The fact that this year will end in a couple of hours is pretty insane, but it relieves the hell out of me because so many things have happened. I have reasons to believe that 2011 was somehow intent on breaking me to see if I could actually pick up the pieces and slowly rebuild myself to become a stronger and better me that I could ever be. Now, here comes 2012, the chance for me to show the year that was that yes, I am a pretty tough person despite my size and that yes, I will bounce back from everything it threw at me. Back when I wrote about being excited about all the opportunities 2011 presented, I really meant it. Now, a short recap: The first 3/4 sucked. The last 1/4 was good. I’m still getting over the repercussions of the things that happened, but I swear, I’ll make no mind of it as soon as I get back on track with work and other real world things. That’s the best thing about anticipating a new year, you’re resigned to believe that things will change and it might just be for the better. Yes?
So, resolutions. I always do this, but I never get to do half of the things I list down. But yes. Resolutions. Just a few this time and ones that I could actually do:
- Take better pictures.
- Be brave enough to let people in.
- Take risks, but THINK.
- Work extra hard.
- SAY YES!
Last year, I celebrated New Year’s in Las Vegas with the company of friends. This year, I am in the comfort of my home. Home means being surrounded by people you love and love you back, right? Then yes, I am home.
Grab a plate and eat as much ham as you can because it is the ONLY time of the year that calories don’t matter. Have a great one and enjoy with your loved ones! Don’t forget to tell every single person you love that you’re thankful for their presence in your life. It matters.
To my friends in different parts of the world: I love you and I’m always thinking of you. <3
Tracklist:
- Pangea by Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
- La La Radio by Shugo Tokumaru
- My Girls by Animal Collective
- Where I’m Going by Cut Copy
- (You Can’t Blame It On) Anybody by Phoenix
- We Could Be Friends by Freelance Whales
- Ask by The Smiths
- (Please) Don’t Break Me by Catwalk
- Teenage Tide by Letting Up Despite Great Faults
- Index Moon by Grand Archives
- Cry by Gayngs
- Suck by Yuck
- Face It by Beach Fossils
- Wide Eyes by Local Natives
- I’m Not Sorry by Morrissey
- Spit On A Stranger by Pavement
Live at The Echo.
Prior to arriving at the venue, I had absolutely no idea they were already HUGE. I knew it would be quite packed, but not crazy packed to the point that people were already claiming their places near the stage even before the opening act had begun setting up. By then, I knew I had a zero chance of getting good shots from the back of that enormous crowd so I looked for the security guy. It was my first time shooting with a photo pass so I wasn’t aware of the certain “privileges” it entailed. So, the basics: you can go anywhere (well, still depends on the venue) and they wouldn’t care. Some venues only allow you to take photos during the first three songs. Before their set, I got to ask Dustin, the frontman, for a portrait when I saw him backstage. He asked if he looked creepy. I should’ve told him he reminded me so much of Bob Dylan and Daniel Blumberg (of the band Yuck). The two other photographers with photo passes were pretty big guys with a lot of equipment and I felt like such a fraud at first. Then I just thought, well, whatever.
These guys were such rockstars! I listen to them on my iPod and it makes me think of the beach on a quiet and relaxing afternoon. Beach Fossils live is a whole new experience. It makes you want to move and use all of your friggin’ limbs. The energy at the show was extraordinary. A moment worth noting: I witnessed crowd surfing for the first time in my life. At times, I was conflicted by my desire to stop, dance, and just enjoy the music. But then, I remembered I wasn’t allowed to be “distracting”. Movements had to be controlled because photographers were supposed to be sort of invisible to the band. I also didn’t want to be rude to the paying audience. In short, I had to act like a ninja. I didn’t want to get kicked out so I stayed put. Looking back, I’m glad I controlled myself because I look crazy when I dance in the first place. By the end of the whole thing, my heart was still beating fast and I couldn’t believe it was over. The adrenaline rush was incredible.
So anyway, that’s how I fell in love with music photography.
After being forced by my mother (plus several threats), I took one gross bite out of the durian-flavored mochi roll. It was just as disgusting as I thought it’d be. Don’t even tell me it’s psychological. It was really bad. My mom enjoyed it, but no thank you. I shall have none of that thing ever again. The red bean mochi and thai iced tea, on the other hand, were great. More of that please.
I’m trying to get used to wearing pants more. I was never a fan of the Gap, but this is the best pair of pants I own. I got it on sale more than a year ago and no other pair has ever been able to beat the level of comfort this one provides. I used to own only three pairs of pants and they were all custom-made (like I said, I have a weird pear-shaped body). After 4 years though, I’ve finally given them up. Ryan Gosling, I’d like to say I’m better than the Gap, but I obviously am not.
Blazer: H&M, Shirt & Sweater: F21, Pants: Gap, Belt: BDG, Socks: Urban Outfitters, Shoes: Clarks, Bag: Vintage
Okay, this is the most fun show I’ve ever been to. It’s going to take a whole lot to top this one (IF I get to go to a show soon). There were two others bands: Letting Up Despite Great Faults whose music reminded me of The Radio Dept. and then Ha Ha Tonka whose set was just so wild and energetic. Then there was Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. They are not only awesome live, but they’re also such nice guys. There were a couple of really lucky young bucks (under 21 fans) who got to see their favorite band perform a special acoustic set outside the theater. They just took request after request and it was great. I especially loved Will’s cowboy attire. He really pulled it off. I have also proven that despite how stiff my body usually is, it cannot resist SSLYBY’s music. FUN FUN FUN. I loved it so much. Thank you, SSLYBY, for such an amazing show!
More photos are up on Grimy Goods.
I started this book a month ago. Sad to say, I still haven’t found my “rhythm” as I’m still far from finishing. It’s not that the book is not good because it really is. “The People of Paper” is probably the most unique story I’ve read in a long time. I love how it boldly changes perspective. Has that been done before? The real problem is that I just get distracted too easily these days (even more than usual). Once upon a time, I read with desperation, turning the pages like a little girl during bedtime eager to know what’s coming next. I don’t know how or why I lost that enthusiasm. I need to get excited about books again. Any interesting new titles? (Dave Eggers, will you please write something?) Let me tell you this though: I will NOT let 2011 end without me finishing this damn book!
One of my goals for 2012 is simply to be a better person. I want to improve in my craft and gain confidence in my self and the things that I can do. It’s hard to put yourself out there because no matter how small the world may seem now, there are still billions of people in existence. There has to be more than a million exactly like you who can do the same things – only better. So how do I go about setting myself apart?
Pictured above are some business card designs I made. It’s an effort towards properly entering the real world as a professional (that is, if I do get these printed). They’re simple and the photos are meant to be the main focus, as always. I’ve tried to maintain a consistent aesthetic here (and all of my other sites) because I’ve always had a minimalistic style. All the stuff I write about and the photos I post here are personal. I could even go as far as to say they’re mine, but nothing is truly ever yours once they’re on the internet. So they’re partly mine. This blog redesign which, for CSS experts, may seem easy to replicate, but was worked on for hours with the intent of completing an “experience”. Every blog offers different kinds of experiences and I want to give a very personal one with mine.
To see it completely replicated only a couple of days after the redesign is terribly disheartening and frustrating. Despite the simplicity, I put a lot of effort into the things I do which is why it bothers me so much when people disrespect that hard work (especially when you’ve been very nice to them in the past). I’ve had my fair share of mistakes, but even so, I always try to take that inspiration to another level.
Christian retweeted the following quote today: “Self confidence is the ability to exercise restraint in the face of disrespect & also show respect in response.” I just hope I’m mature enough to shut up about this incident after this entry. I need to grow up and be the bigger person in the situation. Isn’t that what they always say?
Unrelated, but I just want to let you know that from now on, all fashion-related posts will automatically be on the Fashion Page. This is to avoid unnecessarily flooding the home page with my face!
“New Years” by Ohbijou
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