Thursday, August 28, 2008
Sunset
Two days ago I saw maybe the best sunset ever. Then I realized it was over New Jersey, whatever.
Monday, August 25, 2008
The city
I flew in to New York City yesterday and had a great time with my sister and her friends last night. Today we walked around and did a little shopping. Tomorrow we are going to take a boat cruise around the island. After that I have a few days alone to meet up with friends and tend to my own agenda. Lastly, my dad comes on Friday and we spend two days together. I am excited for this whole week. I have not seen my dad or sister since I have left for school at the beginning of the summer. If you are in NYC shoot me a line.
Ps Here are some random things I have seen.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Yes!
I just finished watching Thumbs Up America on VBS.TV. It is a documentation of David Choe hitchhiking and all around adventure. Very funny. Check it out.
Fun
These are great. Both silly and emotional. It's stealing a look at a text message you aren't supposed to read. Photographs by Kelly Shimoda found on her blog, I guess you don't want to talk to me anymore. I found this via the 20x200 blog.
--Click--Friday, August 22, 2008
Winter
Almost every time someone asks me where I am from they are shocked when I say California. They realize I have never had a "Rochester Winter" and they chuckle menacingly. "Oh you are in for a treat." Or, "Why would you leave Los Angeles for this?" These comments bring up feelings of fear and wonder. I do admit I like Rochester a lot. The weather, the clouds and the sunsets are beautiful. Yes, it is humid and sticky, but Southern California has its issues too. I do not miss the dry dead heat and the 100+ temperatures. The piece that I cannot fathom about upstate New York is the winter. I try and try but I cannot see everything covered in a white blanket of snow. I'm sure it will be okay. I know I will live through it. But when we are put into a situation we have never been in before, we inevitably grow. I am looking forward to my eyes being graced with something completely new. Heck, I have been in the snow a hand full of times and even less in a real snow storm. My photographs will become soft with snow and white with snowflakes. I found some photos by Evan Baden that inspired me to write about winter.
Image © Evan BadenDan Larkin!
Dan Larkin was my first summer professor at RIT. His website is finally up. Check out the motion section for a really awesome video.
Pray
The internet at home arrived just this morning. I am hoping my productivity will sky rocket but I'm not sure how the web will help me achieve this. I am rationalizing. I'll pray for a rain of posts soggy with valuable content.
Valuable content, such as this. :/
I'm back
After I returned from Montreal my life went into the hectic moving, organizing and clean up mode. There was a new apartment with a empty room that I dumped all my belongings into. I had a mass of boxes and clothes, but no where to put them. I bought a new bed. That corner was done. Then a desk and chair was given to me. Office area organized. I found a vintage dresser and a used side table. Next I bought hangers. Shirts, jackets, underpants; filed away. This room of mine was finally taking shape. After my bed was made and most everything away, I had to make to feel like home. I put up my collection of postcards and love notes from family and friends. My mind is clearer and my heart warmer. While moving is hard on the brain and body, once is completed that satisfaction is spectacular.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Last night
Sunday night we stumbled onto a once a year graffiti/hip-hop event hosted by Under Pressure. We hung out with the hippest kids in Montreal, drank cheap tasting expensive beer and rode the locals fixies. We got tips on where to go and what to see.
The following morning, we walked the city, had a wine and cheese picnic in the park and climbed a 196 step clock tower. As the night came to an end wandering around the city, we stopped at a cafe for some late night coffee. We scanned the local paper for events. I read an advertising for a music show, "People Under the Stars". One of my favorite hip-hop groups from Los Angeles is called "People Under the Stairs". I wanted to believe it was them, but it seemed to good to be true. The night ended without any internet acess and no way to know if this was the right group.
Today, we woke up early, rented four bikes for free and rode around Montreal for five hours. Once lunch was finished, and we had stopped sweating, I knew I had to investigate this musical adventure. I called home to LA and had my friend Nola check to see if they were really preforming. She confirmed it! We found the venue and bought tickets for tonight's 8pm show. $16.50, a nap, dinner, and then we are there. Tomorrow drive the 500+ miles home.
Rochester greets me with a new apartment and a bedroom full of boxes. I still need a bed, desk, dresser and car. Oh the circles life can lead.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Montreal!
Four photo students actually getting on the road only an hour and a half is a remarkable thing. We made it to Montreal in 5+ hours. This three day vacation is needed.
We are staying in a dingy hotel near downtown. Striped drapes, gold wall paper and a dusty chandelier. A room for one will fit four. This will be amazing.
Friday, August 08, 2008
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Dad's traveling
My dad is going to be in NYC this weekend and I wish I could go visit him. Here is his decription of the Virgin America people.
It reads,
'Graham - Are you coming down?! I am flying Virgin America. Pretty nice. Every one is cool. Tee shirts with dinner jackets and misc piercings. Lots of leg room. Little flat screens for each seat. Beautiful flight attendants with names like Perky and. Sandisa. People are ready trendy novels by Indian authors like Jumpahl Larhiri. Everyone gets a turn at flying the plane. Parents bring only well behaving children on board. Each child has necklace.
Eveyone is having a nice day. It is time to turn off our electronic devices because this is a "green" flight.
Love dad'
