It’s definitely not the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen in a public restroom, but it sure is the least gross. What happens to some people when they use a bathroom in public. Are they just maniacs all the time? Or is the bathroom some sort of safe place for them to do something terrible to mess with an unwitting strangers day? We’re not talking about candy anymore are we?
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I spent today trying to rationalize keeping this coffee maker. I haven’t used it in a year. I’ve been using a Chemex, if not I got a v60 pour over too. I also just got an Aeropress. I can’t think of one practical reason to keep it. The reason I’ve kept it this long is because my Grandmother got it for me when I moved into my first apartment 4 years ago. I’ve attached this sentimental feeling to an inanimate object. I tend to do that. If I had unlimited space, I would probably rarely get rid of any of them. I’ve seen Hoarders, I know what your thinking. I don’t have unlimited space. I’ve moved 3 times in 4 years in New York City where rent is stupid high and space is limited. I’m able to shed layers when I need to.
It seems stupid to have an emotional attachment to a coffee pot, but I do. I’m struggling to let it go. I took it off the counter, and put it in a to go pile by the door, but I’m know I’m stalling. It makes me think of her, and then I inevitably think of my grandfather as well. I forget it all the time, because life goes on, but I miss my grandparents, and this red piece of plastic reminds me of them.
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If there’s one thing that this blog makes me painfully aware of, its how uncomfortable I am shooting people. I enjoy it, and I especially enjoy looking at the pictures I take of people. But the act of shooting a stranger, just kills me sometimes. I tried to take a portrait of someone the other day, and they got so uncomfortable it made me uncomfortable.
I shoot people who want to get their picture taken and its easy. We both have a good time and we get something fun. Otherwise its like I’m a dentist and I’m about to fill your cavities.
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<twitch>So my eyelid is twitching again. I need to start meditating or something. Maybe making it to the gym more than a day or two a week. I’m sure staring at a computer monitor all day can’t help, peeping pixels like a mad man. Or laying off the coffee. There is almost no conceivable way that last one is happening. At its worst today I went for a walk to get coffee(I know, shut up.) The walk and sunlight seemed to help, maybe I’m just lacking vitamin D or something. Take care of yourself everyone.</twitch>
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When I went to take the picture of the Halal cart, this drunk came up to me telling me that “this truck faggot didn’t deserve to get his picture taken.” I said something to the effect of “that’s kind of uncalled for isn’t it” He said he “didn’t mean it like that.”
I could smell the stale beer on his breath. His cloying hands kept reaching for me the way only a lonely drunk can. Clearly not reading any of the social cues. I got pretty nervous, I wasn’t really worried about my personal safety, but I had my camera attached to my tripod slung over my shoulder like a bayonet. I kept getting flashed of my glass shattering against the floor. I shook him off, and got my pictures.

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Was stumped today, and came across a photo challenge on Reddit about abstract light. I saw it after the deadline, but decided to use it anyway. I miss being around other photography students. After college the large majority of photographers I meet are phony, egotistical, or both. Its probably an armor we’re supposed to wear, but I can’t bring myself to do it. Some students “know it all” but they’re generally still open to learning a new way.
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One of the first photo’s I took with a digital camera was of a parking meter. I can’t tell you why, or why I remember this but I do. I got a parking ticket in Yonkers a few weeks ago. I put 2 hours in and when I came back in 45 minutes I had a ticket and the meter was expired.
“Why should I care?” you ask? You shouldn’t! But I’m writing about it on the internet anyway. The long and short is: I called a number told them it was broken, they took my info, I called back a week later, and they told me it wasn’t broken, and that I had to pay the ticket or go to court over it.
I was furious. Not because of the ticket. I get tickets all the time, but because I have no way to prove anything, except for a roll of quarters that’s two dollars short. So my only option is to pay the stupid forty five bucks or waste a day in court to say its broken, and then have to pay it anyway.
What’s the significance of any of this? Why am I typing a junior high school essay about it? Because I took a photo of a handsome parking meter today, and its quick free association.