a thought provoking post i must say.

as this semester begins to seriously take its toll, we have been asked what we think about public vs. private space for our midterm project. something of course i've never really had to think about or study for...but a really interesting concept. i mean, we all act different in public than we would in our room all alone. i actually enjoy my own private space more i think. and i'm not talking about just my room....but being alone and away from the hectic lives everyone claims they must live (especially in new york city). but in the public...are people being hypocrites? should that really be considered "fake"? i guess it depends on the situation...but still. there's so much more than just this one aspect i am probably going to base my project around. but it definitely has a long way to go and is in the making...

i feel i am most excited about this project because i am embarking on something a completely new for me. well, when coming to new york, i wanted to use my graphic design and photography skills in more of an art form than a work form. so i've been experimenting with screen printing and truly feel it's something i want to pursue. i don't know with what or where, but at least i'll be able to use my design and photography skills as a mixed medium. i haven't done a lot yet (at least nothing good enough to post)...but i'm excited to show you all once i do. so keep checkin'.

anyway....back to my original question. what are some of your thoughts on public vs. private space? this topic has grown to interest me and i like hearing other peoples thoughts on it. how does it make you feel? what do you picture? there are no wrong answers. so give 'um to me people.

rochester....i luff you.

this is a view from my window during sunday's snow storm. not exactly fun i would say. i mean i love snow (and i think everyone knows that), but in new york it's a different story. plows can't get through to streets, cars are burried in 5 feet of snow which block the street, there is no such thing as side walk plows (every store and company seemed to be shoveling their own little sidewalk space), and since the heat is mostly from underground, within a few hours the streets are filled with slush and mud. it's basically only pretty for a few hours and then just turns to a mess. however, it really didn't seem too bad. i mean maybe i'm just used to living in alaska my whole life...but it was rather surprising that it was the biggest storm new york's ever had. anyway...it's going up to 50 tomorrow so i kinda feel at home. i miss home. i really love the city but really love rochester. i especially miss my good ol' rochesterian friends. and java's and snuffy's and lux and cobbs hill and wegmans and genesee park blvd....hey rochester....i miss you!

exciting encounters.

so i'll admit...i'm a people watcher. but if you truly know me, you already know that i can get obsessively observant. riding the subway especially is so eventful everyday. observing all the different types of people and the unique lives they live is just fascinating. however, there have been a few experiences that have been unpleasant, awkward, and straight up random. that does not go to show that all instances are bad ones. i just love stepping in the subway car wondering who i will encounter next......

let me now think of a few instances that have happened recently:
- yesterday i sat next to a schizophrenic who was quite interesting. his dirty shoes were untied while he intrigued himself with the tip of a ball point pen he was handling. he also talked to his friends (who weren't actually around) about going to different places in the world and finding little random things. then just today...there was another schizophrenic who was rather loud and aggressive when he talked. he actually told some pretty interesting stories if you really listened. they are actually very fascinating people to me and i like listening to what they have to say.
- i just want to point out that i really admire people who read their Bible's on the subway and aren't ashamed to hide it.
- i sat across from a sleeping homeless man in the train i was in the other day. i think he was asleep. he comfortably took his shoes off which lay next to his shopping cart was full of black bags. he only took up a few seats on the subway...and wasn't really paying attention to any of the stops along the way. i wonder where he was going......and even more where he ended up......
- i experienced a very embarrassing moment with a colleague of mine. i wont mention his name for privacy sake, but he definitely spilled his full cup of coffee all over the floor and the man's nice suit pants across from us. it was interesting watching the motion of the coffee go from one end of the train to the other. no wait it was actually quite embarrassing. hence one of the reasons i like traveling aloooone.
- i like when people aren't afraid to talk though and ask how you are doing. if you look around the subway car, everyone looks so sad and upset. i like when people ask how you are and where you're from. it doesn't happen often, and i don't understand why.
- i'm sure everyone has encountered the rich ladies in there poor animal fur coats and caked on makeup who don't want to touch anyone or anything. they'll do anything to get there own space and tell you to get out of their way like they rule the place. oh yea because we all know they own MTA subways.
- oh and i love when they say over the speakers, "we are stopped for a few minutes because of a sick passenger in the subway up ahead. " can you image? aaauh....i mean coffee was bad enough...but someone puking during rush hour? end of story....

so anyway...i will continue to keep a running list of all the exciting encounters i have here on the subways and in new york. i just don't want to miss a thing. whether it's my internship, classes, places i go, i want to get the most out of this time in my life and experience everything. i wonder if it's really possible? to experience every little bit this huge city has to offer......

it IS just new york.

i have been nervous for this day ever since i got to new york - my interview. the good news? i got it! i'll be working with Blue Iceberg, a web strategy design firm in Manhattan. i am really excited about this experience and opportunity and truly just still can't believe i'm here. i ride the subway everyday, and walk through the streets of new york everyday...yet still, it all feels so surreal. i wonder how long it will take for me to realize where i am. but at the same time, it is just new york. i mean, even after being here for a week i feel like it's just another "big city" coated with a lot of hype. yeh everything is here, and yeah there's endless things to do....but it's so overwhelming and SO competitive. i do love it here....it's just adjusting ya know? overall things are great though. i've met some great people and feel very connected to the "art world." tomorrow i'll be going to the opening of a show for Matt Anderson. yesterday i was at the MET to see the exhibit of Robert Rauschenberg's work. truly an amazing artist in 20th c. although i left the exhibit with a headache from attempting to figure out his abstract idea behind his work, it was impressive to see his work in person. i hope all of you get to experience that feeling someday....it truly is fascinating.


here's my gift to all of you. a few pictorial moments straight from new york...taken by yours truly.


enjoy....

spooky spooky spooooKY.

night vision.

this is my amazing view from my window looking out at the brooklyn bridge. i know my door is in the reflection. but i kinda like it...it's kinda dreamy.

a yard in brooklyn.

night shot of manhattan.

manhattan view a few blocks from my place.

brooklyn promenade view of manhatten.

brooklyn bridge.

love it.