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Sunday, May 1st, 2005
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1:04 pm - On knowledge...
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There are four sorts of men:
He who knows not and knows not he knows not: he is a fool - shun him;
He who knows not and knows he knows not: he is simple - teach him;
He who knows and knows not he knows: he is asleep - wake him;
He who knows and knows he knows: he is wise - follow him.
-Lady Burton, in Life of Sir Richard Burton
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| Wednesday, March 30th, 2005
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11:22 pm - I think it's spring now
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While I was waiting until it was time to leave for my internship, the door and windows were closed, so I had no idea what the weather was like. When the clock hit 9:30, I finally opened the door to check the temperature: 50 something. Yes. I didn't even bother grabbing my coat just in case it got colder. I just put on my fuzzy jacket thing and went on my way. The day was too perfect for the weather to go bad.
Sadly, however, my job requires me to sit inside all day. Very tragic. Fortunately, I was at the end of my current project, so I finished rather early. Of course, I did spend as much time as possible on it, so as not to have any time for anything else. Right, so I had two hours left, so I asked what to do next. Turns out, I was supposed to burn the images to CDs. But there was no burner, so I couldn't do that. At least not today. Thus, my choices became photograph and start work on another book, or call it a day and leave early. Real difficult choice.
After checking the bus schedule, I decided the best to take would be the 4:50 one. That gave me about an hour and a half to kill. So I figured I'd hit up the Pokemon Center and play games for an hour. So I headed down to Rockefeller Center only to find that the Pokemon Center is no longer there. It's gonna be some Nintendo store, but not til later. But I still had an hour to waste before I had to catch the bus.
So I walked over to the ice skating rink, and just watched the people on the ice for an hour. It was really kinda euphoric. I mean, there was a good number of people on the ice, and it didn't matter if they were man or woman, young or old, with friends or by themself; they were there, just skating around over and over again, and simply enjoying themselves. So I'm standing there, just looking at them, and I feel, kinda happy. It actually almost brought me to tears.
current mood:  happy
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| Sunday, February 13th, 2005
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9:05 pm - Random update for no reason
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"'What you call a ghetto, I call my home.' This was said to me when I first came to East Harlem, and during the two years that I photographed people of East 100th Street, it stayed with me. Home became an old man who grows grass between broken slabs of concrete in a tenement backyard, children behind windows covered by chicken wire, walls with pictures of Christ, Kennedy, and the American flag, and a retired maid in uniform scrubbing her own linoleum floor. Home is formal family photographs, a boy with an African-head medallion on a rooftop who wouldn't let me photograph his pigeons because he wanted them to be free, a party given by seven brothers for their mother arriving from Puerto Rico whom they hadn't seen in eighteen years, a young articulate poet and revolutionary who feared that his photograph would end up in an FBI file, four bullet scars on the abdomen of a reform school graduate, and a Congo drummer who has two jobs and goes to night school to study aeronautical engineering. It is an aspiring fashion designer, commuter traffic on the East River Drive, a Springfield rifle under a neatly made up cot, a blinded Marine veteran of Vietnam learning to use his cane, junkies in basements and abandoned buildings, a musician who when his violin was stolen could not afford to buy another and joined the Air Force, the child in her white Sunday dress who gave me the name "picture man," the taxi driver who had his small son pay me a quarter for the photograph I'd given them, the theater and dance group Soul and Latin going to Central Park with their name on T-shirts, the pregnant girl on a rock surrounded by rubble in a lot waiting patiently for me to compose, and the man in the bar who looked at my white skin and said I'd raped the world. I entered a life style, and, like the people who live on the block, I love and hate it and I keep going back."
-Bruce Davidson - Introduction to "East 100th Street"
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| Sunday, December 12th, 2004
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4:42 pm
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It's been so long, I've almost forgotten how much fun making forts out of couch cushions can be.
current mood:  amused
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| Sunday, October 3rd, 2004
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12:19 pm
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"Pretty ponies! They is cute and girly!"
"Yea, and they really like it when you tell it to them. Especially those three over there: FrankJoe&Phil."
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| Friday, October 1st, 2004
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7:37 pm
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I love how now that I'm done with my Book of Summer, this journal is essentially useless to me.
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| Wednesday, September 1st, 2004
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2:02 pm - Book of Summer: Entry 13
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Okay, this entry is mostly for the purpose of giving me an extra entry, cuz I don't have that many. It's here mostly to say that this is the last day of summer. Which is saddening. But for the first time ever, I'm now able to use my laptop from my bed. Which is nice, cuz I get privacy without having to wait until 2 AM.
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| Tuesday, August 24th, 2004
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4:00 pm - Book of Summer: Entry 12
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| Wednesday, August 18th, 2004
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11:00 pm - Book of Summer: Entry 11
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Woo! Today was quite entertaining. Well, it actually started yesterday, but whatever. Due to my internship in the city, my dad wanted to make sure I could handle going in the city alone (puh-leeez). I saw this as an excuse to get out. So I forced Jon into going with me. So he came over yesterday, we did the usual stuff, he slept over, and we left early the next morning. As in, 7 AM. Yea, not normal for summer, and not fun on next to no sleep. But regardless, we somehow managed to make it out, and catch the bus on time.
So we made it to Port Authority with little trouble despite the overpacked bus. Unless you count the fact that Jon fell asleep and accidentally fell over onto the lady next to him. After exiting, we walked to the ICP, and phoned back to let my dad know we made it. Then, we had to kill time until at least 12:50 when our bus home started running. So we headed back to Cafe Duke for breakfast (it wasn't even 9 yet.) Good place. Nice food. Fast service. We both got a plain bagel with cream cheese and bacon.
After breakfast, since it wasn't yet 10, we decided to chill at Bryant Park until it was. It's a nice cozy place. But yea, around 10, we left for my real reason for going into the city: The Pokemon Center! Woo! I'm such a loser! Haha, but really. It's a great place. And not only did they have Pokemon stuff, but they had a Super Smash Bros. Melee booth, which caused the drool to start. Oh man, that was great. It's nice to play new people every now and then. I don't even know how long we spent in that store. I think it was at least 2 hours. I left with five tiny figurines, and a mini-notepad that came free with them. Wee!
So we eventually left the Pokemon Center and headed back for Port Authority. On the way there, we got to witness a strike in progress. There was a mass of people marching down the street shouting, "What do we want? Union! When do we want it? Now!" It was great. We had half-a-mind to join in just to say we were in a strike. But we didn't, cuz we had a bus to catch. So while waiting for the bus in Port Authority, Jon grabbed some pizza. And after that, we hopped on the bus home. And that was pretty much the day. We hung out a little longer at my place, and then he left.
Yea, it was a pretty good day.
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| Sunday, August 1st, 2004
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1:43 pm - Book of Summer: Entry 10
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Hooray! I'm back from vacation! And overall, the whole trip was pretty good for me. At least until Friday. But even still, it wasn't that bad.
Right, anyway, I'll start with Thursday because I didn't make an entry then. Thursday, everyone but me went out to walk around Saranac Lake and ride the tourist railroad. I stayed back at the house to "hold the fort" and have some peaceful alone time. So naturally, I put on some Kitaro music and got in the Jacuzzi. Oh man. That was nice. Then I just lazied about the rest of the day, waiting for everyone else to get home. But it's a good thing that I stayed behind, because Uncle Chris and family showed up for dinner 45 minutes earlier than expected. And that was pretty much the day. Everyone else showed up around 5, we ate, hung around, went to Donnely's (I hope I spelt that right) for ice cream (It was black cherry. mmmm.), came back, hung around some more, and they left.
Then Friday wasn't as good. I woke up with awful stomach pains. And that was pretty much my day until around 8. The pains weren't letting up and I started to get nauseous every now and then. So my parents took me to the hospital. It's a nice hospital though. They get you in quickly, the people are friendly, and if you don't have insurance, instead of blowing you off, they give you something to fill out within 15 days for a 30% discount on the visit. Anyway, this is why the day wasn't a total loss: This was my first ever hospital visit. Yay!
So they brought me in. After the doctor felt for any problems, they started the fun stuff. (fun as in not being groped by a doctor >.<) First, since they needed blood work or something, the nurse tried to put the IV tube into my left forearm. But that didn't work because apparently I have thick skin. Like, really thick. And yea, I started passing out and throwing up, so they had to stop that. In the meantime they took me in for an X-ray. So I got then, then they wheeled me back into my room. And they tried the IV again, but this time in my right elbow. Fortunately, it worked this time. Then I got to play the waiting game. A lot. Luckily, the nurse brought me a finger puppet thing to play with. He instantly became my buddy. Yep, and all this for just gas, like we thought it was in the first place. So yea, after a long while, about 4 hours (give or take a half hour,) I got discharged, and with lots of fun medication: one of which came in a huge siringe which scared me at first cuz I thought I would have to stick it in me. Luckily, I didn't, and just had to squirt it out and drink it.
And the next morning we left for home. Of course, we had to stop for breakfast in Lake Placid at a place that boasted to have the best breakfast in the Adirondacks. Unfortunately, by doctors orders, I wasn't allowed to consume anything except the prescribed medications for the next 12 hours, until 1 PM. But even then I wouldn't be allowed to have anything but clear liquids and certain soft foods for at least the next 24 hours. So I had to sit and watch them eat what probably really was the best breakfast in the Adirondacks. We finally arrived home around 5. And, as tradition, we ordered Chinese food. But again, I was only allowed to have rice. So I got rice while they got all the really good stuff.
And that was pretty much my vacation.
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| Wednesday, July 28th, 2004
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9:00 pm - Book of Summer: Entry 9
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Well, today was a bit more active than yesterday. Which isn’t so bad. Except my leg still hurts a little.
The morning went by almost uneventfully. I woke up a tad earlier than usual, but I had proper motivation: Emma was making pancakes for breakfast. And ooh were they good. Nice and crispy and golden on the outside, yet light and fluffy on the inside. I had mine with strawberries. Then Dad took Mom to the library so they could look at some houses he got in an email. I declined the offer to come along because, well, I just didn’t really feel like it.
So sometime later, around 3, Dad wanted to go canoeing. So he took Mom out with him but told me, “blah blah blah you should be more active blah blah.” So I walked somewhere over half-a-mile down the road to the 5-ton bridge, where I waited 7 minutes to see my parents canoe under me. Then I walked back. Not the most exciting thing, no, but it kept me occupied.
Then, around 7, we left to go see a free-style canoeing exhibition. Now, you wouldn’t normally think of canoeing as an art form, but watching this would really open your eyes. It was simply amazing, the way they got the boat to do exactly what they wanted it to do, be it stop, turn, strafe, or whatever, and do it with such gracefulness that it leaves you with your mouth open in awe. I especially liked how they managed to tip the canoe so the lip was right on the water’s surface, and still retained control. Again, it wasn’t the most exciting thing in the world, but it was still something damn fun to go and see.
(This is also why my leg hurts. I went down to sit on some rocks so I could be closer to the water for my pictures. But it was either sit with a rock wedged up my ass or support myself on one leg the whole time. I chose the latter)
But now I’m back at the house, sitting in front of the fireplace, which is also an unexciting, pleasant way to pass the time.
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| Tuesday, July 27th, 2004
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6:51 pm - Book of Summer: Entry 8
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Haha. Seriously, the greatest vacation ever. I get to enjoy being away from home, and, due to the Paul Smith's college library being so near-by, don't have to deal with things like internet withdrawal.
Well, yea. So I'm now at the library, updating this thing with the entries I typed up earlier. Don't know how much longer I'm gonna be here though, cuz we still have to go fill our daily ice cream quota.
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| Monday, July 26th, 2004
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10:30 pm - Book of Summer: Entry 7
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And so passes another day of vacation. Today was spent out at town. Around lunchtime, we left for Lake Placid, with the intent of walking down Main Street to do some shopping; which we did. Not the most exciting thing, but definitely “traditional,” and entertaining. It kept us busy for the afternoon.
Then as more tradition, and for my dad’s birthday (which is actually tomorrow,) we ate dinner at Tale O’ the Pup, an ex-camp turned restaurant which is damn good. I had the chicken tenders dinner with baked beans, corn-on-the-cob, corn bread, and waffle fries, and had my fair share of the appetizers. And it surprised me. The whole meal, I just felt so ravenous. I don’t remember ever being so hungry and being able to eat so much without feeling any kind of sickness. And on top of all that I ordered a strawberry malt. But that did me in. Oh well, the ravenous feeling was fun while it lasted.
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| Sunday, July 25th, 2004
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1:30 pm - Book of Summer: Entry 6
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Well, I woke up around 9:30, and tried to go back to sleep until 10:30. I got up, and it was rather quiet, so I was wondering where everyone was. I asked my dad, and he told me.
Well, Biz lost the baby. I’m not sure exactly what happened, but they took her to the hospital last night, and there’s no baby. So it looks like I’m not going to be an uncle for a little while longer. However, this isn’t all bad news. She was supposed to leave to go back home Monday because she had a doctor’s appointment Tuesday morning. Now, with the recent hospital visit, she won’t have to go to the scheduled appointment. And on top of that, the doctor said to just relax for a while, which is pretty much what we’re all going to be doing while we’re up here. So she gets to spend the week with us after all.
We also have a woodchuck on the property. We saw him this morning just sitting on the railing of the porch. It’s an interesting sight to see.
Well, I have to get busy. I have a whole lotta nothing to be doing, and this journal is taking up too much time.
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| Saturday, July 24th, 2004
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1:30 am - Book of Summer: Entry 5
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So the first day of our family vacation in the Adirondacks is done. And it was a bit crazy. But it was quite enjoyable.
It started this morning when I got up around 6 or earlier. Last minute packing and getting ready was going on. We were scheduled to leave at 6, but the didn’t exactly happen. So we simply left about an hour later. Looking back now, I remember taking the things off the top of my hedgehog’s cage, and don’t know if our neighbor that’s taking care of the pets knows to clip the cover shut so the hog doesn’t escape.
Anyway, our driving got under way. Around 9:30, we stopped for breakfast. The original plan was to go to Denny’s. However, Biz, my pregnant sister decided that she wanted grits. So to fulfill her desire, we went to The Cracker Barrel instead. Frankly, I was upset because I was expecting and waiting for Denny’s. However, Cracker Barrel wasn’t too bad. I got two scrambled eggs with bacon, two biscuits with gravy, and some grits. Although I don’t like grits, so I traded with my sister for her “homefries casserole.” Still not sure what that was, but it was pretty good. And the bacon was more than satisfying, which made the whole thing worthwhile, I guess. So upon leaving, we found that Biz’s car needed gas, so we had to go fill it up. On the way to the station though, we saw a really funny sign, which I’ll get to in a bit. So after filling up the tank, we had to go back and take a picture of this sign. It was outside a pizza place, but with all the other shops around it, and the fact that it was so far away from the shop so people driving by could see it, made it difficult to associate it with the pizza place it was meant for. Anyway, what it said was, “TWO SLICES CHEESE AND A CAN OF SODA $2.99.” Now, if you just saw that, and had no idea that it was for pizza, wouldn’t you think they meant two slices of cheese? Thus why it was so funny. So two hours later, we were back on the highway.
On the way, we made two very important stops. The first was on the side of a road. What it is is a water pipe coming down from the mountains. We’ve stopped here every time we come up for as long as I can remember. Why, you ask? Because this water is so damn good. It tastes really good, and it’s really cold. Of course, we’re not the only ones that have realized this. A long time ago, it used to be empty there. We could get our water and leave. But now, there’re always a few vendors trying to sell things, like lawn ornaments, or walking sticks. Kind of annoying, actually. It used to be pleasant, but now it’s too commercial. The other important stop is at a lake. I don’t know the name of it, but just like the mountain water, we’ve been stopping here every year. And, just like every other year, we stuck our camera on the picnic table, and took our picture. Of course, we had to arrange ourselves differently. The kids used to stand in front, but we’ve gotten so big anymore that we have to stand around Mommy just so she can be in the picture.
And so finally, around 3-3:30 PM, we arrive at the vacation house. (Normally we rent a trailer or cabin at the Deer River Flow campsite, but this year we rented a house for a week.) And, I must say, this place is absolutely beautiful. The front has a nice porch with some chairs on it. You walk in the front door, and you’re in the dining room/kitchen section of a single large room. Off to the left is the master bedroom, equipped with a walk-in closet, fireplace, and master bathroom. And this is a damn nice bathroom: huge door, two sinks, a shower stall with two showerheads, and a Jacuzzi. This place has a freakin’ Jacuzzi, for crying out loud. So straight out from the master bedroom you go back through the dining room/kitchen and into another hall. On the left is the stairs to the basement, which I haven’t been in yet, to the right is another bathroom, and there are two more bedrooms straight-ahead and to the left. One is outfitted with a double, and the other has two twins (which is where I sleep.) Back into the dining room/kitchen, you make a right into the living room. This room has a few comfy chairs and couches, and a fireplace. It also has the stairs leading up to more of the house. Up these stairs you can find a stereo, a TV, and the entrance to the balcony. It’s a nice tiny balcony that overlooks the main porch. Back down the stairs and straight-ahead you find the doors to the deck: the nice, big, deck. It’s got a grill, a table, and several chairs, many of which are Adirondack chairs, which are some of the best chairs you will ever come across anywhere. They’re low to the ground, with a tall, slightly reclined, back. The seat is curved so that you fit perfectly in it. And it’s got large, perfectly flat and horizontal armrests: perfect for your sandwich and/or drink. Their only downside is that they’re difficult to get out of, but you have to think, why would you WANT to get out of these chairs? Right, so, also off the deck is the gazebo. Yes, this place has a gazebo. In it there’s a table and lots of chairs, a lamp, and a chandelier. Seriously, I never want to leave this place.
So, after a few hours, we have to leave again because we have things to do. So we drove out to my uncle’s place to pick up our canoe that my parents brought up a while back. So we stayed there and chatted with our family a bit. Then we piled back in the car, and drove out to see our Grandma Herne (my great-grandma). So again, we got there and chatted a bit. We also had some watermelon, and I must say, this was some really good watermelon. I don’t remember ever having watermelon that was so good. We also ordered pizza from a local shop, and that too, was exceptionally good. By now it was 9:30, so we had to be going. So we piled in again and started back.
Of course, we still had to do the food shopping. So we arrived at the Price Chopper around 10:30. And we shopped, and shopped. We didn’t get out of there until 11:30. And we bought a lot of stuff, and not just because we didn’t have much in the house. This was definitely a learning experience: don’t go shopping late at night when you’re tired. You don’t think properly and you just buy everything. We finally got back to the house around midnight, and unloaded the groceries.
And that was pretty much the day. Now it’s 1:30, and I’m ready for some sleep.
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| Sunday, July 18th, 2004
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11:35 pm - Announcement/Book of Summer: Entry 4
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Holy fucking crap! I won a t-shirt! Which one should I pick?
Style 1-Black shirt, white print "Suicide is your only option"
Stlye 2-Ash grey shirt ,Black print "Because you touch yourself at night"
Stlye 3-White shirt, black print-One stick guy kicking another in the balls with "PWN'D!" in bold underneath
Style 4- Light blue shirt, Black print-"I Counterspell"
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| Thursday, July 8th, 2004
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5:36 pm - Book of Summer: Entry 3
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This past Sunday was the Fourth of July. Normally, this is a joyous occasion, where we Americans celebrate our independence, and my family celebrates my brother's birthday. This day's practices have been very traditional for the most part each year that we celebrate it. We would watch the parade march down Maywood Ave in the morning, come back home to birthday cake and present time, chill until evening, then go watch the fireworks. This was a staple in our lives. However, this year was different. As both my dad and myself put it, it was "messed up."
Even though for the past few years we haven't gone to the parade, this year felt different somehow. It might've just been because the parade wasn't until Monday, but regardless, the parade seemed to have died to all of us. So the day went on, we had a barbecue, had guests over, and had a grand old time with regards to the birthday party aspect of the day. However, come time for the fireworks, things went downhill again.
As it turned out, both my sisters had the nightshift at the theater. This would be the first year that we haven't all gone to the fireworks together. So, after they left for work, and the guests had gone home, it was time to wait until 7 for the show. But something just hit all of us. My dad, me, even my mom, just couldn't do anything. We were just too tired, and fell asleep. We woke up close to the time to leave, and all of us had the same idea, "You know, this napping thing isn't so bad. I really don't think I would care if we just stayed home." So we put the decision upon my brother. We asked, "Okay, Chris. It's up to you. Do you wanna go to the fireworks, or stay here and play on the computer." And although he was quite engrossed in his Starcraft, he knew about tradition, and decided we would watch the fireworks. So we left, as late as we were.
Now, for as long as I could remember, there was a building that we would see on our way to the field where we would watch the show: The Plump Bros. Every year, we would pass the Plump Bros. building, and we would all know we were close. Just one of those things that sticks with you. This year though, as we were driving through Hackensack, I saw a building with an empty sign above it. I looked closely and could make out several faded characters on it: PLUMP BROS. I couldn't believe it. No more Plump Bros.? It was as if my entire childhood had died. Everything that I once thought I could count on had left me. The Fourth of July would never be the same.
So we found parking, and walked to the field. When we got there, it was already crowded since we got there so late. So we put down the blanket and waited for the fireworks. We didn't even have company this year, like we usually do. Finally, the show started. And as I laid back, watching the display, I had a strange feeling. A feeling of emptiness, or question. I'm not sure what it was, but I knew something just wasn't right anymore.
current music: Rayza - StH GreenHill (Euroclub '95 Mix) OC ReMix
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| Wednesday, June 30th, 2004
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6:05 pm - Book of Summer: Entry 2
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Okay, so yesterday and today are gonna make up this one entry. Yesterday, there wasn't too much that happened. Except that I got a haircut. Now, normally, this wouldn't be special, but first of all, I was planning on growing it out a bit longer. Second, it wasn't my usual haircut. Yea, for the second time since at least 3rd grade, I got something that wasn't a mushroom cut. I don't exactly hate this new one, but I do miss my old hair. Hopefully, this won't look too bad grown out.
So, why the haircut? For my interview, of course. Yep, my Senior Experience internship interview at the International Center of Photography was today. And it went well. Coming out of Port Authority in my new "professional attire," (nice black shoes, blue khakis, grey button-up shirt, and purple tie,) I got a comment from a total stranger saying I looked nice. Wow indeed. So I get there, wait a bit to get called in, because Ms. Donohue was at a meeting, then go downstairs to the library. I meet her, and I get the grand tour of the building. It's a grand place. They got several studios for classes, plenty of dark rooms, developing labs, computer labs, all sorts of stuff. Then she described what work I would be doing if I took the internship, (which is working in the library, organizing, stuff like that,) asked how the commute was, asked if I had any questions, then said it's mine if I want it. And that was pretty much it.
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| Thursday, June 24th, 2004
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6:46 pm - Book of Summer: Entry 1
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So today was spent in the city. As I have an interview, and hopefully soon an internship, at the International Center of Photography, and no car of my own, I have to use public transportation. So me and my dad took a practice run of how I would get there. We also used it as an excuse to see my Uncle Jack, whom I originally wanted to intern with. And we did a lot of walking. After my uncle had to leave, we went to the museum at the ICP. That wasn't too bad. They had some special thing going, where they were featuring Chinese art/photography. And then we took the bus home. Yep. This could've been so much more well-written it's sickening.
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| Thursday, June 17th, 2004
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4:14 pm - It's Open!
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Finally! After 4 months, I've re-opened my online sprite comic, Kirbies in Hats, with a new archives layout. Hopefully, I'll be going back to updating the site daily around 2 AM again over the summer. I hope ya'll enjoy it.
current mood:  content
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