I'm a winner!

Phillip and I spent a chunk of time working on a project two months ago. Basically for a whole week we spent every night behind a computer editing a video which had consumed hours writing, recording sound, figuring out logoistics, and filming. Being our second project (our first wasn't really a project, just a good bye song for our darling Agathe) we weren't sure how it was going to work out- just that we were amped, and really were excited about working on a real project together. Our project was a Bicycle Safety PSA for the Biking Rules PSA Film Festival.
We made a 70's themed piece, with some off kilter humour. The best part was that we involved all our friends who were willing to help, and my dad gets a special thanks for providing the voice over. Several weeks ago we received an email saying that we made it into the final round and our piece was going to be screened at BAM! That was some of the most baller news ever. And the other piece of news was that the winners would be annouced at the event- the grand prize for our catergory- ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS!
(yes I took a picture of myself on the big screen at BAM. Don't be jealous.)
Our piece was screened third to last, and after spending close to an hour watching all the other amazing pieces we weren't sure how ours fared but- WE WON! We were winners! $1,000 winners!
Many thanks to our friends and my family who came out, bought tickets to the event, and supported us. For our first endevour, we feel acomplished, affirmed, loved, and a little richer.
Also my dad wore a bow tie. I think that's why we won- fer realz.
After the screening they had a beer reception, with Brooklyn Brewery, my fav. We all drank and rejoiced. Phillip and I tried to network, kinda. I really wanted to talk to No Impact Man, who was on the judging panel, and a personal hero of mine, but I couldn't really remember what he looked like. Probably to his benefit because all I would have done was gushed gushed gushed.
I also wanted to find Tod Seelie, whose blog I read on the regular. He submitted some fantastic photos of tall bikes from when he was traveling in Bali, Jarkata, Toyko, and basically everywhere I want to go. I've seen tall bikes before (and tragically tried once to ride one), but my mom has definitely never been exposed to them and was really excited about them. I don't think he was there.
During dinner my mom said, "You know, this makes me want to ride a bike." All in all, fantastic night!

Chicago Industry

Finally I brought my camera into the office- so I can tell a tale or two about Chicago. Riding my bike from Pilsen to the West Loop brought me to this industrially beautiful place. Right here, this is something you can't always find in New York, though near the Gowanas Canal it gets pretty close. I can't get over the expanses of space all over the city, the industry that is another world. It existed the entire time I was in Chicago, and I never interacted with it more than an observer and a voyeur. Yet I must have known there is a whole community whose world revolves around the industry. A whole hidden history, a hidden world.
Once, while still in college, I took my video camera out to Bridgeport, Back-of-the-Yards Chicago to record the industry, the empty. I never did anything with the footage, but its proof the space always intrigued me.

Blu Sky

Last week I ran around the city doing work for a client. It was totally hands on and I loved it. We snuck on rooftop in Chinatown to do some surveillance photography for the project (more on that in a month). While the crew was setting up I took this photo- I just loved the way he centered himself along the building, totally unawares of his genius composition.

Tonight! Family game night chez moi, plus some Carlo Rossi- I'm amped!

I got the plauge

I have been home, sick as a dog, for almost a week. Thusly- I have not posted. I didn't get "swiney" as some people liked to poke fun, just a never ending cold, that seems to be more or less over except for this persistent dry cough. I was banned from the office yesterday due to my contagious-ness, so I ran around the city getting stuff to make necklaces for all my friends for x-mahanzadan. Do you want one? Let me know!
In other news, because I'm ab-fab, Bradford wrote about me- and my fashions- on Full Frontal Fashion.
Check it out, I look adorable. Comment away!
(Today I'm not feeling modest at all...)
Plus its the last day I was healthy, it was all down hill from there.

My dog is totes adorable

This is old man Merlin, and yes hes adooorrrraaabbllleeeeeee. My brother and his girlfriend are taking care of him just because they want to. Merlin seems to be enjoying it, I don't know if he's ever visited the reservoir before. This is totally a geeewwwyy post of my dog. I understand its gratuitous. But its really cute.

Chicago makes me happy

I just got back from Chicago, after being away for three days from the office I'm swimming in lots of work. And tomorrow sounds like a whole day away from the office running around on a special top secret mission. Look out for me in the city... and maybe Queens. These posts will be short.
My camera is at home, sleeping after being exhausted during its trip. And also, maybe I forgot it. So short, and photoless.

Highlights of my trip:
-Halloween, duh
-Meeting Kirsten and Becky's new roommate, Bill, a championship swimmer who wakes up at 3AM every weekday to go swimming, still wears his retainer 7 years later, and Barbie is the name of his girlfriend. This dude was totes amazing.
-Riding bikes with three other ladies in costume through the Chicago streets on Halloween night, hooting and hollering, and being hooted and hollered at.
-Spooning Becky and Kirsten
-Two dollar PBR's at the Skylark
-Tews and Sean Web djing so good
-Sleepwalking for the first time ever
-Eating Caprese Eggs Benedict at Orange, TACO BURRITO KING, homemade potato chips at Jerrys', and a veggie burger plus caramel milkshake at Earwax
-Thrift shopping, in an all leopard print outfit with Kirsten in an all zerba print jumpsuit. Animal Print Day.
-Seeing some amazing people, loving them, having long lifetalks
-Chicago Bike Messengers make great eye candy
-Getting drinks with my favorite Chicago EIC, at the ballerest cafe in Chicago, and exploring Southport
-Riding the El and the buses in general
-Running around the O'Hare terminal like a crazy person with no shoes on and hands full of tenthousandthings flailing about, "Hi can I skip you my flight is in just minutes! Okay? OKAY! thank you sooooo much!"- just making my flight by a hair.

Chicago is amazing, and this trip was fabulous. So much more to come.

Your wonderful brain

Hello all- I'm off to Chicago, because I love it. I'm going to be a Cholo in Pilsen. Suck on that.
Here it is, your wonderful brain.


TRU LUV FOREVER!