My New Favorite Photograph Ever

Jake is visiting this week so I'm much to busy to blog but I thought I'd take a second to share something with you that has made me happy this week.

So I'm a photographer and I understand the importance of composition, angle, lighting and using the proper settings to get the clearest sharpest photographs possible. BUT I also have a huge weakness for pullbacks. A pullback is that picture I take a couple dozen times with everyone, holding the camera out in front of us and grinning a huge excited Katy grin. They make me happy. They're fun and a mix of posed and candid in the same picture. They're spontaneous and fun and wonderful. Or maybe my mother is right when she says I take too many pictures of myself.

Oh well.

Anyway, I took this picture of me and Jake the other day and I am just crazy about it.

Missed Opportunity?

The other evening I was coming home from work on a downtown 1 train, sitting across from the doors when the train stopped at 72nd St. A girl got on there and the logo on her shirt caught my eye. It was a generic enough looking logo, circular with some mountains and a stream running between the peaks, but my first thought was that the mountains looked like home. I was a little surprised then, when I read the text beneath the logo and it said Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. The girl sat down right next to me, she was drinking a coffee and playing with her iPhone and did not have headphones on. I wanted so badly to say something to her. To ask her where and how she got the shirt, if she'd visited Skyline Drive or even if she was from home but the train car was small and close and she wasn't paying any attention to me to make starting that conversation anything but awkward. I sat there next to her struggling with what to do and then the doors opened at 50th street and she got off. Its been bugging me for days and I expect I might not soon forget it.

A Weekend in the Islands

Memorial Day weekend fun continued Sunday as Prospect, Laura and I headed down to Coney Island. While Coney Island certainly hasn't lost its luster we were very excited that we were going to see the grand opening of the all new Luna Park. We saw a cool new (maybe temporary?) exhibit about Coney Island by the entrance to Luna which we loved and then headed over to The Cyclone. After the Cyclone we took a walk through Luna Park, which was very hot and very very crowded. Its lots of shiny new rides including a super tall swing and an old-fashioned swing. There were a couple rides not yet running and a roller coaster type thing called The Tickler that looked crazy. Once we reached the boardwalk we decided to get some lunch. The crowds were unreal everywhere at Coney but we persevered and made it to Nathan's. We opted for seating on a shady patch of sidewalk rather than a table out in the hot sun and enjoyed what has to be the world's best people watching while we ate.

At the new Coney Island history exhibit

Next it was time for another ride on the Wonder Wheel. This time it our car was extra swingy and made me nervous. It was wonderful as always and there were excellent views of Luna Park and the throngs on the beach. Afterward we rode Spook-a-rama for the first time. It was twisty and dark and we probably wouldn't ride it again.

On the Wonder Wheel

View of the crowded beach from above

We did some more people watching and had a couple beers before leaving that night. I also took a walk through Deno's Wonder Wheel Park and Luna Park to photograph the rides after dark. Then it was time to get on home.

New swings at Luna Park

Entrance to Luna Park

Yesterday we got up early (well, as early as we could bear) and headed to Battery Park to stand in line for the Statue of Liberty. Tickets for the Ferry Ride to the National Park are $12 which is affordable but the wait is two hours. We were determined to stick it out and it wasn't so bad in the end. The line moved relatively quickly and there were vendors and some street performers along the way. Finally we got on the boat and headed to Liberty Island. The weather was beautiful and the scenery was excellent. We got lunch at the cafe and floaty pens from the gift shop and then met a ranger for a free tour. We were really disappointed we couldn't go into the statue, the pedestal or even the museum without special buy in advance tickets. I would have loved to at least see the museum! After our tour we took some pictures and then headed back to the boat to go on to Ellis Island.

Ellis Island was really interesting. We got there in the late afternoon and ended up staying until closing time and running for the last boat back, but we all agreed we could have stayed there hours longer and not seen everything. I really want to go back and I really want to bring my mom there. I know she'd really get a lot out of it. My favorite part were some of the quotes from immigrants telling how they outsmarted the officials when they were almost denied entry. I also loved the photo exhibit about when the buildings and the island were abandoned for years during the mid 20th century and photographs of different people who came though.

After being kicked out for closing time we took the boat back to Manhattan and decided to head for Little Italy for dinner. The streets were closed and the neighborhood looked like a lot of fun but we were all so tired we just kind of ate and headed home, dragging the whole way. I hope they keep it closed like that at other times over the summer. I'd love to explore more when my feet aren't killing me.

I love when we have visitors that want to do touristy things! This weekend was right up there with Amy and Jason's visit for being packed full and amazing.

Lightship Frying Pan

Oh the joys of a Holiday weekend. One where I didn't have to beg, borrow and steal to get free time is even better! Laura and my good friend Prospect from our RC days came to visit all the way from Ohio and we have been very busy. Friday we intended to go see the Statue of Liberty, but when we got there the weather was gross and the line was very very long. There was a street show nearby and Laura got roped into being jumped over by street performers so that was pretty terrific. We will try again for Lady Liberty on Monday morning.

Laura, about to be jumped, in the street show.

We decided to head to midtown instead, to see Laura's friend Jessica, also from RC, who recently moved to the city. Jessica's apartment has a terrific balcony and we sat out there all afternoon, drinking wine and watching the Sailors and Marines walk back and forth. It is Fleet Week in Manhattan. After drinking we went to Five Napkin Burger for supper, but I don't have eating out money so I just got an order of 'Tater Tots' which turned out to be some sort of potato fritter hushpuppy and nothing like the things you are thinking of.

Wine in the afternoon on Jessica and Peter's balcony

Afterward we headed home. Laura and Prospect went to 773 but I decided to go home as I don't have beer money either.

I had to work today, which was no fun. After that I felt gross and ugly but Laura was texting that she and Prospect were at a restaurant in Korea Town and headed to an explorable boat park. I didn't know we had a Korea Town here! I met them at the restaurant and we headed to 26th and 12th. This location was familiar to me, as you may remember, from Cinco De Mayo. Remember when I tried to meet Rachel at an address that turned out to be out in the Hudson River. I knew it was a bar but it turned out to be so much more!

The Lightship Frying Pan is a party boat, docked on the Hudson. Its a barge, a lightship and, right now, a fire boat, kind of hitched together and used as a bar. If you haven't yet you really should click the link and read about it because guess what: it USED to be SUNKEN and they pulled it back up and now its a bar! Go look! I'll wait. Ok welcome back. So the weird thing is there you are on a formerly sunken ship/rust bucket/bar which is just crazy but very cool, but everyone else acts like its totally normal. People all over the boats were just sitting, drinking, talking, being regular, but we were on a rusty creaky, creepy, formerly sunken boat. Laura, Prospect and I combed the whole place and it was really freaky and wonderful. A floating scary basement, and we all know how I feel about scary basements!

Scary jars with things suspended in liquids, for no reason evident to anybody

Of course, every formerly sunken boat bar needs a bootleg piano

...and a DJ booth!

...and a caboose?!?

After that we headed home to recoup before embarking on a totally AWESOME second half of Memorial Day Weekend by going down to Coney!

Elton John Was Wrong

"I thought I knew, but now I know that rose trees never grow in New York City."

Roses are EVERYWHERE in our beautiful neighborhood. I always thought roses were hard to keep so I wonder if they begin to thrive when they are older because these roses don't seem to need any help. They are huge and lush and busting all over with fat blooms. Its late May so it shouldn't be any surprise that things are feeling summery. It really seems like summer has been holding out on us this year though, so the warm sunshine I saw today on my walk to the liquor store and drug store was lovely and welcome.

Does anyone out there know what the kids do in NYC when the weather gets hot? So far we have the park, the beaches at Coney Island and I guess a fire hydrant if Sesame Street is any indication. Anyone know of pools you could go to? Anyone know anyone with a roof? We're definitely accepting any tips.

Today, once I finish my pitcher of iced tea, I'm going to make my first pitcher of sangria. Cointreau is expensive so it better be amazing. I'll report back.

Concert List

Because I was talking about this with Jake last night, and because Gmail is an imperfect place to store such information: Here is a list of all the acts I've seen in concert over the years.

Ricky Scaggs
Kenny Chesney
Moxy Fruvous
Barenaked Ladies
Guster (x3)
Carbon Leaf (x6)
Ben Folds (x3)
Weezer (x2)
Tenacious D (x2)
Jimmy Eat World
Sparta
Dashboard Confessional
Pete Yorn
Remy Zero
311 (x2)
N.E.R.D.
Jay-Z
Nappy Roots
Hoobastank
2 Skinnee J's (x2)
Something Corporate (x2)
Bacon Brothers
Har Mar Superstar
Bowling For Soup
Welbilt
33 West
All American Rejects
The Ataris
Simon and Garfunkel
Phantom Planet
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
Less Than Jake
The Virginia Coalition
Counting Crows
John Mayer (x4)
G Love and the Special Sauce
Better Than Ezra
Jessica Simpson
Cyndi Lauper
Maroon 5
Trace Adkins
Dave Matthews Band
Sheryl Crow
Rooney
Ben Lee
Jefferson Starship
Scythian (x4)
Flogging Molly
Fools and Horses
The Reflex (x?)
Cross Canadian Ragweed
Souled Out (x?)
Harper Simon
Michael Franti and Spearhead
Mika

The Roots

Talib Kweli
Naughty By Nature
Salt-N-Pepa

John Legend

So a Photographer Walks Into a Dentist's Office...

...and gets her filling replaced. Sorry, not a funny joke. A couple of nights ago I was flossing my teeth and popped one of my fillings out. At least I hoped it was a filling; it was tooth colored and alarmingly tooth-like but also a perfect little square and since my teeth didn't hurt or anything I assumed it was a filling. Anyway I grabbed a bus back to VA on Wednesday night to go see my cousin Heather and get that sucker fixed.

I saw Dr Heather on Thursday morning and then visited my old workplace for a little while. It was terrific seeing all the kids and my old coworkers again. Highlights were all the two year olds remembering me right away, Elaina telling me she loved me, and Ainsley spotting me down the hall and remembering me. Good to know they haven't all already forgotten who I was! Everything looked good there and most everyone was happy to see me. I missed my old boss Stacey so I called her on my way out and asked her to have drinks with me later that day.

Mom and Jake and I decided to have lunch at Cristina's Cafe in town. Our food was delicious and the owners; Wendy and Crissy stopped by our table to chat. We were all friends from my Koo Koo News days. After lunch Jake and I took a walk around town and then headed home to get ready for drinks with Stacey.

At 6:30 we met Stacey at Brewbakers where we were immediately treated to free beers from some Bud Light girls. Thanks! We sat and chatted for hours. It was great to catch up with Stacey and hear all about her new house and how things are going for her and tell her about life in NYC.

Friday morning I got up before Jake to make him his breakfast in bed. In case you hadn't heard already, I lost a bet with Jake and the stakes were breakfast in bed for the winner cooked by the loser. I lost and am here to tell you everybody does not like the Michael Jackson song 'Black or White' better than the song 'Smooth Criminal'. Anyway I had gotten a little grandiose with my menu planning as I was sure my victory was a lock. I had to make him stuffed french toast (with strawberries and cream cheese) and bacon. I got so wrapped up in the process of slicing and stuffing and frying I completely forgot to expect it to taste good. It was divine!! Everybody won in the end.

Finally it was back to the bus to get back to NYC and work on Saturday. I love being home in VA and miss everyone and everything very much. A little snafu occurred when my bus was an hour and half late to pick me up so I didn't get home until 4 in the morning, but I did get home.

Also, I've been entering photography contests lately. I entered four photos to one with a theme of 'Happiness' and am scouring my files for the perfect picture for a 'Baby' theme contest this week. The prizes for these contests will help me reach my goal of getting a digital SLR, the right camera to make my photography stand out when I'm not at work using proper equipment. None of my Happiness photos were chosen but I think they were great anyway and have gotten some feedback from other entrants in the contest. Wish me luck and if you happen to see any other contests feel free to let me know!

One of my 'Happiness' submissions