The Photodiarist

Reflections

Rockland County, New York: Piermont

Inspiration: I am back from an absolutely wonderful Memorial Day weekend. He surprised me by taking me to a romantic bed and breakfast in the Berkshire Mountains - about 3 hours from Manhattan. There are about a dozen small towns in the Berkshires - most of which are quaint, full of culture, art and good food. We stayed in Stockbridge (the home of Norman Rockwell) but spent quite a bit of time in Great Barrington, Lenox, Tanglewood and North Adams. On our way home last night, he took me to Piermont in Rockland County for dinner. This is a photo from our drive through Piermont. More photos and details later. I have an 8:00 am meeting at work and must move it now if I am to make it.

Together

New York: Union Square

Inspiration: Finally -- Memorial Day Weekend!  The beginning of summer (psychologically, albeit not technically). I have no idea what he and I are going to do yet.  He's planning our weekend and he is notorious for waiting until the last minute! The last I heard, we might be driving race cars on some speedway in another state. (Sigh.) I just hope there's some shopping and photography time built in. At least we will have some time to spend together. Our lives have been so hectic lately.  So what are you doing this weekend? Hope it's good!

Morning Light

New York: Gramercy Park

Inspiration: I am just back from a short (but seemingly very long) trip to Las Vegas. I was gone for about four days, but it felt like four weeks. While I was there, everyone was mourning the devastation and loss of life caused by the tornadoes in Joplin, Missouri.  It's always a bit surreal how life just goes on ever so normally for the rest of the world amid absolute disaster in another part of it. This morning is such a beautiful one in New York but I only have to flip on the TV to know how horrifying it is in Joplin and other parts of the midwest.

What the ??

New York: Lincoln Center

Inspiration: How could I have forgotten to post this until now?  Well, a reincarnation of Davy Crockett (or Daniel Boone) showed up at NYFW a few months ago. Actually, I take that back. I am pretty sure neither Davy nor Daniel would have been caught dead in the wilderness wearing python printed tights! While wearing fur is controversial, and this look is not for everyone (or anyone), you have to admire his commitment to his personal sense of style. 

Denim Forever

New York: Meatpacking District

Inspiration: Does he love denim or what?

On The Go

New York: E. Houston and Mulberry Streets

Inspiration: I am a bit delirious this morning. Why? For the past several months, I have been on the go, morning, noon and night. I shouldn't complain because practically everyone is tired and busy and stressed. But sometimes I just can't take it. Like this morning. Instead of facing two more projects that are being assigned to me today, I want to jump in a car or a plane or on a bike or even on a skateboard and vanish for several weeks. As far away as I can from my midtown office building and the panicky faces of my bosses and colleagues and oh-so serious projects that must be done now now now.  This weekend, I head to Vegas. But it's for work!  My bosses will be there too, so I will have no time to play. The best part is that I while I am on the plane, I will have no choice but to turn off my blackberry and phone and receive no e-mails or calls.  And for five glorious hours, I might be able to get some sleep!

Where Am I? Oh Yeah . . . New York

New York: Mott Street, Chinatown

Inspiration: New York is the kind of place where one can be transported into another culture and country simply by turning a corner into a another neighborhood. A few minutes from this spot is Little Italy (which is getting littler and littler every year). There are areas of the Lower East Side where you can walk for blocks and blocks and only hear Spanish and parts of East Village lined with tiny Indian restaurants filled with colorful decorations year round. Similarly, areas of Brooklyn are home to a myriad of Jamaican patty shops and the sounds of Jamaican patois.  I can go on and on describing different neighborhoods and cultures in this town. For me, this is the absolute best part of living in New York. Diversity like this is priceless.

FabFro

New York: Lincoln Center

Inspiration: I found this photo in my archives and fell in love once again with Julia Sarr-Jamois' wonderful head of hair. We've got nothing but rain coming our way this week, so this is the hair that I should be sporting -- weather proof and fabulous -- instead of trying to maintain the straightness of my blow-dried locks! Curly or straight -- what's your preference?

Bookworm

New York:  Washington Square Park (above); Madison Square Park (below)

Inspiration: So there's a reason why one should never say never.  Remember how I said I would NEVER read books on a device? That I would NEVER ever buy a Nook or a Kindle to replace my beloved books? Well, I have to confess something. . . I didn't buy a Nook or a Kindle. But I did buy an i-pad last month. And I love it!  But it doesn't stop there! Alas, I went app crazy and downloaded among several apps one that allows me to read books on my i-pad. And of course, I downloaded a few books. And thereafter read one (and a half). Thank goodness the library is not as extensive as my local bookstore and I that I still have a yen for actual books because that i-pad and this app are utterly convenient and so addictive! Notwithstanding this breach of a personal promise to myself, I remain always . . . a bookworm.

Prelude to Summer

New York: Washington Square Park

Inspiration: It's really getting good.  New York City weather, that is. We've been treated to nothing but sun all week so far.