So…. technically, these pictures were taken in the Bronx. Deal with it. While touring a school on Tuesday (part of my job) I came across these little gems embedded randomly in the walls on all three floors. I don’t think I got all of them but I got enough to post here for your enjoyment.
~ J
The sunset in New York this July 4th was really breathtaking. Sometimes I forget how beautiful this city can actually be. It is easy to be turned off by the stink and the noise and the pricks that seem so prevalent. But once in a while, when my vantage point changes, I’m reminded of New York’s charm. Away from those things that draw in the tourists, away from the superficialities that are overabundant here, there is a New York that I have grown to love very much. It is the New York that I have made for myself; my boyfriend, my friends, my work, my apartment, having a beer with my roommate, my long walks exploring the city, the place I get bubble tea, the man I buy apples from on Chambers Street… the list goes on and on.
I love how hard I have to work to live in New York because doing so makes it all the more personal. This is the New York people who just visit can never see or understand. It is the New York they don’t write songs about. And so, surrounded by old and new friends on a rooftop in Williamsburg, I look out at the city I left everything behind for. I see the city that challenges me everyday to be better, tougher, resilient and earnest. In vibrant, broad strokes of color and texture, New York City continues to be the canvas of my future.
~ J
I had a pie party. People who came were supposed to bring pies. This photo is just a sampling of those pies. It was a success and you missed out if you missed it. The Brooklyn pie party scene will never be the same. ~ J
It’s been a while, but this pretty much sums up my life since my last post. I got a real job and can now treat myself to things like this without feeling guilty. Life is good. ~ J
It’s been cloudy and drizzling the last couple of days so I decided to take a few pictures through the haze of dreary weather. I think the city is much more photogenic and gives off a certain mystique when photographed this way. ~ J
Sometimes I see images of Chicago and I long to move back. This is one of those images. ~ J
Bye
Just a little bit of nostalgia here…
~ J
Today, while preparing my coffee at Whole Foods.
Crazy, old Caribbean man: Don’t overdo it young man.
Me: Don’t overdo what?
Crazy, old Caribbean man: You know what I mean.
Me: I don’t know what you’re saying to me.
Crazy, old Caribbean man: Yes, you do.
Me: You’re crazy.
Crazy, old Caribbean man: No, no… not crazy.
Last night I received, in the mail, a Flattened Stanley. Flattened Stanley is a character from a children’s book my nephew had read recently. B/c of his flattened state he is capable of having many adventures. I assume this is b/c flattened people have easier access to places and things than those of us burdened with multiple dimensions. Anyhow, the point of Sam (my nephew) sending me Flattened Stanley was for I to document his adventures here in NYC.
This morning I had the best idea for Flattened Stanley; I would prop him up on the train platfrom and photograph him as a train entered the station. B/c I was headed to Soho I decided to get on the JMZ at Marcy Avenue. I walked to the end of the platform where there were less people and tried to prop Flattened Stanley in the seems of the wooden platform. Just when I thought he was securely propped up a gust of wind came and lifted Flattened Stanley into the air! I tried, in vain, to step on him as the wind blew him along and, tragically, onto the tracks below. I stood there stunned as I looked down at Flattened Stanley and pondered what had just happened… and, sadly, Flattened Stanley’s ultimate demise. For a brief second I even considered jumping onto the tracks to retrieve him. Then a flash of headlines in tomorrow’s papers chronicling my stupidity about dying to retrieve a laminated paper doll shot through my mind and dispelled me of that notion. So, in all, Flattened Stanley’s NYC adventure lasted about 15 hours total. Only about 30 minutes actually outside of my apartment. I’m told that a second Flattened Stanley will be mailed to me shortly. Thank God for second chances! ~ J
The public high school the kids attend is El Reno High School.
The principal is named Perry Owens (405-262-3251).
The superintendent of schools is Ms. Ranet Tippins (405-262-1703).
The email contact for the superintendent’s office is cpatrick@elreno.k12.ok.us
Write a message (brief or long or ANYTHING) telling them that this kind of speech (saying that they DESERVE the bullying and that it’s OKAY) is WRONG and it’s the reason kids are killing themselves, because they feel alone, ashamed, and hated. As someone said to me, “think of that gay kid at El Reno.”
Sometimes I forget how fortunate I am and how good NYC has been to me. I forget a lot of things. ~ J
“Strictly Game” by the Harlem Shakes. My latest song obsession. ~ J
Today a friend and I walked around Trinity Cemetery & Mausoleum in Washington Heights. I first got the inclination to visit the cemetery sometime ago while watching “The Royal Tenenbaums.” The cemetery scene was filmed in Trinity. If you ever get the opportunity to visity Trinity I would definitely take it. I could’ve stayed for hours. It almost made me want to die and be buried there… someday. ~ J
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