March 30 - Again.

365 Days: Year 2, Photo #181 03/30/07

Last year on this day I told my story about how I'd been in the hospital on March 30, 2006.

One year ago I was feeling inspired and upbeat and positive. I spent the day with someone I loved. I had just started a beautiful, passionate relationship with someone.

I'm still living my life as I want to. Making difficult choices and moving towards my goals.

But tonight I'm feeling really, really sad. It hit me all at once.

Two people I love are no longer in my life. They're the two people I'd want to talk to most today. And if I called them, they'd answer and they'd support me and love me. But I can't use them as shoulders to cry on. I need to move forward.

In a fit of tears, I called a girlfriend of mine who said all the right things. And I appreciate her (and all my friends and family) so much.

I want so badly for everything to fall in place. I want my photography to sustain me. I want to inspire people to be themselves and to have fun and to follow their hearts and dreams. I want love. I want a family.

And I wholeheartedly believe that all of these things will happen. Maybe I just have to go through this (and more?) before it all can.

I'll tell you this, though - whether I'm happy or sad or angry or amused or depressed or confused or, well, whatever emotion you can think up -- it's so great to just feel.

Last year I included a Shel Silverstein poem. I'm gonna do it again. I opened to a random page and this is what was there:

FEAR
Barnabus Browning
Was scared of drowning,
So he never would swim
Or get in a boat
Or take a bath
Or cross a moat.
He just sat day and night
With his door locked tight
And the windows nailed down,
Shaking with fear
That a wave might appear.
And he cried so many tears
That they filled up the room
And he drowned.

The fact that I opened to that is kinda cracking me up. Yay!

:)

My camera

I've taken something like 90,000 photos in the last year.

My camera is angry with me.

It's refusing to cooperate. Sometimes it takes several seconds to take a photo. Sometimes it doesn't focus. Often it won't let me get into the Tv and Av modes.

I guess I'll wait for the XSi in April?

Mini Time Capsule

I used to write myself notes to be opened a year later.

That means I wrote this when I was 10 years old.

In it, I talked about a boy I had a crush on (duh).

I made out with that boy six summers later.

Score!

Jelly!

I went to Jelly! again for some more co-working.

I didn't bring my Fauxtobooth this time, but I did bring my top hat. It's Top Hat Friday, after all. Didn't you know?

A few of the shots:

Jaws. Back to the Future. Planet of the Apes. E.T.

One of the above you can still see at the Ziegfeld.

Planet of the Apes. Fri, Sat, Mon, Tues, Thu @ 2, 5 or 8pm.

Do it.

(I'm bossy today.)

Last night I went to see Jaws and it was super-fun. I don't know if I had ever seen the whole thing at once. ?! If I had, there were moments that I'd forgotten. And I'd also forgotten how funny it was. I don't think that it was funny just because it's so many decades later.

I have this vague memory of being in a theater for this when I was a kid and being scared and going out to the car.

Did that happen?

I also have a memory of going to the car while at the Bread and Puppet Theater in Vermont when I was young. Not sure if that happened either.

Was the car a safe, calm place for me or something?

Yeah. So. See Planet of the Apes.

Every Girl Gets Her Man

On Tuesday night I went to the Soho Playhouse to see Every Girl Gets Her Man, written by Emma Sheanshang and directed by Michael Melamedoff.

The official description is as follows:
Five young women on the prowl for the perfect man get taken for the ride of their lives in this dark comedy about love, friendship and the redemptive power of delusion. Think Carrie Bradshaw on a blind date with Samuel Beckett!

Sounds awesome, right? It is.

You can still see it on Sunday, March 30th at 2pm or 7:30pm. Order your tickets here.

So...yeah. I won't give the whole thing away or anything like that. But there were a few things I could definitely relate to. Like how women react to men being...honest. And how we can, on occasion, kinda sorta, you know...only see the stuff we want to see.

The cast was great. I laughed a lot. It made me think. And shrink. And stuff.

See it.

BigScreen LittleScreen

On Monday night, I attended BigScreen LittleScreen for the first time.

What the heck is that?!

It's a meetup for folks who create (or are fans of) online video and interactive content.

I went mainly because it's run by Matt Semel, who is like...the coolest guy I know. ;)

Anyway, it was fun! A bunch of people showed their stuff and there was a good variety in the types of content.

Jesse Cowen and Erica Langworthy were there from Drawn By Pain. Very cool and different from other things I've seen. It's dramatic, stems from serious issues, and mixes live action and animation. Check it out for yourself!

Noneck noel of luck of seven was also at the meetup. He showed video from his recent round-the-world project. AND he let us in on his new endeavor, TaxiNYC - "one man, one camera, one cab, one city". Already drawn in, right? Follow him on Twitter. Check it out on Facebook. I'm gonna.

Oh, yeah... And sign up for BigScreen LittleScreen so you can learn about more very cool projects first-hand.

Superdelecat!

Check it out!

The Kelly Project and The Pit

Last night was super-fun.

I went out with my friend Kelly, who I met at Sundance this year. She recently quit her corporate gig and has started writing a novel. Yesterday she finished her 100th page! Go Kelly! You can check out what she's up to and how it's going at The Kelly Project.

You can ALSO see her in the Easter card at Carded.tv.



So. What did we do?

We went to The Pit for some free improv! There's a "karma" jar if you want to donate a couple bucks, but other than that it's free! And you can stay all night if you want to.

We went to the 7pm and the 8pm (two groups performed in each show). Then we went over to Mustang Sally's and took advantage of The Pit's drink deal. Cheap! After a quick drink, we went BACK to the theater for the 9:30 show.

Maybe 3 in one night was a little much. But it was fun!

Then I had ice cream for dinner.

Nice.

Backstage @ Carnegie Hall

On Sunday night, I worked in production for a concert at Carnegie Hall.

Involved were about 300 students from three California middle schools.

I had a blast... So cool to be backstage AND on stage (during sound check). I also got to make the announcements telling people to turn off their cell phones and stuff. For some reason, that was pretty fun.

Mostly, though, I was shuttling tweens from waiting areas to the stage to seats to wherever they needed to be.

I snuck a few photos using my iPhone.

One of the orchestra rooms:


Cellos waiting to be used:


Me on break in one of the dressing rooms:


After the show, there was a reception at Mars 2112. Lots of food and drink and even an ice cream bar. Oh...and unlimited video games. I managed to play a little bit!

PictureBox

Check this out! A friend found this in the PAPER Magazine newsletter. Cool.

SATURDAY, MAR. 22
Dan Nadel, the publisher of PictureBox (which puts out really sweet art, music, photography and comic books) is taking things to a new level, by opening up a department store, where you can pocket all sorts of wonderful goodies. All of PictureBox's publications plus an international assortment of books, prints and comics will be on hand, so head to Brooklyn for this grand opening and an even grander shopping experience.
PictureBox Departmental Store, 121 Third St., Park Slope, Brooklyn. Opening party from 6-9 p.m.

Alphabetical Music

Get your iPod and go to song list.

Start at a random spot and play the next five songs in alphabetical order.

What are they?

Mine:

1. Make Your Own Kind of Music - Mama Cass Elliot
2. Make Yourself Comfortable - Sarah Vaughn
3. Makeshift - The King of France
4. Makin' Whoopee - Louis Armstrong
5. Making Plans for Nigel - XTC

Fun set. :)

Pillow Fight!

Checkity check it out!

It's that time again - time for public pillow fighting, brought to you by newmindspace.

All info here.

The basics:
Saturday, March 22
3pm
Union Square, NYC

Bring a pillow.

Weekend Update

Wow. This week slipped by!

Here is an update...

I got a new part-time gig in concert production. Heard about it Wednesday, interviewed yesterday, start today. I'll be doin' stuff at places like Town Hall and, well, Carnegie Hall. Cool.

I took some headshots. I also shot a string ensemble at a cool little bar in Hoboken. Nine gorgeous musicians. And it was fun! Except for when I fell to the floor from a stool on a platform. I have a couple bruised knees to show for it. On the plus side, it got everyone to pay closer attention to me. I told them I side as a clown.

Speaking of clowns...on Tuesday night, the circus came to town. The info I had was that the elephants unloaded for the "Elephant March" to Madison Square Garden at midnight and you could see 'em on 34th St. It also said sometimes they're late. So when a friend suggested driving into the city to see if we could catch 'em, I jumped at the chance. We got to 34th Street around 1:30 and it was all over. Sources tell me it was over by 12:40. But it was a fun drive, on which I sampled some Brooklyn Fudge of a very interesting flavor - Wasabi Pecan! Pretty cool. You should check it out.

Last night I went to a dance performance, Pilobolus, at BergenPAC in NJ. There were several pieces. The first, Aquatica, was beautiful - lots of formations that looked effortless. The next two were kinda difficult to sit through.

Left early and rented Once. I'd seen it in the theater. At home, though, I was free to let the tears come rollin'. Yikes. I was in just the right mood to cry, it seems. Cries are good for ya once in a while, though, right?

BarCampNYC3!

I have been at BarCampNYC3 most of this weekend... And I brought the Fauxtobooth! It was lots of fun meeting & shooting everyone. Cool!

All my shots can be seen here, but here are a few for your immediate viewing pleasure!

SO. MUCH. FUN.

I had a fantastic time at the show tonight. Lots of my friends made it out, I met tons of people, I sold some photos, I drank some wine.

Yeah. Fantastic night.

Thank you to everyone who came out (Brent & Heather & Patti - I didn't get your photos!) and everyone who sent me well wishes... So appreciated!

Friday! Wine & Pretty Pictures!

Just a reminder to come out and drink wine and hang out and stuff Friday night...

On March 14th, there's this cool wine meet-up at which some of my photos will be shown! The theme for the evening is Asia, so some of my shots from my recent trip to Malaysia will be on display/for sale.



For those of you who don't know about my trip... I went there in November to visit my mother, who is currently living on a catamaran and sailing around the world. It was a beautiful country with welcoming people - and fun to photograph!

You can see a preview of some of the photos I'm selecting from here:
http://www.bombsquadindustries.com/brooklynhilary

Show info:

Friday, March 14, 2008 at 6:15 PM
The Plumm
246 West 14th St
New York , NY 10011

If you'd like to attend, please sign up ahead of time, as space is limited. It is a wine meet-up - there is a fee to get in ($11 in advance or $15 at the door). There are complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a selection of wines available for $7/glass.

Hope to see you there!

iTunes Presents: Meet the Author, Dan Kennedy

The below info is from an email blast I received concerning my friend Dan Kennedy. By "friend" I mean...I adore him and he knows I exist. ;) I've mentioned his new book, Rock On, on my blog before... The audiobook is available for download through iTunes!



------

LIVE at The Apple Store, SoHo
103 Prince Street
New York City, NY 10012

ROCK ON with Dan Kennedy & Lea Thau

6:30 PM—FREE

Live! Onstage! Author, GQ Contributor, and beloved Moth host Dan Kennedy in conversation with The Moth’s Executive & Creative Director, Lea Thau, brought to you by Apple and iTunes. Don't miss what promises to be a hilarious and insightful live reading and discussion of Dan's new book ROCK ON: An Office Power Ballad. The New York Times hails ROCK ON as “A succession of gently mordant vignettes, with hilariously spot- on asides about media image-making, music-biz hierarchies and sensitive singer-songwriters.” When Dan Kennedy is hired by a major record label in 2002, he thinks he's chanced upon a dream job in the world of full-blown gonzo rock and roll excess that has pockmarked his dreams ever since he was a suburban Southern California teen. The sobering reality: he's basically walked into a nine-to-five world that's equal parts Spinal Tap and The Office.

*The event will be recorded live for release as an Apple iTunes Music Store Podcast*

Takura:A Contemporary Circus Faerie Tale

Hey! I took some photos for this new production from the New York Circus Arts Academy.

Photos first, info about the show below - you can catch it this weekend!









----------

Takura
A Contemporary Circus Faerie Tale

Rose Nagelberg Theater, Baruch Performing Arts Center
55 Lexington Avenue (Entrance on East 25th Street), NYC
Saturday March 8th at 3:00 and 8:00, Sunday March 9th at 3:00
General Admission $30 ~ Tickets available at http://www.nycircusarts.com and at the theater one hour before showtime

What happens when New Yorkers run away and join the circus? They find their way, from all walks of life, to the New York Circus Arts Academy, where they train in the contemporary circus arts under industry professionals.

After building the largest circus arts program on the east coast, and launching the first certificate-granting Professional Training Program in the country, NYCAA is proud to present its first feature length production, Takura: A Contemporary Circus Faerie Tale. Created and directed by NYCAA founder Cypher Zero, this unique theatrical circus extravaganza features over 50 students and faculty members telling the story of a loyal creature's journey through the underworld to return a gift to his beloved in the land of the living. Takura incorporates tumbling, juggling, hilarious physical comedy, graceful aerialists, and otherworldly acrobats, accompanied by a live band performing the show's original score. This exciting, high-energy production, akin to The Lion King, Cirque du Soleil, and Stomp, is sure to prove a magical journey for all ages.

Doodle Monster Project

My buddy at bombsquadindustries.com has started a new project and I'm gonna be part of it! you should be too!



Get a creal box. Make it into a monster. Photograph it in your city. Submit photos to the project (on Flickr or by email - hello_B.S.I [at] bombsquadindustries [dot] com).

Check out info here!

Click! A crowd-curated exhibition...

My friend Julie told me about this - very cool.

The Brooklyn Museum is taking submissions for Click!

You submit a photo that goes along with the theme "Changing Faces of Brooklyn", along with an artist statement.

Open Call (March 1–March 31, 2008)
Evaluation (April 1–May 23, 2008)
Exhibition (June 27–August 10, 2008)

Check out the website for more information...

Fauxtobooth gets blogged!

Fauxtobooth: Colin
Originally uploaded by Brooklyn Hilary

Check it out! This is Colin McDonald, who I met (and fauxtographed) at Jelly last Friday. He made a great mention of Fauxtobooth on Naked Yak.

Check it out here!

Super cool, eh?

(Thanks, Colin!)

My day went like this

Wine & Pretty Pictures!

Come drink wine and hang out and stuff...

On March 14th, there's this cool wine meet-up at which some of my photos will be shown! The theme for the evening is Asia, so some of my shots from my recent trip to Malaysia will be on display/for sale.

For those of you who don't know about my trip... I went there in November to visit my mother, who is currently living on a catamaran and sailing around the world. It was a beautiful country with welcoming people - and fun to photograph!

You can see a preview of some of the photos I'm selecting from here:
http://www.bombsquadindustries.com/brooklynhilary

Show info:

Friday, March 14, 2008 at 6:15 PM
The Plumm
246 West 14th St
New York , NY 10011

If you'd like to attend, please sign up ahead of time, as space is limited. It is a wine meet-up - there is a fee to get in ($11 in advance, $15 at the door). There are complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a selection of wines available for $7/glass.

Hope to see you there!

Tea Message

On the Yogi Egyptian Licorice Tea that I'm currently drinking:

"Keep up."

Eek!