Proof of Caturdays and Cheesecake

Excluding the much needed naps, I spent most of my Saturday with Buttons. It officially started after I had to dry him off from his bath.

He wasn't too happy until he was back to becoming the fluff ball that he normally is.

Me and my lavender-smelling kitty had lots of snack time. I mean, how could I not celebrate from my responsible cheesecake adventure with Crispy last night.

If we can wait on a line for 2 1/2 hours for $0.60 cheesecake slices at Junior's, imagine what else we could possibly do (like rule the world).

Here's a useless video of the glorious moment I had buying cheesecake:

~~~

Recreation of Pandora's Box Pt. 1

In high school, I thought about it a lot. 

Just with less yellow and more black.

~~~

The Fine Line of Being a Knock Off

Have you ever wondered how people get to where they are? Just looking at my current photography heroes and their work, they make me question how long would and should I be on this road of self-discovery and *ehem* copy-catting.

Inspiration is there for a reason.
It's for you to understand and not so much become. When you lose yourself to your "idol" completely, you'll probably have to do a complete self-check-up (not to mention a break you're going to have to make between yourself and your influencer). Make what you see your own and try not to look like a bad knock off. What's done is done. What you will do is yet to be discovered and celebrated, and eventually you won't feel too out of place with yourself.

~~~

On the Floor

Taking a day off from my To Do List.

~~~

The 22nd of July, 2010: The Meat of It All

Mini high school reunions are always strange. And by strange I mean the awesome-kind-of-zany-girly strange. Excluding the vegetarian that decided to not remind the group until we were at the table (you know who you are ;P), we had our BBQ and pulled meat smothered in deliciousness. We ate like messy queens.

I was happy. We were happy. 

Until we got home to check comments.
And to answer the un-needed, unnecessary drama that became a thread on one of the posted pictures:

Invitations are not rights, they are privileges.

To be frank, the people that were invited were the ones that made it a point to see each other for the past couple of hang outs instead of completely trading the group for college friends that you already see year round. That's why they were remembered to be invited...

.....duh.

So kids, the moral of the story is anger gets you nowhere. Neither does the constant, annoying complaining. Be happy. Be there. People will like you and you'll get somewhere.

~~~

Under Covers

I would rather stay up late and play than be an obligated adult just for today.

~~~

Reflection: Anger

Sometimes it makes me wonder how I look like to other people when I'm angry and can't necessarily voice out my uncensored thoughts. I doubt that this comes close to my actual death-stare I've inherited from my mother's side of the family...?

~~~

Visiting the Bizzarros

Journey to the magical land of North White Plains occurred on the 18th of July, 2010. Val picked me up from the train station and brought me to their cute blue house where just about every childhood memory (and beyond) hung from their walls. It was awesome to see her again and share in her grad celebration, and meet her wonderful friends and extended family (:

Oh...I also came home with a goody bag with just about all my favorite things inside it. Love you, Val!!!

~~~

Reflection: Summer "Work"

It has been forever since I last updated, and you can put that blame on my most recent internship.
But before I get to that, let me summarize my 2010 Summer Work Adventures as condense as bullet points with descriptions will allow:

• Assisting for John Retallack at and for Osher, May 25 & 26

My >previous post< explains it briefly. These were two days that involved an on location studio set-up and the actual on location set. I managed to pick up many of John's awesome tricks that will most definitely help me when photographing.

• Assisting for Catherine Gibbons in Buffalo, June 3

In two heavy words: Spontaneity & Adventurous. I caught wind of the offer the day before the actual shoot and it was a sweaty race in two and a half hours to figure out how I'm going to get to the location and how will I get back. Thanks to awesome friends, solutions fell from the sky like heavy rain that happened that very night. 

Catherine shot for a magazine featuring one of the head executives of one of the main hospitals in Buffalo. I got to experience that actual rush of shooting with a limited range of time and in an extremely public place for that matter. I turned into a tougher cookie with some of the annoyed public that I had to direct away from the set and the plastic container filled with metal equipment I lugged. It was a pleasure to shoot with her. She was possibly one of the sweetest photographers I've worked for.

• Photographing for VIP Fan Photography affiliated with Xerox at the Rochester Jazz Festival, June 11-16

 Let's just say that I found out that patience is actually a virtue and that wine is best served free.

• Photographing for the Reporter, June 17

An outtake from that day can be found >here<. I can't really give you much detail about it just yet because I do, I feel as if the Editor, Art Director, and Mikey will have my head on a bloody golden platter.........just kidding....
Just know that it was a collaboration between me and Val, photo and (more of awesome) illustration (: It will be on the stands this coming school year.

• Intern for World Pictures Services/ Sven Lindbaek Studios, July 7- present

I'll have to be honest with this one. I felt a slight tinge of regret for applying until I realized what I learned today.
I somehow ended up being a mini retoucher. This is ironic to just about everything I've said about me and my relationship with post-production.
Frustration seemed to carry me throughout the first two work days until a light bulb went off on the third. I still don't like being in front of the computer for that amount of time and would rather be in production or be an assistant----but really, I wouldn't have had it any other way. Not only do I work for a wonderful photographer who has clients such as Elle and Avon (and get to see parts of the shoot), I'm also being trained by observing how the business works. When I want to take breaks from editing pictures for his upcoming show, I get to walk down the streets of the city for errands that remind me a lot of my past film production-errand runs. Can't really complain here.

{---the daily work also gives me more reason to pamper myself with a new phone case and a ring that clearly shouts I-am-legal-...-really:

...}

All in all, I feel as if this summer has been fairly fruitful. I'm making up for all the time I wasted last summer and packing myself up with more things for the next couple of weeks. The one thing I regret is not being able to shoot for myself, but I believe I have a couple of random gigs coming up.

"Stay tuned" (:

~~~

Food & Friends

~~~

This is a Test

As the title suggests, I'm trying to figure out this new app on my new phone.

Lalalalalalaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

~~~

The Adventures of Buttons

I've been trying to forget about the heat by following my cat...so bear this post. 

~~~

6-27-2010, 6-28-2010: Day 5 & 6: The Ones Left Standing

The theme of the two days is distraction.

~~~

6-26-2010 Day 4: Lessons You Learned

I reminded my entire family that what they taught me was useful:

Stay in one place when you are lost.

Mind you, I wasn't the one missing.

~~~

6-25-2010 Day 3: Your Day in the Town, Soldier

Part two happened in Universal Studios. It was less hectic than the day before. 

We ended up on almost every ride (like the rollercoaster that plays any music you pick from their sparse selection) and every behind-the-scenes showcase Universal had to offer (like the awesome Twister set).

We even got to listen to some jazz.

Sorry, I know--doesn't seem too exciting, but it was. Just step into my memory box.

~~~