spending money when it's related to photography. In fact, I've finally become motivated to make my lunch everyday in the knowledge that the money I save can be used for photo tools.

I Love the New York Photography Scene.

It was worth missing my favorite yoga class for the millionth time last night. I'm sure my teacher has given up on me. Last night I went to an Image Maker Lecture Series at the Soho Apple store featuring fine arts photographer and blogger Amy Stein and commercial photographer and blogger Andrew Hetherington. They are awesome. And inspiring. Amy started out in politics, even got her masters. She didn't discover photography until age 32. So there's hope for you late bloomers. Ain't photography the perfect second career? It's all about viewing things from a unique lens literally and figuratively. Andrew had a similar non-direct path finding his way from Ireland to New York and to the photography scene. It was beautiful seeing two people so passionate about photography. Although not surprisingly, pretty much everyone in photography is passionate. Afterward, we all headed to Sainte and had drinks (diet coke for me thanks to my March- no drinking challenge). I chillaxed with some ladies in the field- other art buyers! Yes!!

Amy's Domesticated series, taken in a small, rural town in Pennsylvania where nature has been known to invade the town. She partnered with a taxidermist to create the very real looking images.

Andrew Hetherington started out working in fashion and now focuses on editorial and advertising. His images are colorful, clever and intelligent. This is the one I recognize the most.

Yeah, I was excited about being disconnected while in jury duty but now I realize there are a shit ton of photography blogs linked from these sites that I need to check out while I take breaks from reading Annie Leibovitz new book.

Another Purty Blog

Can't remember if I've linked this one. But I'm going to try and regularly read Cupcakes and Cashmere. Would be nice to see images of a sunny local. And I like this picture. What is it about red balloons? Must do a photo shoot at some point with this.

Jury Duty

JURY DUTY. Putting people asleep since its inception.

I just got back from my first day of jury duty. It was mildly interesting and not as tedious as everyone claims. But that's because I'm only in my first day. I'm a little worried that I'm going to get picked since I committed to some work projects but I guess the trial may not run all day. It's kind of cool to be in Tribeca again- my old work hood and we had a two hour break for lunch. I am the ultimate networker. Sort of. I went to Bazzini's for lunch. Pricey but nice atmosphere. It always seemed to be filled with the movers and shakers of this world. Okay. So I've seen my share of celebs there. Today, a little girl and her grandma sat across from me. My motherly instincts kicked in and I watched the 4 year old while her grams got etc. She share my intense love of purple and chocolate. Her grandmother came back and somehow we struck up a conversation over where I worked. It turned out her daughter used to work for an ad agency and met her husband there. He's now a commercial director and she's on the client side. I'm kicking myself for not dropping off my card if not at least so I could babysit. Perhaps our paths will cross again. Although it would be awkward working with the director and casually slipping in that I have already met his 4 year old daughter and mother-in-law. Such is life.

And speaking of coincidences. I am continuing to be errr stalked by this girl I went to college with. She's a model and happens to be in many stock images that we pull up on stock searches. I have seen her on the street in the past. Recently I saw her on a poster. A few weeks after that, saw her in a commercial. And yesterday, saw her walking her dog while making the long trip to B&H. Freaky.

OKAY! So there is a god! I'm off to Fat Cat to play some ping pong with coworkers. Cheers!

East Village Oddities

Happy Wednesday. Um. Or Something. I've been super inspired with my photography class. I have so much to do related to photography that I can't accomplish during my lunch break. Grr. And there's the whole issue of B&H not being open on Friday evenings or Saturdays. This weekend I'm taking a weekend intensive on the 15 minute portrait. I'm looking forward to it but not, of course, waking up that early. I'm nearly contemplating putting my gym membership on hold unless I truly become a morning person. It's becoming nearly impossible to balance work, working out and photography related activities. Anyway, check it. And to see what I've been up to lately- my flickr page here.

Look What I Found!

More information about Rosie and Aaron just in case you were curious. I guess MSNBC picked them up which I'm glad for. These kids are talented. Check out the article and get inspired.

New Jersey Travels

Yesterday I waited for the bus to take me into the city for 15 minutes. While I was carrying all my worldly possession- i.e. camera, laptop, flash, lenses, etc. - 1 back pack, a weekend bag holding my tripod and a purse- it started to rain. Fortunately, I had a conveniently broken umbrella. I passionately waited with another traveler. We fell into conversation. Panicking about the lack of bus can do that. And of course the requisite "Are you in school or something?" me: "Um, no. I graduated a looong time ago." Then, completely out of the blue, a white Scottish Terrier runs up to us, coming from down the street. Barks at us as if he's trying to tell us something. I stopped from asking "What is it Lassie." Then barked some more and ran away. That reminds me, I need to check my parents' local paper to see if there were any stories relating to the strange dog.

New Jersey

Because I haven't Posted a Photo in a While

My all time favorite photo shot when I was studying abroad in Florence, Fall 2001. This was either taken with my Pentax (click ads so I can get it fixed) or a disposable camera.

10 PM Plus

And the fact remains that I can't leave my apartment without running into someone I know from my past. Around 9:15, I had the sudden urge to jet over to The Strand and check out some photography books. I really need to amp up my photo book collection. The internet is great and all but sometimes..

I get to the photography section and who do I run into, but someone I grew up with who happened to be a fantastic photographer. He still is and is getting his MFA. Hmmm. That's an idea... But the commercial and fine art world are so different. I suppose I should look at getting an MFA from a financial perspective. I don't have a trust fund and the likelihood of me winning the lottery are slim to none. In any case, I thought it was a fun full circle sort of night. Running into someone who was considered probably the best artist in my class. Unfortunately, I came in second. But we were both in the same aisle, he pursuing the fine arts and me involved in the commercial.

Nighty night. I must rest. I have another session with my trainer tomorrow. Yeah, what was I thinking? I've tricked myself into thinking I'm fully recovered - enough for an intense workout. At least the weather will be nice!

It All Happened Before 10am

I rolled out of bed ready for work after 3 days of being holed up in my apartment.
While walking to the Mud truck, I saw a cute puppy.
The owner of the puppy turned out to be a girl who grew up a block away from me in NJ.
I would have said hello but I was too lazy and still recovering.
At the Mud Truck, the coffee guy informed me that his mother liked the picture I took. Could he have a jpg. Probably shouldn't be writing about him cause I gave him my email and flickr link which includes my blog.
After feeling upbeat from receiving free coffee, compliments, etc. I walked next to a woman pushing a stroller with a cute baby.
I proceeded to do the usual. Make fish faces at the baby.
She started smiling and laughing. The caretaker knew I was making the baby smile but had no idea why.
As is usual when I make the fish face, the cute baby attempted to mimic my movements.
I concluded that despite still feeling doped up on various medications, this was going to be a very good day.

Some Inspiration

I haven't been putting pictures up lately mainly cause I've been holed up in my apartment. So I'm taking the lazy way out. Check out Design Sponge.

I'm Back!

My TV works! I guess I should call back Time Warner and cancel the appointment. I did manage to focus and nearly finish Madame Bovary. And I finished Liar's Poker last weekend. Okay, so one's about a lust for love and sensual experiences and the other is about a lust for money. Apparently Michael Lewis wrote Liar's Poker as a warning so Wall Street wouldn't have another crash. Instead, Wall Street guys took it as a "how to" make tons of money and not get caught. This paragraph in the Epilogue sums up what he learned and is a powerful reminder of the disparity between what Wall Streeters reaped and what they deserved.

"My father's generation grew up with certain beliefs. One of those beliefs is that the amount of money one earns is a rough guide to one's contribution to the welfare and prosperity of our society....One thing that was almost always true was that people who made a lot money were neat. Horatio Alger and all that. It took watching his son being paid 225 grand at the age of twenty-seven, after two years on the job, to shake his faith in money. He has only recently recovered from the shock." p. 247

When did this belief change? Actors, businessmen, traders, etc. make tons of money while even doctors aren't being paid what they used to. Teachers- guiding our futures, get paid a mere fraction of the top earners. We're not paid on our over all contribution to society, but our immediate ability to generate a profit regardless of the long term effects.

Grrrr

My instincts to avoid the cable situation were correct. After being put on hold for 10 minutes, the rep told me to unplug my cable box, then plug it back in. Genius. BUT it didn't work. So they're sending a technician out- wait! This is good... earliest on Monday! So now I'm sick with the flu, stuck at home with no TV. Okay, perhaps God is screaming at me to read a book. I'm supposed to call back tomorrow morning between 7am-10am to see if I can get an earlier appointment. If there's an opening tomorrow that will be beautiful because obviously both me and my roommate are home.

In other news, I find it ironic that my EX-friend who deleted ME as a friend on Facebook, uses a profile picture that contains me in it! She cropped me out, of course, but you can still see my hair. Weird. And mostly creepy.

TV

It appears that my cable isn't working. I haven't checked it in an hour.. am sort of avoiding bad news. Maybe it's God's way of telling me to read a book. But every time I try and read, I get sleepy. It's too bad I'm too tired/ lazy to do all the stuff I've been meaning to do but haven't had enough time. I'm keeping the schedule of a cat. Sleeping 17 hours a day.. okay. Maybe that's an exaggeration.

Just saw the latest episode of Ugly Betty online. I'm totally in love with her new love interest. Completely adorable. Totally my taste. Did some research on him but the guy, Daniel Eric Gold, doesn't have any information about himself on IMDB. Don't know where he's from, how old, if he's gay or straight. I'm still searching. Maybe once he's a regular on the show, they'll put more info. Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing more of him.

Aside from sleeping, eating, drinking, sleeping, and watching TV, I also bought things on Amazon. I had a $150 gift certificate from various sources. Believe it or not, it actually took me about an hour to figure out what to buy. I bought a coffee maker, a few books, a Klean Kanteen to compare to my Sigg bottle. A portable coffee mug, and few other odds and ends. It wasn't enough for me to buy big ticket items like a new camera or photo gear but still a lot of money. I'm looking forward to my coffee maker even though it will mean limiting my stagnant relationship with the cute Mud truck guy. I suppose I can go once a week.

Only in My World

My roommate and I are both sick with the flu. No, we don't make out. This shit happens when you live in tight quarters with someone. i.e. a shoe box. She thinks she got it from her cousin.

I just stepped outside to get a prescription. It was a calculated move.. not too late before the sunset and before Oprah. I'm all bundled up. No makeup of course. Geek specs, generally looking rather shitty. And who do I run into on my 10 minute errand? No other than a coworker. Mother freaking aye. What are the chances? He was out to get lunch at the late hour of 3:30! I texted him later saying I didn't think it was that cold after all to which he replied that I was crazy. So I guess 101 degree temperatures are good for something after all...

Aw

That's so wrong and sad. Man puts kitten in his bong. Tear.

Boo, I have the flu

On the bright side, the doctor says it's rare that someone gets treated for it this early on. Started showing symptoms yesterday. Off to bed!