New York Fashion Week

My friend Shruti took me to three fashion parties this week. I'm such a terrible dag that normally an invite like this would terrify me but I feel so anonymous here and honestly what's not to like? Free booze, great music and a carnival atmosphere - count me in!

The shows we went to were presentations, that means that rather than doing a runway show designers have models lined up on a stage wearing their clothes. They sit there for a couple of hours and guests go and stare at them. It's a spooky experience, especially when the models stare back at you!

I know this sounds like a cliche but models up close really do look awful! The girls at one show looked like they had been ravaged by a long, brutal war. They could have appeared on a 60 minutes special about anorexia. It's also odd to notice how young they are. In photos models look like perfect images of beauty but up close they look like awkward teens. I wanted to give them hot cocoa and tell them about boys.



I met a writer for Indian Vogue who made a funny observation that stuck with me. She said that her country was commonly criticized for child labor, 'but' she said, pointing to the teenage models who were looking listless and bored in their extreme makeup and uber high heels, 'what about this?'

This is Shruti's friend from Nylon reporting on one of the events we went to.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahk05WuKYXk&feature=player_embedded

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!

The Mckibbin Lofts

I just found out that the building I live in has its own wikipedia page:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/248_McKibbin

Mugged.

I just got back from the Police Station where a Detective was making me look at mug shots. I got mugged on the weekend. I was loitering near a subway map at the Montrose L stop when a tall man came up to me. I thought he was going to hurt me but he just wanted my bag. I had my wallet in my hand and I dropped it while he was trying to pull my bag off my shoulder. Then he ran off with my wallet. As far as muggings go it wasn't a big deal but it's times like that when you really miss home. :(

The police made me drive around with them in the police car and look for the 'assailant'. That was an unusual experience. When I got home my housemates were really supportive and kind and it was a great excuse to talk to friends and family back home.

Niagara

I just got back from a shoot in Buffalo. We were filming a short film for the 'I heart NY' website. It was my first ever paid sound gig and one scene took place under Niagara Falls. Needless to say it was very challenging but loads of fun!

So Lonesome

So three of my best friends have left the big apple and I'm here all by myself, sitting in an editing lab while the sun shines outside. I need a break from cutting this spec ad but it's due tomorrow!

I was so lonesome last night that I found myself drinking beer and singing Nancy Sinatra songs to the blind cat my housemate is looking after. Thankfully Charles rang me from Texas for a chat, otherwise, who knows what would have happened.

I'm living in Bushwick now. My posts have been so infrequent that I think I forgot to mention this fact. I'm living in a huge warehouse full of young artists. It's very cool but very noisy so none of my neighbors would have been bothered by my rendition of "If He'd Loved Me".

Here's a picture of my friends that I took on a recent trip to Pennsylvania.

"Little Lady"

I directed a spec ad for Diet Coke today. Jess Dela Merced was my DP and she did an awesome job. Special thanks to everyone who made it possible, my crew, the dudes at the photography department and my very good friends Jarreau, Bella and Charles.

The commercial will be up on my blog in six weeks. Yay!