dating in nyc

I was asked out on a date last night for the first time since moving to New York...by the guy giving me my chicken sandwich at Wendys. And I'm pretty sure he had a mental defect.

I've been slacking, it is true...

...but only as far as this blog is concerned.

I'm going to make an attempt at catching the world up to speed.

The last career related post I made was landing the Studio Manager position, which I never really said much about. Position is rockin and Luciana is a trip, the good kind of course. Days are spent consistently looking for new clients and more work (a full time job in itself), printing/packing/sending out promos, retouching images, invoicing, and paying the bills. Busy and monotonous, but at least now I can say that I would be completely comfortable running my own studio.

It must be said, meeting Rich has been the better things to come out of it thus far. He has become quite the mentor, consistently feeding me new information and introducing me to the city and its inhabitants...and I am ever so grateful.

Thanks to him I was:

• taken on a whirlwind photo gallery tour of DUMBO, where I would meet the man behind PDN, and the photo director for Mass Appeal who I would later in the week meet for drinks to discuss his line of work.

• taken on a guided tour of the AIPAD photo show.

• invited to a meet-up of industry kids where I would meetSouraya, Gabi, and a young photog named Olga. Which led to an invitation to a swaray in the upper west side, which I would attend the next night and meet Kara (studio manager for Diego Utchitel), and two other photo assists. From this, I have received invites from to photo groups, photo meet-ups, get-togethers and a launch party. Also met with Kara for beers and an eye-opening studio manager talk. All in the span of three weeks!

This past weekend I shot the jewelery collection of a friend of a friend. 10 hours on 40 pieces of jewelery. Followed by a 10 hour day of style assisting on an editorial test shoot with Carlos. This morning I met with Eena Maria for a job shooting their spring collection of handbags (I think my rate was too high for their cheap asses). And at the end of the day met with Total Management for a Producer gig, where I would work closely with a french stylist for Vogue. I'm very excited to hear back about this one.

This weekend I am chillaxin and retouching. Next week is a night on the town with Souraya and Rich, and the launch party for Resource Mag!

This is what life as a young new photographer in this city is all about...networking networking networking...a little partying, a lot of work...and more networking.

Exhausting, yes. But I'm still chugging along and still motivated as fuck to seek out the next best thing. Way too much opportunity in this city to sit back and let it all pass by.

In honor, Other Music is playing host to live dj sets by Tapes n' Tapes, Interpol and Deerhunter, as well as a screening of Bjork's 3-D video for Wanderlust.

Read more.

Silent Rave in Union Square?

Not sure how I feel about seeing a park full of kids jirating their bodies in silence.

Read more here.

Save Polaroid.com

$5 lunch

massive pork sandwich from Saigon (Broome & Mott) = $3.95
Fanta in a can = $0.85

Jasmine's Deli ain't got nothin on this pork sandwich...for realz.

(Although, the pork looked eerily similar to something my roomate's cat pukes up 3 times a day)

Ouch.

Slammed my thumb in a door Thursday evening...the same thumb I crushed four months ago when I got in a fight with a cart.

Three days later, it is still painfully swollen and throbbing...I will spare you the disgust and keep the photos to myself.

Edit: Went to a quack of a doctor yesterday. She gave me a scrip for antibiotics and sent me on my way.

I think I need a second opinion.

A Thursday night filled with art, creativity, and inspiration...just what the doctor ordered.

Attended the opening of Ryan McGinley's photo exhibit at Team. The place was wall to wall with adorable young hipster types...Ryan is supposedly the new hot up and comer, recently featured by Nylon. Ran into Wojack, and connected him with Richard Gary whom I met up with at the show.

After standing on the street at the packed Team gallery, Richard whisked me off to DUMBO, where he acted as my personal tour guide of the studios and galleries in the area. Note to those not in the know...every first Thursday of the month, several DUMBO galleries open their doors to the public and host opening receptions for artists and photographers...a must for your to do list.

Front Street Galleries This location is host to numerous galleries. Here, Richard introduced me to the head of PDN, who's wife runs The Klompching Gallery which was exhibiting the beautiful work of Sarah Lynch...one of my fav exhibits of the night.


The Nelson Hancock Gallery was showing a fantastic exhibit by Mark Marchesi.
Smack Mellon is simply a rad space, and worth checking for that reason alone.
phBooks was closed, but I will be back.
Pochran Studios was the last studio stop and by far the best. And omg, has a rooftop with THE most amazing view of the city. Here I met...a brilliant retoucher, the curator for Pochran, and the photo director for Mass Appeal Mag. All great connections to have down the line.

And all thanks to my new friend, and mentor, Richard Gary.

Him and I closed down the night with a few glasses of wine at Superfine, a hipster bar/restaurant in DUMBO.

A near perfect night out with hopefully many more to come.

26th bday @ Barcade

A few images from my 26th bday local...Barcade, where else?

Good friends, good beer, good games.

NYC Vintaging, Part 1:

Flores Antique Clothing (Grand St, near Lorimer, Williamsburg).
Great shoe collection...a TON of boots, a decent size rack of belts, a large collection of dresses (although most oversized), and fantastic handbags.

I picked up this gold clutch for myself...which I have to assume someone was hiding for later, considering I had to dig to find it, and wow what a fantastic find...for a mere $20!

Tokio 7 (7th st btwn 1 & 2nd ave). Female and male attire. Designer label consignment store. Not much to see here imo. Small, crowded, overpriced.

Beauty Crisis (7th st btwn 1st and A). Female attire. Very 50s and 60s retro. Great coats and clutches...and jewelery, lots of fab jewelery and accessories.

Cheap Jacks (5th ave and 31st st). Men's and womens. All eras, all seperated by rack. Some very over the top dresses and gowns...rad place to check. Large shoe and belt section. I scored these amazing purple pumps, which fit perfectly I might add, for a mere $45.

Next week: Repop, Beacon's Closet, Buffalo Exchange and Rags a Go Go.

Things I love about nyc, Part 1:

• The sound of a saxophone in an empty subway platform.
• Delivery trucks plastered in graffiti.
• Walking two blocks and overhearing conversations in 5 different languages.
• Fresh flower and produce stands on every corner.
• Pizza by the slice on every block.

Happy hour monday...

Location 1: Barcade, Williamsburg. $1 off taps and cute nerdy boys playing an eye contact version of footsie with me.

Location 2: The Alligator Lounge, Williamsburg. Around the corner from Barcade on Metropolitan. Can't pass up a FREE 12" pizza with the purchase of a beer.

Location 3: Rapture Lounge, Astoria. Late night happy hour on Mondays featuring $5 martinis and 80s music. Also home of one of Astoria's finest bartenders, Jeff, who generously offered myself and the roomate a pineapple infused vodka shot...yum.

Meet my new boyfriend...

His name is Barcade. And he is one rad dude.

Not only does this place have one full wall and two corners of classic arcade games for a quarter per play, but they also have a plethora of delicious microbrews on tap, at a decent price mind you.

Approximately 20 minutes combined was spent with Galaga alone last night. I believe I even beat my high score. Of course after my third beer I had to move onto mario bros and arkanoid...something that required a far less concentration.

You will be seeing much more of me Barcade...oh yes...you will.

Mstrkrft is playing at Studio B in Brooklyn on Friday...unfortunately it is sold out.

Thankfully Crystal Castles, at Studio B on the 25th, is not sold out, thus where I will be spending my 26th birthday.

Also, Todosantos has an upcoming show in Brooklyn on the 28th...stay tuned for more on that action.

xoxo

Yeah...I know this blog is supposed to be all about life in new york city and such...but a proud auntie could not resist.

Happy 1st birthday my little munchkin!