---
sunday.
the downstairs neighbor's voices echo in laughter which winds down the staircase and out the door; the jingle-jangle of keys follows tappy footsteps.
it's 3:00pm and the sun turns to overcast summerstorms. water comes down in a swift torrent, then dissipates into an overcast sky.
the day is passing by slow, and how can you tell if you're present amidst it all?
it's 6:23pm, and i realize we've run out of toilet paper in the apartment, and the light in the hallway just shuts off for an indeterminate amount of time.
i look in my planner and there's nothing written, so the day defaults to doing absolutely nothing, and making it up as i go along.
it's 9:06pm and there's shitty commercial club-hop emanating from the ride of two boys with horrible hairstylings.
teenagers on the street below talk about relationship problems and juvenile woes.
a plane is flying overhead. i hear the sound of the building's front door opening, ringing out from inside, and mirrored out on the street.
no one is coming to visit me today.
---
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
" short filmmaking is rad! "
---
now that i am allowed to distribute this short in a manner my team and i see fit, below please find our short for the 72-hour film shootout 2008, as put on by the aafilmlab in new york city.
i hope that you enjoy it watching it as much as we did making it.
---
---
now that i am allowed to distribute this short in a manner my team and i see fit, below please find our short for the 72-hour film shootout 2008, as put on by the aafilmlab in new york city.
i hope that you enjoy it watching it as much as we did making it.
---
---
Sunday, July 20, 2008
" the sheer joys of the 99¢ store "
---
you know that feeling when you need to get only a tiny kit of assorted small screwdrivers in a glasses-repair-kit form? or a fourth-party energy-saving light, or a transformers/dora the explorer piñata, or anything else that is awesome and random?
that's right, you've just earned yourself an hour-long air-conditioned stroll through the tightly packed slim aisles of your local 99¢ store.
they have everything. well, very nearly everything. any store that has exactly everything is just silly.
i spent a fair amount of time yesterday looking for one of those large 1000 matches box of matches, you know, for candle usage, tea lights, roommate restroom cover-ups, et al. of course i never found them. why would a place that has every single mexican and italian saint on an enormous candle ever, not have matches anywhere? isn't that sort of a complete set sort of deal? i thought so.
aisle after tiny cramped aisle, i found a sense of wonderment at the potential of 25lb. turkey aluminum baking pans, an unusual plethora of gardening & house-ware tools, weird and scary-looking children's DVDs with menacing animation almost guaranteed, and the newest addition to my particular locale, a gallery of spanish-language questionable frozen foods.
i stood in a deep state of indecision, wondering whether or not i really wanted that non-brandname box of plain, powdered, and chocolate-covered donuts. in the end, i had to muster up all of my strengths and move on into the hair dyes section. i can honestly say that i was a little depressed.
but there's a sense of bliss too that stems from not only meandering around in random almost-purchases, it's the people watching. the older lady in her summer muu-muu frock, the hipster guy with that silly tight-legs/skinny-sagging with belt combo and the too-small-for-anything tote bag. it's the chubby kid begging his chubby parent for some crappy junk food, and of course it's the chinese girl yelling at the top of her lungs in mandarin at perhaps a fussy boyfriend, her sunglasses like dark plastic blackened dinner plates resting on a button-nose and a cool-because-they're-fake string of pearls.
you almost can't buy a show like this. just think, our next summer vacation is probably right down the street from where you are right now, waiting to fill your afternoon with an odd-duck sense of fulfilment.
tonight's homework:
take a photo of something completely rad at a 99¢ store, then share it's awesome ridiculousness with everyone!
---
you know that feeling when you need to get only a tiny kit of assorted small screwdrivers in a glasses-repair-kit form? or a fourth-party energy-saving light, or a transformers/dora the explorer piñata, or anything else that is awesome and random?
that's right, you've just earned yourself an hour-long air-conditioned stroll through the tightly packed slim aisles of your local 99¢ store.
they have everything. well, very nearly everything. any store that has exactly everything is just silly.
i spent a fair amount of time yesterday looking for one of those large 1000 matches box of matches, you know, for candle usage, tea lights, roommate restroom cover-ups, et al. of course i never found them. why would a place that has every single mexican and italian saint on an enormous candle ever, not have matches anywhere? isn't that sort of a complete set sort of deal? i thought so.aisle after tiny cramped aisle, i found a sense of wonderment at the potential of 25lb. turkey aluminum baking pans, an unusual plethora of gardening & house-ware tools, weird and scary-looking children's DVDs with menacing animation almost guaranteed, and the newest addition to my particular locale, a gallery of spanish-language questionable frozen foods.
i stood in a deep state of indecision, wondering whether or not i really wanted that non-brandname box of plain, powdered, and chocolate-covered donuts. in the end, i had to muster up all of my strengths and move on into the hair dyes section. i can honestly say that i was a little depressed.
but there's a sense of bliss too that stems from not only meandering around in random almost-purchases, it's the people watching. the older lady in her summer muu-muu frock, the hipster guy with that silly tight-legs/skinny-sagging with belt combo and the too-small-for-anything tote bag. it's the chubby kid begging his chubby parent for some crappy junk food, and of course it's the chinese girl yelling at the top of her lungs in mandarin at perhaps a fussy boyfriend, her sunglasses like dark plastic blackened dinner plates resting on a button-nose and a cool-because-they're-fake string of pearls.
you almost can't buy a show like this. just think, our next summer vacation is probably right down the street from where you are right now, waiting to fill your afternoon with an odd-duck sense of fulfilment.tonight's homework:
take a photo of something completely rad at a 99¢ store, then share it's awesome ridiculousness with everyone!
---
Saturday, July 12, 2008
" 35 minutes to bliss "
---
it took me 35 minutes to ride my bike from 42nd street times square all the way to my front door in windsor terrace. i;m no expert rider with the fancy biker shorts or cycling computer, but that's what i call hustle.
there's such a feeling of glee and freedom that comes with a hard ride. a sort of euphoria that washes over your whole body. it's fantastic!
i hope to feel like this for a long time, but my fear is that it won't.
in any case, wheeee!
for reference, here's a gmap of the ride:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2072613
---
it took me 35 minutes to ride my bike from 42nd street times square all the way to my front door in windsor terrace. i;m no expert rider with the fancy biker shorts or cycling computer, but that's what i call hustle.
there's such a feeling of glee and freedom that comes with a hard ride. a sort of euphoria that washes over your whole body. it's fantastic!
i hope to feel like this for a long time, but my fear is that it won't.
in any case, wheeee!
for reference, here's a gmap of the ride:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2072613
---
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
" yeesh, who needs a hug? "
---
dear yourself,
i know you're not doing that great as of late. it's a tough gig. remember how you were so excited about those couple photo contests, trying to really be critical of your own work and present yourself openly and honestly? i mean, it's gotta be in the attempt itself which is sort of an accomplishment in of itself right?
i'm sorry. i'm just trying to be supportive. i completely understand if you don't want to talk about it. heartbreak, heartache, feeling husky, not working as much as you'd like, being passionate about your photography, but not getting a proper professional recognition. everyone goes through these waves of doubt and disappointment. something will turn up though right? something always does.
i also really really understand that at times, it truly feels like there's no real point to make an effort anymore, but there is. it makes all the difference to buck up, hunker down, and go for the gusto. any ole normal person can let it all get to them, to push themselves into a funk and not do anything about it. but you're different.
you are going to make it happen. great amazing and fantastical things are going to happen to you. you're great. you're funny and entertaining. you talk a lot, but maybe that's not necessarily a bad thing. maybe.
so don't worry. everything will be fine in the end, even though it doesn't feel like it right now. i promise, you'll be fine.
signed,
you from ten minutes ago
---
dear yourself,
i know you're not doing that great as of late. it's a tough gig. remember how you were so excited about those couple photo contests, trying to really be critical of your own work and present yourself openly and honestly? i mean, it's gotta be in the attempt itself which is sort of an accomplishment in of itself right?
i'm sorry. i'm just trying to be supportive. i completely understand if you don't want to talk about it. heartbreak, heartache, feeling husky, not working as much as you'd like, being passionate about your photography, but not getting a proper professional recognition. everyone goes through these waves of doubt and disappointment. something will turn up though right? something always does.
i also really really understand that at times, it truly feels like there's no real point to make an effort anymore, but there is. it makes all the difference to buck up, hunker down, and go for the gusto. any ole normal person can let it all get to them, to push themselves into a funk and not do anything about it. but you're different.
you are going to make it happen. great amazing and fantastical things are going to happen to you. you're great. you're funny and entertaining. you talk a lot, but maybe that's not necessarily a bad thing. maybe.
so don't worry. everything will be fine in the end, even though it doesn't feel like it right now. i promise, you'll be fine.
signed,
you from ten minutes ago
---
Thursday, July 03, 2008
" my summer thus far... "
---
---dear all my people,
a couple weeks ago, a few friends and i participated in the 72hour film shootout competition, put on by the asian american film lab.
we decided to get off of our lazy butts and put our talents together to craft together something awesome and entertaining.
you can now not only view and appreciate our no-sleep weekend film at the link below, but you can also vote for the "audience award" portion of the competition. you may also leave awesome comments too!!
please pass the link or this post along to any friends you have that would enjoy to see us in our short-filmmaking glory.
thank you so much for your consideration.
if we win, and if you make it out to NYC, i will take you to get ice cream or something.
wheeee,
bay
http://ningin.com/mediastream
---
tonight's homework:
follow your dreams.
---
Sunday, June 29, 2008
" mr. salty comes to brooklyn "
---
the illustrious mr. salty of boston, mass. decided to come on over to brooklyn, ny to share the lyrical flows with all of his people.
instead of a show, all he had at the end was a triple overbooked band bill to mull over, and a 6+ hour round-trip lucky star bus ride.
good thing for us, he left us with a couple tidbits of his personal thoughts on the short excursion, and a freestyle nugget to chomp on.
big up mr. salty.
---
---
the illustrious mr. salty of boston, mass. decided to come on over to brooklyn, ny to share the lyrical flows with all of his people.
instead of a show, all he had at the end was a triple overbooked band bill to mull over, and a 6+ hour round-trip lucky star bus ride.
good thing for us, he left us with a couple tidbits of his personal thoughts on the short excursion, and a freestyle nugget to chomp on.
big up mr. salty.
---
---
Friday, June 27, 2008
" it's never just about a bike light is it?"
---
i went to the main branch of the brooklyn library today to photograph an exhibit inside. the sun rose high and all around me the heat engulfed and entangled. to step beyond the egyptian-symbol-ed doors and into the wide lobby was cool and welcoming.
after a few hours of setup and documentation, i prepared my things and walked out to my bicycle. and there, in the place of my bicycle headlight, was the brash swipe of tape residue. it had been stolen while i was inside.
the light itself, nothing special. small and compact, broken even, hence the electrical tape used to hold it onto the frame. it wouldn't snap onto the holder, so i taped it down, but i never thought that someone would steal it, especially with it in the condition it was in.
but they did. it is gone.
i stood there for a minute, then just let it go. i let the light go, but i couldn't shake the feeling of loss. it felt like someone had slipped their invisible thieving hand underneath my skin, and pilfered the contents of my being. can you truly just let things go as easily as that?
there is always sadness on a small scale; there is always a pain which lingers. like getting teased at from afar and unknowingly, then to hear about all of the nasty things said about you, the words passing your ears without their knowing...and how you just felt crushed of spirit.
and even though it's just a light, i know it's just a light for a bike, it never just feels like it's about a bike light. it always feels indicative of some larger occurrence, and sometimes it's difficult to let go.
---
i went to the main branch of the brooklyn library today to photograph an exhibit inside. the sun rose high and all around me the heat engulfed and entangled. to step beyond the egyptian-symbol-ed doors and into the wide lobby was cool and welcoming.
after a few hours of setup and documentation, i prepared my things and walked out to my bicycle. and there, in the place of my bicycle headlight, was the brash swipe of tape residue. it had been stolen while i was inside.
the light itself, nothing special. small and compact, broken even, hence the electrical tape used to hold it onto the frame. it wouldn't snap onto the holder, so i taped it down, but i never thought that someone would steal it, especially with it in the condition it was in.
but they did. it is gone.
i stood there for a minute, then just let it go. i let the light go, but i couldn't shake the feeling of loss. it felt like someone had slipped their invisible thieving hand underneath my skin, and pilfered the contents of my being. can you truly just let things go as easily as that?
there is always sadness on a small scale; there is always a pain which lingers. like getting teased at from afar and unknowingly, then to hear about all of the nasty things said about you, the words passing your ears without their knowing...and how you just felt crushed of spirit.
and even though it's just a light, i know it's just a light for a bike, it never just feels like it's about a bike light. it always feels indicative of some larger occurrence, and sometimes it's difficult to let go.
---
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
" somedays, don't you just feel like... "
---
and
---
tonight's homework:
don't let anything hold you back. stop making excuses. don't let him or her make you feel like that; tell them what you feel, and how together, you can push on through.
take photos, listen to music that makes you happy, dance, dream, flourish.
it's the summer, and it's happening right now.
---
and
---
tonight's homework:
don't let anything hold you back. stop making excuses. don't let him or her make you feel like that; tell them what you feel, and how together, you can push on through.
take photos, listen to music that makes you happy, dance, dream, flourish.
it's the summer, and it's happening right now.
---
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
" summer heat "
---
a five-fold fleet of engaged frigates lay dutifully waterborne between our lonely isles.
an ocean of supposed differences and a sea of doubts intrude on a shared joy.
what can i do when my coast is faced the wrong way out?
afloat in this summer's heat, who can bear it but to move forward.
---
a five-fold fleet of engaged frigates lay dutifully waterborne between our lonely isles.
an ocean of supposed differences and a sea of doubts intrude on a shared joy.
what can i do when my coast is faced the wrong way out?
afloat in this summer's heat, who can bear it but to move forward.
---
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
" i wish i knew "
---
what is the right thing to do when you feel like nothing you're doing is right?
you're going through the motions, and the emotions. they are leading you to decisions, actions, inaction, reactions.
every choice made, every statement said, these are forming your immediate future before your eyes, and how fickle time has become. to see and know, and to know that you'll just have to see.
you are doing your best, and hoping that it goes noticed; the tiny bird in your corner sharing your secret thought over far distances both literal and the ones in you heart.
tonight's homework:
muster up all of your strengths,. be fiercely and confidently open and honest. tell that person that means that something to you how you feel. then respect the pause in between, and wait for the conversation to either meander towards silence, or begin.
---
what is the right thing to do when you feel like nothing you're doing is right?
you're going through the motions, and the emotions. they are leading you to decisions, actions, inaction, reactions.
every choice made, every statement said, these are forming your immediate future before your eyes, and how fickle time has become. to see and know, and to know that you'll just have to see.
you are doing your best, and hoping that it goes noticed; the tiny bird in your corner sharing your secret thought over far distances both literal and the ones in you heart.
tonight's homework:
muster up all of your strengths,. be fiercely and confidently open and honest. tell that person that means that something to you how you feel. then respect the pause in between, and wait for the conversation to either meander towards silence, or begin.
---
Friday, April 18, 2008
" click click sha-click "
---
a list of things on event photography:
1. be kind to that random photographer taking photos of you. photographers have feelings too.
2. if you are a photographer, and have an event to cover, don't forget cough drops and tissues.
3. if you're supposed to be at the location on-time, get there a little ahead and come prepared. maybe the client won't be.
4. you don't need to make weird & potentially racial remarks to your photographer. the photographer knows that they are not white, even though you are. relax. drink some more coffee and pellegrino.
5. if possible, don't give the photographer the stink-eye if the strobe goes off in your face. the photographer feels bad, but c'mon, you sorta knew what was coming didn't you?
6. smile for god's sake smile. even just a bit will look better than whatever face you're giving me. it'll be okay...i know how to edit.
7. feed the photographer. the photographer has a stomach too, and can willingly eat off to the side, away from guests. no water as well makes for crabby photogs, and it will show itself in the work.
8. don't hit the photographer's camera. that's the gear part of it you know? if you break it and then give a gruff harumph...well thats just sort of rude, aaand the photographer won't be able to take awesome photos of you with things in your teeth.
9. remember to thank the photographer if they're doing an exceptional job. photographers enjoy positive feedback too. your suit or dress is great; you've done well. see? didn't that feel good?
and finally
10. let the photographer go. it's okay to let them go; they'll be back soon enough. and hey while you're at it, take the photographer's business card. maybe you'll like what you see on it enough to pass it along. for serious!
...
i need a nap.
---
a list of things on event photography:
1. be kind to that random photographer taking photos of you. photographers have feelings too.
2. if you are a photographer, and have an event to cover, don't forget cough drops and tissues.
3. if you're supposed to be at the location on-time, get there a little ahead and come prepared. maybe the client won't be.
4. you don't need to make weird & potentially racial remarks to your photographer. the photographer knows that they are not white, even though you are. relax. drink some more coffee and pellegrino.
5. if possible, don't give the photographer the stink-eye if the strobe goes off in your face. the photographer feels bad, but c'mon, you sorta knew what was coming didn't you?
6. smile for god's sake smile. even just a bit will look better than whatever face you're giving me. it'll be okay...i know how to edit.
7. feed the photographer. the photographer has a stomach too, and can willingly eat off to the side, away from guests. no water as well makes for crabby photogs, and it will show itself in the work.
8. don't hit the photographer's camera. that's the gear part of it you know? if you break it and then give a gruff harumph...well thats just sort of rude, aaand the photographer won't be able to take awesome photos of you with things in your teeth.
9. remember to thank the photographer if they're doing an exceptional job. photographers enjoy positive feedback too. your suit or dress is great; you've done well. see? didn't that feel good?
and finally
10. let the photographer go. it's okay to let them go; they'll be back soon enough. and hey while you're at it, take the photographer's business card. maybe you'll like what you see on it enough to pass it along. for serious!
...
i need a nap.
---
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
" on-camera and mouth full of food "
Monday, March 10, 2008
" an odd perch "
---
so yeah, a while ago i told everyone about a freelance gig i scored. I finally got my awesome(read not awesome but still completely useful) mobile phone video file downloaded to my computer.
don't you just wish that you too were there to doodle with me so i wouldn't be the only "weird thing" at the loft party? yeah, me too.
the shot itself is of me looking down at the doodles i've already done, then a 360-view of the room as best as i could do while sitting atop a 10ft ladder. it was questionable.
---
tonight's homework:
think about the silliest job you've had, then share it with a friend. you'd be surprised how much better you feel, and potentially how your friends admire you for being so brave and/or adventurous.
---
so yeah, a while ago i told everyone about a freelance gig i scored. I finally got my awesome(read not awesome but still completely useful) mobile phone video file downloaded to my computer.
don't you just wish that you too were there to doodle with me so i wouldn't be the only "weird thing" at the loft party? yeah, me too.
the shot itself is of me looking down at the doodles i've already done, then a 360-view of the room as best as i could do while sitting atop a 10ft ladder. it was questionable.
---
tonight's homework:
think about the silliest job you've had, then share it with a friend. you'd be surprised how much better you feel, and potentially how your friends admire you for being so brave and/or adventurous.
---
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