Sigh. I love this photographer. He says, “I’m not crazy about the term “street photography” to describe what I do, because it’s not necessarily done on the street. The pictures can be taken on a farm, at the zoo, in an office, and so on. Let’s say we consider the general category of “unposed pictures of people” (or sometimes animals or even inanimate objects when they happen to be possessed by human souls), and then the subcategory “with nothing particularly important going on.” If we further narrow it down to the “play” sub-subcategory, we get into the domain I’ve worked in for forty years. That’s what I like to do: play with ordinary reality, using unposed actors who are oblivious to the dramas I’ve placed them in.” -Richard Kalvar (Photo by Richard Kalvar)

I spent a total of 8 hours on 4 different trains yesterday but I didn’t mind the chance to sit and relax while I watched the world go by.

A classic case where my memory of this scene is much stronger than the actual photo. Two couples happened to be making out and whatnot on either side of the pillar across the tracks from me in the subway. Fun to watch, difficult to capture. Probably just as well.

Today I watched a program about hoarders – people who collect things to the extent their lives and the lives around them are miserably altered. I was transfixed by this condition wondering how and why this could happen. I don’t think I’m an obsessive collector of ‘things’ (except maybe shoes and glassware) and feel good about keeping a fairly trim apartment. But then I realized I am a major collector of memories – hence my drive to take pictures. Thank goodness for the digital age.

I recently received a book of photographs by Garry Winogrand, whose humorous and odd journalistic style speaks to me in many ways. In the book, is a quote by Winogrand in response to the question, “What is Art?” asked by one of his students. Winogrand says, “Art makes you question your conceptions. That’s what puns do. You don’t really laugh at a pun because anything’s funny. You laugh because you realize you’re not getting killed. Basically, a pun upsets you. Language is basic to your existence and a pun calls into question what you believe a word means and you laugh out of relief.” (photo by Garry Winogrand)

A sore replacement for the sun, but I’ll take it.

Kind of a useless shot – but I think it speaks of my tiny craving for the glamorous life.

Yesterday was orientation at the Park Slope Co-op, the largest co-op in the U.S. hovering around the 14,000 member mark. Offering ridiculously cheap, locally produced food, it has a mountain of rules which must be followed or you may find yourself suspended quicker than you can fry an egg. The selection is impressive, but I didn’t see any quail eggs (a favorite snack of mine) like they have at the outdoor markets in Thailand. I’ll make do.

After a trip to the dentist, I thought I’d treat myself to some cute things from this awesome Japanese book store in midtown. I can never have enough cute things in my life. Even the word ‘cute’ is cute to me.

These are just a few of the unusual finds at the Brooklyn Flea Market not two minutes from our apartment. Located in the former Williamsburg Savings Bank, it’s one of the coolest locations in our hood, thankfully preserved for the general public to enjoy.

Just your pretty, outdoors-y nature shot.

Flatbush Farm and Bar(n) in our hood serves up a mean brunch – and if their dinner is anything like their brunch, I’m there, fork in hand. This was my duck confit with warm lentil salad and two eggs before I completely demolished it.

Another shot of some brave “polar bears” quickly running out of Coney Island’s icy waters. Glad I wore my plastic boots.

Back to my mysteriously abstract and blurry ways. In part I was inspired by a set of photographs taken in the 60s in France by Tom Palumbo.

How cool that I was able to start the new year with a shot like this. A guy like him does not come around that often. He was definitely prepared to stay dry while the Polar Bears did their thing in the freezing cold ocean at Coney Island on New Year’s day.

A visual and sound sensation at Pratt to bring in the new year.