Thursday, August 30, 2007

The Constitution, pt. 2

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how NYC is attempting to limit our first amendment rights by restricting photography and the right to assemble here in The City. Some of you have been asking if things ever worked out. In the words of Queen Juliana, here's how things stand.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Miss West Carolina, and her opinion about maps

From the Miss Teen USA competition. So funny, it's almost painfull.



Miss West Carolina's response.

Video Game, from fatty's son

I'm sending a little entertainment your way, compliments of Fatty over at Fat Cyclist. His son programmed a macromedia flash video game that is quite amazing. My initial score, 32. My all time high, 5050 (which incidentally pretty much sucks). Report back and tell us how you fared.

For those of you Fat Cyclist readers out there, you'll get the inside joke when you play. For those of you who don't, you better start reading now. Fatty's a pretty funny guy.

Eat A Lot of Goats: the video game.

-Bitter

p.s. I tried to post this yesterday, but my computer decided to temporarily die on me. And Monday, I was out sick...

Friday, August 24, 2007

Glamour, in the park

Last Saturday as a small group of us NYC Social Flickrites and models strolled through Central Park attempting brilliance with our cameras. We stopped for a moment to watch a juggler while a few of our group refueled via a local food stand.

We stood chatting as the masses passed around us, a gentle breeze rustled the leaves overhead and dappled sunlight dropped down from above.

I stood a few steps away from the main group talking shop with Punk Dolphin, a Harlem Flickrite, when I looked up and saw this. It was over in moments.

Sara Rosa 2

NYC Social 12

NYC Social 13

Every once in a while you'll catch shots like these, I'm just glad I was ready when it flew by. I love the way the light caresses Sara Rosa's face, and her carefree beautiful look.

These shots are pretty close to what photogs call SOOC or Straight Out Of the Camera. The only tweaks I did were to sharpen and clip the curves layer. Beautiful.

-Bitter

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Neglecting, the blog

I'm sorry I've been neglecting the blog. I know a lot of you click through regularly to check out the latest buzz, because I've been regular about posting it.

So I'm going to press the restart button and am starting anew. So here's the low down on why the blog has been neglected.

  1. As you know, I've been writing a book...well, even that has been neglected the past few weeks.
  2. My mom got remarried. It was a nice vacation, fabulous weather, UT and CA were great, (If I ever get tired of NYC, watch out CA I'll be looking for a new hood) and it was so good to see family again!
  3. I'm starting a photography business.

You're what!?!

Yes, you heard right. Since I bought my new Cannon DSLR back in April, I've re-discovered a love-affair with taking pictures. And at long last, the large creative void in my life left by being a non-musician is slowly being filled.

Wow that sounds so cheesy, but it's true, so I'm leaving it in.

I've been developing a portfolio, working on verbiage and pricing for my photography site, and even met with some models on Saturday to help showcase my skills.

So what am I going to focus on? Weddings, headshots, and relaxed portraits.

Need new headshots for the upcoming season, or in the middle of planning a wedding for next year? Spending the day in The City, or at the beach with your friends or family and want me to tag along to capture memories while you're playing? I'm the photog for you.

**I'll be running some introductory specials, so if you need a photographer within the next few weeks, drop me an email and we'll chat. :)

Enough of the advertisement. lol Here's a shot of one of the photogs I met last Saturday at the shoot in Central Park. It was a great day and nice weather, wish you were there. I'll post some more photos tomorrow.

NYC Social 8

Friday, August 17, 2007

Mmmmm Pizza, freddie & pepper's

Freddie-Peppers

It was a rainy day similar to today when I stopped by Freddie and Pepper’s and snapped this photo. Hungry, I slipped inside and went downstairs to order a slice. Down a few cement steps next to the tiny kitchen and pizza ovens I went.

Eyeing what they had already cooked up, I said, “May I please have a slice of mozzarella, tomato, basil?” Ever polite, I smiled at the guy who took my order.

He nodded his assent to my request to take pictures inside; I snapped a couple to show you behind the counter.

Fred-n-Peppers

A few moments later I was the proud holder of a hot slice of pizza. The thin and crispy crust warmed my hands through the paper plate. The steaming slice smelled delicious. I sat down at one of the black and white tiled tables in the back and began to eat.

The hot cheese burned my tongue but I didn’t care, because fresh basil, garlic, and tomato were having a happy party in my mouth. I could think of nothing else.

As I sat back taking a moment to savor the delicious flavors I realized I’d forgotten to take a picture. Here’s what my slice looked like after a couple bites in.

tomato-basil

Catering to the health conscious crowd, they offer whole wheat crusts (yes they have regular ones too) and soy cheese (yes they offer ‘normal’ mozzarella as well), and have a wide variety of toppings. Just take a look at the Gourmet Pizza section of their menu to get an idea. (You'll have to get to their menu the hard way, I can't get it to load by linking to it. Follow either link under menus.)

Whatever your hankering, Freddie and Pepper’s, near the corner of 74th & Amsterdam, is a great place to stop if you’re in the mood for a slice.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

So Happy Together, the wedding

Oh so happy together, aka Mom & Briant 7

Soundtrack for this post - click here

She was a cheerleader. He was a basketball player. They both graduated together from the same high school in 1968. Forty years later they find friendship and love, and will live happily ever after.

The wedding was beautiful and they beamed all day long. It was fun to watch them walk around with twinkling eyes and an "I'm the luckiest person in the world" expression stamped onto their faces.

The genuine love they have for each other shone through to the rest of us and lit the day. Welcome to the family Briant.

To see a few shots I took after the wedding, click here. I did the flowers, you can leave me congrats or critiques in the comments section below. lol

-Bitter